Info needed: Wonky Star and Camoflage Paint

[Paul Edwards]

Hi Guys,

Firstly, I've heard of the wonky star story but what evidence do we have that this was official policy in the Canadian Army? I understand my 1940's truck would not of had the Allied Star if I'm to portray the Dunkirk era.

I'm also now looking at camouflage patterns, again I'm thinking early war era disruptive pattern green with black (tarmac).

Much of the information out there suggest all the upper surfaces, areas around the wheel arches and window were painted the darker colour (tarmac). But I'm not keen on all this black and I've seen period images (see below) that would suggest otherwise. I'd welcome any advice from you guys before I commit paint to metal.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,


Paul

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

It might make your life easier to know the cam patterns were in principle and not to be duplicated the same on every vehicle, so some some artistic license is possible. This is quite different that aircraft where the cam pattern was applied the same on ever Spitfire, Lancaster etc. using a uniform mask.

[Ed Storey]

Just be weary of artist's impressions and their assigned colours to wartime imagery. For example, should the arm of service marking for The Cape Breton Highlands be brown and not black?

[Paul Edwards]

Thanks Ed, can anyone else shed any light on Cape Breton AoS flash colour (brown or black)?

Cheers,

Paul

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Paul Edwards

Thanks Ed, can anyone else shed any light on Cape Breton AoS flash colour (brown or black)?

Cheers,

Paul

Green, and not 74.

[Ed Storey]

Originally Posted by Bruce Parker

Green, and not 74.

I believe, as per the photograph posted in this thread, that 74 on brown was the AoS assigned to The Cape Breton Highlanders up to May 1942. It was changed to 62 on green in May 1944.

[Owen Evans]

Originally Posted by Paul Edwards

I'm also now looking at camouflage patterns, again I'm thinking early war era disruptive pattern green with black (tarmac).

Funny thing about the original black & white photos, they can be a bit misleading. The 'dark tarmac' wasn't actually black.....if you look at tarmac roads/pavements in the UK (older ones) they are more a 'weathered grey'. The photo below was mixed from an original Dark Tarmac sample (the green is Khaki G3, for reference).

Heading back to the UK (where my truck is) for the Christmas period, so if you'd like a physical sample of the Dark Tarmac mailing to you, let me know?

Owen.

[Bob Carriere]

Paint will age and change color........ the OD green used in Oshawa in 1940 usually washes out to a sick mustard yellow..... even inside some weather sheltered spot have only a very very thin coat and is some what flat green.

The have lighting you at the time of day outside or inside cool or hot white lights that the photo was taken and the capacity of each an individual monitor's rendition of what it thinks the color is.... all different shades

My wife uses a spider device that attaches hanging in the centre of her screen to recalibrate colors....... and even then I do not agree to what the calibrated monitor tell me color wise. So short of bringing your whole truck or one fender
....but then why not bring the whole truck.....free parking at the Hammond Barn

Cheers

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Ed Storey

I believe, as per the photograph posted in this thread, that 74 on brown was the AoS assigned to The Cape Breton Highlanders up to May 1942. It was changed to 62 on green in May 1944.

I though we were talking about the crooked star period?

[Ed Storey]

This thread has postings that are all over the place.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Ed Storey

This thread has postings that are all over the place.

Too true, you know to be cautious when it starts talking about paint colours...

[Paul Edwards]

Thank you guys for your input.

Just to be clear, the era I wish my truck (it's an early pattern no 12 cab 1940) to portray is that of the Cape Breton Highlanders in 1942 (no later)

The only true period picture (black and white) I have is posted above (together with coloured artist impressions) from Steve Guthrie book "Camoflage & Markings of Canadian Military Vehicles" it is captioned "Members of the Anti-tank Platoon of the Cape Breton Highlanders prepare for action in 1942. At this time, the CBH were the Infantry battalion in the 5th Canadian Armoured Division Support Group"

I do not have a period photo of the front but assume the "Wonky Star" would not have been bought in action yet. However, is there any evidence that the "Wonky Star" was official policy (at any time)or just a lazy soldier tasked with painting 50 trucks that day.

As for the AoS "74" is clear as day in this period photo, the service flash however is questionable. Does anyone have any clear definitive evidence of the flash colour for the period upto say mid 1942?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,


Paul

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

I can't imagine an official order, bulletin or guide that said "paint the white recognition star crooked on Canadian vehicles to protest it being an American symbol". There are clear examples of the star being painted straight, on an angle and/or 'funky'. So why the 'funky'? Poor paintmanship in some instances sure, but I've heard directly from several vets that they were un-impressed being asked to paint that American star on their vehicles so took a few liberties with its shape. Or so they told me 50 years after the fact.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Paul Edwards

I do not have a period photo of the front but assume the "Wonky Star" would not have been bought in action yet. However, is there any evidence that the "Wonky Star" was official policy (at any time)or just a lazy soldier tasked with painting 50 trucks that day.

Indeed, the Allied white star was applied shortly before Operation Overlord, only to vehicles which were used on mainland Europe.

Read the latest case in point whether the wonky or crooked white star was policy or a myth here: http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...403#post289403

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Paul,

Here is the most accurate description of paint schemes:

https://www.mafva.org/british-vehicl...flage-1939-45/

[Alex van de Wetering]

Originally Posted by Paul Edwards

Hi Guys,
Just to be clear, the era I wish my truck (it's an early pattern no 12 cab 1940) to portray is that of the Cape Breton Highlanders in 1942 (no later)

Correct Paul....The allied star wasn't standard until years later, so a star would definately look out of place on your 12cab.

I haven't heard of the term "wonky" regarding the star, but I think we are all talking about the same thing....the star painted at a slight angle (?). There is a thread here on MLU on this crooked/angled/wonky star which shows the star also displayed at an angle in at least one official painting regulation.

edit: Hanno....I guess you weren't watching the football match....or did you quit before the penalties? ;-)