Info needed: correct colours for WWII Aust vehicles

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Lang

The new colours have a name but I can't recall it - Austcam? As your photos show and I commented, there is still no standard pattern with a mix of computer generated and colour patch designs (although the colours seem to be of a limited variety)

Lang

There is a standard pattern published for 4x4 LR, 6x6 LR, Mog, Mack, etc, but it is not recommended to be slavishly replicated on each vehicle, it is more a guideline. Minor variations from vehicle are seen to be beneficial in contributing to disruption.

The scheme, or at least the colours involved does seem to work well in Australian environments ranging from Cultana Range or Woomera in SA, up to Cairns and Mossman in FNQ.

[Lang]

Tony

What I was pointing out was the computer generated tarp patterns and the vehicle patch patterns. Entirely different concept and not related.

not recommended to be slavishly replicated on each vehicle,might upset some of our people who think orders are orders?

Lang

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Lang

Tony

What I was pointing out was the computer generated tarp patterns and the vehicle patch patterns. Entirely different concept and not related.

Lang

I think that might be more supplier related.

The original canvas pattern, Hexcam, was developed by the boffins at CSIRO and Bradmill to be used with the Auscam camo in the 80's. This canvas was used on LR canopies and also on the Mogs. In the Mid-90's a new vinyl/rubberised material with IRR properties was supplied by Barracuda from Europe for use on the Bushranger 6x6 LRs, and also as Mog canopies. As was their practice, a digital pattern was used, but with colours that "were close to" the Auscam colours.

Now the wheel has turned again, with the new Merc G-Wagens going back to Canvas, but with yet another new pattern designed and copyrighted by Defence!

[Lang]

And the band played on!

[Tony Smith]

And there are two variations to the Auscam Scheme for local conditions.

The Pilbara scheme is used in the Iron Ore country of northern WA and uses the standard pattern, but replaces the Black with Pilbara Red.

The other scheme is the Desert scheme used overseas in the Sandpit, and again replaces the Black with Light Tan.

[Tony Wheeler]

This photo shows First Army scheme in May 44 which means the paintwork is about 18 months old. I don’t have the pattern chart for Vans but it’s easily recognizable from the Truck chart. Rather attractive scheme I reckon and probably quite effective in the terrain seen here, although I suspect Light Grey would serve well too, judging by the grey gums visible in the background. Notice again the closeness in tone between KG3 and Light Earth, almost indistinguishable in B&W photos, nothing at all like ARN 132141 scheme.


066152 WONGABEL AREA, QLD. 1944-05-05. 110TH BRIGADE WORKSHOP, AEME 3-tone camo First Army sc.JPG

3 First Army Pattern Chart a.jpg

066152 detail.jpg

First Aust Army W-J-U.JPG

FGT9 ARN 132141.jpg

[Lang]

Interestingly Tony that is starting o get close to the current colours.

Lang

[Tony Wheeler]

Colours are very close indeed Lang, here are the modern colours on Euan's gun tractor. This could pass as 1942 First Army scheme.

Euan's CGT9 2005.jpg

First Aust Army W-J-U.JPG

17620289_1317320845022893_6173433673617303652_o.jpg

17553974_1317320778356233_8488613777853810109_n.jpg

[Howard]

Wow. I just read up on what I've been missing in this thread, having not previously seen the last six or seven pages.
Conclusion: I'll paint my truck Blue.

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Howard

Wow. I just read up on what I've been missing in this thread, having not previously seen the last six or seven pages.
Conclusion: I'll paint my truck Blue.

Air Force Blue, or Navy Blue?

[Mike Cecil]

Yet another 'GREY' area .... certainly not Black or white! And you can argue that one until you are Blue in the face ....

A week in Tucson, AZ, and now back to an early few inches of snow and temps o/night around 15F. Thanks heavens the workshop is heated.

Mike

[Lang]

Tony

Just looking at the photos of the sale Landrovers.

The three vehicles are photographed on the same spot beside the building. All three are entirely different colours owing to the camera settings. This is with modern digital technology.

Shows how impossible it is to match colours from WW2 colour photography not only because of lesser technology but age and copying losses or changes. Best you can do is an indication of pattern and hope that what you see is close enough to a known colour to bet on its name.

Lang

[Tony Smith]

Exactly, Lang. I had chosen those 3 pics just for that reason. Not only camera settings and photo reproduction (in those days, or computer monitors these days), but ambient lighting. Indoor/outdoor, bright sun or overcast.

Makes it very difficult, if not impossible to definitively define a colour by photo.

[Richard Seymour]

Originally Posted by Howard

Wow. I just read up on what I've been missing in this thread, having not previously seen the last six or seven pages.
Conclusion: I'll paint my truck Blue.

Ahhh Navy... you're gay?