What's the Italian for 'help'?

[Astor]

Hello chaps,

It seems that my club is getting into Bolt Action in a big way this summer. Not wanting to duplicate armies and add a bit of diversity by staying away from the 'big four', I've gone for Italy (I always did have soft spot for lost causes - in fact, my wargaming exploits thus far might be described as such!).

Only problem is, I'm not really sure how to paint them. I've decided to go with the 'continental' uniform as it'll be more flexible for various theatres. I bought some Osprey books which have been very helpful, but 'Grey-green' is a bit vague, especially when all the painted examples I've seen so far appear to be simply grey.

Is grey-green basically field grey? Or a variation thereof? I thought about using PSC Field Grey with some washes and highlights of 'Grey-Green', but want to be sure before I commit to anything.

Apologies if this question has cropped up before - I did search but couldn't see anything. Normally I'd just wing it, but I'd like to do this army justice, as at least then the painting will make up for the inevitable heroic defeats!

[Arlequín]

Aiuto!  

It is actually a green-grey... or grey-green.  

This might help: http://www.ww2italianreenactment.com/Uniforms.html
Maybe this too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIetYFizzCM

Maybe even this if you want something to read: http://www.comandosupremo.com/regio-esercito-uniforms.html

[Vanvlak]

Beeten to it by seconds (well, by the time I wrote the post it was minutes!) 
The pic shown here might depict it:
http://www.ww2italianreenactment.com/m40uni.html

[Arlequín]

It's usually me that gets sniped, at least by the time I've typed the usually wordy posts.   

[Vanvlak]

It's usually me that gets sniped, at least by the time I've typed the usually wordy posts.   

Not this time 

[dadlamassu]

I use Coat d'Arms paint and found this is OK for Italian uniforms - Green-grey paint


http://www.blackhat.co.uk/online_shop/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=grey+green&osCsid=6c8c8cd24252f3e5c726a0d7b0bd89ba&x=0&y=0

[JohnBoo]

Italian for help - HELPO! (got me???!!! )

Ive been using Vallejo German Uniform. It is much more green than grey. Might be a little darker than I wanted. Although, I'd try the color Dadlamassu posted above - it looks really close if that color truly matches the paint.

Also, check out Happy Wanderer's post below about his Italians - they are excellent and he uses a Foundry green that looks very nice.

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=78628.0

[Astor]

Thanks all!

That Youtube video in particular is very helpful, especially in terms of all the other bits of equipment. Osprey books are definitely useful but seeing them in context rather than on the page is even better.

Definitely more of a greyish green than out and out green, it seems.

I've ordered some of the Coat d'Arms Green-Grey as well as some Black-Green to use as a basecoat. I hope it works!

Thanks for the advice! (I'll be sure to put some pictures up when I've made a start!) 

[JohnBoo]

And of course this Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy how-to on Italian infantry. Great tips, but way to much blending for me. Great result though!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83MpleK02Qg

Looking forward to pics! I'll get some of mine up one of these days once I get the bases finished,

[Arlequín]

That Youtube video in particular is very helpful, especially in terms of all the other bits of equipment. Osprey books are definitely useful but seeing them in context rather than on the page is even better.

From what I could see, there was some variation in colour... whether it was caused by different cloth batches, the light, washing, or whatever. That being said, it is the same across all armies, uniform colours fade or change over time. Certainly I can understand why some people see it as 'field grey', while others do not.

[Helen]

And of course this Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy how-to on Italian infantry. Great tips, but way to much blending for me. Great result though!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83MpleK02Qg

Looking forward to pics! I'll get some of mine up one of these days once I get the bases finished,

This video clip was very handy to use. Rick Atkinson's book "The Day of Battle" describes the Italians counter-attacking at Gela as the colour Blue-Grey.

Now I used the video as a guide and painted my Blue-Grey.

I'm certainly painting some of their equipment and clothing (Puttees etc) Green-Grey.

Jim, you may have seen some of my Italian photos on the Perry facebook site alongside some other Italian miniatures.

More will be up next week.

[Truscott Trotter]

I used VJ Olive Grey 70888 on my 15mm ones

[Astor]

Thanks again for the all the advice Ladies and Gents!

I've managed to steal some time this afternoon to sit down and do a very rough gaming-standard test scheme using the Coat d'arms paints. Nothing too fancy, and base still needs to be done. Also a bit of a test for me as this is the first time I've used grey as a primer (I've previously used black exclusively).



I'm quite happy with how he's turned out, especially since the whole miniature took about half an hour from simply primed to fully painted! Still a few areas to clean up, but not bad at all. Even with my slow painting speed I should breeze through my Italians over the course of a weekend!

Just need to figure out the basing now...

[JohnBoo]

Looks great!