Paint color for the DRAGON Late Production Panther G

[pantherf]

I have built this in 1/16 and have the base coat of green already down but need some advice in what shade of yellow/desert sand I need to get.



Do you think that Tamiya's TS-3 Dark Yellow would work?  I plan to use a poster putty to mask off the green so to give it that hard edge camo pattern that's needed.  Would a pre-coat of White before the Dark Yellow is applied help even more?  You know, to lighten it up some?

I want to avoid airbrushing because it would be my first attempt and I want to finish this with the easy route and then later work on practicing on 'other' projects.


Any suggestions are deeply appreciated!! 




Jeff

[vlpbruce]

If you want to go the spray can route, TS-3 would be the best color. You probably should go with the white base coat as well. That would certainly bring the color out without having to put numerous coats of the yellow on.

[wing_nut]

If I may rephrase the beginning of Bruce's comment... If you "have" to go with the spray can, as in no airbrush, then that is a good choice. If you do have an airbrush I think a lighten XF60 would be better.

Wait, I am so sorry. I am making a suggestion as to a "correct' color without the necessary disclaimer.

Comments and descriptions regarding the shade of color, appropriate use of color, application of color and method of application of color are the opinions of the modeler. Opinions are like butts. Everyone has one and most of them stink. This opinion was formed by reading other opinions and forming the modelers own opinion base on his or her personally preference and the joy and elation of seeing said color applied in the manner of their choosing. Comments and descriptions regarding the shade of color made are in no way intended to start, bring about, cause to commence, further or indulge in any or all conversation, discussions, threads or posts that may, in full or in part, fall into the, "Oh no, not the right color argument again!"

There, now that that's out of the way... I use XF60 heavily lightened. after mixing in about 35-40 white, I'll add some buff until the "Yup, I like that" brain cell fires. But, that's just my opinion.

It darkens with weathering too. Here's an example.

[TRM]

Hi Jeff, Just catching up on things....

You have a ton of options my friend! All depends on what YOU feel is best. Color interpretations are subjective within the "scope" of the color used. With that said, you could go blind searching for that "perfect" color but will still end up with endless debates on numbers, shades and tones.

In an effort not to go mad trying to find "the exact color"...

 - With the rattle can (assuming this one since it is 1/16...HUGE), Bruce's suggestion of TS-3 would work just fine, but you might want to dust things to lighten this up a bit as the Dunkelgelb coloring is more to tan than the yellow/green if you ask me.

 - I agree with Marc as well with XF-60, but shading with thinned white, buff, browns, tans or whatever does the trick to get the highlighting and color tones you are looking for.

 - If you want to break from the solvents, the "3 Bigs" all have acceptable coloring. Although I have not used the color range from AMMO, from what I see and judging from seeing applications, this would work out just fine Late War German Color Set or even the Early/Mid War German Color Set

 - AK offers German War Colors and their 1945 German Late War Color Set as well as their German Dunkelgeld Modulation Set Which I have used and had decent results.




1945 Set



 - Vallejo offers several colors that would work nicely as well. #604 Ger. Dark Yellow (Primer/Base), #025 Dunkelgelb RAL7028, #028 Sand Yellow, #027 Light Brown and #230 Light for starters. There are two sets I would suggest not only for color but for value: German Camouflage 1943/1944 and AFV Dunkelgelb The sets are actually half-size bottles (8ml). I am confident that the sets would be able to cover the entire 1/16 model knowing how the application of thin layered coats to obtain the finish is done....however, you may want to consider picking up at least 4 or the 5 colors listed above in the full 17ml bottles instead in to make sure you have enough paint.





In the end I suppose you need consider the color and the fact you will have camo applied as well as weathering (assuming you will do some sort of weathering...heavy or light) and finally the size of the model and weigh out your options for application, ease of procuring and of course cost!


Pheeew.....good luck my friend!

[pantherf]

Oh hi Todd!  I just now caught this reply and I thank you for all the tips and suggestions.

I already have the base green down (whether it's the correct shade or not, it's what I have now) as I used Tamiya's AS-23 Light Green Luftwaffe from a can.  Now, the image I provided shows most of the true colors washed out, so I think it makes the yellow lighter looking than needed.  The whole tank will get a dusting and a direction of trying to lighten up both colors.  I really don't want to jump in right now with an AB and change the contrast between the two so hopefully the can(s) will get me there.

There are so MANY different shades of yellow I just wish Tamiya has offered another option.  Maybe I need to see if they offered one in the AS series before I apply the TS.  This is holding me back from proceeding it's completition.  I have much more to add to the detailing like the periscopes and tools so I need to get going soon and quit procastinating so much.  I'm not THAT much of a rivet counter but want THIS camo now than the second option for the Last Production Panther that had brown vertical striping.

Non-the-less I will soldier on!   LOL   Thanks again!






Jeff

[TRM]

All about getting the color to the plastic!! Looking forward to seeing some results Jeff!!

[totalize]

Hi Jeff,

Good suggestions here regarding the Dark yellow to use. I am sure whatever colour you chose it will turn out fine.
I did this tank a few years back but did 421's sister 411, both of which can be seen at the end of the war in a holding yard subsequent to the 11th (Ghost) Panzer Division's surrender to American forces. I hand painted the tank using vallejo paints and because these tanks were in the field for a only a few months before the end of the war I didn't add a lot weathering to it. You can see it on my blog gallery. Some revisionists claim these MAN built panthers were not green and yellow but I believe the general consensus is they were.  A few years later I purchased the the Panther book and a number of the modelers in the book added some Tamiya Flesh to their XF60 along with some buff. You could probably susbstitute white for the buff to vary the colour a bit.

Dave.