WWII DESERT SAND??

that's out of the bag reptile sand with nothing added except a wet spray down.

What color did you use for the sand or is that the color of the reptile terrarium sand?

I like the Panzer Gray and Gelb Braun schemes myself.

Thank you for taking the time to look around the link is very helpful. I've been doing some searching as well and now have some good ideas. The next thing is to decide on a color scheme. So many choices.

i use reptile terrarium sand from the pet store for my sand. this the trumpeter 150mm painted in MMA german sandgelb (i think it's MMA). took a first in artillery at local contest in oct.

I just came across this link of photos that will be most helpful. It is the Libyan desert where a derelict P-40 was found a couple of years back. Excellent for the quality of the images.

http://p40hawksnest.co.nf/Survivors/DesertHawk.html

Wouldn't get too caught up in achieving the right colour, but definitely do as Stik suggested, take some image searches for ideas.  With the recent turmoil in Libya, the news media has provided much photos of the region.

I think you will find though that results will show a variety of shades from the same location, is this indicative of different sands?  Maybe, but I think more likely the result of different atmospheric conditions and time of day the photos were taken.  There are different soil types out there (try a map search on soils of North Africa), but this is most prevalent in Tunisia.

Equally important, if not more so, is getting the texture right.  Also, any ground weathering you have done on the vehicle should also be applied somewhat to the desert floor to tie things together.  This way the vehicle looks to have driven through the area and not beamed into place.   Most of all, have fun and post pictures!

regards,

Jack

Do some image searches for those areas of Libya- Tobruk, Benghazi, etc, In photos much of that terrain is flat hard sand strewn with rocks and scrub brush. I would lean more towards the yellower or grater sand tones... Radome Tan, Armor Sand are good starting points there.

Good point,  I was going for a Libya, when German Afrika Korps was dispatched to North Africa during Operation Sonnenblume to reinforce Italian forces in order to prevent a complete Axis defeat.  I want to depict a battle for control of Libya before the Second Battle of El Alamein.  Any ideas?

It depends upon which area you want to depict. There were differences in Tunisia, Libya and Egypt in the generl tone of the land varying between grayer, yellower or redder hues to the sand.