Alright, well I’m about to order the new DML stuG III G early production in 1/35. I did some research on the kit provided decals, and decided I will use the ones suitable for “3rd SS Panzer Division “Totenkopf”,Ukraine 1944”. Mostly since I wanted to try some new white-wash techniques I read. So, I did lots of research, but couldn’t figure out what the basecolor for this machine would have been, or if it had camo applied or not. I’m guessing it would be basecoated in Dunkelgelb, and may or may not have had dark green “squiggly lines” for camo, and then the whitewash over that. Does anybody know what color early stuG III G’s were basecoated and if they had camo applied? Or does anybody know about the specific vehicles form the #rd panzer “totenkopf” division? This is going to be my first attempt with an airbrush, and washes and a detailed DML kit, so I don’t want something completely wrong like the entire color. Any ideas/thought/facts/pictures/references? thanks guys, Ian
The DML kit represents a fairly early production ausf G but not the earliest ones that were painted dark grey (produced in late '42). THose initial ausf Gs had features that are unique (some similar to the ausf F) to them and not included in the DML offering. Refer to single best modelling reference for StuGs, “Achtung Panzer #5”, for the breakdown of the “initial” ausf Gs. Given that, your planned project seems in line. Dark yellow with one or both dark green and/or red-brown camo paints.
When applying German 3-tone camo, I’d give this bit of advice: make sure you plan out what you want your pattern to be. Then, think about how an actual person would paint a squiggly lined camo pattern. To me, it’s unrealistic to see a 18 foot long, continuous squiggly line. Why? Because the maintenance man applying the camo would be attached to an air hose and he wouldn’t clamber over the whole vehicle just to keep the integrity of lines.
I call this the “giant spraypainter” syndrome – where it’s obvious that the camo pattern was done by the raised perspective of the human modeller on a 1/35 tank instead of a 5’8" human climbing over a 14 foot metal vehicle. Try to get a ground’s eye view of your tank and apply camo in that way. I hope this makes sense. Good luck!
Firs of all, glad for the helpa dn to hear my idea was correct. Second your completely right, and I never would have thought of that-- camo would look very different if it was painted by someone 2 inches tall–great point. I bet theres lots of other little thing like that as well to consider. Next, since Im still getting used to this airbrush, I would like to avoid camo at all costs for now. It was usually field applied, right? If so, Im sure not every single one had it, so I would be ok without doing that I think. And even if they all did, their will be a whitewash over it, so you wouldn’t see the green/brown much anyways. Thanks for the help!