German WWI color help

[JasonW]

Have a few resin WWI German battleships/battlecruisers in the stash and have an eye toward building a couple next. My preference for acrylics (especially Tamiya) has me wondering what are the best options for Tamiya to match the color scheme no. 9? Additionally, I've noted that in the Erich Groner German Warships 1815-1945 book the scheme is simply listed as 1896 Grey. Did the gray vary from time period to time period? Perhaps a WWI gray or light gray in color scheme no. 9 was different than a WWII scheme?

Trying to match as closely as possible to Tamiya. I'd prefer not having to mix, but would like to hear some opinions.

[William Swan]

Take a look at the site below and make your color judgments from there:

http://german-navy.tripod.com/sms_paint-overview.htm

[Olaf Held]

In addition to Williams reply...

Have a few resin WWI German battleships/battlecruisers in the stash and have an eye toward building a couple next. My preference for acrylics (especially Tamiya) has me wondering what are the best options for Tamiya to match the color scheme no. 9? Additionally, I've noted that in the Erich Groner German Warships 1815-1945 book the scheme is simply listed as 1896 Grey. Did the gray vary from time period to time period? Perhaps a WWI gray or light gray in color scheme no. 9 was different than a WWII scheme?

Trying to match as closely as possible to Tamiya. I'd prefer not having to mix, but would like to hear some opinions.

As far as I know the colours did not change from 1896 onwards. There was an article online somewhere, it may take some time to dig it out. I recall that we've discussed it here as well. This livery is also referred as to *peacetime livery* or *Scheme 50/51* (in that aforementioned article). The only difference is, that they used the RAL system from 1927 for standardisation. The Kriegsmarine of WWII carried this scheme into the war, camouflage patterns were simply added to it (in most cases).

For his ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE my German modelbuilding chum Jan used XF19 for the light grey (RAL 7001, superstructure), XF66 for the medium grey (RAL 7000, hull) and XF63 for the dark grey (decks and boot-topping). He did not apply scale-effect.

Happy painting ~ Olaf!

[CLASSIC WARSHIPS]

Beautiful model of the Graf Spee !

Your friend has done a very nice build, especially with the painting of the camouflage.

Steve Wiper

[JasonW]

In addition to Williams reply...

Have a few resin WWI German battleships/battlecruisers in the stash and have an eye toward building a couple next. My preference for acrylics (especially Tamiya) has me wondering what are the best options for Tamiya to match the color scheme no. 9? Additionally, I've noted that in the Erich Groner German Warships 1815-1945 book the scheme is simply listed as 1896 Grey. Did the gray vary from time period to time period? Perhaps a WWI gray or light gray in color scheme no. 9 was different than a WWII scheme?

Trying to match as closely as possible to Tamiya. I'd prefer not having to mix, but would like to hear some opinions.

As far as I know the colours did not change from 1896 onwards. There was an article online somewhere, it may take some time to dig it out. I recall that we've discussed it here as well. This livery is also referred as to *peacetime livery* or *Scheme 50/51* (in that aforementioned article). The only difference is, that they used the RAL system from 1927 for standardisation. The Kriegsmarine of WWII carried this scheme into the war, camouflage patterns were simply added to it (in most cases).

For his ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE my German modelbuilding chum Jan used XF19 for the light grey (RAL 7001, superstructure), XF66 for the medium grey (RAL 7000, hull) and XF63 for the dark grey (decks and boot-topping). He did not apply scale-effect.

Happy painting ~ Olaf!

Thanks Olaf, this was just the answer I was looking for.

Thanks also William, I bookmarked that site, it was an interesting read and had some helpful info.