Broadsword Calling Danny Boy, Broadsword Calling Danny Boy

I have finished painting the Denison Smock worn by my British SAS, circa 1944, Northwest Europe, oh and the Paras and Commandos too. The Denison smock was a coverall jacket issued to Special Operations Executive (SOE) agents, the Parachute Regiment, the Glider Pilot Regiment, Air Landing Regiments, Air Observation Post Squadrons, Commando units, and other Commonwealth airborne units, to wear over their Battle Dress uniform during the Second World War. The garment was also issued as standard to the scout and sniper platoons of line infantry battalions.

The smock was initially worn over the paratrooper’s webbing equipment, but under his parachute pack and harness, as its primary purpose was to prevent the wearer’s equipment from snagging while emplaned or during a jump. It was equally useful for camouflage and as a windproof garment that provided a method of carrying ammunition or equipment. Contemporary photographs show that airborne troops preferred to wear the smocks under their webbing once they had landed.

The Denison Smock base colour recipe is:

The based smock with Vallejo Model Colour English Uniform, highlighted with VMC Khaki Grey, and added further highlights of VMC German Camo Beige WWII.

Then I added a wash of VMC English Uniform watered down the mix with 3 parts water.

Colours used the base color of the smock

Vallejo Model Colour English Uniform

Vallejo Model Colour Khaki Grey

Vallejo Model Colour German Camo Beige WWII

The Denison Smock green camouflage pattern colour recipe is:

The green for the camouflage pattern used for the smock, started with Vallejo Model Colour Russian Green/Camo Olive Green at a 2 part green to 1 part water, so it was slightly translucent, highlighted with VMC Russian Green/Camo Olive Green and VMC Pale Sand at 5 part green to 1 part sand, and a wash of VMC German Extra Dark Green at 1 part green and 5 part water.

I put the green down is large irregular patterns using a photo of a Denison Smock for reference. These smocks where actually hand painted with a mop, once the jacket was assembled.

Colours used the green camouflage pattern colour of the smock

Vallejo Model Colour German Extra Dark Green

Vallejo Model Colour Russian Green/Camo Olive Green

Vallejo Model Colour Pale Sand

The Denison Smock brown camouflage pattern colour recipe is:

The brown for the camouflage pattern used for the smock, started with Vallejo Model Colour Mahogany Brown at a 2 part green to 1 part water, so it was slightly translucent, highlighted with Vallejo Game Colour Tan and a wash of VMC Flat Brown at 1 part green and 5 part water.

I put the brown down is large irregular patterns using a photo of a Denison Smock for reference. These smocks where actually hand painted with a mop, once the jacket was assembled.

Colours used the brown camouflage pattern colour of the smock

Vallejo Model Colour Flat Brown

Vallejo Model Colour Mahogany Brown

Vallejo Game Colour Tan