Info needed: correct colours for WWII Aust vehicles

[Tony Wheeler]

Just quickly on ambos, they’re typically very dark in photos, which would lead one to believe they standardized on Vehicle Dark Green after 42, as part of a tradition perhaps. Does anyone have any info on this?


029831 ADELAIDE, SA 1943-03-26. MOTOR AMBULANCES CARRYING WOUNDED MEMBERS OF THE 9TH AUSTRALIAN.jpg

IMGP1957 (Medium).JPG

[Tony Wheeler]

Now that we’re acquainted with Vehicle Dark Green we can take another look at Staff Cars and Vans, where 2-tone scheme features widely in 43-44 (examples seen below in NG, QLD, NSW, VIC, WA).

Firstly as Mike Kelly observed in post #453 concerning example 1: “The darker disruptive colour has a noticeable shine to it . Hmm”

Paint quality suffered during 1943 owing to shortage of phthalic anhydride, which led to suspension of gas resistance spec for a period, as well as various other concessions being made for suppliers. For example, B.A.L.M. tender for Vehicle Dark Green supplied ex-Melbourne against Contract Board Schedule T.71308 of March 43: “It is recommended that the tender of B.A.L.M. Pty. Ltd., Melbourne, be accepted for immediate requirements under concession of non-compliance with para. 69 – Mattness, of the specification.”

So, Mike, not only can we identify the colour, but even the likely brand of paint!

But what of the other colour(s) seen on these vehicles? We already know Vehicle Medium Green was discontinued in late 43 which leaves only one possibility in 44, namely Vehicle Grey. This may explain examples 9 & 10 which appear to display more tonal separation (higher contrast) than earlier examples painted when Vehicle Medium Green was still available. The two possible colour combinations can be compared side by side on the 7-ton semi-trailer body. Further guide to colour can be had by comparison with uniforms in some photos.

Note that KG3 can be ruled out due to closeness in tone with Vehicle Dark Green as shown in posts #505 and #506. Any vehicle painted in these two colours would appear extremely dark indeed.


Staff Cars & Vans 2-tone scheme 1943-44.jpg

Staff Cars & Vans 2-tone scheme 1943-44 (2).jpg

Staff Cars & Vans 2-tone scheme 1943-44 (3).jpg

7-ton semi-trailer, Tocumwal, NSW 11-2-44. SM4809 3-tone scheme..jpg

MSL report - Vehicle Dark Green (Large) sharpen.jpg

[Lang]

Tony

Just a WAG but perhaps they painted the ambulances in a single colour for the following reasons:

They did not want them mistaken for a tactical vehicle with camouflage. They wanted to appear less war-like.

They actually wanted them to be easily identified from other surrounding vehicles. Wishful thinking in an attack on a convoy situation but if operating individually may give some measure of protection.

The big crosses cause a problem as they negate any stealth ambitions. If a unit was actually trying to hide, the first vehicles to be covered with nets or branches would be the ambulances.

I suspect some people in the Medical Corps may even believe that the Ambulances should be all-over white as the Geneva Convention says you should not shoot at them. I think ambulances only get protection if it is convenient in the overall battlefield situation and the presence of an ambulance offers no safety to a unit under attack.

Lang

[M38CDNBill]

Hi,

Nice picture of the GMC tractor but what I find particular about this truck is the cylindrical object where the spare tire is usually located. It makes me think of an air tank and is it possible that the braking system on this GMC model was pneumatic?

Cheers

[Lang]

The trailer had vacuum brakes so the tractor had to have a system fitted. The truck retained its standard issue hydraulic brakes.

Lang

[M38CDNBill]

Originally Posted by Lang

The trailer had vacuum brakes so the tractor had to have a system fitted. The truck retained its standard issue hydraulic brakes.

Thanks for this information

[Stuart Kirkham]

Help required

I am wanting to confirm the two colours used on M3 Grant tanks and other armoured and softskin vehicles whilst based at Mingenew, Western Australia 1943.

It appears that the vehicles, including the Grants, were painted this two tone camouflage scheme as shown in the photo below. I have 'colourized' the Grant to show what I believe are the two green colours.

I think the lighter green is standard Australian army lusterless Olive Drab and the darker green Khaki Green.

I have also included a photo of the 2-pounder Anti-tank Gun Carrier (Aust) on display at the Merredin Military Museum. As can be seen, the two colours look to be 'faded' Olive Drab and a darker green. As this is a Western Australian based Gun Carrier, it is very likely that these colours are the same as those seen on the Grant.

I have also included some advertisements that were placed in local Perth newspapers in 1947. Businesses that were selling ex army stock oil based paints to the public. One add tells us that the paint is manufactured by Berger. The other lists colour names. One being Khaki Green. I presume these are names printed on the cans of paint.

Were camouflage schemes and colours unique to Western Australia?

Any help with these two colours would be most appreciated.