Dated: January 14, 2003.
ALL COLOR NUMBERS REFER TO TESTORS PAINTS. For one shade colors, here are the Testors numbers; Black (1149 or 1749), White (1168 or 1768), Gold (1144 or 1744), Silver (1146), Steel (1180 or 1780), Brass (1182 or 1782), Flesh (flat-various available shades or mixtures). Aircraft Interior Black (2040) referred to below, is a VERY dark matte shade of charcoal gray and perfect for black uniform cloth.
WORLD WAR II AXIS
GERMANY
INFANTRY 1939-42
PART/ITEM -- COLOR
Tunic, cap, helmet, cylindrical gas mask carrier -- OG Green (1164)
Trousers, overcoat, grenade body -- Faded Olive Drab (2051)
Collar, epaulets (both tunic and overcoat) -- Medium Green (1713)
Epaulet trim (Infantry) -- White
Boots, ammo pouches, holster, belt, straps, shovel, binoculars --
Black
Officer belt and straps -- Leather (1736)
Haversack, mess tin, canteen cup, shovel handle -- SAC Bomber Tan
(1792)
Canteen -- Dark Tan (1742), Black strap
Shelter half roll -- CAMOUFLAGE pattern of Medium Green (1713) and
Field
Drab (1702) segments over Green (2029) base.
Metal parts of weapons, bayonet -- Gunmetal (1795)
Hair, pack, wooden parts of rifle -- Brown, Italian dark (2111)
Blanket roll - Flat Gull Gray (1730)
Folded gas cape -- Armor Sand (1704)
MG belt -- Brass
MG ammo boxes, mine detector, mortars and A/T weapons -- Engine Gray
(2034)
Hands, face -- Flesh
Base -- Green (2029)
NOTES: For parades, at the the beginning of the war, the Germans issued
a
WW I style matching pack, with blanket rolled on three sides, but most
troops carried only their mess kit, shelter quarter roll and haversack
in
combat. Motorcycle riders received a full length Flat Gull Gray (1730)
double-breasted coat as an overgarment, which fastened around their
legs.
Suggested Reference -- Osprey Men At Arms series #311, The German Army
1939-45 (1) Blitzkrieg
INFANTRY and PANZER GRENADIERS 1942-45
PART/ITEM -- COLOR
Tunic, trousers, overcoat, helmet -- Faded Olive Drab (2051)
Epaulet trim, Infantry -- White (Panzer-Grenadiers -- Light Green)
Boots, ammo pouches, holster, belt, straps, binoculars -- Black
Officer belt and straps -- Leather (1736) (Black also possible.)
Haversack, mess tin, canteen cup -- SAC Bomber Tan (1792)
Canteen -- Dark Tan (1742), Black strap
Shelter half roll -- CAMOUFLAGE pattern of Medium Green (1713) and
Field
Drab (1702) segments over Green (2029) base.
Cylindrical gas mask carrier, shovel -- OG Green (1164)
Metal parts of weapons, bayonet -- Gunmetal (1795)
Hair, pack, wooden parts of rifle -- Brown, Italian dark (2111)
MG belt -- Brass
MG ammunition boxes, mine detector, mortars and A/T weapons -- Armor
Sand
(1704)
Grenade and shovel handles -- Wood (1735)
Hands, face -- Flesh
Base -- Green (2029)
NOTES: In early 1942, the Germans went to a plainer, cheaper, "war
economy" tunic. In late 1943 they began to issue Afrika Korps
styled
caps, and baggy trousers in European colors. It was possible to see any
of
these in a mix with prewar items until the last day of the war.
Suggested Reference -- Osprey Men At Arms series #326, The German Army
1939-45 (3) Eastern Front 1943-45
Suggested Figures: Deutsche Infanterie/German Infantry, Deutsche
Panzergrenadiere/German Armored Infantry, and Deutsches
Afrikakorps/German
Africa Corps WW II
LATE WAR GERMAN ARMY (1944-45)
PART/ITEM -- COLOR
Smock, trousers, "poncho" (shelter half ) -- CAMOUFLAGE
pattern
of Medium Green
(1713) and Field Drab (1702) segments over Green (2029) base
Tunic, trousers, overcoat, helmet -- Faded Olive Drab (2051)
Boots, ammo pouches, holster, belt, straps, binoculars -- Black
Pack, MP-44 SMG pouches -- Sand (1706)
Officer belt and straps -- Leather (1736) (Black also possible.)
