FROSTGRAVE PLASTIC WIZARDS FROSTGRAVE PLASTIC WIZARDS
© North Star Military Figures Click here to order Click here to order Home Latest North Star Stargrave Frostgrave Oathmark Crusader Artizan Great War Shieldwolf Pathfinders from the 101st Airborne Division were the first Allied soldiers to land in Normandy, parachuting in shortly after midnight to mark the drop zones with lights, flares, and other signals. Despite their efforts, the dense hedgerows, darkness, and alert German forces made it difficult for some Pathfinders to complete their missions. . Some of the models are sculpted without a helmet and sporting the highly distinctive "Mohawk" hairstyle, which was said to have a practical aspect but also functioned as a representation of their aggressive adventurous attitude and looked stylish. I've always found WW2 to be a bit of a minefield when it comes to painting; getting the "right" shades seems almost impossible to me, so I've gone with what looks right to me after studying artwork showing the period. North Star Magazine home page
PAINTING  PATHFINDERS

D-DAY

On D-Day, June 6, 1944, US Airborne Pathfinders played a crucial role in the success of the Normandy invasion. Pathfinders from the 101st Airborne Division were the first Allied soldiers to land in Normandy, parachuting in shortly after midnight to mark the drop zones with lights, flares, and other signals. Once on the ground, Pathfinders secured the drop zones then they used special equipment like Eureka radar beacons, halothane lights, and colour ground panels to guide incoming aircraft and Rebecca receivers to guide the main airborne forces to their designated drop zones. Despite their efforts, the dense hedgerows, darkness, and alert German forces made it difficult for some Pathfinders to complete their missions. Captain Frank L. Lillyman of the 101st Airborne Division led the pathfinder team and became the first Allied soldier to land on French soil during the operation.

HAIR

Some of the models are sculpted without a helmet and sporting the highly distinctive "Mohawk" hairstyle, which was said to have a practical aspect but also functioned as a representation of their aggressive adventurous attitude and looked stylish. In addition, these Pathfinders frequently painted their faces in "Mohawk" war paint. A lot of other Pathfinders, however, had more typical "Buzz Cuts," with very short hair and "High and Tight" short back and sides, longer on top. Many Pathfinders also wore charcoal paste or plain burnt cork as face camouflage.
Above. Pathfinders for 101st and 82nd US Airborne Diversions.
Above. The rest of the flesh.

PAINT COLOURS

EYES

Some of the eyes are quite tricky being under the peak of helmets but they are well sculpted.  1. The white of the eyes are Matt White. 2. The irises are either Oak Brown with a tiny bit of Imperial Navy mixed in, or Imperial Navy with some Oak Brown, giving blue or brown eyes which I usually do 50/50 for mixed Caucasian types.

FLESH

I did give them a 5 o’clock shadow too by adding a tiny touch of Imperial Navy to the Ruddy Umber and then working up the highlights adding more matt white as needed, I did this after I had painted the rest of the faces. Also this was ideal for their shaved heads. 1. Fur Brown. 2. Ruddy Umber. 3. Ruddy Umber plus Matt White. 4. plus more Matt White. 5. plus more Matt White. 6. I added a tiny amount of Pure Red to the final flesh and painted in the bottom lip.

WEBBING, SUSPENDERS, BAGS, POUCHES

& PACKS

Undoubtedly there are many micro variations of the colours of all this kit, but I had to be practical and remember it won’t be noticeable at scale. 1. Tundra Taupe plus Matt Black. 2. Tundra Taupe. 3. Tundra Taupe plus Matt White. 4. plus more Matt White. 5. plus some more Matt White.

Painting Artizan WW2

US Airborne Pathfinders

COLOURS

I've always found WW2 to be a bit of a minefield when it comes to painting; getting the "right" shades seems almost impossible to me, so I've gone with what looks right to me after studying artwork showing the period. I do, however, make one small exception: in honour of one of my Action Man toys from the late 1970s, I have added some colours that are entirely inspired by the Action Man 82nd Airborne Paratrooper. When I looked at real-life pictures, I noticed that most of the clothing and equipment appeared to be more-or-less the same colour, a light greenish brown tan, so I exaggerated the colour differences in some of the uniform and kit to make them more interesting, while remaining within the realms of possibility.

