Color schemes needed (non-Battletech)

[Weirdo]

I'm currently working on a fleet of spacecraft, but need some ideas for color schemes. In this fleet, the big gunboats are going to be portraying converted merchant ships, sturdy bulk haulers that hold their own against smaller true combat ships mostly because their massive hulls can absorb plenty of damage, and while cruder than the weapons carried by their military counterparts, the guns on these suckers are big.

But stats and background are not what I'm here for. What I need right now are color scheme ideas for these merchantships. Here are what the ships in question look like:





Any ideas? I only have a few of each, but I plan to paint most in different schemes, to represent ships from different owners, but all refitted to similar standards.

Thanks for any ideas!

[pheonixstorm]

Greys and browns for a basecoat would probably fit for converted merchies. A silver or rust color would also do for sections of the hull that would have damage from dust collisions or abrasion. Or for newer ships a lighter grey with some regional colors/markings (or species specific if including non-human)

[worktroll]

Gunmetal brushed over a black base, with turrets & addon bits picked out in a flat grey. Then some red stripes just for contrast - not too many.

Alternatively, light grey with a weak black wash instead of the gunmetal.

For a left field suggestion, an ochre with weak wash - think Shuttle external tank. Then pick out details in flat grey.

[Force of Nature]

Are those Ravenstar ships?

Any of Worktrolls suggestions would work for them.

[Weirdo]

Yep, from his Tin Men line. I've had a full large fleet from that for quite some time, and figured it was finally time to get them done.