Hi Tim,
The colour of the webbing varied according to the regiment or corps, or
the duties of the wearer at the time, more so than a time period change.
As an example MPs wore Pickerings No3 green when on active service for
some duties and even olive whilst conducting others. But wore white for
general non-active service duties. The Parachute Regiment wore the same
Pickerings No3 green, but wore dark-earth on active service. The main
changes from earlier to later war period were the change from 'powder
block blanco', to 'grease block blanco'. The latter lasting longer by
just scrubbing without re-application. Colours were just the same.
>
>I am surmising that even if the straps were khaki, they probably got
>painted with the vehicle, thus making them olive drab regardless.
British vehicles were hand painted (without rubbing down any previous
coats), and that included any permanently attached webbing. TAC signs
were also hand painted, with the use of stencils almost unheard of. Not
only colouring but the way a vehicle was marked or prepared did not
necessarily conform to issued guide-lines. The final say often
eminating from the whims of the Brigadier or CO. When I first joined
the 24th Independant Infantry Brigade we were not allowed to carry any
equipment externaly other than water chargals, and vehicles were in a
light desert colour. With a new Brigadier all personal equipment had
to be carried externaly, and all vehicles were re-painted 'deep bronze-
green gloss' (yes even for desert use), except for the pink-panthers and
LRDG Recovery. Our kit went from 37 pattern to 44 pattern and then back
to a combination of both, with personal kit of both KD and KF along with
dk green cellular underwear.
regards
Colin Brookes
Invicta Military Vehicle Preservation Society (IMPS)
colb@xtra.co.nz
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