Churchill in Tunisia/North Africa

[Kris B]

I am interested to build a Churchill tank, but in different scheme then standard "green". I found on this website http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/gb/A22_Churchill_Tank.php the following painting schemes for Tunisia/North Africa:

 

Churchills III of the “Kingforce” North Africa 1942

 



 

Mk.III, 152nd Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps, Tunisia 1943.



 

First painting looks very interesting, but I am not sure how true it is. I found the following photo on this website https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/uk/british-tanks/churchill-a22/ but not able to confirm the colours.

 

 

Second isn't bad as well, but not as spectacular as the first. I would like to use AFV 35153 kit. Any chance for some advice? 

[JackG]

There is some KingForce info to be found here;

 

http://panzerserra.blogspot.ca/search/label/Churchill Mk III - 6 pdr. early

 

http://www.northirishhorse.net/articles/7.html

 

Note that  in Terry's review of the kit, the particular marking included for a KingForce vehicle has appliqué armour (include in the kit) and the canvas apron in the front (not included).

https://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/afvclub/afv35153.html

 

Concerning the colours, Mike Starmer states "The Kingforce Churchills were painted Light Stone in UK before dispatch to M.E. After arrival they all had their disruptive patterning applied, evidently based on the official diagram for the Crusader tank. That colour has been described by three observers as dark earth, red-brown and chocolate. From the obvious rough scuffed appearance of the tanks after some usage, I suspect that Camcolour had been used rather than enamel paint. The Camcolour range has two red-browns; A/18 Terracotta and A/19 Chocolate. Terracotta is in essence a light red-brown greatly towards an dirty orange shade and comparatively light, whilst by implication Chocolate would be much darker. I am of the opinion that A/19 was used on the Churchills and may have been a slightly more red version of SCC.1A. I notice that the artwork in the thread is captioned as being copied from the preceding photograph. Comparison of the shapes of the dark disruptive areas clearly shows that this is no so. The model however does demonstrate the correct pattern."

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/missinglynx/viewtopic.php?f=47208&t=103604&p=1518271&hilit=kingforce+churchill#p1518271

 

regards,

Jack

Edited May 7, 2018 by JackG

[Kris B]

Thank you Jack. 

That makes it more clear. Now the other question - which paint colours will be the best? I am preferring Tamiya, so if anyone knows the mixtures that will be super. But can be any others as well. I will try to match. 

Edited May 8, 2018 by Kris B

[JackG]

No problem, Chris.

 

Here are Mike Starmer's suggested Tamyia mixes:

 

SCC 1A Dark Brown    -  "Mix: 7 pts XF10 + 2 pts XF1.  

This is very close to the standard so a small touch of mid grey is needed for your models."

 

Light Stone      -    "Mix: 7 pts XF2 + 2 pts XF59 + 2 pts XF3.  

The result may shock some modellers but it is just slightly lighter than my 1930 sample, certainly near enough. Light Stone 61 is yellow."

 

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/missinglynx/viewtopic.php?f=47208&t=91156&p=986222&hilit=SCC+No.1A+tamiya#p986222

 

regards,

Jack

 

 

[Kris B]

Thank you again. The link is very useful, lots of info there. 

[Mike Starmer]

Mail  me at mikestarmer18 at gmail dot com for a copy of the relevant drawings for Kingforce Churchills.  Subect Kingforce or Churchill please otherwise it will be spammed.

I published an article some years ago about these tanks and was able to work out the pattern for each one by census number with certain reservations, since there were no rear or top views so I resorted to the Crusader pattern for completion.

[Kris B]

Thank you Mike, email is done.