What colour was that again

[Little Jo]

Hi Guys

I know this has been discussed on the forum many times in the past. I am having a seniors moment and cant find the thread that advised which green paint was used by Aussies on WW2 vehicles and equipment. Can you help please.

Cheers

Tony

[Tony Wheeler]

Tony, the short answer is Khaki Green No.3, which was adopted as standard in August 1940 and remained so throughout WW2. However it was darkened in late '42 so there were actually TWO colours, commonly referred to as pre-42 KG3 and post-42 KG3. Also it acquired a satin finish after July '44 which can be seen on some new vehicle photos:

General Routine Orders No. 278. 28th July 1944. Painting of MT Vehicles

Vehicles will, in future, be painted in a single colour, namely Khaki Green No. 3, and will be finished in “egg-shell” in lieu of existing “matt” finish.

AWM 083010.jpeg

[Little Jo]

Originally Posted by Tony Wheeler

Tony, the short answer is Khaki Green No.3, which was adopted as standard in August 1940 and remained so throughout WW2. However it was darkened in late '42 so there were actually TWO colours, commonly referred to as pre-42 KG3 and post-42 KG3. Also it acquired a satin finish after July '44 which can be seen on some new vehicle photos:

General Routine Orders No. 278. 28th July 1944. Painting of MT Vehicles

Vehicles will, in future, be painted in a single colour, namely Khaki Green No. 3, and will be finished in “egg-shell” in lieu of existing “matt” finish.

Attachment 63943

Hi Tony

Thanks mate, you have rejuvenated the old grey cells. Much appreciated.

Cheers

Tony

[Mike Cecil]

From May 1945, vehicles in need of a re-paint in rear areas on the Australian mainland were to be painted in gloss KG3 except AFVs, which were to be finished in 'egg shell' KG3. 'Egg shell' was to be used on all vehicles requiring a re-paint until the gloss paint became available.

There were also individual areas during WW2 that used a different green as a single-colour base coat but in general terms, KG3 was the base coat colour for the AMF, and is what we might term the 'factory finish' of vehicles being delivered to ordnance depots, in lusterless or later in egg shell ('satin') finish.

You can't go too far wrong using KG3 on an Aust WW2 vehicle.

The specification for 'Paint, Prepared for Use, Khaki Green No.3 - For Application by Spraying; Specification to govern supply and inspection' was issued by the Inspector General of Munitions, Maribrynong, Victoria as Spec CS/1269, approved for service 5 May 1940, issued as MGO101, and later a revised spec as MGO101A.

Mike C.

[Tony Wheeler]

Very interesting Mike, I didn't know about gloss KG3.

I seem to recall something about ambos being painted Vehicle Dark Green in lieu of KG3, or am I imagining that?

[Mike Cecil]

Tony,

Don't remember the final outcome of the extensive discussions that medical vehicles generated: there were literally hundreds of memos about painting medical vehicles - ambulances, mobile CCS, blood transport vehicles, and so on - due to their so-called protected status.

I'll check and get back to you.

Mike C

[rupert condick]

hi
for use in australia paint was dulux khaki green dull dulux 369-9947

gloss white 382-6592
straight from the AWM files so do not know if you can still get it for army ambulances WWII red cross gloss red 388 and gloss white 388 cross to drg MGO(V) 560-565 if
going that way the cross ratio is 3-1 ( height x Width) the outer circle is 4 ratio is different for RAF medical containers skinny cross
regs
Rupert