1940 fallschirmjager

There were several different pieces of uniform types worn, both in the smocks, and in the trousers. Gray or Field Gray can work for the trousers, depending upon the type worn, but the solid color smock was a lighter shade than Field Gray. 

Look at this photo from 1940 Norway. Yeah it’s rough, typical of print versions of original WWII German color photos and not a good for solid color suggestions, but both versions show the lighter color of the smock distinctly different from the rousers and Blue blouse

stikpusher

There were several different pieces of uniform types worn, both in the smocks, and in the trousers. Gray or Field Gray can work for the trousers, depending upon the type worn, but the solid color smock was a lighter shade than Field Gray. 

Look at this photo from 1940 Norway. Yeah it’s rough, typical of print versions of original WWII German color photos and not a good for solid color suggestions, but both versions show the lighter color of the smock distinctly different from the rousers and Blue blouse

 

 

 

 

yes this is where my confusion comes from. Sometimes i see what appears to be a field gray or a pants and a light gray/blue top or it’s all a light gray or it’s all field gray. I suppose if they were in the sun for a period of time it’d be lighter. 

The smock was a wind proof material, and something of an olive gray in color. I like using something like Tamiya or Humbrol RLM Gray for that. The trousers depend upon the type worn, but a grayer shade of field gray, or a darker bluish gray works for those. 

stikpusher

The smock was a wind proof material, and something of an olive gray in color. I like using something like Tamiya or Humbrol RLM Gray for that. The trousers depend upon the type worn, but a grayer shade of field gray, or a darker bluish gray works for those. 

 

Ill keep that in mind this weekend when i work on my figures, I’ll probably play around a bit with it and see which suits the figures better. 

Thank you once again 

You may want to look for Model Master Field Gray, 4614 in their acrylic line... it is much lighter and more bluish gray than everybody else’s take on the color. It would look good for the smock.

stikpusher

You may want to look for Model Master Field Gray, 4614 in their acrylic line... it is much lighter and more bluish gray than everybody else’s take on the color. It would look good for the smock.

 

I will, i remember a long time  ago i used it. I converted most my paints to acrylic over the past few years. I used to have the problem of the lids on the model master paints sealing up and not being able to open them again .

If you keep the threads on the jar and lid wiped clean, you can reduce that problem. Wet paint getting in that area and then drying is the culprit for that issue.

stikpusher

If you keep the threads on the jar and lid wiped clean, you can reduce that problem. Wet paint getting in that area and then drying is the culprit for that issue.

 

Thats what i figured, cant tell you how many glasses of paint i wasted because of this.

I've seen some pics of the smock being splinter camo. But I've not been able to master that on a 1/35 scale. Then I've seen some people have it in the oak leaf patterns and the palm leaf. Both spring and fall. I've seen the pants in a gray and the smock in dark yellow. It's all what you wanna do basically. I know you want a real account. I've done a hundred different websites for the look and it's something different every time. But good luck. If you find something concrete I'd love for ya to hit me back with it. They are some of my favorite ones to do. 

Srpuln10

I've seen some pics of the smock being splinter camo. But I've not been able to master that on a 1/35 scale. Then I've seen some people have it in the oak leaf patterns and the palm leaf. Both spring and fall. I've seen the pants in a gray and the smock in dark yellow. It's all what you wanna do basically. I know you want a real account. I've done a hundred different websites for the look and it's something different every time. But good luck. If you find something concrete I'd love for ya to hit me back with it. They are some of my favorite ones to do. 

 

So far I’ve experimented with ammo migs infantry grey paint set and it was very light.  My game plan is to keep that color for the pants and repaint the smocks with Andrea miniatures German grey to get a darker green 

Osprey is not much help for colour description, they only describe the smock as green.  My other reference book by John R. Angolia, describes it as an olive-green water-repellent gabardine fabric. 

Should be noted that the Army and Air Force had intially created their own paratroop forces, but in January 1939 the two were joined together.  This could explain some variation in smock colours, but is just as likely a slight difference in sourced material colour.

Trousers are described as heavy field grey wool.  2nd model were constructed of normal weight field grey material.

Jump boots were of black leather, thick rubber soles, and laced up the outer sides via 12 pairs of eyelets.

Gloves were dark brown leather.

Splinter smocks did not make an appearance until the following year with the operation over Crete - but even here was still not widespread.

No mention of desert coloured, nor SS camou style, jump smocks.

regards,

Jack

jgeratic

Osprey is not much help for colour description, they only describe the smock as green.  My other reference book by John R. Angolia, describes it as an olive-green water-repellent gabardine fabric. 

Should be noted that the Army and Air Force had intially created their own paratroop forces, but in January 1939 the two were joined together.  This could explain some variation in smock colours, but is just as likely a slight difference in sourced material colour.

Trousers are described as heavy field grey wool.  2nd model were constructed of normal weight field grey material.

Jump boots were of black leather, thick rubber soles, and laced up the outer sides via 12 pairs of eyelets.

Gloves were dark brown leather.

Splinter smocks did not make an appearance until the following year with the operation over Crete - but even here was still not widespread.

