Evolution of camo patterns in the western desert

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vonscheff
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Evolution of camo patterns in the western desert

#1

Post by vonscheff » 01 Jul 2005, 01:52

i'm trying to get an idea of what the british equipment looked like in the early battles, when was the tan/blue stripe pattern introduced, how long did it last. what was it replaced with? does any one have color pictures, three view illustrations?

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fault code 12
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#2

Post by fault code 12 » 01 Jul 2005, 18:22

The Caunter camoflage scheme seems only to have lasted from around 1940 to 1941 in its original form with variations on the pattern and colours being used until late 1942, the links below have some period photos of vehicles and some colour illustrations..

http://www.armouredacorn.com/Reference/CVM/Not3.htm
http://www.geocities.com/vk3cz/CS8page.html
http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/bellmanwm_1.htm
http://www.balagan.org.uk/war/1939/2NZDiv.htm
http://anzacsteel.hobbyvista.com/Armour ... stph_1.htm
http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/safr ... etter.html


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C.GILLONO
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Re: Evolution of camo patterns in the western desert

#3

Post by C.GILLONO » 01 Jul 2005, 18:23

vonscheff wrote:i'm trying to get an idea of what the british equipment looked like in the early battles, when was the tan/blue stripe pattern introduced, how long did it last. what was it replaced with? does any one have color pictures, three view illustrations?
The author of this new booklet
http://www.missing-lynx.com/reviews/bri ... igent.html
released before one on this very subject.
HTH

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Michael Emrys
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#4

Post by Michael Emrys » 02 Jul 2005, 10:31

There is also Desert Tracks: British Armor Camouflage and Markings in North Africa, William E. Platz; Baron Publishing Company; 1978.

I hesitate to mention it because seems to have been a limited edition and probably has been long out of print. I own the only copy I've ever seen in 25 years. But it is nice. Not only does it give a pretty comprehensive rundown of camouflage schemes used in the desert from 1940 through the Second Battle of el Alamein, but also most of the major unit markings and examples of tactical markings, etc. The camouflage illustrations are in black & white, but the different colors are clearly differentiated and labeled, and there are color swatches included. These latter were a big help to me back in the days when I was painting micro-armor. There are a small number of well-chosen photos, also black & white and tables of useful data. This book is a small gem if you can find a copy.

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David W
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#5

Post by David W » 02 Jul 2005, 11:02

Grease..

I don't suppose your wonderful sounding book carries a photo or picture of the 3rd Armoured Brigade's emblem does it? I've never been able to find one in picture form, or even a description. The photos I have, either show the parent Division (2nd Arm) symbol, or have been mutilated by the official censor.

The book does indeed sound like a gem. I might try Amazon or e-bay for a 2nd hand copy.

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fault code 12
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#6

Post by fault code 12 » 02 Jul 2005, 11:47

David,
is this any help?? I know some of these are post war..
http://home.austarnet.com.au/screenprin ... Signs.html

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David W
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#7

Post by David W » 02 Jul 2005, 12:10

I'm sorry, I should have made it clear, I meant the British 3rd Armoured Brigade, not the Australian.
But thanks for your interest.

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Michael Emrys
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#8

Post by Michael Emrys » 02 Jul 2005, 17:40

David W wrote:I don't suppose your wonderful sounding book carries a photo or picture of the 3rd Armoured Brigade's emblem does it?
No, I'm afraid it doesn't. I notice that there aren't formation signs for any armoured brigades that are part of armoured divisions. Only independent armoured and tank brigades are shown to have unique formation signs.
I've never been able to find one in picture form, or even a description. The photos I have, either show the parent Division (2nd Arm) symbol, or have been mutilated by the official censor.
Do you know for a fact that they had their own formation sign? It may be that they used the sign of their parent formation, the 2nd. Armoured Division. This is an interesting question. The author of my book recommends Heraldry in War by Howard Cole. This is said to be a complete listing of all Allied formation signs, but with a few inaccuracies (as might be expected). This one however is a real oldie, apparently published in 1946. Good luck finding one. :roll:

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David W
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#9

Post by David W » 03 Jul 2005, 01:48

Do you know for a fact that they had their own formation sign?
No I don't. I just assumed that all Bigades had a symbol, as I have got all the other Armoured Brigade symbols for North Africa, except the 3rd.

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David W
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Re: Evolution of camo patterns in the western desert

#10

Post by David W » 17 May 2011, 13:41

Mike Starmer's books give a great deal of detailed information on the evolution of the camo patterns in the Western desert.

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