SHIP COLOURS

UPDATED 17/12/10

USS ARIZONA

1930s to Early 1941

All vertical surfaces—#5 Standard Navy Gray (US 01);

Steel decks steel horizontal surfaces—#20 Standard Deck Gray (US 02);

Boot-topping—Black (C 02);

Underwater hull—Norfolk 65-A Antifouling Red ( US 14);

Tops of turrets 1, 2 & 4—Insignia Red (ACUS 26).  

December 7, 1941

Few other ships have engendered the controversy that surrounds Arizona's colour at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbour, with heated words, threats and imprecations being flung about nearly as thick and fast as Japanese bombs and torpedoes that fateful morning. We're going to stand well clear, and simply offer the following:

If you are in the Gray Camp, please Press 1

If you are in the Blue Camp, please Press 2

Finally, bear in mind that there is some evidence that Arizona may have been in the midst of a repaint at the time of the attack, and therefore may have been wearing some of both of the above schemes!

HMS BELFAST 

As depicted in Airfix 1/600 kit

Admiralty Disruptive Pattern Camouflage, using the following on the 

Vertical surfaces:

AP 507A Admiralty Dark Grey (RN 01);

AP 507C Admiralty Light Grey (RN 03);

B.5 Dark Blue-Grey (RN 07);  

B.6 Light Blue (RN 11);

Bridge Decks—Corticene (RN 24);

Steel decks & walkways:—AP 507A Admiralty Dark Grey (RN 01);

Boot topping, funnel caps, pom-pom barrels—Black (C 02);

Underwater hull—RN Antifouling Red (RN 19);

Wood decks—Teak (C 01);

Countershading—Paint the following white (C 03):

A. Underside of blast shields, flag decks, boats, Pom-Pom decks and other platforms;

B. Lockers, vents, davits, etc.;

C. All darken ship screens, canvas covers for reels, etc.;

D. Lower 1/3 of gun barrels, searchlights, etc.;

E. Masts and crow’s nest;

F. Insides of gun shields;

G. Stanchions and other small fittings on upper deck.

BISMARCK

Prior to final sortie

Hull—Dunkelgrau 51 (KM 02), with dark panels Dunkelgrau 2 (KM 06) at bow and stern;

Superstructure—Hellgrau 50 (KM 01);

Turret roofs & other horizontal surfaces except steel decks—Dunkelgrau 2 (KM 06);

Steel decks, and boot-topping—Schiffsbodenfarbe III Grau 1 (KM 05);

Wood decks—Teak (C 01);

Funnel cap—Aluminiumbronze (C 04); 

Underwater hull—Schiffsbodenfarbe III Rot 5 (KM 04);

Stripes on the hull and superstructure—Black (C 02) & White (C 03);

False bow and stern waves—White (C 03);

Mahogany on ship’s boats—Mahogany ( US 15); 

Underwater hulls on ship’s boats—Schiffsbodenfarbe III Grau 1 (KM 05) or possibly Black (C 02).

Sortie

As above, but no dark panels (KM 06) at bow & stern, no false stern wave, no black & white stripes.

As sunk

Turret roofs had been repainted yellow Deckfarbe Gelb—use (ACJ 19).

USS BOGUE (CVE-9)

Measure 22 Camouflage (1942/43, 1945), as depicted in the Tamiya 1/700 kit

Lower hull—5-N Navy Blue (US 08);

All vertical surfaces above the lower hull--5-H Haze Gray (US 05);

All external steel decks & steel horizontal surfaces—20-B Deck Blue (US 10);

Hangar Deck—#20 Standard Deck Gray (US 02);

Hangar bay bulkheads & overheads—5-U White (C 03).

Measure 32/4a Camouflage (1944)

This scheme differed from port to starboard.

Vertical camouflage pattern—5-P Pale Gray (US 12), 5-L Light Gray (US 13), 5-H Haze Gray (US 05), and 5-N Navy Blue;

Flight Deck—Revised Deck Blue, same as 20-B Deck Blue (US 10);

All external steel decks & steel horizontal surfaces—20-B Deck Blue (US 10);  

Countershading—5-U White (C 03);

Hangar Deck—#20 Standard Deck Gray (US 02);

Hangar bay bulkheads & overheads—5-U White (C 03).

Boot-topping—Black (C 02);

Underwater hull—Norfolk 65-A Antifouling Red (US 14).