No mention of desert coloured, nor SS camou style, jump smocks.

 

 

regards,

Jack

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For desert smocks I think they looked kind of bleached like how the initial DAK units did but im probably wrong. They were probably issued a desert tan but i don’t think they really wore a smock when the ramcke brigade showed up but once again I could be wrong.

I didn’t know the army had it’s own separate branch before the war that’s interesting. 

In regards to the osprey book, it does an okay job. I think it’s more for for getting the right Vallejo paint color if anything IMO.

When the two paratroop forces were united, they fell under the control of the Luftwaffe.  Any desert/tropical clothing clothing issued (pants,  tunics, shirts, headwear), would of been of Luftwaffe origin.  There is no proof of actual plain tan coloured smocks ever being issued.

When the Ramcke Bde. arrived in North Africa in the summer of 1942, it landed via transport aircraft - so no smock was worn.  The base reason for it's peculiar design was to be worn over equipment so as to prevent items being entangled with the parachute.  Once on the ground, they would at some point step out of the smock and switch their gear around so it was worn over top the smock. 

I think only one drop was performed in Tunisia, with the majority of paratroop forces arriving at airports.  Splinter smocks were worn, likely because the terrain was better suited, as well as an extra layer of clothing for the cooler weather at the time.

For hobby purposes, this could be of some use:

http://www.artizandesigns.com/guides/FarnworthColoursGermanFallshirmjagerWW2.pdf

regards,

Jack

jgeratic

When the two paratroop forces were united, they fell under the control of the Luftwaffe.  Any desert/tropical clothing clothing issued (pants,  tunics, shirts, headwear), would of been of Luftwaffe origin.  There is no proof of actual plain tan coloured smocks ever being issued.

When the Ramcke Bde. arrived in North Africa in the summer of 1942, it landed via transport aircraft - so no smock was worn.  The base reason for it's peculiar design was to be worn over equipment so as to prevent items being entangled with the parachute.  Once on the ground, they would at some point step out of the smock and switch their gear around so it was worn over top the smock. 

I think only one drop was performed in Tunisia, with the majority of paratroop forces arriving at airports.  Splinter smocks were worn, likely because the terrain was better suited, as well as an extra layer of clothing for the cooler weather at the time.

For hobby purposes, this could be of some use:

http://www.artizandesigns.com/guides/FarnworthColoursGermanFallshirmjagerWW2.pdf

 

regards,

Jack

 

 

Interesting, i didn't know they had conducted an air drop In Africa. this is an interesting paint chart thank you for that.

Sounds like a plan. Where do you get your paints from? You have a hobby shop close or you order off line? I've been trying a few new companies to order from. I using scale hobbyist and hobbylinc. When I first started painting the paratroopers I went with field gray pants and a dark yellow top. That's what the paint guide on the back of the box kinda pushed you towards. I've got some pics of them with a dark yellow smock.I'm trying to learn the splinter pattern. The little lines that are going vertical are a butthole to get right. Especially on a 1/35 scale. Good luck. 

Srpuln10

Sounds like a plan. Where do you get your paints from? You have a hobby shop close or you order off line? I've been trying a few new companies to order from. I using scale hobbyist and hobbylinc. When I first started painting the paratroopers I went with field gray pants and a dark yellow top. That's what the paint guide on the back of the box kinda pushed you towards. I've got some pics of them with a dark yellow smock.I'm trying to learn the splinter pattern. The little lines that are going vertical are a butthole to get right. Especially on a 1/35 scale. Good luck. 

 

Honestly i use eBay for most paints. Sometime i use Hobbylinc depending on how fast and what they have in stock. Generally eBay is quicker but you can end up pay an extra state tax sometimes 

Srpuln10

Scale hobbyist is very quick on getting your order out.

 

ive never heard of them I'll give them a look, thank you!

If you've checked scale hobbyist out you've seen that they're a little cheaper than hobbylinc. But shipping can a little more but no sales tax. They have a few things that hobbylinc doesn't. I live in Alabama and scale hobbyist gets me the package as fast as hobbylinc. They're in Georgia and scale hobbyist is in New Jersey. Good luck with your modeling. Painting is always the hardest part for me. Just trying to get the right color and scheme that's correct drives me crazy. Not enough of colored pics from that era. 

Srpuln10

If you've checked scale hobbyist out you've seen that they're a little cheaper than hobbylinc. But shipping can a little more but no sales tax. They have a few things that hobbylinc doesn't. I live in Alabama and scale hobbyist gets me the package as fast as hobbylinc. They're in Georgia and scale hobbyist is in New Jersey. Good luck with your modeling. Painting is always the hardest part for me. Just trying to get the right color and scheme that's correct drives me crazy. Not enough of colored pics from that era. 

 

Thats too true, to bad they haven't colorized more pictures it'd definitely help. 
Ill give scale hobbyist a look, I try and dabble in LGB trains as well and have been eyeing a Coca Cola switcher on Hobbylinc for the last 6 months. I like Hobbylinc but I don't love it, in my opinion packages take forever to get to me and Ebay seems to come quicker, at least from the few online stores I buy from they do!