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Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage - Part Three
As in my previous article, I will demonstrate how to paint
these schemes using several methods of application. The subject of this
article will be the hand-painted version of what I call the ‘Corn Chip’
representation of the ‘Disc’ camouflage scheme. As you can imagine, re-creating
this scheme on a Flames Of War miniature is quite tricky therefore the ‘Corn
Chip’ scheme, while not exactly historically accurate (for the Panther G anyway),
will provide the illusion of the ‘Disc’ scheme while still (fingers crossed) staying
within the painting abilities of most Flames Of War enthusiasts.
Left: The rear of a Panther G finished in Ambush
camouflage over a layer of Zimmerit anti-magnetic paste.
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The following weeks I will demonstrate how to paint the ‘Corn
Chip’ scheme using masking techniques, and finally I will
attempt to re-create the ‘Disc’ camouflage scheme as close to its historical
counterpart as possible.
But first, let’s look at how to paint the ‘Corn Chip’
scheme by hand. The model of choice for this week is the Panther G (GE062) with Zimmerit.
Learn more about the Panther G here...
Right: The Panther G. |
Painting 'Disc' Ambush Camouflage
I’ve assembled my Panther G once more using new plastic components (soon to be available individually via Special Order) and primed the model using Black (FWP300). This is my personal preference; feel free to use whatever method you prefer. After priming, I’ve temporarily attached the turret and the hull to some empty paint pots to give me something to hold as I apply the base colour and camouflage scheme. |
Next, I’ve applied the Dunkelgelb (Dark Yellow) base colour; a quick and easy way to do this is to use Panther Yellow (Mid / Late)
from the War Paint spray can range (i.e. CWP210). But if you're unsure
of what colour to use or are looking for a suggested colour guide, Jeremy has done all the hard work for you and has written a guide to painting Dunkelgelb.
Read Jeremy's Painting Dunkelgelb article here...
Below:
The Panther G fully assembled, primed and with the Dark Yellow base colour.
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Step One:
Planning
When attempting this scheme or any camouflage scheme for that matter,
I strongly suggest that you take some time to plan out exactly how
you’d like the scheme to look on the vehicle. The key to this scheme is the shapes of the patches of Olive Green and Red Brown; they need to have a scalloped edge.
Left: Examples of the scalloped edges on the patches of Olive Green and Red Brown.
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With that in mind, my friend Sean (a member of
the Battlefront Graphic Design team) has created a PDF that you can
download and use to plan out your Panther camouflage schemes.
Download a PDF of the Panther Camouflage Scheme Planner here…
Once you’ve planned out your scheme, its time to transfer it to the miniature before we can begin the painting process. Once more, for my Olive Green colour I will useArmy Green (FWP342) and Battlefield Brown (FWP324) for my Red Brown colour. These are the colours recommended by Battlefront but again these are only suggestions, so feel free to use whatever you feel it best.
Right: An example of the Panther camouflage scheme planner.
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Step Two:
Applying The Olive Green and Red Brown
First, I apply an outline of each colour on
the model, making sure that I follow my plan; to do this I’ve use a very
thin application of each colour so I know exactly where each colour is
going to be applied. Once the outline of each colour has been applied to the Panther it is now time to begin the application of the paint. Remember, patience is the key and keeping your plan close by won't hurt either, in case you get a little lost.
Left: The outline of Olive Green and Red Brown applied to the turret and hull of the Panther G.
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To apply the Olive Green and Red Brown colours by
hand it is best to build up the colour slowly; the application of a
few
light coats is better than a single thick coat. Begin by defining the
scalloped edges of each colour; once this is done you can then move onto
filling each patch with the appropriate colour.
The best way to apply the paint is by working
your way around the model. Apply a thin coat to one area, then move
onto
the next. This way by the time you've completed a full circuit, the
first area should be dry and ready to the next coat.
Right: The Olive Green and Red Brown appiled to our Panther G.
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Continue this
process till you’ve built up a colour density
that you’re happy with. Once, you've completed the Olive Green move
onto the Red Brown colour and repeat the process. But more importantly,
remember to take your time |
Below Left & Right: A closer look at the Olive Green and Red Brown areas. |
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Step Three: Applying the Dots
Now that we have our Olive Green and Red Brown
areas applied to our miniature and we’re happy with the coverage, it’s time
to add the contrasting 'Corn Chip' shapes.
Left: The 'Corn Chip' shapes added to the Olive Green and Red Brown areas; it's these shapes that give this method its name and provides the illusion of the 'Disc' method used by MAN and MNH.
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If you feel confident in your brush skills, feel free to paint the shapes on by hand. This can be more time consuming but allows a greater degree of creative freedom. However, like painting the 'Dot' scheme you can also use a tool to stamp these shapes onto the miniature. |
Making a 'Corn Chip' Stamping Tool
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Step 1. Cut a triangle shape out of plastic card and then carefully cut-off the very tips.
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Step 2. Create a handle for the stamping tool out of thin wire. I'm using some brass rod. |
Step 3. With the tiniest amount of hobby glue, attach the pieces of plastic card to the ends of the tool handles. |
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Tip: For some variation you can make up a number of slightly different shaped stamping tools.
Left: My collection of 'Corn Chip' stamping tools. Nachos anyone?
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Remember, since we are attempting to mimic the 'Disc' scheme we only apply these shapes to the patches of Olive Green and
Red Brown; any of the Dark Yellow base colour that is still showing will be left as it is. In the end, I decided to keep challenging myself and hand-painted on the 'Corn Chip' shapes; remember to use whatever Dark Yellow colour you used as the base colour when painting the 'Corn Chip' shapes. |
Below: The Panther G with the hand-painted 'Corn Chip' shapes. |
Once you’ve completed adding the 'Corn Chip' shapes then it’s
time to move onto painting the rest of the miniatures. I’ll add this example to my painting queue at home; apply a wash, paint the details, etc., so I can show off all of these examples at the end of this series of
articles.
Join me next time as I attempt to replicate the ‘Disc’ Ambush scheme
using masking techinques. Till then, happy painting.
~ Blake.
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Below: My hand-painted 'Dot' Ambush scheme.
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Below: My airbrushed 'Dot' Ambush scheme. |
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