Mushroom Model Publications

Warpaint – Colors and Markings of British Army Vehicles 1903-2003 Vol. 1

by  Dick Taylor

Reviewed By  Howie Belkin, IPMS# 16

MSRP: $22.95 ISBN: 978-83-89450-63-0 Website: www.mmpbooks.biz 104 pages, softcover Now that plastic kit companies have rediscovered British Army vehicles to model, Mushroom Model Publications offers this first of four volumes covering their colors and markings. Even if you’re lucky enough to have one of several old, hard-to-find publications on the subject (see references below) or the fairly current Mike Starmer booklets on British camouflage and markings, author, veteran and modeler Dick Taylor offers you information that will still be new to you. In fact, even with four volumes, Mr. Taylor admits that his research, "….whilst wide-ranging, is not necessarily complete." For no better reason than that, during his military career, Taylor was one of the troopers who painted these tanks as well as served as a tank commander and, because of this, has seen plenty of official and unofficial British Army colors. They include one-of-a-kind oddities such as a Challenger 1 done up for a regimental ‘top gun’ gunnery competition with painted red flames rising up on the side skirts (among other things) much like the 1950s Hot Rods. Volume 1 covers: Color interpretation of photos and sources used; Paint and Camouflage thru 1939 and Registration; War Department Numbers and Census Marks. The first thing I noticed was there wasn’t a color chip chart provided (though some are referred to) but, for many reasons, the color profiles and camouflage pattern examples suffice. If you’ve been modeling for any number of years you’ve heard some of the arguments about scale color, aging, dust and dirt and the difficulty of interpreting color from photos (even color photos ‘lie’). The author presents the case why color is not an open and shut case. A few well chosen photos including one of laborers washing down a WWI tank (proof that YES, you can model a clean war-weary machine!) and another of an early Mk V being painted (with a modern soldier and a Chieftain in the background – revealing that this Mk V was being prepared for its close-up in a modern movie!) emphasizing the difficulty photos pose! Though the tank was invented during WWI, the British Army had lorries and wagons leading up to the war and Taylor documents as best he can that different shades of grey were first used. Many civilian vehicles were "called up" in their civilian livery, like the double-decker buses complete with advertisements, before they were repainted. Full-page color profiles depict weathered vehicles, so a "Works Grey" Little Willie appears predominantly grey but with a fair dusting of earthy-greens and streaked stains, highlights and shadows the serious modeler should try to emulate. Actual photos show some of the different schemes such as a splinter scheme on a Rolls Royce armored car, a spotted scheme on a Royal Marine Artillery lorry, an Austin armored car with a "horizon bleu" band wrapped around the upper vehicle and turrets, "the first genuine tank camouflage scheme" – the Solomon scheme includes color chips of the patterns including a zigzag variation, an introduction of "tank brown" and other tank schemes. Artillery also appeared in plain grey that morphed into elaborate jigsaw multi-color patterns. After WWI the military scaled back "…and the whole future of the Tank Corps especially was in doubt." Tank brown replaced camouflage patterns, and, in turn, was replaced by shades of bronze and Brunswick green yet as early as the 1920s two-tone and multi-tone schemes appeared, even a scheme of silver with broad black bands appeared in Egypt. If ever model judges need to expect the unexpected, and modelers should provide copies of photos next to their entries, now is the time! Never say "never!" The balance of this volume documents all the numbers painted on vehicles, under the heading Registrations, War Department Numbers and Census Marks. Every vehicle was allocated identifying numbers and codes that the author provides an exhaustive listing explaining each prefix, showing the styles, positioning and virtually everything from 1903 to 2003. For example, every assigned serial number and the vehicles they were assigned to are listed so, for example, if you wanted to model one of the 435 Valentine Mk III and scissors bridges you’ll know what "T" numbers to choose from. The photos that illustrate this section also illustrate more camouflage examples. "By the numbers" you cover the entire time period, but the actual camouflage and markings stops just as the war begins. Volume 2 promises to cover (1) Paint and Camouflage in WWII, (2) sub-unit markings and call sign systems. Volume 3 will cover (1) Paint and Camouflage post WWII, (2) Arm of Service Markings, (3) Formation Signs. Volume 4 will cover (1) Ground and Air Recognition Systems, (2) Vehicle Names, (3) Miscellaneous Marking Systems. While Volume 2 will sell out quickly, Volume 3 and 4 are necessary to have the complete story. The four volumes have been set up to intertwine so you should plan on having to invest in all four volumes. Therein lies the modeler’s dilemma. With all four volumes in your library you should have the most up-to-date reference on warpaint for British Army vehicles from its beginnings to the present. On the downside, it will require a costly investment. MMP makes it easier to bear than if they had published one big fat all inclusive, expensive volume that might have made it prohibitive to many modelers. My only complaints include the fact that there is only one excellent color profile per page whereas I prefer Concord and Osprey publisher’s approach of displaying two or more on a page. For example, a Mk IV Male in solid "Tank Brown" shares its page with an inset b/w photo of a Mk II in the "Solomon" paint scheme but the photo is unclear as to the colors and their shapes – a second color side view would have made better use of the page. Similarly a side view of plain "tank brown" Whippet named "Julians Baby" takes an entire page by itself whereas two, maybe three more side views, or a multi-view of "Julians Baby", could have been presented. Some Whippets had broad red/white/red stripes and, if Julians was indeed plain, then it would have been interesting to show one of the more colorful Whippets with the r/w/r colors, then the reader would be satisfied that Dick Taylor had indeed whipped it good -- especially since early on we were presented with a discussion about the difficulty in interpreting colors from black and white photos of dirty vehicles! This book is highly recommended for modelers interested in British Army Vehicles camouflage and markings of all modern periods. If you can afford the complete set you will have the latest, most comprehensive references available. Many thanks to Mushroom Model Publications for the review copy.

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