What is the colour of the 1939 Merc G4 staff car that hitler used?

I am in the UK. One example is in germany, the other is in the US and the doctors are not letting me travel at the moment.

I did spray up several different light and dark greys and using various photos which do show different hues dependig on the camera and firmware plus any extra work in photoshop etc gave me a pretty good idea of what is closest.

Also you have to keep in mind that the entire colour system used by Germany was given a radical overhaul after the war and anything used was either deleted or changed, so getting a match, unless an actual reading could be done and then made which would be really expensive and overkill.

This is what is called fooling the subconcious brain. You have a subject which is well known. You then paint it with a colour that is very close and then let the brain do it's job.

The concious brain will say to the sub-concious. That's the pale version of Hitlers big car.

Ok. Yes. Let me dig into the memory. the colour should be this... Ok. Yes. that's it.

The sub concious brain matched the close colour to the original and that's what you see!

In this I see what looks like almost a pearly grey, but lighter and the closest colour I know of is the Fleet Air Arm Sky Grey.

It is the same with the dark grey. It shows some blue in it and some photos show it to be a dark blue but that is probably the camer firmware getting a bit mixed up as most show it to be a very dark grey-blue. One of the RAL colours that remains unchanged is RAL 7024. It looks just about right compared to the photos. They will do for me!

I think they're close enough for government work.    Unless you took them to the museums and compared them next to the actual examples, then you are just going by images supplied on the internet.  Color is such an elusive beast!

Gary

Looks like you pegged it pretty well.

Just out of curiosity and while waiting for some stuff to dry on the Lancaster I delved into my paints and reckon I just nailed it.

The Merc 770K that was used would be gloss black. Not worried about that. The G4's were different and made by Daimler-Benz???? Hmmmm seems to be some confusion around the net!

Two distinct colours. One pale grey for ceremonial and one dark grey for normal parades etc. There wer not many made and most it seems were requisitioned for the party.

The colours have only had ONE coat of Vallejo clear Gloss on. They do recomment two coats and I did put it on pretty thick and wet.

Now the colours.

One the left is Sky Grey (71.407 from the FAA set). it is labelled as FS36463 butMatches the FAA chipset too.

One on the right is RAL 7024 (71.054) again with one thick coat of gloss on.

I think that that's about right after looking at lots of photos on the web.

Comments welcome

Thanks Gary.

Ok. I will get my greys out and get as close as I can with a gloss finish.

I think the grey would be the RAL 7021. a very dark grey which was the standard for all military vehicles at the time.

I have emailed the two museums. Just have to wait to see if I get any response!

Out of curiosity, I did some reading and came across this.

"Production of the G4 began in 1934 by the German firm of Daimler-Benz and lasted through 1939. The vehicle was delivered in two distinct finishes for their intended presentation roles - the first was of ceremonial showpiece and the second was of high-ranking personnel transport. The former was delivered with a glossy light gray finish complimented by a black fender and matching black running boards. The latter was delivered with a matte gray military finish as standard. Both versions featured a collapsible, soft-topped covering to protect occupants from the elements as well as solid glass windows. The cover conveniently collapsed in a setting at the rear upper edges of the vehicle frame. A hard-topped version of the vehicle was also produced and made up both a "Radio Car" communications vehicle and "Luggage Vehicle" for Hitler's private entourage when traveling. Some versions lacked the rear passenger side windows as well."

https://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=368

So the light-gray and matte-gray (the blue you mentioned) are both correct.  Just depends on the setting you wish to portray.  That matte-gray looks like RLM 66 to my eyes.  Maybe a shade darker.

Take care!

Gary

That's interesting. one is like a very pale grey. I would put it almost like the RAF sky Grey used by the FAA.

The one in the lyonair museum is a blue. do I see one of each colour being built? Hmmmm

Time to do some emails!

Thanks guys. I will report back!

James

Oddly, I was watching "Autobiography" which contained segments on a Mercedes-Benz 770 and the G4.  The General Lyon Air Museum in Santa Anna, CA has examples of these, including one of the G4s used by Hitler.  You might wish to contact them concerning colors, as this example has not been repainted.

http://lyonairmuseum.org/exhibit/1939-mercedes-benz-model-g4-offener-touring-wagon

Gary

Photos of preserved/restored vehicles (like this one, in the Technikmuseum Sinsheim) show a glossy silver grey--a 'pure' grey without any discernible tint of green, blue, etc.

Check classic car organiztions and websites; knowing the Teutonic inclination for keeping records, there's bound to be a paint code or color chip somewhere. Barring that, find a modern automotive color that suits your eye as a match.