Hi Guys,

What is a good method for painting the window periscopes on american tanks (circa 1945 - 1965). Thanks for your help and advice.

Black with a couple coats of gloss over top. You can also use clear green and a couple coats of gloss for some variety and depth to them.

Hello Spades!

I use to paint them using 6B regular pencils... the result is very intersting.

Bye,

Marcelo

Hi there Spades,

I allways use gloss dark blue (Humbrol 15) for painting my periscopes, after weathering and washing I add an extra coat of gloss varnish...I'm happy with the results.

HTH, John.

I sometimes use black marker pens, its easier and no need to gloss them...

Cheers

thanks for the advice guys.

For additional info FineScale Modeler in its Dec. 2004 issue has an article on how to simulate modern AFV optics, which lists several options. Mentioned just in case want same information on modern armor.

When painting periscopes, I use thinned acrylics. A good paint/thinner ratio with vallejo acrylics is about 1:1 (I apply same amount of drops. I have used regular tap water for thinning). I then apply this thin paint by carefully flowing it to the recessed periscope. It takes a couple of coat to cover, that's why I use acrylics. Finally, a coat of gloss varnish takes care of the glass-like appareance.

Works great especially on small-scale armor, where painting traditionally would be very fiddly.
This same method can also be used in painting dial faces in aircraft cockpits.