RAAF blue colour code

[warren brown]

I think you're right - during WWII it's very likely the RAAF colour was green - however about 15 years ago, Warwick Lord had for sale, a spectacularly original RAAF F60L (from memory - I somehow don't remember it as a Chev - and I think Warwick had scored it from a property in western Queensland) with an original body, disintegrating tyres etc and all the RAAF markings on the cowl. It still had the square petrol tins on it ...yet it was an unusual colour, almost a yellowy/lime green. The paint was old, flat and chalky but from what we could see original - the truck was so good that other than getting it to run you wouldn't have touched it. But I remember the strange colour being a point of discussion and it wasn't that the paint was a faded OD - I'd love to know what happened to it...

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by warren brown

It still had the square petrol tins on it ...yet it was an unusual colour, almost a yellowy/lime green. The paint was old, flat and chalky but from what we could see original - the truck was so good that other than getting it to run you wouldn't have touched it. But I remember the strange colour being a point of discussion and it wasn't that the paint was a faded OD - I'd love to know what happened to it...

Hi Warren,

I also remembered that F60L, and how original it was. Do you recollect the drivers sun visor with RAAF stenciled on it? Would have loved to have taken it home, even better if it had been a Chev

Here is a photo of it....

[warren brown]

Yes Richard - I forgot about that tray, but the cab and everything else was terrific - and yes - I do remember the sun visor with RAAF stencilled on it - how good is it you have a photo. I wish I'd photographed the billyo out of it then - how was I to know I'd one day end up with a Blitz of my own...

[warren brown]

It's funny how your mind plays tricks - In my minds eye that Blitz had an original body...gawd, old-timers already...

[warren brown]

Or was that tray-back 'original' to that truck? Not factory, but made for some specific military role - any ideas?

[cliff]

Originally Posted by warren brown

Or was that tray-back 'original' to that truck? Not factory, but made for some specific military role - any ideas?

looks like an all steel original rear body. Probably had drop sides and the photo shows them off.

[warren brown]

Thanks Cliff - I'm still learning...

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by cliff

looks like an all steel original rear body. Probably had drop sides and the photo shows them off.

Warren and Cliff,

I was staying with Warwick at that time so had a good look around it and I distinctly recollect him telling me it had wooden sides, which had obviously deteriorated and that all the metal work from the sides was laying on the body. The photo is not as sharp in colour as it could be, think that was 1997, so not far off when you said 15 years ago, Warren.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by warren brown

... yet it was an unusual colour, almost a yellowy/lime green. The paint was old, flat and chalky but from what we could see original - the truck was so good that other than getting it to run you wouldn't have touched it. But I remember the strange colour being a point of discussion and it wasn't that the paint was a faded OD

I'd say it was Khaki Green #3, as from what I have seen that colour fades into a far more yellow shade than the later Olive Drab.

H.

[warren brown]

Thanks Hanno and Keith - when you say khaki green (and I know this is probably a futile thing to try and explain in an email) is this a light colour like say, British pattern webbing? (and I know there are a million variations on this).
I just remember as a kid, the Humbrol model paint listed as khaki was a pale, sort of grey/green - it was nothing like olive drab. Sort of Steve Irwin shirt colour. (How's that for a colour reference?)

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by warren brown

Thanks Hanno and Keith - when you say khaki green (and I know this is probably a futile thing to try and explain in an email) is this a light colour like say, British pattern webbing? (and I know there are a million variations on this).
I just remember as a kid, the Humbrol model paint listed as khaki was a pale, sort of grey/green - it was nothing like olive drab. Sort of Steve Irwin shirt colour. (How's that for a colour reference?)

Warren,

I can only quote paint colour expert Mike Starmer who describes Khaki Green No. 3 as "a dark rich brown looking yellow–green". Now, for all I know this could be the colour of Steve Irwin's shirt
So the best advice I can give you is to mix up the colour according to Mike's instructions on the MAFVA site; that way you will know you have a sample which is matched to original equipment samples.

HTH,
Hanno

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi all - Khaki Green No.3 had the coding as B.S.381-1939. Humbrol model paint code 30 should give you the colour. I have used gallons of this colour and get it made by Protec paint in semi-gloss. I originally sourced the colour from a protected area on a Bren Gun Carrier restoration.

Bob

[warren brown]

Thanks Hanno and Bob - just to be a bloody pain -Bob, do you have a photo of something painted in this colour? Just to get my head around it... thanks, Warren.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Bob Moseley

- Khaki Green No.3 had the coding as B.S.381-1939.

Hi Warren,

Here is a link to the BS381 - 1939 colour chart.
http://www.e-paint.co.uk/BS381%20Colourchart.asp

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi Warren - feast your eyes. The Hino is also KG3 and before somebody asks the disruptive is Light Stone, Humbrol model paint code 121.

The formula below is Protec Paints and was for a mix of timber paint. I presume it would be the same for the equipment enamel I use.

Khaki Green No. 3 Timbercote
• 4l yellow base
• B: 9Y, 20
• D: 1Y
• F: 34
• A: 1Y, 20

Here are the official Military instructions.

Military Board Instruction MBI 94
15th August, 1940.
Adoption of “Paint, Khaki Green, No. 3”

All Military vehicles, artillery equipment and general stores, previously painted in service colour will be painted in Khaki Green, No. 3

Mechanization Circular No. 301
2nd. January, 1942.
Mechanical Vehicles- Camouflage Disruptive Painting.

Approval to paint all mechanical vehicles in disruptive camouflage. The “Geneva” cross on A.A.M.C. vehicles must not be obliterated.

Gas-resisting paint to be used along with camouflage paint, Type B, Australian Standard Specification, Emergency Standard No. (E) K.507 to be used for colours other than gas-resisting.

Basic colour of vehicles for use in Australia is Khaki Green No. 3: those for the A.I.F. being Light
Stone B.S.C. 61 (British Standard Colour No. 61). Both gas-resisting.

One coat only of disruptive paint is to be applied, either by brush or spray, on top of the basic colour, in either the following three-tone or two-tone designs. All edges are to be kept sharp, it may be necessary to paint the boundary between two colours to obtain sharp definition.

The colour combinations employed:

Bob