USS ENTERPRISE (CV-6)

Measure 21 (1942-43; part 1944; 1945)

All vertical surfaces—5-N Navy Blue (US 08);

Flight Deck—Norfolk 250-N Flight Deck stain (US 27) through 1942; thereafter Flight Deck Stain 21 (US 11) until 1945; in 1945 Revised Flight Deck Stain 21, same as

   20-B Deck Blue (US 10);

All external steel decks & steel horizontal surfaces—20-B Deck Blue (US 10);

Hangar Deck—#20 Standard Deck Gray (US 02);

Hangar bay bulkheads & overheads—5-U White (C 03).

USS FLETCHER (DD-445)

Measure 12 (mod) Camouflage, as depicted in the Revell 1/144 kit and the Tamiya 1/350 kit

Darkest colour on the hull—5-N Navy Blue (US 08);

Lightest colour on the hull, and darkest colour on the superstructure—5-O Ocean Gray (US 06);

Lightest colour on the superstructure—5-H Haze Gray;

Decks & other horizontal surfaces—20-B Deck Blue (US 10);

Boot-topping—Black (C 02);

Underwater hull—Norfolk 65-A Antifouling Red (US 14).

USS GAMBIER BAY (CVE-73)

Measure 32/15a Camouflage, as depicted in the Hasegawa 1/350 kit

This scheme differed from port to starboard.

Vertical camouflage pattern—5-P Pale Gray (US 12), 5-L Light Gray (US 13), 5-O Ocean Gray (US 06), BK Dull Black (C 02);

Steel decks & steel horizontals—20-B Deck Blue (US 10);

Flight Deck—Revised Flight Deck Stain 21 (US 10);

Countershading—5-U White (C 03);

Hangar Deck—#20 Standard Deck Gray (US 02);

Hangar bay bulkheads & overheads—5-U White (C 03);

Boot-topping—Black (C 02);

Underwater hull—Norfolk 65-A Antifouling Red (US 14).

GRAF SPEE

 Prior to December 1939

Hull —Dunkelgrau 51 (KM 02);

Superstructure—Hellgrau 50 (KM 01);

Bridge decks—Linoleum, (use ACSM 11);

Wood decks—Teak (C 01);

Steel Decks & Boot-topping—Schiffsbodenfarbe III Grau 1 (KM 05);

Underwater hull—Schiffsbodenfarbe III Rot 5 (KM 04).

December 1939

Camouflage pattern applied to superstructure & turrets, using KM 02 & KM 06.

HMS HOOD

 As Lost

All vertical surfaces—AP 507B Admiralty Medium Grey (RN 02);

Steel decks & walkways, decks of launches (except Admiral’s Barge)—AP 507A Admiralty Dark Grey (RN 01);

Wood decks, deck of Admiral’s Barge—Teak (C 01);

Bridge Decks—Corticene (RN 24);

Underwater Hull—RN Antifouling Red (RN 19);

Boot-topping, pom-pom & machine gun barrels, funnel cap—Black (C 02);

Cabin tops and hull below waterline of Admiral’s Barge—White (C 03);

Hull of Admirals Barge above waterline—Mid-green (ACUS 16);

Interiors of open boats, boat booms, jack & ensign staffs—Mahogany ( US 15);

15” gun blast bags (if fitted), H.A. director covers—Off-white (RN 10).

HMS HOWE

1945

Admiralty Standard Camouflage Scheme A:

Vertical Surfaces—G.45 Warm Light Grey (RN 14);

Blue panel on hull—B.20 Medium Blue-Grey (RN 16);

Steel decks & walkways—G.10 Dark Grey (RN 23);

Wood decks—Teak (C 01);

Boot-topping & Funnel Caps—Black (C 02);

Underwater hull—RN Antifouling Red (RN 19)  

USS INDEPENDENCE (CVL-22)

Measure 14 (1943), as depicted in the Dragon 1/350 kit

All vertical surfaces—5-O Ocean Gray;

All external steel decks & steel horizontal surfaces—20-B Deck Blue (US 10);

Flight Deck—Flight Deck Stain 21 (US 11);

Hangar Deck—#20 Standard Deck Gray (US 02);

Hangar bay bulkheads & overheads—5-U White (C 03);.

Boot-topping—Black (C 02);

Underwater hull—Norfolk 65-A Antifouling Red (US 14).

Measure 33/8a (1944)

This scheme differed from port to starboard.

