German Aerial Recognition

[dougeagle]

I'm looking to add an aerial recognition flag to my 1941 Panzer battalion and was wondering the best method for making one would be?

[Luca]

Paint in red an alluminium foil of the type used in kitchen. than transfer the swastika in the white roundel that is sold by GHQ (D11). Finally cut it in the shape of a flag, and add it on the rear deck of any tank or on other vehicles. The alluminium foil is good because you can adapt it on the surfaces in a very realistic way.

Otherway buy some decal-flags from the "other guy". I have some of them, but still never tried. Anyway, I think the alluminium foil is the best metod.

Bye!

[hauptgrate]

Aluminum foil works well. I have several minis painted several years with nice flags that I handpainted, but the decal idea above would also work. Use a tiny dot of SA glue then press the flag over the engine deck or wherever with your finger -- it will for itself well to the surface. There might need to be a little pain touchup and be sure to give it a good clearcoat. By the way, I use the same technique for late war US air recognition panels (usually orange).

[dougeagle]

How often were the tops of the turret painted instead of the flag draped over?

Otherwise, thanks for the advice.

[hauptgrate]

I can't recall ever seeing any pictures of German vehicles with painted on swastika flags. Obviously would have defeated the purpose of camoflage -- a draped on flag can be quickly removed when the sturmoviks arrive! As a side note -- the Russians often used painted on rooftop markings during their various offensives from mid 43 on. Of course this was a time of growing Russian air superiority and the markings were not as stand-out as a flag. In April 45 Russians tanks were supposed to have white bands painted on the turret both around the side and across the top so they wouldn't be mistakenly attacked by allied aircraft -- and many pictures do indeed show vehicles painted this was -- but tellingly many are not. I suspect tank crews are going to do as little as possible to make their vehicle stand out....even if not putting on such markings is against orders. "Sorry sir, the paint ran out before we could get our tank marked properly..."

I don't put markings on all of my microarmor... actually only about 25% is marked ... just enough to give my units some "flavor"

[Luca]

In the final stages of the war, in 1945, the germans with very few tanks and virtually no air cover, sometimes painted their tanks in green and painted the "russian" white cross used for air recognition. But I wouldn't use this on my board. I like to much the dunkelghelb.

[jb]

I'm looking to add an aerial recognition flag to my 1941 Panzer battalion and was wondering the best method for making one would be?

I've only seen flags draped over the tops of turrets or back decks. I've never recall seeing pictures of a "painted" on version.

[dougeagle]

I guess its aluminum foil for the flag. I did have a look at some decal versions which didn't peak my interest all that much.

Thanks guys,

[tstockton]

dougeagle,

I've not tried it myself, but here's a "tip" I picked up from another modeling source...

Instead of aluminum foil -- try the wrapper of a Nestle's Crunch bar. It is thinner than your typical roll of household foil... and the contents of the package are a tasty treat to boot!!

Can't recall the source for sure -- I think it was "Fine Scale Modeler" magazine years ago -- but as I recall, the author loved the "thin-ness" of the foil for replicating the metal finish on aircraft. That "thin-ness" might help in our relatively small scale!

Might be worth a try...

Regards,
Tom Stockton