Tiger I Spare Track On Turret, Colour?

[Glen B]

Does anyone have any good documentation on the correct colour for the spare track links carried on the turret of the Tiger I?

Some thoughts;

Often shown as rust in drawings and on models, but would they have let then rust?

Some neutral colour, applied at the manufacturer's facility when they were made?

Painted in the camo colours used on the rest of the tank?

[Red Devils]

Hey Glen B,

This is just me talking but it is my understanding that the German Track metal had some special additive included into the metal producing formula that reduced rusting. It read that some where. Being in the army myself, we paint over everything, I would imagine that the boys back then would have left the heavier items attached and painted over them, just masking over the optics. I'm sure someone with more knowledge will chim in. Hope this helps...

Derek

[jarndice]

I do think it is very important to remember that we are talking about military vehicles, I served in the British Army and in peace or war no NCO in charge of a troop of Tanks would permit rust on them and you would be in serious trouble if you were to blame, I find it impossable to believe the German Armed Forces were any different, secondly it has to be remembered that Tanks are fighting vehicles and will sustain damage and will be withdrawn to the workshop for serviceing and repair and of course they would get repainted, thirdly tanks are built of top grade steel and you have to remember the War only lasted five years and in that time it is doubtful many Tanks lasted more than a year before being withdrawn from front line service.

[Glen B]

Thanks for the input, so far.

I have seen historic B&W pictures with the spares in a single colour, it looks like the spares were not in place when the camo was applied, the tough question is, what is the single colour, I always thought it was a natural weathered black/brown of an alloy steel that did not rust readily, but this is just my speculation. I agree, I doubt they would have been very rusty, like an old piece of mild steel.

But I also recall reading somewhere, the source escapes me now , that the spare were painted by the manufacturers.

Also, I have seen pictures other units Tiger I's where the spares had the camo applied over them, but not on those of Abt 506.

[C.V.R.T.Andy]

I would say from being fitted they would be a dark colour to a gun metal shade but over time they would fade with the weather so rust would play its part. When my vehicles got new tracks for fitting they would come in satin to gloss black but would rust after a short time as the paint was there to protect the tracks during storage . I would look at the history of the vehicle your depicting and where it served . If it was Africa then sand is abrasive so rust has no chance to form. If its Russia then your talking mud rust and all kinds of grime.

[tanks_for_the_memory]

Remember that spare tracks were often there for additional armour as well as use. I certainly go for the light rust option. However for added variation why not mix old with new?

That Pz IV shot is impressive. Where's it from? Given the shells it likes a freshly knocked out tank. Wonder what theatre...

[C.V.R.T.Andy]

I don't have a clue what part of the world it was in, all i did was google "colour pictures during ww2" and this came up like the others.

[tanks_for_the_memory]

The file name is panzer lehr so looks like Normandy...

As for tracks in the desert, doesn't it get damp at night? Or was I just watching the wrong war films?!

[streetfighterjeff]

yeah gets damp and sometimes frosty in the desert, especially in the middle east. was out ther for ten years with my parents.
jeff