PAINT

The paints I have are all from the Army Painter Fanatic line. I was sceptical that even in this large range, there would be the "correct" colours because the range does not include specific military colours, but the range is so large that I found, with careful examination, colours that were completely adequate and, I believe, convincing on the models. Having said that, I did use colour mixing to create my signature shading and highlighting effects rather than the flexible triads. Although the flexible triads aren't very helpful for shading and highlights in this case, I did make use of the colour families within the triads to provide a few colours that are similar in tone but clearly distinct in colour. Since the colours on each model are essentially the same or similar, I will list them all and highlight any variations as I go.
Fur Brown. Fur Brown. 2. Ruddy Umber. 3. Ruddy Umber plus Matt White. 4. plus more Matt White. 5. plus more Matt White. 6. I added a tiny amount of Pure Red to the final flesh and painted in the bottom lip. 2. Ruddy Umber. 3. Ruddy Umber plus Matt White. 4. plus more Matt White. 5. plus more Matt White. 6. I added a tiny amount of Pure Red to the final flesh and painted in the bottom lip.
Above. Fur Brown.
Paratrooper Technical Sergeant of the 101st Airborne Division. He wears red and white warpaint, even though in most WW2 period photos the face paint appears as black. Paratrooper Technical Sergeant of the 101st Airborne Division. He wears red and white warpaint, even though in most WW2 period photos the face paint appears as black. Paratrooper Technical Sergeant of the 101st Airborne Division. He wears red and white warpaint, even though in most WW2 period photos the face paint appears as black. Paratrooper Technical Sergeant of the 101st Airborne Division. He wears red and white warpaint, even though in most WW2 period photos the face paint appears as black.

UNIFORM, JACKETS & JUMP TROUSERS

More opportunities for variations but for the most part I stuck with the same colours for the uniforms with the exception I noted before. 1. Prairie Ochre plus Matt Black. 2. Prairie Ochre. 3. Prairie Ochre plus Matt White. 4. plus more Matt White. 5. plus some more Matt White.
Paratrooper of the 101st Airborne Division. That big case is most likely a Bazooka bag. And he has a Mk 2 "Pineapple" Hand Grenade. Paratrooper of the 101st Airborne Division. That big case is most likely a Bazooka bag. And he has a Mk 2 "Pineapple" Hand Grenade. Paratrooper of the 101st Airborne Division. That big case is most likely a Bazooka bag. And he has a Mk 2 "Pineapple" Hand Grenade. Paratrooper of the 101st Airborne Division. That big case is most likely a Bazooka bag. And he has a Mk 2 "Pineapple" Hand Grenade.

BANDOLIERS & JUMP TROUSERS

These jump trousers colour are based on the Action Man 82nd rather than real life. 1. Dusty Skull plus Matt Black. 2. Dusty Skull. 3. Dusty Skull plus Matt White. 4. plus more Matt White. 5. plus some more Matt White.

HELMET COVERS, SCRIM SCARF, SMOKE

GRENADE & TRIM ON PACK

The helmet itself would be nearer to the colour I used for the webbing but I think they pretty much would all have had the netting covers.  1. Woodland Camo plus Matt Black. 2. Woodland Camo plus Tundra Taupe. 3. Woodland Camo plus Tundra Taupe plus Matt White. 4. plus Matt White. 5. plus more Matt White.
Paratrooper Sergeant of the 82nd Airborne Division. This guy has jump trousers inspired by the Action Man 82nd Paratrooper. He is also sporting M1939 Gloves Riding and black face paint. Paratrooper Sergeant of the 82nd Airborne Division. This guy has jump trousers inspired by the Action Man 82nd Paratrooper. He is also sporting M1939 Gloves Riding and black face paint. Paratrooper Sergeant of the 82nd Airborne Division. This guy has jump trousers inspired by the Action Man 82nd Paratrooper. He is also sporting M1939 Gloves Riding and black face paint. Paratrooper Sergeant of the 82nd Airborne Division. This guy has jump trousers inspired by the Action Man 82nd Paratrooper. He is also sporting M1939 Gloves Riding and black face paint.

DROP ROPE

I almost used the whole Light Neutrals Flexible Triad only deviating slightly at the top highlight. 1. Dusty Skull. 2. Tomb King Tan. 3. Skeleton Bone. 4. Ancient Stone. 5. plus Matt White.

M1939 GLOVES RIDING

They are very interesting and make for an unusual variation rather than painting the hands flesh, as they are made of very soft and flexible yellow leather and quite thin so you can just paint the hands as if gloves were on! Originally designed for the cavalry as issued to protect the hands from parachute ropes.    1. Desert Yellow. 2. Wasteland Clay. 3. Burnt Turf. 4. plus Matt White. 5. plus more Matt White.

GRENADE & KNEEPADS

I think I went a bit too green with these sewn on canvas kneepads but I wanted them to stand out from the Olive Drab uniform trousers. 1. Woodland Camo mixed with Angel Green plus Matt Black. 2. Woodland Camo mixed with Angel Green. 3. plus Matt White. 4. plus more Matt White. 5. plus some more Matt White. 6. for the Grenade Strong Tone Wash.

