Interior colours on hatches, etc.

Introduction

Because the interior paint of the German AFVs was generally quite light, the hatches and other areas of interior which could become visible from the outside, are considered to have been typically painted in the colour of the exterior. This wasn't always the case, though, as is pointed out in the photographs below. I've included photographs of both scenarior, to give a better understanding of the general conditions.

This Pz.Kpfw.III in Africa has retained its Elfenbein RAL 1001 interior colour. From other photographs from Africa, it seems that it was common not to paint the hatches in the exterior colour, which might be because the Africa camouflage was lighter, and it therefore wasn't noticed as much as on vehicles painted Dunkelgrau
This Pz.Kpfw.III in Africa has retained its Elfenbein RAL 1001 interior colour. From other photographs from Africa, it seems that it was common not to paint the hatches in the exterior colour, which might be because the Africa camouflage was lighter, and it therefore wasn't noticed as much as on vehicles painted Dunkelgrau
Another Pz.Kpfw.III, this time in Russia. While the hatch is quite dirty, it is evident that it is painted with Elfenbein RAL 1001. One could argue, though, that in the current setting, it wouldn't make much sense to paint it in the exterior colour
Another Pz.Kpfw.III, this time in Russia. While the hatch is quite dirty, it is evident that it is painted with Elfenbein RAL 1001. One could argue, though, that in the current setting, it wouldn't make much sense to paint it in the exterior colour
This Pz.Kpfw.IV in Denmark in pained in a plain Dunkelgelb RAL 7028, but the hatch appears to have been painted in either Graugrün RAL 7008 or just left in the red primer (most likely the former)
This Pz.Kpfw.IV in Denmark in pained in a plain Dunkelgelb RAL 7028, but the hatch appears to have been painted in either Graugrün RAL 7008 or just left in the red primer (most likely the former)
This early-war Pz.Kpfw.III shows the hatch being painted in the exterior colour, most likely Dunkelbraun Nr.45 on Dunkelgrau Nr.46
This early-war Pz.Kpfw.III shows the hatch being painted in the exterior colour, most likely Dunkelbraun Nr.45 on Dunkelgrau Nr.46
Another Pz.Kpfw.III, although somewhat later in the war, again with the hatch in the exterior colour
Another Pz.Kpfw.III, although somewhat later in the war, again with the hatch in the exterior colour
One of the photographs, most likely at a pre-war demonstration, showing the hatch in the exterior colour
One of the photographs, most likely at a pre-war demonstration, showing the hatch in the exterior colour
As above
As above
When whitewash was applied, hatches painted in the exterior colour suddenly became visible again, and this was apparently not considered by the crews of this Nashorn. Notice that the entire enterior appears to be painted in the original exterior colour
When whitewash was applied, hatches painted in the exterior colour suddenly became visible again, and this was apparently not considered by the crews of this Nashorn. Notice that the entire enterior appears to be painted in the original exterior colour
As above, the whitewash hasn't been applied to the otherwise camouflage-painted hatches, though from the sparingly applied whitewash, this might have been caused by a general lack of paint
As above, the whitewash hasn't been applied to the otherwise camouflage-painted hatches, though from the sparingly applied whitewash, this might have been caused by a general lack of paint

Additional reading

German tank colours
Colours used on German tanks
Blackened muzzle brakes
Photographic documentation on the question wheter muzzles should be blackened from fireing

All contents written by Christian Ankerstjerne unless stated otherwise