A13 mkIVa colour inside turret

[GRK]

Hi all

I'm nearing completing the build on Broncos A13 and I'm going to have a scene where the turret hatches are open with the crew outside the tank. As the turret will be open for viewing I'd like to get the colours right. 

 

Does anyone know what color the inside walls would have been along with the gun barrel-would it have been painted the same portland stone colour? 

 

Thanks 

[Troy Smith]

28 minutes ago, GRK said:

Does anyone know what color the inside walls would have been along with the gun barrel-would it have been painted the same portland stone colour? 

 

 

I read, or think I read,  on here, maybe Missing Lynx,  that inside of British armour was aluminium paint.   If I find the comment I'll add link.  They would hot be the external colour.

 

Membes who would know are @Mike Starmer and @Das Abteilung 

[GRK]

Thank you Troy, and thanks for linking to those in the know

[JackG]

https://www.mafva.org/british-vehicle-camouflage-1939-45/

 

The above is co-authored by Mike Starmer, giving the date at around mid 1940 where interiors were painted silver (aluminum) and then switched to gloss white.  

 

Problem is production of this vehicle straddled the switch over date.   Peter Brown's book on the A13 series does provide a production chart, and it specifically categorizes serial numbers to production dates.    If you can provide the T-numbered  serial you plan on using, I can look up it's associated date.  It still might not be totally accurate since the switch over period for the colour is a bit open ended. 

 

This  might be mitigated by the common practice to paint interiors of doors and access hatches the same as the exterior.

 

regards,

Jack

 

 

[GRK]

3 hours ago, JackG said:

If you can provide the T-numbered  serial you plan on using, I can look up it's associated date.

Thank you very much! It’s T15277 2RTR

[JackG]

T15277 belongs to a batch order of 80 vehicles, first numbers leaving the factory in June 1940, and total order completed in September.  Your particular number was likely completed in August, so I'd go with white interiors.

 

regards,

Jack

[GRK]

11 hours ago, JackG said:

Your particular number was likely completed in August, so I'd go with white interiors.

Thanks again, I'd have never found that out myself and would have been guessing. At least now I can crack on with a bit of painting while I wait for shops to reopen and I can get some portland stone 

 

Do you know if the gun barrel and housing would also have been white inside the turret? 

 

Edited March 29, 2020 by GRK

[JackG]

I would not know for certain the extent of interior painting, particularly the gun.  There is this photo showing the Valentine's 2 pounder, same caliber as that found in the A13.  Appears to have remained bare metal:

 

 

regards,

Jack

[GRK]

Thank you again. Excellent picture