Great discussion and ideas
James , the tank shows no signs of burn damage, so I definitely think the ash idea is out, however the wheel replacement is a strong one - both you and MP have put forward different scenarios and I too feel that they have been replaced.
The white wash is a long shot, only because this is summer and the wheels just look to good for 1945 white wash application - they tended to slap it on to the tank and if these had come from a whitewashed vehicle from the winter the whitewash would not be that evenly and professionally applied.
Plus it would provide a lighthouse like effect if in white - some of this fighting was at night.
The yellow is not much better than the white when brand new, but at least it would be a little less reflective.
My call is that the wheels are being highlighted by the fact that the rest of the tank is quite dirty and darker and the wheels are 'factory finish brand new'. The tank body yellow has a lot more over-spray and weathering on top than the yellow on the wheels. I looked at some references I have of factory fresh dark yellow tigers and they are very light colored when just arrived in the field.
I have seen this happen with color and B&W oils, when painting a landscape picture. When you mix the color on the palette separately it can easily appear to dark or light against the colors on the canvas,and you tend to adjust it accordingly. However, as soon as you place that color amongst the others your eye perceives it differently, and you always have to tone it up or down to adjust it - sometimes quite a lot.
I am going to go with a brand new dark yellow for these wheels and have the rest of the tank way more weathered and over-sprayed with German cammo brown.
Thanks for the help guys, these discussions always make me think and consider further.
:coolio
Ian.
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