"What Vallejo colors to use for Africa Korp?" Topic

What color Vallejho paints would one use for the Africa Corp.

Hmmm, you do 20mm, right? Can't point you to the Flames of War "Afrika" book, then.

Allen

Ah, there it is, at least one version. Look under "Tropical Uniform/Desert" in Probert's post here:

TMP link

I think he did a separate German painting guide thread; off to find it…

Allen

Yep, here it is, but that section in virtually the same; note that basic uniform items can be any of three colors, mixed-and-matched:

TMP link

Allen

You don't need the Afrika book.
Vallejo has a boxed set of Afrika Korps paints, with a color guide. The Warstore should have them.
The "Russian Uniform" green is a tad too dark for me, so I use a slightly lighter shade, or you can lighten it yourself.

Remember that the AK used Italian and British uniforms as well as their own. it is pretty easy to mix and match. Much of the early Afrika Korps uniforms where quickly dyed with bleach to blend in better with the desert environment. Those seen wearing the olive uniforms were tagged as fresh recruits who had just arrived. As time passed, stockpiles of British uniforms were captured and used. Italian uniforms were donated to the cause as well. In the end, the Germans wore what they could get their hands on.

This is my gallery which I put together after years of uniform research-

link

Now to answer your original question, I use some of the following Vallejo colors-Dark Sand 847, Iraqui Sand 819, Green Brown 879, Green Ochre 914, Desert Yellow 977, Khaki Grey 880, Camo Beige 821, Yellow Green 881, 092 Russian Uniform Most of these colors are out of the FOW books. I then interpret them as I see fit. I sometimes fudge recommendations to try to make each nationality have their own look. But truthfully, I have found that most uniforms looked pretty dirty, dusty and raggedy.

No, I would not use Russian Uniform, unless modelling troops who have just had their brand-new uniforms washed at the bath and laundry unit, and have put them on wet.

Allen

I would try using some Lt. Grey added to the Russian Uniform. Must agree with Allen, the RU color is a tad too dark for the whole army. I could make an argument for a few troops wearing the Olive color sprinkled in there but nothing more.

Sorry: meant to say I would not use Russian Uniform *straight*. Combatpainter's suggestion for fading it is a good 'un.

Allen

Yeah, the uniform itself was an olive green, but it quickly faded to anywhere from light sand (almost white) to a green ochre due to sun and laundering. Do a Google search for Africa Corps (or Afrika Korps) color images. I know someone had posted a photo of five or six original AK tunics layered on top of each other to show comparative colors and the differences are almost shocking. My own 15mm AK are painted green ochre and washed with black ink, though I would probably do a brown wash next time.

Yeah, the uniform itself was an olive green, but it quickly faded to anywhere from light sand (almost white) to a green ochre due to sun and laundering. Do a Google search for Africa Corps (or Afrika Korps) color images. I know someone had posted a photo of five or six original AK tunics layered on top of each other to show comparative colors and the differences are almost shocking. My own 15mm AK are painted green ochre and washed with black ink, though I would probably do a brown wash next time.

Yes, that is a good photo and shows you all the possible tones that can be used.

Also, remember that field caps faded, or were often bleached, to almost white. It was one of the things that struck my grandfather, when he was taken prisoner in 1942, that all these Germans were wearing "white caps" (as he called them).