Color for a British MERT Chinook

[Terry37]

I am working on a model of an RAF MERT Chinook helicopter in Op Herrick, and would be interested to know what would be the best shade of green to paint it - color name and brand please. Here's are a few pictures of one.










These short videos might also be of help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qAprAXCYnQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xjbvz-vE2E

This video is a bit longer, but is well worth watching.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACA8wJ6dRWM

A MERT team consists of two paramedics, a Doctor and a nurse. Additionally the RAF Regiment provides an FP (Force Protection) team to give covering fire is the enemy is encountered while picking up the wounded soldier(s).

Many thnaks,

Terry

 

[carlos marighela]

Judging by the second photo, Tamiya NATO green looks like it would do the job. Available in a rattle can and jar for touch up work.

[Terry37]

Thank you Carlos, I'll look into it.

Terry

[Rick F]

Hello Terry. I don't think your links are working mate, it just goes to photobox. I can't help you with the correct colour, but if you want more info on MERT etc just message me, I used to be on the team's in Afghanistan, though you can get most of it on YouTube.

[dadlamassu]

I have not served in Afghanistan but in Iraq the green paint rapidly faded and weathered in the sun, sand and wear.  So it depends a lot on when after deployment or refit that your model is representing.

[Jemima Fawr]

Here are those links separated out:







My 'Brother From Another Mother' was one of the very first paramedics on MERT.  Did three MERT tours in Afghanistan, spent several years training MERTs (in between deployments to other places) and presently on MERT in Mali.

Re the green paint; it's the low-vis, anti-IR, low-reflection green that they brought in during the late 1980s/early 1990s along with Harrier GR5 and subsequently slapped on all the RAF helicopters, as well as a lot of the Herk fleet and RAF tactical ground equipment.  I don't know what the colour's called, but I don't think it's changed since then, so if you find a recommended green paint for RAF Harriers, helicopters or Herks from the last 30 years that'll work.

[Jemima Fawr]

If anyone's interested, here's a good video of MERT from the Medic & RAF Regt point of view: https://www.forces.net/services/tri-service/saving-lives-high-sky

[Thargor]

Are you doing the Apache escort too?

[Terry37]

Thargor, No, at this time I am wanting to repaint a small die cast model of a Chinook to represent a MERT version. But that's a good idea to also do one as I know they serve as MERT escort.

My gaming interest is in the pike and musket period as well as Weird War. But I genuinely admire and respect the work that the MERT men and women do.

Terry

[madman]

Found two possibilites on a box set of RAF heli paints. British code BS381C:220 BS Olive Green (but that looks too light) or FS34031 a US colour which makes sense applied to US supplied equipment. The latter is darker and from the advertising sheet image looks the part.

[Jemima Fawr]

You've gone and flippin' done it now Terry! 

My paramedic mate in Mali has now asked me to make him a landed MERT Chinook Mk 5 complete with FP detachment and medic at the rear... AND another one for his doctor... 

No doubt the nurse, FP lads and pilots will all flippin want one was well...

I now have to work out that shade of green AND how to paint MTP...

I'm blaming you.

 

On that note, I think the Old Glory 'Lil' Flyin' Fokkers' Chinook would fit the bill, along with some Khurusan infantry.  Does anyone have any other recommendations for ultra-modern British troops in 15mm?  Ultra-Modern isn't really my thing.

[Jemima Fawr]

Found two possibilites on a box set of RAF heli paints. British code BS381C:220 BS Olive Green (but that looks too light) or FS34031 a US colour which makes sense applied to US supplied equipment. The latter is darker and from the advertising sheet image looks the part.

Yes, I don't think you can go far wrong matching it to that very dark green used on US Army helicopters.  The British Army used a much brighter (almost grass) olive green on its Lynxes and Gazelles and the RAF also used a brighter green for a while as 50% of a two-tone camouflage scheme with the darker green on Wessex and Puma.

[Terry37]

Thank you for the additional thoughts re the paint options. I'll check out the FS color. On small scale items if it is too dark it takes on an almost black look and my model is 4 inches long. At present I am leaning toward the Tamiya NATO Green. But not final yet.

Thank you again everyone!!!

Terry

[carlos marighela]

If you want alternatives then there are always the Hataka individual paints and paint sets.

They do at least a couple of modern RAF sets including one with NATO green and the lighter lichen green used on Pumas. As they quote the British Standards numbers you can reference check the nearest match using of the IPMS Stockholm's colour charts. Failing that try asking on Britmodeller’s boards. Model makers tend to be a bit more anal about these things than gamers on the whole.

https://www.hataka-hobby.com/HTK-CS52-Modern-Royal-Air-Force-paint-set-vol1

FYI Hataka paints come in both acrylic and laquer based versions so be careful you select the right ones.

[Blackwolf]

Carlos,it’s amazing the paint we can get from BNA Models,I can’t think of anywhere else with such a range;  and Hataka is very good,I used their Australian set for my Centurion.

Looking forward to seeing your helicopter finished,and the final outcome for the colours