Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage - Part Three

Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage

Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage
Painting The MAN / MHN Ambush Camouflage Scheme
with Blake Coster

In my last article, I demonstrated how to paint the ‘Dot’ Ambush camouflage scheme as applied by the Daimler-Benz factory, on to the Flames Of War Panther G (Late) miniature. In this article I will demonstrate how to paint the first of three variations used to represent the ‘Disc’ Ambush scheme used by the MAN and MNH factories.

Read part one of Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage here…
Read part two of Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage here...
Read part four of Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage here...

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.

Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage
Panther G (GE062) 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. 

Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage

Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage

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.

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.

Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage
Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage

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.

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.
Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage
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.
Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage
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.
Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage
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
Step 1. Cut a triangle shape out of plastic card and then carefully cut-off the very tips.
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.
Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage
Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage 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?
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.
Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage
Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage
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.

Below: My hand-painted 'Dot' Ambush scheme.
Below: My airbrushed 'Dot' Ambush scheme.
Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage Hinterhalt: The Art of Panther Camouflage