MILIFAX
Canadian Army Vehicle Paint Colours,
World War Two Pt.2:
A New Colour Scheme :  MTP 46 (November 1941)

This is how the Canadian Army introduced a new camouflage pattern for all vehicles in use.  Notice the time lag between the introduction of the scheme and the date of the 5th Divisional Orders.  This is not unusual.  As well, there may have been vehicles  issued in the new scheme before it was made official in November 1941.  Note again, the instructions to use the alternative paints till stocks of them were exhausted.

At some point, SCC No.7 Dark Green came into use as an alternative to SCC No.2 Brown.  SCC 7 was authorized for use as dark disruptive pattern over vehicles painted SCC 5 "Light Mud" in Italy but photographic evidence shows it in use in the UK with MTP 46 patterns.  Written evidence of this has yet to be unearthed.



HQ 4th Canadian Armoured Brigade
Part One Orders
24 September 1943

10.  PAINTING OF MT VEHICLES
(i) Painting of all MT vehicles will be carried out strictly in accordance with “Military Training Pamphlet No.46 Part 4A Painting of Mechanical Transport”
(ii) Types and uses of Paints are listed below, none other will be used:-
Steel and Wood Bodywork
Basic :  Paint PFU Brown Standard Camouflage colour (S.C.C) No.2 Special spraying
Dark :  Paint PFU S.C.C No.1A

Canvas
Basic :  Paint Bituminous Emulsion S.C.C. No.2
Dark :  Paint Bituminous Emulsion S.C.C. No.1A

The basic principles contained in the a/m pamphlet are:

 All upturned surfaces will be painted in dark camouflage paint
 Dark camouflage will be carried along the base of the vehicle and into windows etc
    in order to blend in with the contained shadows of the vehicle
 The remainder of the vehicle will be painted with the Basic (Light) colour
 Paint used should not be glossy and should have a rough texture.
Oil will not be used for cleaning vehicle bodies under any circumstances

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