| alan L | 02 Nov 2018 2:55 p.m. PST |
I have 2 battalions of Pendraken NVA to paint up. To differentiate them from each other and the US figures, I intend to do one battalion in blue and the other in khaki. Any suggestions for suitable Vallejo paints? |
| Colonel Bogey | 02 Nov 2018 3:04 p.m. PST |
I am planning on doing my NVA with Vallejo Khaki 70988, over a white primer. |
| D A THB | 02 Nov 2018 3:28 p.m. PST |
Is there a historical reason you are going to use blue? I am going to paint mine a toned down Russian Green but as you say that would be too similar to the US forces in that scale. My VC are black with some items in blue just for variety. My PLA will be in Khaki (I have done a command stand in that colour already) My figures are 28mm so its easy to differentiate the figures but I have some 1/300th scale figures to do one day. |
| alan L | 02 Nov 2018 3:56 p.m. PST |
I have been informed that blue was worn by II Corp in the early years and khaki by I corps throughout the war. |
 Doctor X  | 02 Nov 2018 5:13 p.m. PST |
Not so sure about the blue. I've seen some examples of very faded ones that look kind of grey but I don't think they started out blue. |
| Lion in the Stars | 02 Nov 2018 5:18 p.m. PST |
When I get around to my VC and NVA (in 15mm), the VC will be in black PJs, NVA regulars will be in khaki. Need to paint the Americans first, though. I've never heard of any NVA wearing blue. |
| khanscom | 02 Nov 2018 6:54 p.m. PST |
From Osprey's "The NVA and Viet Cong": "All PAVN (People's Army of Viet Nam) ranks were issued, when available, a cold weather uniform during November to March. It consisted of a blue or olive drab padded trousers and coat…". This apparently issued from the late '50s into the '60s. |
| Skarper | 03 Nov 2018 12:06 a.m. PST |
My understanding is dark green was more typical. Khaki was usually NLF Main Force. Blue did exist but I think not so usual. White was also issued, but I think it was only used in the North. I can see the desire to differentiate units and blue was certainly used. |
| Captainbrown | 03 Nov 2018 3:09 a.m. PST |
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| rvandusen | 03 Nov 2018 5:37 a.m. PST |
I recall that some grey uniforms were issued to the Viet Minh in the 50's, but I'm thinking those were worn out by the mid-60s and replaced with khaki or olive fatigues. |
| Col Durnford | 03 Nov 2018 7:09 a.m. PST |
As I understand it, the khaki uniform with mainly used by the NVA in the early part of the war. After that it was revered to as the export version. In my own collection, I have three painting patterns. 1) Local force VC in black with soft hat a few rice patty hats thrown in. Not entirely historic, but nothing says VC to most people than the rice paddy hat. 2) NVA in a light green uniform. I used the old PollyS light green that matches an NVA helmet in my collection. I also have some sappers in the same light green with soft hats. 3) VC/NLF main force 9 man squads all in soft or no hats in a mix of uniforms as follows: 1 BLACK
2 BLACK
3 BLACK/GREEN
4 BLACK/TAN
5 TAN
6 TAN
7 TAN
8 TAN/GREEN
9 TAN/GREEN |
 Legion 4 | 03 Nov 2018 8:00 a.m. PST |
AFAIK … Generally VC in black with a few odds & ends in other muted colors. And the NVA generally in tan and/or green … Some good pics and drawings here. Along with some BS too … of course … link |
| alan L | 03 Nov 2018 8:20 a.m. PST |
link This is the colour I am thinking of: a blue/grey |
| Legion 4 | 04 Nov 2018 7:34 a.m. PST |
Well go for it ! Looks like some good intel … |
| Oberlindes Sol LIC | 04 Nov 2018 8:06 p.m. PST |
It took me a few posts to realize that "NVA" was referring to North Vietnamese Army, not Nationale Volksarmee, either of which could be the subject of a discussion in the Modern Painting Guides forum. |
| Legion 4 | 05 Nov 2018 7:30 a.m. PST |
Yes, that has come up before. Someone from Europe said that I was making up the term NVA for the North Vietnamese Army. Or I saw it in a movie, etc.  When in fact the US Military had used that term for as long as I can remember. Having been trained by and served along side many Vietnam Vets when in ROTC, '75-'79 then Active Duty '79-'90 and even in the USAR, '91. 
Those Vets also referred to the VC and NVA as a number of other things I can say here ! 
But Yes, NVA can refer to the East German Army aka Nationale Volksarmee. Most GIs from that time period I knew very, very, rarely if ever called the East German Army – NVA. But again they also had a number of less than complimentary names for them too … |
| catavar | 07 Nov 2018 11:37 a.m. PST |
From researching French Indochina my view is that civilian clothing worn by the Viet Minh could include other colors besides black. I believe even when uniforms were issued they didn't always hold up and would be replaced with what was available. Therefore I've mixed two other colors I think were common (white and BLUE) with my predominately black clad Viet Minh. Just food for thought. You mention early uniforms. If you can get hold of a copy of The French Indochina War by Windrow (Osprey) take a look at plate G3. It depicts a soldier of the 308th Division in 1954. According to the description some of the uniforms may have been a pale grey-green. I'm wondering if that could be the uniform you're describing. |
| Legion 4 | 08 Nov 2018 10:17 a.m. PST |
That makes sense too. Some colors don't look the same in print vs. RW … |
checks out some 10/15mm railroad tracks for wargaming.