Correct color for a T-34 76 (1942)

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

I have painted my 1/35 Scale Tamiya T-34 76 (1942) using ModelMaster paint #2129 “Russian Armor Green”. I am not sure that this is the correct color because as I look at the different references it seems that the colors that they show are closer to an ‘olive drab’ than the one I have used. Is this “Russian Armor Green” for modern or later Russian armor, not WWII vintage? I have also heard that Russian paint during WWII varied so much that its hard to go wrong.

Any suggestions?

(Also,I don’t use acrylics because they gum up my airbrush and I have found them difficult to clean up after… even though I know they are the favored paint now)

2

from what i understand is just about any green goes, they pretty much used whatever they had available so i wouldnt worry about it, if it looks good to you go with it.

and welcome to the forums.[:)]

3

Xtracolor makes a more Olive Drab toned “Russian Green” tank color in enamel. So does Polly Scale, “Russian Tank Khaki” in Acrylic

4

MM 2129 is my pick also-as the basic color-- after shading and weathering should be a fine all around choice-- i agree with biffa though-- almost anything goes as long as it was green-- even no paint at all sometimes!-- good luck[:D]-- treadwell

5

Thanks for the input!

6

The Modelmaster Russian Armor Green just doesn’t look right to me, so I may (emphasis on MAY) take the time to re-spray with a new color such as the Xtracolor Russian Green. I put alot of work into detailing the Tamiya kit so I want it right. Thanks for the input!

7

I have not seen any color photographs of Russian Armor in WWII so going by reference materials that are just drawings it seems that the ModelMaster green isn’t right. Do you know if the "green " paint used on post WWII Russian Armor (into the 60’s and 70’s) was more of this leaf or forest green (almost leaning more towards a Kelly Green) or was there ever even a standard color at all?

8

pics i have of post wwII russian armor does seem to look more green than olive drab, and they may be,but published pics and pics on the net can be misleading–so i would say MM 2129 is o.k. – maybe take a look at MM2122 – russian topside green-- it is more olive-- i also would say,tint the paint till you get the shade you want–brown,black,yellow and a little green compose most of the basic olive green colors- post some pics[:D]-- to my knowlage there was not an exact standard of green for the russian armor-- best of luck— treadwell

9

A buddy of mine who was stationed in the Berlin Brigade once upon a time was able to visit the "dark side"before the wall fell and brought back some interesting pics of displayed items. Among them were some T-34’s (one was a T-34/76 model 1943) purportedly among the first to enter Berlin. They were displayed on pedestal mounts and painted in a shade pretty close to the xtracolor Russian tank green. As far as the painting history of the vehicles goes, who knows. Other vehicles of Soviet manufacture I saw on my recent deployment to the Balkans had an original base color green, under their more recent paint jobs, more closely matching forest green or field green in the FS standards. Color photos from WWII would be misleading at this point due to the color films in use at the time. While they would give a good impression, these films tended to darken green colors due to their properties. I have seen a photo dating from the 1941 period of two abandoned T-34’s in color that seemed to shade them in the lighter field/forest green, but this would be hard to call as a final word due to reasons previoulsly mentioned.

10

Wartime russian armour was more a dark green drab color. I’ve used Tamiya fieldgrey and Khaki-drab for my russian armor. After some dark washes it looks quite allright [;)]

If you want to see ww2 colorpics of russian armor visit this page: http://www.ww2incolor.com/gallery/Russian it shows all sorts of vehicles in original color.

Hth, Jan [:)]

11

I’ve tried using MM Russian Armor Green several times, and always end up either re-spraying, or mixing in a khaki colour to alter the base hue.

12

Here’s a Tamiya T-34/76 Model 42 in Polly Scale Russian Armor Khaki

And a Zvezda T-34/76 Model 1943 in Xtracolor Russian Tank Green

Tamiya’s Khaki Drab might do very well too…[:)]

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and the answere is(drum roll) ---- both colors look perfect and are completely acceptable in the realm of russian armor green-- !!![:D]-- to me the first one looks ‘brand new’ and the second looks battle weary-- both great builds!— treadwell

14

I tend to use Xtracolor Russian Tank Green, but you don’t need to be too precise. Iosef Vasiliovitch would not have been too pleased if the production lines at Tankograd had ground to a halt for want of the right colour paint, and you don’t want to go upsetting Iosef Vasiliovitch…

Here’s an Italeri/Zvezda T-34/76 in Xtracolor Russian Tank Green:

Don’t ask about the penguin…

Cheers,

Chris.

15

So, what’s with the penguin? [swg]

Since where all showing our handywork:

Here’s Zvezda’s SU-100 in Tamiya fieldgrey:

And a tamiya KV-1B in Tamiya khaki-drab:

Jan [:)]

16

Both kits look excellent and the colors look right. I would have never thought of the field gray.