"Opel Blitz Color" Topic

I have two EBOB Opels that I wanted to paint for generic use in Europe. I painted the first one in a 3-color pattern that a lot of German AFVs are done in. I am not sure I am happy with it though. I know in 1942 (I think) vehicles crews were ordered to paint their vehicles in dunkelgelb as opposed to gray. Did that apply to supply vehicles? Can I get away with that historically?

As far as I am aware the Dunkelgelb order applied to all vehicles. I have some Opels painted in just DG and some in the three tone camo.

From Jan 1 1943, all vehicles were to be dark yellow with/without cammo. Nevertheless, I have a photo of 2 Blitzes, one in 3-color camo and the other in dark grey. The latter vehicle is German Navy, which may explain why it was still grey in 1944.

One suspects that re-painting trucks wasn't as high a priority as tanks, but then the truck crews probably had more time to re-paint than tank crews, so who knows?

Yeah, I agree with you Mserafin, I'm sure a lot of what went on was down to availability of time, availability of paint and the laziness of the crew. Doctrine and reality are always miles apart.

Check my older posts… This is discussed in depth…

soft non-combat vehicles are not mandatory to repaint and are not allowed a balken kreuz. Therefore gray is the most and realistic choice. 3 farb tarnung is specific as it means that this blitz is attached to 3 farb unit or is the transport for a late war Panzrgren mot unit (which are all known).

Dunkelgelb is Ok but only for units who have exchanged their supply trucks after januar 1943.

Greetings

ps: laziness of crew is no parameter in a german army
:)
Pps: paint your second bliz in gray without markings and add a captured studebacker from Duenkirchen and than you have the perfect supply colum for Kursk.

So, if that column of Opels was in the desert during '42 would they most likely be Panzer Gray or some sort of indiscriminant tan or Dunkelgelb? Likewise, if they escaped to Sicily for be targets for Operation Husky, would the answer change. Thanks a bunch – my three bare metal Opels are waiting for their paint jobs.

Thanks!

Lost Pict

I was tossing around repaiting them in gray to do a Where Eagles Dare scenario, in which everything was gray.

Thank you all for your imput.

In the desert in 1942 they'd probably be painted in DAK sand yellow which isn't quite the same as dunkelgelb. Or they'd be painted with captured British paint or liberated Italian paint etc. In 1941 they might have been in gray, but usually liberally coated with mud & sand paint.

Personally I'd use dunkelgelb for 1943 onwards, & gray for 1939-42 unless in the desert.

Excellent information, Rudi, and your english is fluent as always, but… "Duenkirchen" = Dunkirk in English.

Thanks a bunch, I think will try some sort of sand color.

Lost Pict

I've seen photos of things as humble as horse-carts, 'gulaschkanonen' and generator trailers that had been painted in the post-1943 three-tone camouflage, as well as Allied trucks, which had been captured in Normandy and had received a quick repaint by September/October 1944. I've also seen photos of ex-French AFVs in 1943 that had received a quick slap of light (presumably dark yellow) camouflage over the dark grey, with the exact same vehicles photographed again in 1944, having had a complete re-paint in three-tone camo.

My view therefore, is that vehicles left in dark grey by late 1944 would be HIGHLY unusual.

Sorry for the immense necro folks, but if the truck itself was dunkelgelb, what colour would the canvas have been?

I've seen them done in grey, green, and a couple of shades in between, as well as dunkelgelb. It would be nice to have a bit of variation on the model, I'm thinking that even if it was technically supposed to all be the same colour in reality the canvas would fade quicker then the bodywork.

Hmmm, very interesting topic, and one I am interested in as well. I have an Opel to paint as well, but it is for 1941 and also bound by the text of the book I am modeling it from – "Fiends of the Eastern Front". So mine will be gray, but I am forced to paint the canvas top a khaki color as per the description in the book!

Still I am interested to know what is correct.

Thanks,

Terry

Here's my annual repost on tarp colors:

It seems to have varied a bit but this is what the official "Heeresmitteilungen" (Army Communiqués) has to say regarding the painting and treatment of canvas, the information is from a Missing Lynx forum post, link

H.M. AD 340-1937: Pattern painted tarpaulins have to remain with the earlier used (Bunfarbenanstrich);
H.M. AD 687-1938: tarpaulins actually painted in Bunfarbenanstrich pattern have to be repainted in dark gray / dark brown. Dark gray base paint must be leaving empty spaces for Dark Brown to be applied later.
H.M. AD 864-1940: as was lasts, all equipment and vehicles ordered to be painted in dark gray / dark brown are to be painted in dark gray only.
H.M. AD 281-1941: tarpaulins of vehicles to be used in Africa are to be painted in yellow and brown Graugrun applied for as dark gray / dark brown pattern.
H.M. AD 315-1942: Indicates H.M. 1128-1941 AD order (which I do not have) regarding pigments to be used thus for tarpaulins.
H.M. AD 181-1943: The Dark yellow and reddish brown base paints with Olivgrun camouflage paints are also suitable for tarpaulins.
H.M. AD 322-1943: Tarpaulins made ​​from vegetal matter (hemp and linen) are to be left bare, treated but not painted over.

I've also tried to translate the german text of HV1945 no.52 mentioned in the thread with limited success:

H.V.1945, No.52:
Special regulations
8: Fabric and straps
a) Impregnated canvas of flax, hemp, etc. are still ongoing painting trials. For paper canvas green (RAL 6003) should be used.
Stocks may be used up. The application of camouflage to camouflaged wagon covers, etc. either has to be done with paints HE according to technical specification 6360B or camouflage paint after technical specification 6352.
b) For dust fabrics green (RAL 6003) or green and white (RAL 9002) should be used. The existing dark yellow cloth can be used up.
c) For all other fabrics the required color from the respective technical specification should be used.
d) Straps are according to use or order colored or natural colors (hue, according to to order) should be used.

Leather
Leather is used in it's natural-colored state.

The original german text of these documents can be found at: link