Vertical camouflage pattern—5-O Ocean Gray (US 06), 5-N Navy Blue (US 08), and 5-L Light Gray (US 13);

Flight Deck—Revised Deck Blue, same as 20-B Deck Blue (US 10);

All external steel decks & steel horizontal surfaces—20-B Deck Blue (US 10);  

Countershading—5-U White (C 03);

Hangar Deck—#20 Standard Deck Gray (US 02);

Hangar bay bulkheads & overheads—5-U White (C 03).

Boot-topping—Black (C 02);

Underwater hull—Norfolk 65-A Antifouling Red (US 14).

HMS KING GEORGE V

As depicted in Tamiya kits

Admiralty Standard Camouflage Scheme A:

Vertical Surfaces—G.45 Warm Light Grey (RN 14);

Blue panel on hull—B.20 Medium Blue-Grey (RN 16);

Steel decks & walkways—G.10 Dark Grey (RN 23);

Wood decks—Teak (C 01);

Boot-topping & Funnel Caps—Black (C 02);

Underwater hull—RN Antifouling Red (RN 19)

As depicted in Airfix/Heller 1/400 kits

Admiralty Disruptive Pattern camouflage using the following on vertical surfaces:

AP 507A Admiralty Dark Grey (RN 01);

AP 507C Admiralty Light Grey (RN 03);

B.5 Dark Blue-Grey (RN 07);

B.6 Medium Blue (RN 11);

Steel decks & walkways—AP 507A Admiralty Dark Grey (RN 01);

Wood decks—Teak (C 01);

Countershading—Paint the following white (C 03):

A. Underside of blast shields, flag decks, boats, Pom-Pom decks and other platforms;

B. Lockers, vents, davits, etc;

C. All darken ship screens, canvas covers for reels, etc.;

D. Lower 1/3 of gun barrels, searchlights, etc.;

E. Masts and crow’s nest;

F. Insides of gun shields;

G. Stanchions and other small fittings on upper deck.

Underwater hull—RN Antifouling Red (RN 19).

USS LEXINGTON (CV-2)

Pre-war

All vertical surfaces—#5 Standard Navy Gray (US 01);

Steel decks & hangar deck—#20 Standard Deck Gray (US 02);

Flight deck—Mahogany Flight Deck Stain (US 15);

Flight deck markings—Chrome Yellow (ACUS 11);

Hangar deck bulkheads & overheads—5-U White (C 03);

Boot-topping—Black (C 02);

Underwater hull—Norfolk 65-A Antifouling Red ( US 14).  

As-lost, Measure 11 Camouflage

All vertical surfaces—5-N Navy Blue (US 08) [NOTE: by this time 5-N had replaced the earlier 5-S Sea Blue in Measure 11);

Steel decks & steel horizontals—20-B Deck Blue (US 10);

Flight deck—Norfolk 250-N Flight Deck Stain (US 27);

Flight deck markings—Norfolk 251-N (Full tin of US 09 + 10 drops US 03);

Hangar deck bulkheads & overheads—5-U White (C 03);

Boot-topping—Black (C 02);

Underwater hull—Norfolk 65-A Antifouling Red ( US 14).  

USS MISSOURI

At Tokyo Bay

Hull—5-N Navy Blue ( US 08);

Hull above US 08, & superstructure—#27 Neutral Haze Gray (US 28);

Horizontal surfaces—20-B Deck Blue (US 10);

Boot-topping—Black (C 02);

Underwater hull—Norfolk 65-A Antifouling Red ( US 14).

As-Commissioned in Measure 32/22D  Camouflage

This scheme differed from port to starboard.

Vertical camouflage—5-O Ocean Gray (US 06), 5-L Light Gray (US 13), Bk Dull Black (C 02);

Horizontal camouflage—5-O Ocean Gray (US 06), 20-B Deck Blue (US 10);

Boot-topping—Black (C 02);

Underwater Hull—Norfolk 65-A Antifouling Red (US 14).

HMS MONTGOMERY

As depicted in Mirage/Airfix 1/400 kit:

Modified Western Approaches Camouflage, using the following on the vertical surfaces:

MS.1 Dark Blue-Black (RN 04);

MS.2 Dark Grey (RN 05);

Pale Blue-Green—50/50 mix of Western Approaches Blue (RN 08) & Western Approaches Green (RN 09);

Western Approaches White (RN 10);

Steel Decks—MS.2 Dark Grey (RN 05);

Bridge Decks—Corticene (RN 24);

Boot topping, funnel caps, Oerlikon barrels—Black (C 02);

Underwater hull—RN Antifouling Red (RN 19).

