Tools on tanks - authentic colors?

[TheTroyster]

Okay let me start off with a confession: I get my tool colors for all my tank models from my local hardware store - there, I said it (starting to think shovels should have neon green handles on them). Color call outs in kits are open to interpretation even. I mean is red brown - the more red color you find in brand x or is it the more brown looking color you find in brand y?

Someone pointed out my choice of colors and I had no idea tools were these other colors in real life. I know this type of info would help me.

So maybe we could start an info/picture thread here on those tool colors - I.e. German tanks in WWII had tools that were these colors, see example...

[RobertK]

I have no idea what colors they were so I just go with steel and wood color.

[SteelScooter]

I like the natural worn wood and steel finish with maybe a bit of rust. Imagine if a natural finish wooden handled shovel was left out in the weather:



Tools could vary from completely painted over if camo was applied in the field to brand new or extremely worn so it depends on the subject.

[cptgandy]

A lot ended up the same color of the tank when camo was applied in the field and as they was used they got wear and tear but when in battle tools would not of been on the out side of the tank if possible as they could of been knocked off by gun fire and the poor guy that has to fix an issue with the tank in battle would not want to spend any time on top of the tank trying to undo tools.

[privatepete]

Deleted

[privatepete]

German wire-cutters, these tools had grips made of an early non-conducting "plastic" similar to Bakelite called Tuffnel. It came in various orange and red colors. NOT wood, and NOT painted metal. 

Hi, I know that German wire cutter's are made of steel,and it's the grips / handles that are made of Bakelite called Tuffnel a non-conducting plastic that covers the steel, that is what I posted but I'm deleting the post,I was only trying to help.
Pete

[digger303]

German wire-cutters, these tools had grips made of an early non-conducting "plastic" similar to Bakelite called Tuffnel. It came in various orange and red colors. NOT wood, and NOT painted metal. 

Hi, I know that German wire cutter's are made of steel,and it's the grips / handles that are made of Bakelite called Tuffnel a non-conducting plastic that covers the steel, that is what I posted but I'm deleting the post,I was only trying to help.
Pete

the pressed paper is used where...part of the Bakelite ?

[privatepete]

Hi, I know that German wire cutter's are made of steel,and it's the grips / handles that are made of Bakelite called Tuffnel a non-conducting plastic that covers the steel, that is what I posted but I'm deleting the post,I was only trying to help.
Pete

the pressed paper is used where...part of the Bakelite ?

Hi Ian I was thinking what was the pressed paper for ,I was only really dealing with the colour you will have ask"BurtsBuilds" that one, he seem to know more about than I do, I have a theory though, sorry.
Pete

[digger303]

Hi I guess everybody has their own way, and their own special mixes of colours to finish tools.

German wire-cutters these tools had grips made of an early non-conducting "plastic" similar to Bakelite called Tuffnel. It came in various orange and red colors. NOT wood, and NOT painted metal. 

While many tools on German AFV came from commercial makers and were essentially or plainly garden tools seconded for use in war, and they thus arrived with the original varnished wood finish with black enamel on the metal parts, the metal parts did often get re-painted to match base-coats And tools often got painted-over while on German tanks later in the war. A replacement or newer tool might be mounted on a Panzer base-painted Dunkelgelb, and the crew then painted on their camo and later in the war tools and tow-cables and spare-tracks, too - were left on and "painted in place" with the camo-stripes, etc. So you could get a wood handle with a green stripe, etc.








US weapons are finished in a grey zinc electroplating called Parkerizing. The color varies widely from a light satin grey to a dark grey, depending on age and contractor. There is a touch of green tint in some parkerized finishes .

What is the pressed paper is used where...part of the Bakelite handle ?

[privatepete]

Hi, it's the handle end knob's that were made of Bakelite, the steel handles were wrapped in hard pressed paper, the end knob's fitted and then sealed, thats why whenever you old cutters they are pealing it's the paper not paint.
Pete

[digger303]

Hi, it's the handle end knob's that were made of Bakelite, the steel handles were wrapped in hard pressed paper, the end knob's fitted and then sealed, thats why whenever you old cutters they are pealing it's the paper not paint.
Pete

thanks Pete for satisfying my curiosity

[privatepete]

Hi, it's the handle end knob's that were made of Bakelite, the steel handles were wrapped in hard pressed paper, the end knob's fitted and then sealed, thats why whenever you old cutters they are pealing it's the paper not paint.
Pete

thanks Pete for satisfying my curiosity

Hi Ian, your I hope it satisfy everyone, was getting a bit out of hand that's why I tried pulling out before I said something (again)
Pete

[digger303]

Hi, it's the handle end knob's that were made of Bakelite, the steel handles were wrapped in hard pressed paper, the end knob's fitted and then sealed, thats why whenever you old cutters they are pealing it's the paper not paint.
Pete

thanks Pete for satisfying my curiosity

Hi Ian, your I hope it satisfy everyone, was getting a bit out of hand that's why I tried pulling out before I said something (again)
Pete

I don't mind learning something new...in bite size pieces...

[Paul]

Hi, it's the handle end knob's that were made of Bakelite, the steel handles were wrapped in hard pressed paper, the end knob's fitted and then sealed, thats why whenever you old cutters they are pealing it's the paper not paint.
Pete

thanks Pete for satisfying my curiosity

Hi Ian, your I hope it satisfy everyone, was getting a bit out of hand that's why I tried pulling out before I said something (again)
Pete

Don't worry about the Troll pete, they've gone now

[ForbesHutton]

A lot ended up the same color of the tank when camo was applied in the field and as they was used they got wear and tear but when in battle tools would not of been on the out side of the tank if possible as they could of been knocked off by gun fire and the poor guy that has to fix an issue with the tank in battle would not want to spend any time on top of the tank trying to undo tools.

I've seen a photo of a new Tiger chained onto a railcar for shipment to the front. In front of the tank on the railcar were a couple of wooden crates, apparently, things such as the periscopes, tools and even seats other than the driver's were shipped in the crates for fitment by the unit that would be using them. So the tools wouldn't have been painted in the dark yellow, even if fitted at the factory as that would be the last step, but they might get some green or brown on them depending on whether or not the unit's mechanics fitted the tools before or after painting on the camo. It seems that no matter how you paint your tank/tools, there were certainly real ones to match.

[privatepete]

Don't worry about the Troll pete, they've gone now

Thanks Paul, thought it was a bit strong for a a first post, thought it was best to just keep my big gob shut (I know what happens then I don't )and come away, at lest me and Mr Ted can come out from under the bed now No but seriously thanks I would not like to think how much crap you & Lee get.
Pete