Australian Infantry Uniforms in Vietnam, Colours?

[Blackwolf]

Hello all,
Started to paint my Empress miniatures, and as a colour blind chap the approximate colours are eluding me.
I have started with Vallejo Russian Tankcrew lightened with khaki,etc. However from my resources the trousers seem to be a slightly different shade to the shirts,and Osprey is no help at all,too washed out with no colour descriptions.
Thanks in advance.
Cheero
Guy

[carlos marighela]

Hello all,
Started to paint my Empress miniatures, and as a colour blind chap the approximate colours are eluding me.
I have started with Vallejo Russian Tankcrew lightened with khaki,etc. However from my resources the trousers seem to be a slightly different shade to the shirts,and Osprey is no help at all,too washed out with no colour descriptions.
Thanks in advance.
Cheero
Guy

I think we sort of did this on the Empress thread, have a squizz there. For my money Russian uniform is too brown for Australian greens. I’d suggest Green splinter strips or US Dark Green as a base. You can lighten with Russian Tank Crew Highlight or Grey Green for older more faded uniforms.

[carlos marighela]

https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=114897.msg1549647#msg1549647

[Blackwolf]

Cheers Carlos 

[Ash]

Here's my made up as I went recipe.

https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=117078.msg1556901#msg1556901

Picture of how they turned out, may be of some use...

https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=117078.msg1556781#msg1556781

[Blackwolf]

Thanks Ash   Very helpful,good to have exact colours from you both

[Iceaxe]

Guy,
The different shades of jungle green you are seeing in photos (etc) is the usual fading through use. Every soldier was issued a couple of sets of 'greens', and replaced them as time went on. You'd keep a set in the original green for parades (although a pristine and faded set would indicate a long serving soldier), probably the Russian green you have (I haven't checked it out). For the field, it was whatever you had available, so the usual mix and match of shades, which for us is a paint colour but for a Digger in Vietnam it was the length of time you had owned the shirt/trousers. With a liberal coat of dust or mud, depending on the season.

[Blackwolf]

Yes,thanks Iceaxe The main problem is being colourblind and being unable to pickup different hues et cetera . Often something like a khaki green looks to my eyes brown,a real problem...

[Iceaxe]

Ah - that's a whole different problem, you need and advisor!
I meant to mention that a light slate grey is pretty much the standard for most troops in the field, it didn't take long for the green to be washed out, especially in Vietnam.

[Blackwolf]

Excellent,thanks

[carlos marighela]

A mix of new and old is always sensible. Uniforms were ripped, torn and otherwise rendered unfit for wear so would be replaced, often in the field as a response to a maintdem. 1960’s issue greens that I wore often went a silver grey or almost moss green after extended wear and laundering. Others went from a sort of mid olive green to a sort of light pea colour when faded. Then add sweat stains and environmental effects and you can go to town mixing and matching.