Haversack, mess tin, canteen cup -- SAC Bomber Tan (1792)
Canteen -- Dark Tan (1742), Black strap
Cylindrical gas mask carrier, shovel -- OG Green (1164)
Metal parts of weapons, bayonet, wire cutters -- Gunmetal (1795)
Hair, pack, wooden parts of rifle -- Brown, Italian dark (2111)
Grenade, shovel, and pick handles, oar -- Wood (1735)
MG belt -- Brass
Goliath demolition vehicle, A/T weapons, mortars, mines, mine detector,
MG
ammunition boxes -- Armor Sand (1704)
Pick -- Steel
Inflatable Boat -- Medium Green (1713)
Hands, face -- Flesh
Base -- Green (2029)
NOTES: Only some elite German Army units received camouflage uniforms
late
war. An alternative late-war Camouflage pattern was Dark Tan (1742) and
Green (2029) segments over an Armor Sand (1704) base. This garment
reversed to White. (This alternative pattern did NOT apply to
"ponchos".) Late in the war, the Germans also issued a British
Battledress-style uniform, complete with gaiters, but these were not
very
common. Late war A/T weapons included "bazookas" and single
shot
Panzerfaust rocket launchers.
Suggested Reference: Osprey Men At Arms series #336, The German Army
1939-45 (5) Western front 1943-45
Suggested Figures: Deutsche Infanterie/German Infantry, Deutsche
Pioniere/German Engineers, Deutsches Afrikakorps/German Africa Corps WW
II
GERMAN TANK CREWS
PART/ITEM -- COLOR
Tunic, trousers, headgear -- Aircraft Int. Black (2040)
Boots, holster, belt, binoculars -- Black
Goggle lenses -- Silver
Hair -- Brown, Italian dark (2111)
Pistol, submachine gun -- Gunmetal (1795)
Epaulet trim and collar tab -- Army and SS: Pink, Luftwaffe: White
Hands, face -- Flesh
Base -- Green (2029)
NOTES: SS tank crews often wore Camouflage uniforms or just a Camouflage
smock over black trousers. Army, SS and Luftwaffe crews of
self-propelled
artillery wore an identical uniform to tank troops, but in Dark Gull
Gray
(1740).
AFRIKA KORPS
PART/ITEM -- COLOR
Uniform, helmet (See NOTES) -- Sand (1706)
Overcoat -- Field Drab (1702)
Ammo pouches, holster, binoculars -- Black
Belt, straps, shovel -- Flat Gull Gray (1730)
Socks, haversack, mess tin, canteen cup -- SAC Bomber Tan (1792)
Shelter half roll -- CAMOUFLAGE pattern of Medium Green (1713) and
Field
Drab (1702) segments over Green (2029) base.
Boots (See NOTES) -- Armor Sand (1704) top/Dark Tan (1742) bottom or
Black.
Canteen -- Dark Tan (1742), Black strap
Front SMG pouch -- Sand (1706)
Metal parts of weapons, bayonet -- Gunmetal (1795)
Hair, wooden parts of rifle -- Brown, Italian dark (2111)
MG belt -- Brass
MG ammo boxes, cylindrical gas mask carrier, mines, mine detector,
mortars
and A/T weapons -- Armor Sand (1704)
Grenade body -- Faded Olive Drab (2051)
Grenade and shovel handles -- Wood (1735)
Hands, face, legs -- Flesh
Base -- Dark tan (1742)
NOTES: This uniform was a Light Olive [SAC Bomber Tan (1792)] when
issued,
but between sun, and the wearers deliberate efforts to bleach them out,
they ended up tan. These uniforms were later issued in Tunisia and
Sicily.
European uniform items were also worn in North Africa. Soldiers were
originally issued combination leather and canvas boots, one pair each,
of
ankle boots and full calf length. Black ankle marching boots were also
commonly worn. Painting of helmets, etc, was done haphazardly at the
unit
level.
Suggested Reference -- Osprey Men At Arms series #316 The German Army
1939-45 (2) North African & Balkans
Suggested figures: Deutsches Afrikakorps/German Africa Corps WW II
GERMAN HORSE ARTILLERY
PART/ITEM -- COLOR
Tunic, cap, helmet etc. - see appropriate period under Infantry
Epaulet trim (Artillery) -- Flat Red (1150)
Trousers -- Faded Olive Drab (2051)
Crotch (riders) -- Military Brown (1701)
Shirt (no Tunic) -- Flat Battle Gray (1163)
Suspenders (no Tunic) -- Gray, Italian blue (2113)
Belt, boots, straps, holster -- Black
Officer's belt and straps -- Leather (1736)
Canteen -- Dark Tan (1742), Black strap
Cylindrical gas mask carrier, shovel -- OG Green (1164)
Metal parts of weapons, bayonet -- Gunmetal (1795)
Hair, wooden parts of rifle -- Brown, Italian dark (2111)
Hands, face --Flesh
Base -- Green (2029)
HORSE CAISSON
PART/ITEM -- COLOR
Horse -- whatever
Blanket -- Flat Battle Gray (1163)
Saddle, straps - Leather (1736)
Cannon, caisson -- Engine Gray (2034)
Wheel edges -- Steel
Boxes -- Wood (1735)
Shells -- Brass
NOTES: Suggested Reference: Box art.