HMS NELSON

Mid-1942

Admiralty Disruptive Pattern Camouflage, using the following colours:

MS.1 Dark Blue-Black (RN 04);

MS.2 Dark Grey (RN 05);

MS.3 Medium Greenish-Grey (RN 06);

AP 507C Admiralty Light Grey (RN 03).

Same colours were used in late 1943, but the pattern had changed somewhat.

USS OREGON & USS OLYMPIA

Spanish-American War

Vertical surfaces—"War Color", aka "Slate" overall (US 37);

Funnel caps—Black (C 02);

Wood decks—Teak (C 01);

Underwater Hull—Antifouling Red (US 14). 

Mahogany pilot houses and such may have been unpainted.

HMS PRINCE OF WALES

 Bismarck Action

All vertical surfaces—AP 507B Admiralty Medium Grey (RN 02);

Steel decks—AP 507A Admiralty Dark Grey (RN 01);

Wood decks—Teak (C 01);

Boot-topping—Black (C 02);

Underwater Hull—RN Antifouling Red (RN 19).

As Lost

Camouflage—MS.1 (RN 04), MS.3 (RN 06), B.5 (RN 07), B.6 (RN 11), AP 507C Admiralty Medium Grey (RN 03), White (C 03). NOTE: RN 06 had been painted out at

  time of loss;

Steel decks—MS.1 (RN 04);

Wood Decks—Teak (C 01);

Boot-topping—Black (C 02);

Underwater Hull—RN Antifouling Red (RN 19).

PRINZ EUGEN 1945

Dark band on lower hull just above boot-topping—Schlickgrau (KM 11);

Upper part of hull—Dunkelgrau 51 (KM 02);

Superstructure, including turret roofs—Hellgrau 50 (KM 01);

Boot topping—Schiffsbodenfarbe III Grau 1 (KM 05);

Underwater hull—Schiffsbodenfarbe III Rot 5 (KM 04);

Steel decks & antiaircraft mount decks—Dunkelgrau 2 (KM 06);

Wood decks—Teak (C 01).

HMS RENOWN

1945

Admiralty Standard Camouflage Scheme A:

Vertical Surfaces—G.45 Warm Light Grey (RN 14);

Blue panel on hull—B.20 Medium Blue-Grey (RN 16);

Steel decks & walkways—G.10 Dark Grey (RN 23);

Wood decks—Teak (C 01);

Boot-topping & Funnel Caps—Black (C 02);

Underwater hull—RN Antifouling Red (RN 19)  

HMS REPULSE

Vertical camouflage—AP 507C Admiralty Light Gray (RN 03) and Black (C 02);

Steel decks—AP 507A Admiralty Dark Grey (RN 01);

Wood decks—Teak (C 01);

Boot-topping—Black (C 02);

Underwater Hull—RN Antifouling Red (RN 19).

SCHARNHORST as-lost

Image courtesy http://www.scharnhorst-class.dk/index.html

The precise colours of Scharnhorst at the time of her sinking by HMS Duke of York remain unknown. She may have been in standard Kriegsmarine greys, or she may have been wearing the Norwegian Theatre blue-greys described by Dechend. We will therefore provide references for both potential schemes:

Standard Kriegsmarine Greys

Darkest Grey in pattern—Dunkelgrau 2 (KM 06);

Middle Grey in pattern—Dunkelgrau 51 (KM 02);

Lightest Grey in pattern—Hellgrau 50 (KM 01);

White panels at bow & stern, & false bow wave—Schnellbootweiss (KM 10);

Steel decks—probably Schiffsbodenfarbe III Grau 1 (KM 05);

Wood decks—natural teak (C 01);

Boot-topping—Schiffsbodenfarbe III Grau 1 (KM 05);

Underwater hull—Schiffsbodenfarbe III Rot 5 (KM 04);

Funnel cap—Black (C 02).

