Specifically !944 Normandy !

Need Help on what are the correct colours from the Humbrol paint range !

i.e. what colour for tunics, trousers etc etc

My son is about to assemble numerous different kits of the above from different manufacturers, i.e. Tamiya, Dragon, Italeri etc etc but all show different paints and differing colours ! He wants to set them all together when painted and assembled and subsequently wishes to paint them the same, please help because we keep getting conflicting colour and number options ! Humbrol (or possibly Tamiya) paints are the easiest for us to source !

I look forward to anybodys help !

Dave

Thats quite a big question your asking there, If its a basic infantry uniform then you need field grey for tunic trousers and helmet also the gas mask container,black for jackbootsand belts and webbing,silver for collar&lapel insignia,the rest of the equipment go by the box art I dont think you need be to fussy a lot of the equipment would be well used so the colours would vary.I would suggest you browse the figure and dioramma forums plenty of figures there that can give you some ideas.If you want to model S.S. or tank troops I would invest in a reference book, thats a specialised field.Just a point about Tamyia paints they dont brush to good I would stick to humbrol ,revell or even oils, Tamyia are best for airbrushing.Im sure one of our experts will give you some more info,good luck glad to hear your sons into the hobby. Oh and welcome to the Big "A" enjoy.
P.S. may help if you could let us know what kits you intend using,lot of different divisions in Normandy

As I said with the American infantry, a relaxed approach is best. Have a look at some re-enactor sites (no shortage of them ) and at the boxart and don't worry too much about the colour description on the tin. Just because it's marketed as an aircraft colour doesn't mean it's unsuitable. German uniforms were pretty variable, depending on the source of the cloth, what it was made of and the stability of the dyes used.

If you were going to buy only one book, I would suggest getting this Osprey book on German equipment German equipment Not only does it explain what all the bits and pieces are and how they are worn, it also has some more Volstad artwork.

Uniform doesn't have to mean identical.

thanks for the feedback to date !

I think its the field grey thats causing the confussion more than anything ! Whats the Humbrol colour number for that ?
It seems a number of the kits suggest the infantry tunic to be more of a field green than grey, but most pictures i see or films that you see seem to depict the German uniform as mainly field grey !

He aims to set them against US 29th Infantry and so the uniform would be that the Americans would have come up against on D - Day !

Hope this helps further !

Another question, out of interest, probably more for the history buffs amongst us ! But having read the Osprey book on Omaha beach it makes reference to the Shermans used, and that only four made it ashore from the initial wave ! Interestingly, it says they were mainly equipped with the canvas skirt for waterproofing, however it seems to suggest that a couple of them had the two large air ducts attached to the back ! I can find no reference as to which 4 made it ashore ? i.e. were they the canvas skirt variety or the air duct variety, and where exactly did they make it ashore ? I apologise for any ignorance displayed or lack of correct termoligy, but bear in mind that both my son and i are new to this and learning as we go along !

thanks to all you helpers out there !

Dave

Amazingly Humbrol have dropped their version of field grey (which was H111), so it might have to be a judgement call on which green you think best resembles field grey.

And for the Shermans, have a look at this Swimming Shermans

BTW I came across this 29th ID reenactment group site, have a look at their Normandy photos

Reenactors

Some nice links there, thanks !

Its the deep wading gear Sherman that i'm talking about as a possible build then ! Seems thats the one my sons seen amongst his history books and wants to include !

Oh woe is me with my Humbrol paints, looks like many a search for a field grey then ! Wonder if Reval do one, i know of a shop nearby that sells their paint range ?
Also know of a shop nearby that does the games workshops paint ranges but dont know if they would have either the colour or the paints suitability ?

Its good fun this modelling lark anyway, the kid builds, and i'm a dab hand with the artists brush ! lol

Dave

Hi I believe Vallejo do a field grey, they are good paints and are water based acrylics, you can get them from models for sale .com very quick and reliable company. If you want some quality brushes try Historex agents they do artist sables at very good prices and they to are quick and reliable. hope this helps.

Just found it, WWII German Field Grey, just ordered ! Thanks for the assistance !

Dave