My M48A3 - How Dark do I take my green?

[Hinksy]

Hi fellas,

If any of you have been following my blogs you'll know that (A) I'm a WWII German Armour Modeller and (B) am well into my latest build - Dragons new M48A3.

I'm not an experienced US Army modeller but I do know that OD will be the wrong colour to use on a 'Nam era vehicle. I do like to try pre and post-shading/CM etc but this build is going to be kept simple where the basecoat painting is concerned.

Alan from my club is an experienced US (WWII to 'Nam) and Red Army Army (WWII only) Modeller. He had a look at the colour options on the instructions and his conversion chart recommended that if using Vallejo Model Colour I should go for Vallejo 70.887 Brown Violet. It's a nice shade and I reckon sprayed lightly over over a very dark primer coat the subsequent wahes and filters will be perfect.

Now then, having looked at endless photos of new/clean or mucky/dusty M48's the green is a flat dark green - VERY dark in a lot of cases.



I've been looking at Tamiya paints and think that both the XF-27 Black Green and XF-61 Dark Green look very suitable. Perhaps more suitable than the Vallejo Brown Violiet. See below:

1) Vallejo Model Colour 'Brown Violet':



2) Tamiya XF-27 Black Green:



3) Tamiya XF-61 Dark Green:



Here's the Tamiya Colour Chart just for fun - maybe you have a good recipe?

www.tamiya.com/english/products/list/acrylic_flat/kit81301.htm

I'd love to read what you guys think about the 3 colour choices that I've given you above and I'd also LOVE to hear what your other choices would be.

Thanks a lot guys - I need your input here and really look forward to your feedback!

Ben

[Tobi]

From my personal experience, spraying Russian WWII armor with these colours both are greener than in your picture. Personally I would recommend Khaki drab for Nam era, perhaps mixed with some of the green for tinting.

The colour I will give a try when I paint my M48 will be Vallejo Olive Drab, plain and simple. Painted an ammo box once with it and liked the shade!

Cheers,
Tobi

[paulh]

I'd go with the Vallejo and then use fiters to modulate then seal and weather.