Norwegian Theatre Blue-Greys

Darkest Grey in pattern—Blaugrau Dunkel (KM 07);

Middle Grey in pattern—Blaugrau Mittel (KM 08);

Lightest Grey in pattern—Blaugrau Hell (KM 09);

White panels at bow & stern, & false bow wave—Schnellbootweiss (KM 10);

Steel decks—possibly Schiffsbodenfarbe III Grau 1 (KM 05) or Blaugrau Dunkel (KM 07);

Wood decks—natural teak (C 01);

Boot-topping—Schiffsbodenfarbe III Grau 1 (KM 05);

Underwater hull—Schiffsbodenfarbe III Rot 5 (KM 04);

Funnel cap—Black (C 02).

HMCS SNOWBERRY

Vertical surfaces—Western Approaches White (RN 10), Western Approaches Blue (RN 08), and Western Approaches Green (RN 09);

Steel decks: MS.2 (RN 05)

Wood decks: Teak (C 01);

Underwater hull: RN Antifouling Red (RN 19).

Countershading: Extensive use was made of countershading in Western Approaches camouflage. The following surfaces should be painted white:

A. Undersides of blast shields, flag decks, boats, Pom-Pom decks, and other platforms.

B. After side of bridge.

C. Lockers, vents, davits, etc.

D. Whole of after blast screen.

E. Darken ship screens, canvas covers to reels, etc.

F. Lower 1/3 of gun barrels, searchlights, etc.

G. Both masts (if two carried), and crow’s nest.

H. Insides of gun shields.

I. All stanchions and other small fittings on deck.

The camouflage was always taken over the boot topping, down to the waterline, so there is no black boot-topping stripe.

USS TICONDEROGA (CV-14)

1944

Measure 33/10a Camouflage (as depicted in the Trumpeter kit)

Vertical camouflage pattern—5-O Ocean Gray (US 06), 5-N Navy Blue (US 08), and 5-L Light Gray (US 13);

Flight Deck—Revised Deck Blue, same as 20-B Deck Blue (US 10);

All external steel decks & steel horizontal surfaces—20-B Deck Blue (US 10);  

Countershading—5-U White (C 03);

Hangar Deck—#20 Standard Deck Gray (US 02);

Hangar bay bulkheads & overheads—5-U White (C 03).

Boot-topping—Black (C 02);

Underwater hull—Norfolk 65-A Antifouling Red (US 14).

April 1945

Measure 21 Camouflage

Vertical surfaces—overall 5-N (US 08);

Exterior steel decks & horizontal surfaces—20-B Deck Blue (US 10);

Flight Deck—Revised Deck Blue, same as 20-B Deck Blue (US 10);

Hangar Deck—#20 Standard Deck Gray (US 02);

Hangar bay bulkheads & overheads—5-U White C 03). 

Boot-topping—Black (C 02);

Underwater hull—Norfolk 65-A Antifouling Red (US 14).

YAMATO & MUSASHI

Vertical surfaces & steel decks—Kure Grey (IJN 02);

Aircraft deck & some bridge decks—Linoleum (IJN 10);

Wood deck—Deck Tan (IJN 09)*;

Underwater hull—IJN Antifouling Red (IJN 11).

*During the Leyte Gulf action in October 1944, both ships had their wood decks stained black; Yamato’s may still have been that way when sunk.

USS YORKTOWN (CV-5)

Measure 12 Camouflage, Coral Sea/Midway

Hull, up to hangar deck level—5-S Sea Blue (US 07);

Hull, from hangar deck level to flight deck level—5-O Ocean Gray (US 06);

Island & superstructure above flight deck level—5-H Haze Gray (US 05);

Flight Deck—Norfolk 350-N Flight Deck Stain (US 27);

External steel decks, flight deck expansion joints, flight deck tie-down strips—20-B Deck Blue (US 10);

Hangar Deck—#20 Standard Deck Gray (US 02);

Hangar bay bulkheads & overheads—5-U White C 03);

Boot-topping—Black (C 02);

Underwater hull—Norfolk 65-A Antifouling Red (US 14).

USS YORKTOWN (CV-10)

1943

Measure 21 Camouflage

Vertical surfaces—overall 5-N Navy Blue (US 08);

External steel decks, flight deck expansion joints, flight deck tie-down strips—20-B Deck Blue (US 10);

Flight Deck—Flight Deck Stain 21 (US 11);

Hangar Deck—#20 Standard Deck Gray (US 02);

Hangar bay bulkheads & overheads—5-U White C 03);

Boot-topping—Black (C 02);

Underwater hull—Norfolk 65-A Antifouling Red (US 14).

