hi,

I am starting my first armor kit and has chosen to build M113 Zelda (Academy) straight from box. Problem is, i cant make sense of the colors..

I would like to make a desertised version:
Exterior TS-46 Tamiya
Interior?? Tamiya or Gunze prefered.

Another question: what color from Gunze to convert from TS-46?

Cheers!

Hi Dan,

Welcome to Armorama!

What do you mean by "desertised version"? Zelda is only used by one country - Israel. And Israel Defence Forces use only one color on all their armor - sand grey. TS-46 is not a good color for Israeli vehicle. Unfortunately I don't know what color from Gunze would work here. Tamiya does not have a matching color in their catalog.

Interior should be probably pale green, as this is most common for M113s, but I'm not sure if IDF also use it.

Pawel

hi there,..try desert yellow or khaki drab. then shading it with darker colors.

The best color for this is ModelMaster Sinai Grey, a sort of khaki tan color unique to the Israelis. Tamiya;s desert yellow isn't even close and IIRC their khaki drab is way too dark.

The closest interior match to sea foam green is the British WWII paint "Sky" which is actually a pale green.

Both Tamiya and Gunze make that one.

I've read in IDF groups that a good match for modern IDF green/grey can be made with model Master Olive Drab and US modern Desert sand mixed 50-50.

I have not tried this with Tamiya or Gunze colors yet.

For the older 70-80's era browner color, I used to use Tamiya Flat Earth and weather lighter from there, but the IDF has moved away from using that paint color.

HTH, sorry I do not have the exact Gunze #'s
Mike

Go to web page IDF.com and view their articles section on the colors of IDF armor. The author compares colors with time of combat and then compiles a list of available paints and mixes from several companies to achieve the best finish. Good Luck on your painting spree.

Thanks guys! I have noted all your commennts and will follow the leads to do more research!

Cheers!

Hi i can insure u interior are varius in the idf many pale greeen and sometime yellow leater, i been inside many times and i seen many color, davide army is very efficient but in the color and form is varius, some zel;da in jerusalemme was still green , so at the drossway in the kennesset i seen it green many times
mario

Hi There,Another option for you is White Ensign Models Sinai Grey.I use it now for all my IDF vehicles that need it,it comes as an enamel in tinlets and paints fine straight from the tin.

Hi Dan, if those ready made colours are not easily available to you have a look at the IDF subsection in this armour forum top of first page,there posts on there relating to IDF colours one has a break down of various mixes to make your own,not sure about this but I dont think the Zelda is a front line vehicle nowdays you may be better off using the colour used in the early 80s when it was in its hayday,obviously that is your choice.hope this helps. Dan the vehicle above was painted with White ensign Sinae grey which is the 1980s colour:-H

modelmaster has a color called isreali armor sand and from what i read later isreali vehicles were painted some shade of olive drab

blackeast19 heres is a website link for you all about idf modeling http://idfmodelling.free.fr/refvehicle.html