Suggested Figures: Deutsche Artillerie/German Artillery
GERMAN WAFFEN-SS 1942-45
PART/ITEM -- COLOR
Smock & helmet cover -- CAMOUFLAGE (See NOTES)
Trousers, helmet, Officer Tunic & hat -- Faded Olive Drab (2051)
Collar, epaulets -- Aircraft Int. Black (2040)
Epaulet trim, collar patch details --White
Officer belt and straps -- Leather (1736)
Boots, ammo pouches, holster, belt, straps, binoculars -- Black
Canteen -- Dark Tan (1742), Black strap
Haversack, mess tin, canteen cup -- SAC Bomber Tan (1792)
Cylindrical gas mask carrier, shovel -- OG Green (1164)
Grenade handle,shovel handle --Wood (1735)
Hair, wooden parts of rifle -- Brown, Italian dark (2111)
Metal parts of weapons, bayonet -- Gunmetal (1795)
MG belt -- Brass
MG ammunition boxes, mine detector, mortars and A/T weapons -- Armor
Sand
(1704)
Hands, face -- Flesh
Base -- Green (2029)
NOTES: CAMOUFLAGE: Spring/Summer -- Base Color: Pale Green (1716) and
Flat Tan (1167), with spots of European Gray (1788)
Autumn -- Base Color: Flat Tan (1167) and Sand (1706), with spots of
Field
Drab (1702)
Suggested Reference -- Osprey Men At Arms series #34, The Waffen SS
Suggested Figures: Deutsche Infanterie/German Infantry and Deutsche
Panzergrenadiere/German Armored Infantry
LUFTWAFFE PARATROOPS (1939-41)
PART/ITEM -- COLOR
Smock -- Green (2029)
Helmet, grenade body -- European Gray (1788)
Cap, trousers, rifle bandoleer, gas mask carrier -- Faded Olive Drab
(2051)
Boots, gauntlets, belt, straps, canteen top, canteen strap, binoculars
--
Black
Canteen -- Dark Tan (1742), black strap
Hair, wooden parts of rifle -- Brown, Italian dark (2111)
Metal parts of weapons, bayonet -- Gunmetal (1795)
MG belt -- Brass
Supply container -- Flat Gull Gray (1730) (See NOTES)
Parachute harness -- White
Grenade handle -- Wood (1735)
Hands, face -- Flesh
Base -- Green (2029)
NOTES: In the early part of the war, German paratroops jumped unarmed
except for pistols. The airdrop containers held their weapons,
ammunition,
medical and other supplies, and were spray-painted with a colored band
to
indicate the contents. (Red, blue, yellow, black, green, with the
parachutes in the same colors. The coding changed for each mission.)
Riflemen carried their ammunition in a unique cloth bandoleer they wore
over their necks. Paratroops also wore a cloth gas mask carrier, rather
than the usual cylindrical can type. Pistols were carried in a special
pocket of the jump smock.
Suggested Reference -- Osprey Men At Arms series #139. German Airborne
Troops 1939-45 and box art.
LUFFWAFFE PARATROOPS "GREEN DEVILS" (1942-45)
PART/ITEM -- COLOR
Smock, helmet cover -- CAMOUFLAGE pattern of Medium Green (1713) and
Field
Drab (1702) segments over Green (2029) base.
Cap, trousers, rifle bandoleer, gas mask carrier -- Faded Olive Drab
(2051)
Boots, ammo pouches, holster, belt, straps, binoculars -- Black
Shovel, grenade body -- European Gray (1788)
SMG pouches, anti-tank grenade, bazooka -- Armor Sand (1704)
Metal parts of weapons, bayonet -- Gunmetal (1795)
Hair, pack, wooden parts of rifle -- Brown, Italian dark (2111)
MG belt -- Brass
Grenade and shovel handles -- (Wood 1735)
Supply container -- Flat Gull Gray (1730)
Hands, face -- Flesh
Base -- Green (2029)
NOTES: A late war (1944-45) version of the Camouflage Pattern used Dark
Tan (1742) and Green (2029) segments over an Armor Sand (1704) base.
Suggested Reference -- Osprey Men At Arms series #139. German Airborne
Troops 1939-45 and box art.
JAPAN
JAPANESE ARMY AND MARINES
PART/ITEM -- COLOR
Uniform, cap, leggings -- Armor Sand (1704), Imperial Marines -- OD
Green
(1164)
Helmet - SAC Bomber Tan (1792), Imperial Marines -- Medium Green
(1713)
Straps, ammunition pouches -- Leather (1736), Imperial Marines
(alternative) Flat Gull Gray (1730)
Boots -- Leather (1736)
Haversack -- Sand (1706)
Pack -- Dark Tan (1742)
Canteen -- Dark tan (1742), Imperial Marines -- Flat Gull Gray
(1730)
Metal parts of weapons -- Gunmetal metal (1795)
Sword -- Steel
Flag pole -- Wood
Hair, wooden parts of rifle -- Brown, Italian dark (2111)
Hands, face -- Flesh
Base, helmet camouflage -- Green (2029)
NOTES: Suggested Reference -- Osprey Men At Arms series #20. Japanese
Army of WW II
ITALY
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