Bit of a long shot but...
 

Would you say this cromwell IV in Jan 1945 has been whitewashed? I've ordered myself the Tamiya kit and have decided to base a dio on this pic but can't decide if it's just in green or if it's been whitewashed. Is it likely to have been whitewashed or did they tend to leave them?


http://ww2photo.mimerswell.com/tanks...crom/03179.jpg

oooh, my 600th post :D

I suspect what you are seeing is hoar frost rather than paint or whitewash. Note the fuel can on the right-rear has far more frost on it which would be normal since it would be far colder than the armour itself due to the cooling effect of the gasoline inside. Also, if whitewashed, why not do the roadwheels?

Note that the tank ruts seem to be heavily frosted rather than snow covered and these are the sort of effects you might see on a cold, humid winter morning. I recall winter field exercises where the M-109's and the rest of the vehicles on the gun line would be almost totally white early in the day even without any percipitation.

Congrats on #600!

cheers mate, that helps! Never noticed the wheels weren't whitewashed, just couldn't tell from the rest of it. I'll just do a bit of frosting on some parts :DL