Περί χρωμάτων συνέχεια από άρθρο Ιαπωνικού περιοδικού
Camouflage pattern and insignia of Imperial Japanese Army Armoured
Unit Written by Kunihiro Suzuki, Finemold Armour Modeling Vol.2
Paintings by official camouflage document
1) "TUTIKUSA-IRO"(Khaki) is the main color of camouflage, and
fits to all season. Its reflectance is approximately 8.4%.
2) "TUCHI-IRO"(Dark brown) is the darkest color for camouflage, and
matches to dark background, such as forest or black soil. and Dark
brown has the effect which looks like collapse by illusion. Its
reflectance is approximately 4.5%.
3) "KAREKUSA-IRO"(Light brown) is the brightest color for camouflage, matches
to the bright background, such as dry grass field. Its reflectance is
approximately 15%.
4) "KUSA-IRO"(dark green) matches to the spring and summer, and
southern front. So use dark green for the base color in southern
front. Its reflectance is approximately 8.4%.
Note : In this document, brightness is explained by reflectance
substitutability, because of the immature color science in those days.
Actual camouflage method
1) The most effective camouflage pattern is the cloud pattern, paints
TUTIKUSA-IRO, TUCHI-IRO, and KAREKUSA-IRO alternately. The ratio of
painting area is
TUTIKUSA-IRO : 50%
TUCHI-IRO : 30%
KAREKUSA-IRO :20%
In addition, do not paint black border line between the patterns.
2) If the deployed area is restricted to the southern area, or if
there was enough time for re-painting in spring and summer, change
TUTIKUSA-IRO to KUSA-IRO.
KUSA-IRO : 50%
TUCHI-IRO : 30%
KAREKUSA-IRO : 20%
3) The area of single pattern itself is desirable: TUCHI-IRO : 1.5
square meter (effective diameter : 1.2m)
KAREKUSA-IRO : 1 square meter (effective diameter : 1m)
4) The area which is always in the shade such as the bottom of a
barrel and crawler area, should be painted a mono color of
KAREKUSA-IRO. but in some cases, it is allowed to paint a part of them
with TUCHI-IRO cloud pattern, to enlarge the dividing effect.
5) The paints for this camouflage must use Army basal standard No.
1037.
6) Mixing No. 1037 with any other color paint is prohibited. To use
them, add discrete thinner, and paint with brush or spray.
The items mentioned above are the general official rule. But
actually, the rules were not kept strictly. The gun of the Shinhoto
Chi-Ha was often painted in a mono color of khaki.
