Hiya all,
I am looking for some info on modern (80’s-present) armour camo paint. Im pretty sure that the armour has a 3 tone scheme, but I know that current BDUs (uniforms) have a 4 tone scheme. Having been in an infantry unit, I was never around armour much, and when I was, I guess I didnt really pay enough attention to the paint schemes.
Also, is there a certain way to do modern camo patterns? I would assume the lightest color first followed by the next darker and so on.
(Just so you dont all think Im a complete goober, Ive always modeled WWII A/C. I have just recently started sneeking into the armour and wheeled vehicle world [:-^]
vehicle’s vary. what are you wanting? technique’s vary for hand, spray can or airbrush painting.
I use either airbrush or can spray. At the minute, I am building an M-901 Hammerhead. It is a variation of an M-113 APC and manufactured by Italeri. It comes in desert tan as a desert storm vehicle. I am wanting to make it with a woodsland pattern, but my memory seems to be failing me. I can remember the pattern being flat black, flat brown and OD green, but I am very uncertain about this.
I have never tried to do more then a two tone camo pattern and adding that 3rd or 4th color changes things abit. I figure to do the whole model in the lightest color, then add the next darker color with little or no problems. For the third color, I figured I would pencil in the pattern and just follow the lines and fill in the dead space. It seems pretty simple to me, and I guess that is what is making me nervous [:p]. Anyway, I am mostly worried about getting the right shades of colors so that it looks like its been used, but not abused. Alittle fading, afew scuffs, but not looking like an old war horse.
I use tamiya acrylic paint for mine, the colors I use for my modern are:
XF-5 flat green , XF-1 flat black , and XF-64 red brown
after I paint my patterns I usually make at least 3 filters and then a darker mud wash to get the worn look of the carc paintjobs.
but as far as the patterns go, just remember your classes on applying facepaint, just the same more or less only on a tracked vehicle ( darker colors on the higher areas and lighter colors on the lower areas to throw off the general shape ) Hope this helps?
I use silly putty to mask off area when I am doing soft edge camo schemes and masking tape (usually Tamiya) when I am painting hard edge camo schemes. If you want to model your vehicle with scrapes or paint chipping off, use Vallejo acrylics. They are the best when it comes to hand brushing paint. Use a a very fine paint brush and paint in areas that get handled a lot by the crew or walked on by the crew. Crew hatches, engine hatches etc.
I use Model Master enamels for the three color NATO woodland pattern. They are black, forrest green and earth brown. I always paint the lightest shade first and go up the scale from there. (green, brown then black.) Your result will initially look like a brand new vehicle. It’s all weathering from there. I free hand most of my patterns, take your time and be a bit flexible, it’ll work out. If you want to sketch your pattern that’s okay, just be sure to cover your lines. Have fun with it.
I’ve got an old M901 ITV at work along with several turret trainers. I have uploaded several photos of them in my motor pool. Follow the link to the site in my signature.
My M901 is painted in the standard NATO 3-color camouflage scheme. Back in the late 80s when scout platoons used M901s, ours were painted differently. They used the old four color MERDC scheme but deleted the sand color. The black was in much smaller blotches and the brown was more of a tan than the NATO dark brown.
Thanks all for the help[:)].
Great site Rob, those pictures help alot, thank you.
…“build”…that link is cool…10Q…jeffl
Hello:
I have a troubles with straight lines masking for camo. Please, any advise.