WIP #2: The "Stubborn Emil". Trumpeter 12.8cm Sf. L/61 - 1/35

Now this should be interesting, off to a good start with your Emil.

From a 2006 Missing-Lynx post concerning Sturer Emil's camo:

"I talked to Tom Jentz and Hilary Doyle at the AMPS Nationals 6 weeks ago about this very subject. I too have collected a variety of photos from the internet showing a distinct camo pattern on the barrel (most noticeably) and on the sides of the fighting compartment. Tom and Hilary confirmed that this spg was painted in a 1942 2-tone "Tropen" paint scheme since it was fighting in Southern Russia where many of the Wehrmacht and SS unit afvs were camoflaged in a similar scheme. Definately not an overall dark grey paint scheme.

Tom and Hilary both commented that they have been searching for several years for the order specifying the 1942 Tropen paints used but have yet been successful in their quest. They both agreed that its possible that the Germans just used the paints specified for the 1941 Tropen paint schemes (these 1941 colours are known - I have no references at home describing them but am sure they have been described elsewhere)but it is possible that there were 2 new paints ordered for 1942 that are different than the 1941 Tropen paints. The upshot of all of this is that the "Emil" was painted overall in a light coloured paint (sand/light brown?) with a camo pattern applied with a darker colour (dark brown?). That's about all I have at the moment. I'm planning on contacting Tom when I start my own Emil for more info."

http://www.network54.com/Forum/47207/thread/1149942033/Emil+camo-

Thank you Mr. Bill and Ixion! Much appreciated 
Summer vacation has come to an end, it has been 3 weeks of sunshine so build time has been limited with lots of outdoor family activities.

Here is what Emil looks like after the first attempt.
Still struggling with the lens- sorry for bad focus.
One of the links I followed spoke about the camouflage pattern being applied in "cloudy" patches.
I was considering spraying the khaki through a template but decided to go freehand.
That was a mistake - I am considering redoing this.
Especially since I have a funny frozen/sandy surface appearance due to lack of experience with the air brush. 





Now its time for the dot filter - thank you for providing the instruction Mr. Bill 

Happy modelling everyone :)
Zack 

Would that be "german grey" you used to paint the road wheels? I ask because I used it nce and it was a great worn rubber look   until I photographed it then it looked blue as in your photo, no complaints or criticizem just wondering. The german grey looks very convincing in the flesh IMO. Nice build so far.

Thank you for looking and for your comments armornut 

Yes that is XF-63 German Grey.
Funny - never noticed the bluish tint.
I bought a bottle of XF-85 Rubber Black but that was to black 

//Zack 

Cool, I built an emil myself but went for the all grey finish, when I get it down here I might repaint it, man that was ALOT of grey and I hadn't attempted any shading or heavy weathering. My other question about this SP is how far can they elevate the gun? the model builds out so the gun breach and rail ( slips my mind what else to call it) bumps onto the rear deck area. fun build none the less.

Elevation of the gun is +10 to -15 degrees.

The camo pattern looks good Zack but it sounds like you may have gotten a grainy/pebbled finish from the paints? That can often happen when you don't have the thinner/pressure ratios quite right. Hopefully you can salvage it!