+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 17

Thread: Paint Colour of South African vehicles North Africa WW2?

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    RobD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Last On
    10-10-2024 @ 04:38 PM
    Location
    UK / South Africa
    Posts
    942
    Local Date
    11-01-2024
    Local Time
    12:16 AM

    Paint Colour of South African vehicles North Africa WW2?

    Dear Forummers
    my brother is restoring a South African 1942 Harley Davidson; does anybody know the correct tone of the paint he should use for a vehicle used in North Africa / Ethiopia?
    many thanks
    Rob
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Advisory Panel
    Peter Laidler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    10-20-2024 @ 05:01 AM
    Location
    Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The home of MG Cars
    Posts
    16,569
    Real Name
    Peter Laidler
    Local Date
    11-01-2024
    Local Time
    12:16 AM
    I would say with a degree of certainty that it would be the same as the Britishicon service vehicles. Simply because the while the Australians, NZers and SAfricans supplied the troops, the vehicles were supplied by the UK albeit that towards the end of the North African campaign, they came from the US as lend lease. Same as later when they moved up into Italyicon and took their vehicl;es across the Med with them. Just my 2cents worth

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    Legacy Member GeeRam's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Last On
    09-29-2024 @ 11:20 AM
    Location
    Berkshire, UK
    Posts
    875
    Local Date
    11-01-2024
    Local Time
    12:16 AM
    As Peter says, same as Britishicon Army.
    From 6 October 1941, a letter was issued by Staff Duties Branch of GHQ Middle East Forces concerning the policy on painting of vehicles in view of the shortage of paint in the ME theatre. Thus one colour should be applied to all vehicles, artillery and afv's, specifically a colour called Light Stone, British Standard Colour No.61 and known as ME Standard Colour No.23. (as an amusing aside, the latter also noted that, in order to expedite painting with the minimum of delay, "the practice of throwing sand on the paint will be discontinued")

    The only other thing I would say is though, is only the RAF received the Canadianicon WLC models, not the Army, so I'm not sure there would have been any WLC's in British or Commonwealth service in the Med theatre....??

  6. #4
    Legacy Member GeeRam's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Last On
    09-29-2024 @ 11:20 AM
    Location
    Berkshire, UK
    Posts
    875
    Local Date
    11-01-2024
    Local Time
    12:16 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by GeeRam View Post
    The only other thing I would say is though, is only the RAF received the Canadianicon WLC models, not the Army, so I'm not sure there would have been any WLC's in Britishicon or Commonwealth service in the Med theatre....??
    OK, scrap that, just checked my book on wartime motorcycles, and noted that SA bought a load of 1200 side-car outfits and 750 solo, all civilian models as the order was direct with HD before USAicon entered the war. So, not supplied under lend-lease or via British WD.
    Must be ultra rare to find one of those.........very cool

  7. #5
    Legacy Member Daan Kemp's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Last On
    Today @ 02:16 PM
    Location
    Centurion RSA
    Age
    73
    Posts
    1,423
    Real Name
    Daan Kemp
    Local Date
    11-01-2024
    Local Time
    01:16 AM
    Used in North Africa would be the same colour as the forces they were part of, otherwise it would be too easy to identify them. In Ethiopia/Abyssinia where they operated on their own to a large extent, it could be anything particular to the force at that time, but most probably olive drab or similar.

  8. #6
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    RobD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Last On
    10-10-2024 @ 04:38 PM
    Location
    UK / South Africa
    Posts
    942
    Local Date
    11-01-2024
    Local Time
    12:16 AM
    Thread Starter
    Yes, it is a 1200cc "U" model, plus left-sided sidecar - uniquely South African, I understand.
    Many thanks for those useful suggestions, everyone.
    Rob

  9. #7
    Legacy Member 22SqnRAE's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Last On
    09-27-2023 @ 11:49 PM
    Location
    Brisbane - the middle of right side of Oz
    Posts
    304
    Local Date
    11-01-2024
    Local Time
    09:16 AM
    Blue?
    Trying to save Service history, one rifle at a time...

  10. #8
    Legacy Member Sunray's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    03-29-2021 @ 03:01 PM
    Location
    London, Ontario
    Posts
    1,053
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:16 PM
    In Ethiopia/Abyssinia, the South Africans were still supplied by the Brits. So were the Kenyans with 'em.
    Didn't read it but there might be a mention of colours.
    http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol101em.html
    Spelling and Grammar count!

  11. #9
    Contributing Member Gil Boyd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Last On
    10-09-2024 @ 03:03 AM
    Location
    Home of The Parachute Regiment & 16 Air Assault Brigade
    Posts
    4,772
    Real Name
    Gil Boyd
    Local Date
    11-01-2024
    Local Time
    12:16 AM
    Same colour as mine , but mine is 1995
    'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA

  12. #10
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    RobD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Last On
    10-10-2024 @ 04:38 PM
    Location
    UK / South Africa
    Posts
    942
    Local Date
    11-01-2024
    Local Time
    12:16 AM
    Thread Starter
    Thanks, Sunray - I had the article "Harleys in Khaki", thanks for posting it on the forum.
    That article mentions 156 drab olive-green 1200 cc Harley-Davidsons with side-cars ... &....another order of one thousand 1200 cc Harleys with side-cars. These left-sided combinations are unique to S Africa, it seems.
    To 22Sqn: not sure I understand - can you explain why blue might have been used for SA infantry vehicles? Do you mean for SA Airforce or Navy use?
    To all: Does anyone know if "Light Stone, Britishicon Standard Colour No.61" is also known as "BS 361 light stone"?
    As in CAMO Matt Nato Camouflage Military Paint BS 361 LIGHT STONE 5 LITRE | eBay
    or BS 381C - 361

    many thanks
    Rob

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. 1942 Post Card from North Africa
    By RCS in forum The Watering Hole OT (Off Topic) Forum
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 10-13-2017, 06:11 PM
  2. 13-338 Garand Picture of the Day - 1st Inf Div - North Africa
    By Mark in Rochester in forum M1 Garand/M14/M1A Picture of the Day Forum
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 12-03-2013, 12:24 PM
  3. 13-231 Garand Picture of the Day - North Africa
    By Mark in Rochester in forum M1 Garand/M14/M1A Picture of the Day Forum
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 08-19-2013, 01:34 PM
  4. 10-101 Garand Picture of the Day - Convoy To North Africa
    By Mark in Rochester in forum M1 Garand/M14/M1A Picture of the Day Forum
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 04-09-2011, 03:49 PM
  5. 10-034 Garand Picture of the Day - North Africa
    By Mark in Rochester in forum M1 Garand/M14/M1A Picture of the Day Forum
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 02-03-2010, 03:19 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts