Tiger II pair - Ambush camo - different concepts

[Carius]

Two king Tiger - Hinterhalt or Ambush camouflage scheme

 

I recently decided to paint two Tiger II in Ambush (Hinterhalt) camouflage, but with a different camo pattern and weathering effects:

 

KING TIGER 223:  Tiger II , s.SS.Abt. 501, Ardennes front. Dragon model, 1/35, with etched details and many improvements, Soft edge three tone camo. Humbrol enamels. Light weathering.

 

KING TIGER 003: Tiger II, Stabskompanie, s.SS.Abt. 501, Ardennes front version, December 1944. This is another excellent Dragon kit, code 6254, with great details, and I only added two metallic antennas, two new front periscopes and photo etched tool clamps. Hard edged three tone camo. Heavy weathering, wear and dirt. This Tiger II was immobilised on the road to Stavelot where it was set on fire by its crew before they withdrew.

 

for example, here are some sources about the Hinterhalt camouflage:

 

“The WW 2 German Hinterhalt or 'Ambush' scheme was at least 4 different paint schemes applied by the MAN and Daimler-Benz factories, between 19th August and 14th September 44 (with zimmerit, on the dark yellow base) and from 14th-30th September (without zimmerit and on the red primer base).” http://wargamesobsession.blogspot.com

 

“The lack of detailed guidance on camouflage patterns resulted in a very wide variety of patterns. Some units used created carefully painted patterns, while other patterns were very rough. To standardize and improve camouflage patterns, on 19 August 1944, it was ordered that all vehicles should be painted at the factories. The pattern, Hinterhalt-Tarnung (ambush camouflage), still used a base color of dunkelgelb, with rotbraun and olivgrün stripes. On top of each color, small dots of the other two were applied. This pattern was created to give the appearance of the sun shining through forest foliage.

 

In mid-September 1944, vehicles were ordered to not receive the dunkelgelb base. Instead, camouflage was to be painted sparingly directly on top of the red oxide primer. It is unclear whether this meant that the camouflage paint was to fully cover the vehicles' surface, or if the red oxide primer was intended to remain visible. On 31 October 1944, more elaborate camouflage in dunkelgelb, rotbraun, and olivgrün began being applied at the factories over the red oxide primer. Furthermore, dunkelgrau could be used if dunkelgelb was unavailable. Despite this order, there has never been any evidence that dunkelgrau was actually used.

On 20 December 1944, it was ordered that a dunkelgrün base, with a hard-edge pattern of dunkelgelb and rotbraun, should be used.”

https://panzerworld.com/german-armor-camouflage

 

(ilustrative sources)

 

But I agree with this point of view:  "SS Pzbt 501 Tigers appeared in differing camo schemes (6 tanks were supplied from another unit in a differing pattern) some hand painted, some sprayed, some with dots, others without. Some had the 1st SS Panzer Corps insignia painted on, others didn't, some had the national cross on the turret others didn't, and some did not have visible turret numbers! I recommend a book called 'Tigers in the Ardennes' by Gregory A Walden which refers to a number of individual tanks that took part from eyewitness counts clarifying the schemes worn and insignia visible, with interesting pics." 

(by Whitewolf modeler)

 

The models:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 16, 2021 by Carius

[Pig of the Week]

What an interesting idea, and very well done 👍

[Carius]

Many thanks mate.

[Stef N.]

Always a pleasure to see your work and this pair are no exception. Brilliant modelling all round.👏👍

[Carius]

I thank your kind words Stef.

 

Cheers from Brazil

[Whitewolf]

Two very nice Tigers! I'm currently building a 1/16 KT from the SS Pzbt 501  and have the book 'Tigers in the Ardennes', which does indeed refer to certain tanks, confirming if schemes were sprayed/hand painted with markings if known. I note from a number of photographs that the dots were applied very sparingly  and were longer applied in the factory from September/October 1944 onwards. In differing publications there are colour pics of the example shipped to the USA in the colours it was captured in, albeit very faded (the pics in question have been verified by the fact that the markings applied by US Army engineers at the time of capture are visible. The example at La Gleize has now been painted in an authentic scheme by an historian. The colours of individual schemes are also known to have varied, although its now known that no KTs ever left the factory with the red oxide undercoat showing as part of it.

[Carius]

Whitewolf, the point of view cited above in the topic is yours, I fully agree with you.

 

Many thanks

 

Cesar

[SimonT]

Superb, they’re both great. Thank you also for the text and links.

[Carius]

Many thanks Simon, there are many other sources if you need.

 

Take care,

Cesar

[JackG]

Primer used as a camouflage colour was a misinterpretation due to incorrect translation by researcher/author Tom Jentz.  

 

Note the recent thread asking about primer in the armour section, particularly @Das Abteilung 's response.

 

regards,

Jack

[Bullbasket]

Well done Cesar. You've produced two excellent models. Great work.

 

John.

[mick]

great work

[PlaStix]

Hi Carius. I hope you are well. Two awesome builds with superb paintwork and finish!

Kind regards, 

Stix

[Planes123]

The ideas of these guys are just phenomenal.

[Bertie McBoatface]

It's always interesting to see a comparative grouping. Nice one.

[Carius]

Folks, I thank you all for the comments and compliments.

 

Take care,

 

Cesar