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The right color for the right uniform

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  • Member since
    April 2010
The right color for the right uniform
Posted by Robh22 on Monday, May 3, 2010 1:40 AM

Hi all.. I'm new to this corner of the modeling world and I'm just starting with Military subjects. I've been reading non stop, soaking up all the military info with regard to modeling I can get my mitts on. The one thing I'm having a world of trouble with is finding the right colors for the uniforms. There are SO many different views and opinions I think I'm seeing double at this point. I realize that uniforms will differ in color between the different branches of the service as well as the different years of service. I'm doing a diorama with American army figures and this is a world war 2 subject. Can anyone recommend where I should look to find the colors I need for the figures so it will be on the money? Also, I prefer to use acrylics paint wise, so I'm all over the board trying to find 1 brand to match to the colors for the uniforms. So if there is a book that deals with the colors of uniforms or something like that, or perhaps you even remember offhand what the army of that time frame used I'd really appreciate it if you could let me know as I would really appreciate it. Big Smile

 

TIA!

RobChef

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Sydney, Australia
Posted by Phil_H on Monday, May 3, 2010 1:53 AM

Hi Rob,

This is by no means definitive, but it may be of assistance.

http://www.usarmymodels.com/guidetopainting.html

It's a place to start anyway. Smile

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Ventura (at the beach) in California
Posted by *INDY on Monday, May 3, 2010 3:41 AM

~Hello again Rob~

Actually Phil's recommendation is a really good one--I was 1st refered to that site by books by Steve Zagola *

~~you're right  though, opinions seem to vary some and color photos from the time are scarce and rarely if ever color-correct. a couple a suggestions for for determining the right colors for the right branch of service include

---looking at militaria sites(sites that sell actual relics and issue items post nice color photos but only have what they happen to have--but you can get lucky 

~~looking at historical sites that portray as best as possible, examples in photos or color plates. For example http://www.ww2incolor.com/ or  many others Google will reveal--also sites for re-enactors are useful

~~Look at the work of many other modelers that really know what thier doing and care about accuracy, like Steve Zagola , whose work can be viewed in the galleries of Missing Lynx.

~~~But more than taking any one modelers word for it, or relying on any one old photo or faded uniform, I'd recommend you gather examples together that are supposed to represent what your trying to model, and decide for yourself what you think it should look like, and try  to do it that way, keeping in mind that often color varriation existed in the same uniforms from dye lot to dye lot, issue to issue and changes in condition that are brought about by use.

"Well...you gunna pull them pistols, or just whistle Dixie?"

  • Member since
    April 2010
Posted by Robh22 on Monday, May 3, 2010 6:33 AM

That *is* a great site! There is a wealth of information there. Thanks for pointing it out to me. And speaking of wealths (is that even a word?) of information, you guys are the tops. You all should get together and write a book for the hobby, each take a chapter and write write write. Big Smile Thank you so much for all your help, it's really appreciated.

 

Did you do the tank and figure above? It's awesome. Off to read and find some paint. Just have to decide on a brand now and find the colors I need within that brand line. I know I also want to pick up some MIG pigments. The stuff I've seen done with those is incredible.

Thanks again guys!

RobChef

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Ventura (at the beach) in California
Posted by *INDY on Monday, May 3, 2010 7:37 AM

Rob---it's a Zagola build. I lifted it from missing Lynx as an example. Obviously I love his work. I try to take the lead of the best there is and recommend you do too , instead of trying to claim to know better myself--I have quite a ways to go before I'm doing work of that calibre--Steve is a real historian and authur of books of history and historical modeling---he also has a pretty good sense of when he's going too far and getting too picky & boring--as far a mioptic detail devining goes--but it's all relative.One more from him :

borrowed from http://www.missing-lynx.com/gallery/usa/superpershing_szaloga.html fo discussion purposes only          -A Tamiya M26   "impeccable"

"Well...you gunna pull them pistols, or just whistle Dixie?"

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 2:19 AM

Check out WW2 re-enactor sites too.. Re-enactors strive not only for a uniform's authenticity in cut AND color, but camouflage and camouflage patterns & colors, plus the equipment, haircuts, glasses, facial hair, underwear, yadda, yadda, yadda...  Units in the WW2 HRS (Historical Re-enactment Society) are probably the top of heap in authenticity standards and have lots of color photos of both authentic and reproduction uniforms,gear, and weapons .

http://www.worldwartwohrs.org/

 

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: The Bluegrass State
Posted by EasyMike on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 6:58 AM

Robh22
...I've been reading non stop...

Keep up your reading.  Knowledge is power.

...So if there is a book that deals with the colors of uniforms or something like that...

 Andrew Mollo has a couple of nice uniform guides.

Osprey Books has several.

Google Images can also help.

Smile

  • Member since
    April 2010
Posted by Robh22 on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 5:06 PM

Thank you! All this info is so much appreciated! Big Smile

  • Member since
    February 2004
Posted by mike91978 on Thursday, May 20, 2010 12:00 PM

I have an Excel spreadsheet set up with different uniform items and their approximate color in Vallejo acrylics.  Some of the US items I have linked to photos that I have taken at museums.  If you would like me to e-mail you a copy just let me know.  The file is about 3MB.

  • Member since
    April 2010
Posted by Robh22 on Friday, May 21, 2010 12:28 PM

I'd love it if isn't to much trouble! Big Smile

  • Member since
    May 2010
Posted by OttoVonStapleNuber on Thursday, May 27, 2010 12:39 AM

Good info on this thread. Nice post Indy. Steve Zagola's models are the dog's ba**s.

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Ventura (at the beach) in California
Posted by *INDY on Sunday, May 30, 2010 11:34 AM

mike91978

I have an Excel spreadsheet set up with different uniform items and their approximate color in Vallejo acrylics.  Some of the US items I have linked to photos that I have taken at museums.  If you would like me to e-mail you a copy just let me know.  The file is about 3MB.

I believe I'd like to have a look at that too, if you don't mind, though not sure if I have an application for spreadsheets

PM sent, and thanks

"Well...you gunna pull them pistols, or just whistle Dixie?"

  • Member since
    April 2010
Posted by Robh22 on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 8:41 PM

Thank you SO much for the Excel sheet! I'm going to give teh colors from there a try and see how the soldiers look. :) I think I am going slightly batty with all the 'possibles' that are out there. lol. There are TONS of different possibilities you can choose from. I'll let you know how they turn out. :)

 

Thank you!

  • Member since
    February 2004
Posted by mike91978 on Thursday, June 3, 2010 12:04 AM

I believe Microsoft has an Excel reader.  It will let you view Excel files, but not modify or create your own.

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