Introduction

Several new sets of paints have come out recently that tackle the issue of color modulation and detailing head-on for the modeler who is unsure about mastering these techniques on his or her own. Using straight Field Gray on a uniform, for example, produces a realistic "fake" look. Not only are different fabrics different shades of the same color, depending on fading, sunlight, age, dirt, etc., but the folds in clothing have an overall different look depending on their position on the body.

Figure painters know you can't rely on natural shadows to deepen color tones; you must come up with an artifice to replicate nature and especially, depth. But the problem is exacerbated by the use of camouflage uniforms, especially the Waffen-SS during the middle and later stages of WW2.

No company has jumped in quite so forcefully as Acrylicos Vallejo, who has released several sets designed to make painting uniforms second nature to modelers, now with two new sets for German regular troops and Waffen-SS.

Contents

Inside a long pasteboard box is a set of eight Vallejo 17ml bottles:

• 70740 SS Middle Brown
• 70741 SS Dark Black Green
• 70822 German C. Black Brown
• 70845 Sunny Skin Tone (for uniform highlights, not flesh tones)
• 70872 Chocolate Brown
• 70940 Saddle Brown
• 70967 Olive Green
• 70981 Orange Brown

Included is a long two-sided instruction sheet with ample color photos showing how to apply the colors.

The Review

While a few special units of the SS were wearing camouflage as early as 1935, the widespread use of Flecktarn ("Splinter" Camo) by the SS didn't begin until later, and didn't spread to the regular army until mid-war. The various names given to Flecktarn apparently are not authentic to the German Army, but have fallen into common usage:

Platanenmuster ("plane tree pattern")
Palmenmuster ("palm pattern")
Eichenlaubmuster ("oak leaf pattern")
Erbsenmuster ("pea dot pattern"), the last regular type and introduced in March 1944

Waffen-SS camo uniforms were divided into Spring and Autumn color combinations. This set focuses on three of the most-common patterns

Platanenmuster ("plane tree pattern")
Palmenmuster ("palm tree pattern")
Eichenlaubmuster ("oak leaf pattern")

And it shows modelers how to make the Spring and Autumn color combinations (the designs are the same; only the color palette changed).

The instruction sheet shows a photo tutorial for applying Platanenmuster ("plane tree pattern") in the Spring colors, and one for Palmenmuster ("palm tree pattern") in the Autumn color palette. Each tutorial is in nine steps, and generously shows with color photos what steps are required.

Conclusion

With no easy way to tackle Waffen-SS camo, this set offers ordinary modelers a "one stop shopping" solution to having the correct colors, as well as how to apply them for a reasonably accurate solution to the problem of rendering these tricky patterns.

Thanks to Acrylicos Vallejo for providing this review sample. Be sure to mention you saw this set reviewed here on Armorama when ordering one of your own.