Elena Rossi
The German military employed a wide variety of camouflage patterns and colours on their vehicles during World War II. In the early stages of the war, German vehicles were primarily painted in Dunkelgrau, with some using Dunkelbraun as a camouflage pattern. Later, vehicles were painted in a two-tone desert colour scheme using Braun and Grau (brown and grey). From 1944 onwards, German tanks were painted in dark yellow, with the specific camo pattern left to the unit commanders. This could include straight diagonal or wavy and irregular stripes, with dots or other shapes. To achieve a late German diagonal stripe pattern camouflage, start with a base colour of Dunkelgelb, then add stripes of Rotbraun and Olivgrün. Thin your paint and use low pressure when applying thin lines to avoid overspray and splatters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Base colour | Dark yellow (Dunkelgelb) |
| Other colours used | Olive green (Olivgrün), red brown (Rotbraun), dark green (Dunkelgrün), dark grey (Dunkelgrau), brown (Braun), grey (Grau) |
| Patterns | Diagonal stripes, wavy, dots, blotches, triangles |
| Techniques | Spraying, airbrushing, thinning paint, low pressure, putty masking |
| Individual variation | Yes, especially in the early war period |
| Standardisation | Increased from mid-1944 onwards |
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What You'll Learn
- German WWII vehicle camouflage varied, with tanks painted differently
- The base colour was dark yellow, with olive green and red-brown stripes
- The pattern was left to unit commanders, with no detailed guidance
- Spraying a single colour first can make it easier to paint stripes
- Paint colours were defined by the Reich Committee for Terms of Delivery
German WWII vehicle camouflage varied, with tanks painted differently
In the early stages of the war in Poland and France, German vehicles were painted primarily in Dunkelgrau (dark grey). The High Command of the Army (OKH) issued an order for all vehicles, including tanks, armoured cars, half-tracks, and even some kitchen wagons, to be painted in this colour. Some vehicles during this period were also painted with Dunkelbraun (dark brown) as a camouflage pattern.
On July 12, 1937, Inspectorate 2 ordered that all Army equipment be painted in a two-tone camouflage pattern of dark grey and dark brown, with the colours transitioning gradually rather than meeting with sharp edges. Small surfaces were to be painted in only one of the two colours. This pattern was sprayed onto vehicles, with each vehicle having a unique pattern.
In July 1942, Inspectorate 2 issued an amendment stating that vehicles in the southern parts of the Eastern Front were to be painted in the two-tone camouflage pattern used in Africa. For example, the Pz Kpfw Tiger in Russia had a base coat of Dunkelgelb (dark yellow) with stripes of Rotbraun (red brown) and Olivgrün (olive green).
On February 18, 1943, Inspectorate 2 ordered that all vehicles be painted with a base coat of dark yellow, with a camouflage pattern of olive green, red brown, and dark yellow on top. This pattern was chosen to resemble the sun shining through forest foliage.
In December 1944, due to the Allied air threat, component producers were directed to paint major components dark green before shipment to assembly plants. There was a shortage of dark green paint, so it was prioritised for Tigers, Panthers, and Jagdpanzers. Smaller vehicles, such as Pz IVs, often received a base coat of dark yellow instead.
By the time of the German defeat, the basic colour of vehicles was brown (Braun, RAL 8020), with camouflage in Feldgrau. Older tanks, especially Panzers I and II, were used in the militia and to fight resistance or partisans, and often had hybrid camo that combined multiple paint types and patterns.
The lack of detailed guidance on camouflage patterns resulted in a wide variety of patterns being used. Units in the field would use whatever paint was available, resulting in non-standard colours and unusual patterns. Factory-painted vehicles, on the other hand, followed OKH standards.
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The base colour was dark yellow, with olive green and red-brown stripes
The base colour for the German diagonal stripe pattern camouflage, also known as the Hinterhalt-Tarnung (ambush camouflage), was dunkelgelb, a dark yellow or tan shade. This base colour was then overlaid with stripes of rotbraun, a red-brown, and olivgrün, an olive green. The pattern was designed to mimic the appearance of sunlight shining through forest foliage.
This particular camouflage pattern was introduced in the latter stages of World War II, from late 1944 onwards, and was applied to tanks and other vehicles. Prior to this, German vehicles were often painted in various shades of grey, including dunkelgrau, or in dunkelbraun, a dark brown. However, as the war progressed and paint stocks ran low, alternative colour schemes were adopted, including the use of dark yellow as a base coat.
The dark yellow base coat was applied to vehicles from Pz IVs down in size, as there was a shortage of dark green paint, which was prioritised for larger vehicles such as Tigers, Panthers, and Jagdpanzers. The use of dark yellow as a base coat was specified in an order issued by Inspectorate 2 on 3 July 1942, which stated that a pattern of olive green and red-brown stripes was to be painted on top.
To create the diagonal stripe pattern, thin paint and low pressure are required to avoid overspray and splatters. This technique can be practised on a flat piece of paper to perfect the hand motions before attempting it on a model or vehicle. The stripes can be applied directly to the dark yellow base coat, or, as specified in an order from mid-September 1944, they can be painted on top of a red oxide primer coat without the base colour.
