World War II Allies - 3

2002-12-17

ALL COLOR NUMBERS REFER TO TESTORS PAINTS. Testors is sold in Europe under the name "Model Master".
For one shade colors, here are the Testors numbers; Black (1149 or 1749), White (1168 or 1768), Gold (1144 or 1744), Silver (1146), Steel (1180 or 1780), Brass (1182 or 1782), Flesh (flat-various available shades or mixtures). Aircraft Interior Black (2040) referred to below, is a VERY dark matte shade of charcoal gray and perfect for black uniform cloth.

WORLD WAR II ALLIES


GREAT BRITAIN, COMMONWEALTH AND EMPIRE


BRITISH ARMY IN BURMA (1943-45)

PART/ITEM -- COLOR

Uniform -- Pale Green (1716)
Hat -- SAC Bomber Tan (1792)
Hatband -- Sand (1706)
Helmet, grenades, radio, Vickers MG, ammo box, straps, pouches, packs, haversacks gaiters - Faded Olive Drab (2051)
Canteen - Field Drab (1702)
Boots, bayonet scabbard -- Black
Hair, rifle and SMG stocks -- Brown, Italian dark (2111)
Metal parts of weapons -- Gunmetal (1795)
MG belt -- Brass
Canteen top -- steel
Hands, face -- Flesh
Base -- Green (2029)



NOTES: Suggested Reference -- Osprey Men At Arms series #108, British Infantry Equipment 1908-2000

Suggested figures: HaT WW II Australians #7016


INDIAN GURKHAS

PART/ITEM -- COLOR

Uniform and hatband-- Sand (1706)
Hat, knee socks -- SAC Bomber Tan (1792)
Straps, pouches, packs, haversacks -- Armor Sand (1704)
Canteen - Field Drab (1702)
Grenade -- Faded Olive Drab - (2051)
Boots, bayonet scabbard,"kukri" (fighting knife) sheath -- Black
Metal parts of weapons, bayonets, "kukri" (fighting knife) -- Gunmetal (1795)
Hair, rifle and SMG stocks -- Brown, Italian dark (2111)
Canteen top -- steel
Hands, face -- Flesh
Base, hat and sock "flash"-- Green (2029)



NOTES: These figures represent Gurhka Fighting Order for either the Western Desert or the First Burma Campaign. Adjust Base color accordingly.
Suggested Reference -- Osprey Elite #49 The Gurkhas, and box art

Suggested figures: HaT WW II Gurkhas #7017


FRANCE


FRENCH INFANTRY (1939-1940)

PART/ITEM -- COLOR

Overcoat, helmet -- Field Drab (1711)
Tunic, trousers, puttees -- Field Drab (1711), Chasseurs a Pied -- European Gray (1788) Officer's breeches and puttees -- Sand (1706)
Straps, ammunition pouches, holster -- Flat Tan (1167)
Pack, haversacks -- Sand (1706)
Canteen -- Dark Tan (1742)
Boots -- Leather (1736)
Officer's kepi - See NOTES
Hair, wooden parts of rifles -- Brown, Italian dark (2111)
Rifle barrels, pistol, grenade -- Gunmetal (1795)
Bicycle, telescope -- SAC Bomber Tan (1792)
Bayonet scabbard - Black
Bugle -- Brass
Canteen top -- steel
Hands, face -- Flesh
Base -- Green (2029)



NOTES: Headgear distinguished French units of 1939-40. For Metropolitan units, this was a Field Drab (1711) beret for Fortress troops, an Aircraft Int. Black (2040) beret for Alpine troops, a European Gray (1788) cap for Chasseurs a Pied, or a Field Drab (1711) cap for everyone else. North African troops received a Sand (1706) headscarf. Officers wore kepis in Branch colors, which, for most, was an Aircraft Int. Black (2040) kepi with a Insignia Red (1705) top and gold trim. Officers of Chasseurs a Pied had a Insignia Blue (1719) top and silver trim to their kepis.

After 1940, Free French units were issued either British (North Africa) or American (NW Europe) uniforms, but retained their own weapons, headgear, straps, packs and pouches.

Suggested Reference -- Osprey Men At Arms series #315. The French Army 1939-45 (1)

Suggested Figures: HaT WW I French Infantry #7002


SOVIET UNION


RUSSIAN INFANTRY (Summer)

PART/ITEM -- COLOR

Uniform, cap, metal parts of grenades, ammunition box -- Armor Sand (1704)
Uniform, cap (Officers, Guards units) -- Faded Olive Drab (2051)
Helmet, officer's hat -- Faded Olive Drab (2051) - see NOTES
Blanket roll, straps, pouches, haversack -- Sand (1706)
Canteen -- Green (2029)
Belt, officer's straps, pistol holster - Leather (1736)
Boots -- Black
Hair, wooden parts of weapons -- Brown, Italian dark (2111)
Metal parts of weapons, binoculars -- Gunmetal (1795)
Shovel or grenade handle -- Wood (1735)
MG Belt -- Brass
Canteen top -- steel
Hands, face -- Flesh
Mortar, MG ammunition boxes, Base -- Green (2029)



NOTES: Russia had the poorest "quality control" of uniforms of any WW II combatant and a "mixed" color appearance was common. The elite Guards units received better quality items, usually "greener" than others, and wore a coin-size Red/Gold badge on their right breast. Officers' uniforms were "greener" and "darker" than enlisted mens'. Branch was reflected in officer's hat bands: Flat Red (1150) for Infantry, Black for Artillery and Engineers. A camouflage cape, with hood, was issued, especially to snipers or anti-tank riflemen. It came in two patterns: Dark Tan (1742) segments over a Sand (1706) base or Aircraft Int. Black (2040) over Green (2029). Camouflage segments were the size and shape of an opened hand print. All soldiers received a knee-length raincape/shelter half, in Armor Sand (1704). This was hooded like the camouflage cape, but sleeveless.

Suggested Reference -- Osprey Men At Arms series #216 The Red Army of the Great Patriotic War, 1941-450 and box art

Suitable sets for these would be Sowjeitsche Infantrie/Soviet Infantry WW II. Also dismounted HaT Bedouins #7013 make excellent Russians in camouflage capes.


RUSSIAN INFANTRY (Winter)

PART/ITEM -- COLOR

Padded Winter Uniform -- Sand (1706)
Overcoat -- Armor Sand (1704)
Helmet -- Faded Olive Drab (2051)
Hat -- Field Drab (1702)
Fur parts of hat -- Flat Gull Gray (1730)
Winter camouflage capes, jackets and trousers, fur collar and trim of officer's coat -- White
Officer's coat - Radome tan (1709)
Blanket roll, pouches, straps, haversack, pack -- Sand (1706) or Faded Olive Drab (2051)
Canteen, mortar, mortar shells -- Green (2029)
Belt, officer's straps, mapcase and pistol holster - Leather (1736)
Boots -- Black
Hair, wooden parts of weapons -- Brown, Italian dark (2111)
Bayonets, binoculars, metal parts of weapons and ski poles -- Gunmetal (1795)
Skis, ski poles, shovel or grenade handles -- Wood (1735)
Canteen top -- steel
Hands, face -- Flesh
Mortar, MG ammunition boxes, Base -- Green (2029)



NOTES: In deep snow, felt overboots, Flat Gull Gray (1730), were issued.

Suggested Reference -- Osprey Men At Arms series #216 The Red Army of the Great Patriotic War, 1941-450 and box art.

Suitable sets for these would be Sibirische Schutzen/Siberian Riflemen WW II. Dismounted HaT Bedouins #7013 make excellent Russians in camouflage capes.