OK, what it the generally accepted color for these at this time? Most of my reference photos appear to be kind of a light khaki color, almost sand with a little bit of green in it. Any suggestions for a standard color available, or should I mix my own?
Thanks,
Norm
Off-white is generally the accepted color, although Olive Drab and Khaki belts were also seen, sometimes with different colors between the lap and shoulder belts. I paint my belts with a very light gray (USN Gray FS36495) as pure white is too stark in scale and then dirty them up with washes and pastels. They definitely got grungy with use, but remember that the average time in service for a typical US combat aircraft was measured in weeks.
Lee K
Thanks Lee. That's what I was looking for. I have some "biege" that I was also considering, sounds like it might be close enough, with a wash.
Norm,
Generally off white. Lee's right, white is too stark. I have some Aeromaster Acrylic (Polyscale) IJN gray that's the old 'flawed' washed out whiteish shade that I use. Early USN belts were more of a Khaki color.
William
I had some Gunze "Sail Color", nice light beige. Looks pretty good with a wash to darken it up and bring up the edges, not as stark as white would have been.
I'll make note of the khaki, too.
Thanks for the comments.
Norm