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Wow! Amazingly professional detailed job. Can't wait to see the final effect.

Thanks. There has been a lot of learning in this one.

Internet research was going nowhere. So, I decided to just go with Tamiya’s recommendation exactly as it is. Here some photos of the base color. Some are in the mid-day sunlight from different angles and some are in the mid-afternoon shade.

This brown has a redder hue in the light and a browner hue in the shade or dim light. I’m liking it.

Looks good tome , looking forward to seeing her finished.

Aussie wrote:Looks good tome , looking forward to seeing her finished.

Thanks.

Playing with some mixtures for RAL 7027. There is some disagreement on the internet about the shade and hue for RAL 7027. I’m leaning towards the references that indicate some amount of green in the color. That would make it a grey-brown-green color. Given the lack of distinct camoflouge in the photos, most of which are black and white, it’s quite possible that the dust covered it, the shades were similar enough to disappear in B&W photos, or both. Probably both. Anyhow, did some experimenting with colors. Tamiya calls for straight Buff (XF-57). But, that lacks any green and is way to light in terms of contrast. So, I’ve played with adding Khaki (XF-49) and Khaki Drab (XF-51). Both of those are two green with too much contrast as pure colors. Mixing them Buff works better.

These were taken in mid-day sun (first two), evening shade (third), and under flourescent lighting (fourth photo).

I really like the Buff:Khaki mixture. I might play with a 2:1 mixture (Buff:Khaki). But, right now, I’d say the 1:1 is about there. Interesting what it does in a B&W photo.

Still playing with some mixtures for RAL 7027...got some good ideas and now I’m torn between two mixtures. I really like the Buff:Khaki mix (1:1) and the Buff:Deck Tan:Khaki (1:1:2) mixes. The Buff:Khaki mix almost disappears in the B&W photos and the Buff:Deck Tan:Khaki completely disappears. Both seem to have a good green/brown/gray mix. Right now, I’m leaning towards the Buff:Deck Tan:Khaki mix. I’ll let it sit for a day or so and see which one grows on me.

Some photos in late afternoon shade, mid-day sun, and under fluorescent lights with their associated B&W photos (same order).



I’ve also been playing with some ideas I found online for painting wood. Granted, I skipped the steps to add the grain, but I was going more for the colors. I think using the Tamiya clear paints would have worked better if I had thinned it first to get just a hint on it. Not sure which “brown” I like better for the wood handles on the tools. Pictures are in mid-day sun, early afternoon shade, and under fluorescent lights.

Got to give you credit where due Mr Phil, you sure are taking the paint choice thing to a new level !
The "wooden paint" conundrum is an ageless one, it seems to have different effects with grain and positioning on the tank, as well as any cover spray from crews in field doing a spruce up without taking the tools off.

Nice work and a very educational tutorial

Haha! I did confess to overthinking things.

Glad it's worth the read, though. I like to include details for other beginners like me. Or, in case I try to do this again.

There's no such thing as overthinking this stuff, it's half the fun anyway. Some days it's all that keeps me awake while I'm at work!

Personally, I like your first choice; I think the 1:1 Buff:Khaki mix comes up the best both in full colour and black-and-white. Trust your gut, though!