LEATHER JUMP BOOTS, HOLSTERS,

HELMET STRAPS & CHIN CUP

Although all of these figures are wearing jump boots, you could paint them to look like shoes and gaiters with a little careful filing. 1. Brigandine Brown. 2. Brigandine Brown plus Bootstrap Brown. 3. Bootstrap Brown. 4. plus Leather Brown. 5. Leather Brown.

BOOT LACES & FIRST AID POUCH ON

HELMET

It seems a bit silly to go to the trouble of painting the boot laces a completely different colour, but I needed to paint the first aid pouch on the helmet, so I did them the same colour. 1. Desert Yellow plus Matt Black. 2. plus Matt White. 3. plus Matt White. 4. plus more Matt White. 5. plus some more Matt White.

WOODWORK

They appear to have very similar wood on all of their weapons, which has a rich chestnut brown appearance. 1. Dryad Brown. 2. Fur Brown. 3. Fur Brown plus Fiendish Yellow. 4. plus more Fiendish Yellow. 5. plus Matt White.

BUTTONS & BUCKLES

For the buttons, etc., I chose the brass option. However, nickel-plated steel could also be used, and for use the same colours as the weapons metalwork.    1. Death Metal plus Matt Black. 2. Death Metal. 3. Death Metal plus Tainted Gold. 4. plus Tainted Gold. 5. plus more Tainted Gold.

WEAPON BARRELS & METALWORK

Cobalt Metal is a bluish grey metallic so I though it would be good as the gun barrels of World War II US airborne weapons were typically blued steel, giving them a dark blue-black finish. 1. Cobalt Metal plus Matt Black. 2. plus Gun Metal. 3. plus more Gun Metal. 4. plus even more Gun Metal. 5. Gun Metal.
Paratrooper of the 82nd Airborne Division. The cross belts are ammunition bandoliers and he carries a smoke grenade with a white stripe in his webbing. Paratrooper of the 82nd Airborne Division. The cross belts are ammunition bandoliers and he carries a smoke grenade with a white stripe in his webbing. Paratrooper of the 82nd Airborne Division. The cross belts are ammunition bandoliers and he carries a smoke grenade with a white stripe in his webbing. Paratrooper of the 82nd Airborne Division. The cross belts are ammunition bandoliers and he carries a smoke grenade with a white stripe in his webbing.
Above. Paratrooper of the 82nd Airborne Division. The cross belts are ammunition bandoliers and he carries a smoke grenade with a white stripe in his webbing. 
Above. Paratrooper Technical Sergeant of the 101st Airborne Division. He wears red and white warpaint, even though in most WW2 period photos the face paint appears as black.
Above. Paratrooper of the 101st Airborne Division. That big case is most likely a Bazooka bag. And he has a Mk 2 "Pineapple" Hand Grenade.
Above. Paratrooper Sergeant of the 82nd Airborne Division. This guy has jump trousers inspired by the Action Man 82nd Paratrooper. He is also sporting M1939 Gloves Riding and black face paint.

WARPAINT

For this I used Pure Red for red and Matt White for the white. I used red as I saw this illustrated in the Osprey Book on the front cover no less, even though in most WW2 period photo the face paint appears as black, this I believe is due to poor film sensitivity and lower luminance of red so it appears darker than reality.

INSIGNIA

The tiny division patches and the US flags are Warlord Games waterslide decals, which though very small are excellent, straightforward to apply and highly recommended.  
Paratrooper Sergeant of the 82nd Airborne Division. This guy has jump trousers inspired by the Action Man 82nd Paratrooper. He is also sporting M1939 Gloves Riding and black face paint. Paratrooper Technical Sergeant of the 101st Airborne Division. He wears red and white warpaint, even though in most WW2 period photos the face paint appears as black. Paratrooper of the 82nd Airborne Division. The cross belts are ammunition bandoliers and he carries a smoke grenade with a white stripe in his webbing. Paratrooper of the 82nd Airborne Division. The cross belts are ammunition bandoliers and he carries a smoke grenade with a white stripe in his webbing. Paratrooper of the 101st Airborne Division. That big case is most likely a Bazooka bag. And he has a Mk 2 "Pineapple" Hand Grenade. Osprey Publishing US Army Airborne 1940–90. Filthy Thirteen member Clarence Ware applies war paint to Charles Plauda, June 5, 1944. The idea was McNiece's, to honor his Native American heritage and to energize the men for the danger ahead.
Above. Osprey Publishing US Army Airborne 1940–90.
Above. Clarence Ware applies war paint to Charles Plauda, June 5, 1944.
The tiny division patches and the US flags are Warlord Games waterslide decals, which though very small are excellent and straightforward to apply.