Clemens, the colours and Schemes used in N Africa don't vary as much as they did in Europe. There were 2 colours in use from the DAK's deployment until march 42 when 2 new colours came into use. But you often see vehicles in just one colour.

SchattenSpartan

Oh, I have another (probably really stupid) question:

Jack, you painted your Tiger with a sand/light brown camo. Are their any specific 

units/vehicles that used this camo?

I'm more of an aircraft guy, so I still have to learn things like that...

That is like the Olive Green Tiger that I did and open to much debate. There is photogrpahic evidence of the two tone scehemes using the official tropical colors in use at the time. But how widespread, what units and what particular vehicles is the part that is debated. If you check out the Tigers Im Focus website, which has pretty much every photo of every Tiger, units, etc, on there, you can get the information for yourself and make your own informed choice.

I had a look through my armor stash and my Tamiya Tiger happens to be the "Ausführung Afrika" boxing.

So here are my entries for this one:

I'll have a look at that website for sure. Thanks!

SchattenSpartan

Alan, how about Tamiya's Sd.Kfz.222? The fit is very good and it has wheels...

Regarding colour schemes, Bish has it right, but you should bookmark this site as it outlines the various RAL colours that were introduced during the course of the war:

www.miniatures.de/colour-ral-farben.html

The tropical scheme directives are very specific about colour callouts and their respective percentages used on vehicle surfaces.  Ron Klages over at missing-lynx gives, what I believe to be, a direct translation of those directives plus some extra info.  As stated, how closely the directives were followed is unknown.  The two tone scheme are difficult to detect in b/w photos, and is further exasperated by the dusty environment.

Some other finishes to consider:   The very early units that arrived would be in panzer grey.  So you could finish them in pristine condition as seen in Tripoli.  On  their march to the start line at Sirte, you can add dust to this.   Some vehicles also applied a paste made from the sand as a short term camou solution.

You can find a list here of the number and type of vehicles that were initially sent:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Sonnenblume

Interesting photo here, note even the crew is still wearing their black uniform.

hth

regards,

Jack

jack, thanks for that link. But that's better than the chart I currently have saved.

Thank you very much, Jack!

I'll read through all the links you posted. The missing-lynx one seems to be the most interesting - although I don't need a translation because German is actually my native language .

That being said, if you ever need a translation of anything written in German, I'll do my best to help you out!

Guys, no problem .. glad to help out.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Been working on a badge,  so going to post what I have.  Feed back is most welcome - further suggestions, or wishes to see something totally different, etc...

- and smaller version

regards,

Jack

Ohhhhhhhh nice Jack, I like it!

The badge looks great, Jack!

Cool badge Jack.

No General Patton?

So here's my last DAK build. I went a little nuts and Kustomized her with a 251 rear end (Tamiya) but otherwise stock set up.

Guys, glad you like the badge.

---------------------------------------

GMorrison , before I get to your question about Patton, I should let it be known that I added the two profiles as a reflection of the group build title, and not as a slight to the other nationalities.

Yes, Patton does belong in there, but so does a slew of other leaders.  I think I can add him in by shrinking the other two, but if an American is added, shouldn't there be an Italian represented?  Maybe  it would be simpler  to leave all the people out?   I'd like to get some more feed back before tearing up the elements of the current proposal.  

regards,

Jack

GM: Wow, that looks totally badass! Hope mine turns out half that good!

As to the badges- yeah since you're going to shrink it pretty small I think it's better to keep it simple. I suppose you could add General Patton and Field Marshal Alexander etc, etc but it keeps a little unwieldy- just one on one seems like it would work better for me.

Remember the title: Rommel vs Monty. I realize that I included all combatants, but that should be the main theme. My two-cents.

I think the badges ROCK!  I like it!  This is going to be a great GB!

Eagle90

Tigerman,

Have decided to commit to these kits for the GB!

1/35 Nitto Sd. Kfz 250/3 (yeah Rommel's Command vehicle!  Cool huh?)

1/35 Nitto Sd. Kfz  2

There might be a small dio working here too!  With the expert help from Bish (thanks my friend!), I'm working all the details for it to be Rommel's Command vehicle...with a little support stuff added.  I'll probably have a few extra figures in there too.

Eagle90

i like the badge too. anymore faces would just clutter it up

Nice badge, simple and to the point.

My 2 bits... historicaly speaking, Monty missed the first two years of the North Africa campaign, only coming in after a series of previous commanders had been sacked or captured, and the man that he succeeded was killed in an air crash. Rommel missed the opening stages of the Desert War and the closing stage. Patton was on the stage only for the final 6 months. But in the popular image of that part of WWII, Rommel and Montgomery, evoke the image of that campaign and are known in history for just that- The Desert Fox and First Viscount Montgomery of El Alamein.

No offense to George (or Omar, or Ike), or any of the Italian Generals, but they do not truly evoke the spirit of North Africa

I think that the badge works great.

Thanks everyone for the help. Put me down for a Tamiya SdkFz 222 Afrika Korps and maybe, depending on time, a HobbyBoss M3A1 Scout.

Thanks to all for voicing their opinion on the badge design.

For some American flavour, what I can do is replace the silhouette of the British cruiser tank with that of an American made tank that was used by the desert allies.  Would this be satisfactory to all?  If yes, which would you like to see there?

regards,

Jack

How about a Sherman?

It was a casual comment...

Bill, dig your Rommel;s Rod. always wanted one as a kid.

Jack, I think the badge is fine. I do like the Afrika Korps insignia though as well as the Desert Rats. Just talking to myself though.

GMorrison

It was a casual comment...

Jack, there are quite a few GB badges with the swastika in them. I can understand your caution though.

I don't really mind a swastika on the badge and I'm living in a country that was actually involved in the crimes that were commited under that symbol (and it is a pretty dark part of our history)