Hello Gentlemen and Ladies,
I hope you don't mind me using English for I type much faster and get my point across more clear. I'm not sure this is the right place to post such topic. If this is not the proper place, please remove to a more proper place.
I had a great discussion about this topic with our fellow forum friend Joe_Lo 兄 and Louisuni 兄. I want to state that my opinion is only my opinion. If you have a different point of view, it is perfectly fine. For this is only model and like I said before, 砌模型, 開心最重要! Everything else is not important!
Many modelers build WW2 or even modern tanks with the muzzle blackened. However, this is a rare case. By the time in the 1930's, the technology of ballistic artillery have much improve since the 1800's cannon. Further more, most of these tanks were destroyed or maintanced before the tank get to a very "dirty" or "rusty" condition. Personally I have read many autobiographies from WW2 tank crew (if you are interested, I can recommand several very good books to you). Most of these subjects stated that they keep their machine on top condition for the pride more than punishment. Therefore, powder residue is uncommon to be seen on the barrel end.
I hope you are not falling asleep yet!
I understand asthetically it might be more appealing to blacken the muzzle, but if you are going for realism, this might not be the case.
Here are some photos I got from Panzerworld which support such idea. Of course, we never been there during that time, but the photos can help us understand more about modeling WW2 subjects.
Here are the photo study on blackened muzzle.
One argument which is seen popping up every now and again on modelling websites, is wheter tanks muzzles should be blackened from fireing. The below photographs have been chosen because they display muzzles clearly, and as can be seen, extensive blackning is very rare.
This destroyed Panzerjäger I shows no sign of blackening
The lack of blackening here is not surprising, considering it appears to be at some kind of formal event, but I still included it (mainly to at least reind, that if modelling such scenes, blackening is a big no-no)
In action photograph from Russia, showing no blackening on neither the main gun, nor the MG 34
In action photograph from Amsterdam, with no blackening visible
Although this is a regimental photograph, and most likely staged, the muzzle is not only void of blackening, but also seems brighter than the rest of the barrel. This might be due to lightning conditions, though
While the muzzle brake of this destroyed Sturmgeschütz is blackened is difficult to determine. It appears a bit darker than the rest of the barrel, though
Pz.Kpfw.IV in Italy with no blackening visible (the barrel even appears shiney, compared to the rest of the tank)
No blackening is visible on the muzzle brake of this Nashorn
This is the only denifitive blackening I've seen, but even this is not nearly as dark as the blackening displayed on many models
Wheter this Nashow has a blackened muzzle brake, or it is simply a bare spot in the whitewash, can't be said with any certainty, but I included it for the sake of argument
Wheter this is in the field or not is impossible to say, but the lack of blackening is clear
This destroyed Panther in France has no signs of blackening
Another Panther in France, again without blackening
This Tiger wreck in Africa shows no sign of blackening either (and although it's doubtful that the crew would have taken the time to paint the kill rings on the Tiger after it had been destroyed, it is reasonble to assume it has seen some action)
This destroyed Tiger in France has no blackening, however it was destroyed from behind, so it's possible it didn't have a chance fire
This Jagdtiger has no blackening either
Even on this 15 cm Nebelwerfer-Zehnling from Großdeutschland in Russia, there is no blackening
Another photograph of a 15 cm Nebelwerfer-Zehnling, where the edges of the muzzles are not only free from blackening, but where they also seem to have had the paint wither worn or burned off, showing the bare metal below
No blackening is visible on this 2 cm Flak either
This muzzle is almost shining, with no signs of blackening
This destroyed French Hotchkiss tank shows no blackening
Although the barrel of this Russian reconnaissance vehicle is clearly blackened, this might very well have been caused by the fire and not during combat
There are more information about topic. If you are interested in more information, we can discuss in this thread.
I hope this helps
QF
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Last edited by Quietfart on 2006-10-1 at 12:40 AM ]