It is worth noting that German camouflage patterns varied, and units were allowed to create their own patterns, resulting in a wide variety of designs. The colours used could also differ based on where the paint was manufactured and the temperature at which it was applied, leading to slight variations in the shade of dunkelgelb.
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The pattern was left to unit commanders, with no detailed guidance
The pattern was left to the unit commanders, with no detailed guidance, resulting in a wide variety of patterns. Some units created carefully painted patterns, while others were rough. The German WWII vehicle camouflage varied a lot and was very individualistic in many cases. The pattern depended on the circumstances and available resources. For instance, in 1942, vehicles were painted in an alternative desert colour scheme of Braun and Grau (brown and grey) when the original paint colours began to run out.
The colours used were defined by the Reich Committee for Terms of Delivery (Reich-Ausschuss für Lieferbedingungen). The base colours were dunkelgelb (dark yellow), rotbraun (red-brown), and olivgrün (olive green). The pattern could include stripes, dots, wavy or irregular lines, or triangular shapes. The paint was ordered by the units according to their types and amount of equipment for repainting in the field.
To achieve a diagonal stripe pattern, you can try using thin lines by thinning your paint, using low pressure, and getting very close to the model. This technique can be challenging due to the risk of overspray, paint spider webbing, splatters, and other issues. It is recommended to practice pattern-painting on a clean, flat piece of paper to get a feel for the technique before applying it to your model.
When painting German camouflage patterns, it is important to consider the historical context and the specific vehicle or unit you are replicating. It is recommended to research photos of the chosen vehicle, time frame, and colour scheme before developing your own technique.
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Spraying a single colour first can make it easier to paint stripes
When painting a model tank with a German late-war diagonal stripe camouflage pattern, it is a good idea to start by spraying a single base colour. This can be dunkelgelb (dark yellow), dunkelgrün (dark green), or olivgrün (olive green). Spraying a single colour first provides a uniform base for the camouflage pattern and can make it easier to paint the stripes.
To achieve the best results, it is important to thin your paint correctly and use low pressure when spraying the base colour. This technique will help you avoid issues such as overspray, spider webbing, and splatters. Practising on a clean, flat piece of paper can help you get a feel for the process and improve your technique before spraying the model.
Once the base colour is sprayed, you can start creating the diagonal stripe pattern. Use masking tape or putty to section off the areas you want to keep in the base colour. Then, spray the first stripe colour, such as rotbraun (red-brown), onto the model. Adjust the distance and pressure of your spray according to your desired stripe thickness and width.
After the first set of stripes dries, you can apply masking tape or putty over them to protect them while you spray the second stripe colour. This technique allows you to create crisp and distinct stripes without accidentally spraying over the first set. Repeat this process if you are using a third stripe colour.
Finally, carefully remove the masking tape or putty to reveal the underlying base colour and stripes. If necessary, touch up any areas that may have been accidentally sprayed or that did not get fully covered. Let the paint dry completely, and you will have a realistic and striking German late-war diagonal stripe camouflage pattern on your model tank.
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Paint colours were defined by the Reich Committee for Terms of Delivery
The paint colours used for German tank camouflage during World War II were defined by the Reichs-Ausshuss für Lieferbedingungen (RAL) (Reich Committee for Terms of Delivery).
Between 1927 and 19 July 1937, German tanks were painted in the Buntfarbenanstrich (colourful paint pattern). This pattern used three colours: RAL Nr. 17 Erdgelb-matt (matte earth yellow), RAL Nr. 18 Braun-matt (matte brown), and RAL Nr. 28 Grün-matt (matte green). The colours were sprayed onto the vehicle in a wavy pattern, with each tank having a unique pattern. The borders between colours were either feathered or bordered by one to three-centimetre-wide stripes of RAL Nr. 5 Schwarz-matt (matte black).
On 19 July 1937, the camouflage pattern was changed to Dunkelbraun Nr. From 1940 onwards, the earlier two-colour pattern was replaced by Schwartzgrau (Panzer Grey) to conserve paint.
In 1942, a new pattern was introduced for tanks in North Africa, consisting of a factory-applied base of Grünbraun (RAL 8000) covering 2/3 of the vehicle and 1/3 of Grüngrau (RAL 7008) in a disruptive pattern.
On 18 February 1943, Inspectorate 2 ordered that all vehicles were to have a base coat of dark yellow (Dunkelgelb) with a pattern of olive green (Olivgrün, adopted from the Reich Ministry of Aviation), red-brown (Rotbraun RAL 8017), and Dunkelgelb on top. This pattern was designed to mimic the appearance of sunlight shining through forest foliage.
In August 1944, to standardise and enhance camouflage patterns, it was ordered that all vehicles were to be painted at factories using the Hinterhalt-Tarnung (ambush camouflage) pattern. This pattern retained the base colour of Dunkelgelb but replaced the Rotbraun and Olivgrün stripes with small dots of these colours. From September 1944, vehicles were ordered to omit the Dunkelgelb base coat, instead painting the camouflage pattern directly onto the red oxide primer.
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Frequently asked questions
The base colours used were dunkelgelb (dark yellow), rotbraun (red-brown), and olivgrün (olive green).
The paint was sprayed onto the vehicles in a wavy pattern, with borders that were either feathered or bordered by thin black stripes.
For thin lines, thin your paint, use low pressure, and spray from a very close distance.
