Academy M3 Stuart “Honey” paint call out

[BlackSheep214]

What paint brand does Academy use for their kits? The instruction guide is pretty vague with the call out #s. I get it with Olive Drab, Medium Grey but which FS # for Dark Green, Light Blue, Light Brown. There are various shades of those colors.

The instruction guide with color call out on page 8….

https://www.scalemates.com/products/img ... ctions.pdf

[Stikpusher]

You won’t get FS numbers on the correct colors because they are British.
This AK set has all the colors needed for Commonwealth vehicles in the Western Desert campaign.

https://ak-interactive.com/product/brit ... 1940-1943/

[BlackSheep214]

That helps a bit…

[Stikpusher]

Here is a more in depth explanation of Commonwealth vehicle camouflage colors and schemes in WWII.


https://www.mafva.org/british-vehicle-c ... e-1939-45/

Let’s just say that the schemes worn during the Western Desert campaign were more varied, than those worn in Northwest Europe in either 1940 or 1944/45. Another factor is that lend lease built equipment such as the Stuart could be delivered in either a US sand color, or in OD and have the appropriate theater colors applied either before or after issue to the troops

[BlackSheep214]

Obviously the blue is inaccurate.

Overall color call out for the “BELLMAN” 8th King’s Royal Hussars, 7th Armored Division, Bir-Hakeim, Libya, 1942 are:

10 - Desert Yellow
11 - Dark Green
12 - Slate Grey

[Stikpusher]

Yes, the colors used in that scheme, aka “Caunter” scheme were Slate and Silver Grey over Portland Stone or Light Stone. If you look at the AK set you’ll get a good idea of those actual colors.
Tamiya made the same error on their original Matilda kit long ago, based upon museum tanks. The Silver Grey was misinterpreted as a blue or blue gray color. Slate is a greenish gray color, similar to a field gray.

[BlackSheep214]

It makes sense now. Now I know what colors to get. Thank you.

[Stuart]

I've had the same Headache Tom with my Matilda and Austin Ambulance - both of which I want to do in that scheme.

I have that AK paint set Stik mentions, I've not used it yet but it does look good.

If it helps I can scan the schemes/call outs from my kits for you?

[BlackSheep214]

Yeah, that would be a big help. I am curious if theres sort of a guide on the back or inside the package. I'm thinking of getting the set minus the desert pink color.

[BlackSheep214]

Before I forget, I did do a bit of research a couple nights back and they say the blue is totally inaccurate especially on restored Stuart tanks. There was never a blue scheme as shown on box cover but most likely Slate.

Any blue on the tanks out in the desert would be easy target for the Germans.