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Primer type for WW2 British Tanks (post 1944)

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2017 3:03 pm
by 43rdRecceReg
The instructions with my Tamiya Cromwell suggest XF-26 (Dark Green) as the main colour for their 1:35 model, but that doesn't look right. I want my 1/16 Cromwell project to have this colour:
Snapped this at Bovington last April, four months after snapping my ankle!
Snapped this at Bovington last April, four months after snapping my ankle!
Post 1944 Cromwell were all painted in No 15 Olive Drab, apparently (similar to the US No.9 Olive Drab)..and when I get round to a spot of daubing, I want to get the right tone. I see that Tamiya also do an XP-62 Olive drab,
but I'm not sure whether anyone here has used it to good effect. Right well, I have to build the tank first (..it's underway, and build thread coming soon). Then wait for fairer Spring weather, to make use of my airbrush out-of-doors.
Before that, though, I want to ensure that I have all the right bits, including a suitable primer. Can anyone recommend a suitable primer/undercoat for WW2 British tanks? Should the primer be grey, or Red-oxide, or doesn't it matter? I expect a darker primer will create a darker topcoat.
Found two interesting websites connected with the topic:
http://www.mafva.net/other%20pages/starmer%20camo.htm
Indeed the Mafva site itself is worth a visit: http://www.mafva.net/index.htm
and the Humbrol site where there's a puzzling difference between 'Olive Drabs'. Anyone tried them, or used them? Yeah, I know, not many folk on the Forum build British tanks, because they're hard to find and buy!! :-<
https://www.humbrol.com/uk-en/catalogse ... olive+drab
Cheers, Roy.

Re: Primer type for WW2 British Tanks (post 1944)

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2017 3:23 pm
by Jake79
xf-61 or xf-62 what I've read from other guy's 1/35 builds.

Vallejo equivalent
979-

889 / 888-

This seems to be another fav to paint late war British afv's
Humbrol 12ml Acrylic Paint No. 75 Matt (Bronze Green)

Re: Primer type for WW2 British Tanks (post 1944)

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2017 3:43 pm
by jarndice
It is very important to realise that size affects the perceived colour of a vehicle,
The true colour as found on the full size prototype will look absolutely wrong on a 1/16 model,
Shaun.

Re: Primer type for WW2 British Tanks (post 1944)

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2017 6:51 pm
by 43rdRecceReg
Thanks, Jake and Shaun. Any idea, though, whether a grey primer would be better than red-oxide? I've seen the impact of red-oxide on light camo schemes, where grey would have been more appropriate. Maybe I'll just opt for the red anyway.