1944 

Measure 33-10A Camouflage

Vertical camouflage pattern—5-O Ocean Gray (US 06), 5-N Navy Blue (US 08), and 5-L Light Gray (US 13);

Flight Deck—Revised Deck Blue, same as 20-B Deck Blue (US 10);

All external steel decks & steel horizontal surfaces—20-B Deck Blue (US 10);  

Countershading—5-U White (C 03);

Hangar Deck—#20 Standard Deck Gray (US 02);

Hangar bay bulkheads & overheads—5-U White (C 03).

Boot-topping—Black (C 02);

Underwater hull—Norfolk 65-A Antifouling Red (US 14).

1945 

Measure 21 Camouflage as above, but using the darker Revised Flight Deck Stain 21, same color as 20-B (US 10).

ZUIKAKU

Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons

1944

If painted according to IJN orders, the light green should be Type 21 Camouflage (IJN 07), while the dark green on the hull should be Type 2 Camouflage (IJN 06). The dark green on the flight deck appears to be Type 1 Camouflage (IJN 05), and the tan would Deck Tan (IJN 09). Topmasts would be Type 22 Camouflage (IJN 08).

US Submarines in WW2

There were two Measure 32 schemes that came into official use in June 1944 (they may have been used unofficially a few months earlier). Measure 32/3SS-B was the light-coloured scheme, and Measure 32/9SS was the dark scheme.

Here are the painting instructions for the Measure 32 schemes:

Measure 32/3SS-B: Paint the deck glossy black (use ACS 04), stopping two feet short of the edges. All other horizontal and sloping surfaces paint BK Dull Black (C 02). The vertical surfaces were painted #27 Haze Gray (US 28). The edges on curved surfaces between the Dull Black and Haze Gray were feathered (blended). Just aft of the conning tower, the Haze Gray blended into #17 Ocean Gray (US 31), which in turn blended into the BK Dull Black stern section. The undersides of any overhanging surfaces were painted 5-U White (C 03). The forward, rounded portion of the conning tower and periscope shears were painted #17 Ocean Gray. The deck guns were painted BK Dull Black on the upper half of the barrels and #46 Outside Gray (US 32) on the lower half of the barrels.

Measure 32/9SS: The instructions were the same as for Ms.32/3SS-B, except that #17 Ocean Gray (US 31) was used on the vertical surfaces instead of #27 Haze Gray. Just before the forward deck gun, the #17 Ocean Gray was blended into #11 Outside Gray (US 34). Aft of the conning tower the #11 Outside Gray was blended into #7 Navy Gray (US 35), and this was blended into BK Dull Black at the stern. Both the forward and aft rounded ends of the conning tower were painted #7 Navy Gray, blended into #17 Ocean Gray on the conning tower sides.

Measure 9: Some US submarines remained painted in Measure 9, the all-black scheme that came into use in September 1941. For this, paint the entire submarine above the waterline Dull Black (C 02). The painting shall be carried over all parts which are visible from the air including the numbers, capstan, running light boards and bridge rails. Radio insulators shall be dark. There shall be no boot topping. The underbody shall be painted with current issues of black antifouling paints (use ACS 04).

Modern (post-WW2) USN

All vertical surfaces—Haze Gray (M 03);

Decks—Deck Gray (M 04);

Flight Decks—Flight Deck Gray (M 05);

Underwater Hulls—Antifouling Red (M 06);

Boot-topping—Black (C 02).

AIRCRAFT COLOURS

Modern RN: Sea Harriers, SeaKings and Merlins are all Medium Sea Grey BS 637 (ACRN 04). The Harrier GR 7/GR 9 of the Joint Force Harrier Unit are Ocean Grey (ACRN 07) undersides and Dark Sea Grey (ACRN 03) upper surfaces that recede away from the leading and trailing edges of the wings.

EUROFIGHTER TYPHOON: For the RAF version, and according to the T.O.: Camouflage Grey (formerly Barley Grey) BS381C:626 (Colourcoats ACRN 08) with radome, leading edge to canards, intake, wings and fin in Flint Grey FS595 36314 (no Colourcoats match, but ACRA 15 is close). Cockpit interior is Dark Admiralty Grey BS381C:632 (Colourcoats M 16). Engine Intake Flap interior is Camouflage (Barley) Grey BS381C:626  (Colourcoats ACRN 08) with FS 26492 (no Colourcoats match, but ACUS 01 is close) for the intake ducting aft of the intake flap.

FALKLANDS HARRIERS: The Harriers that were two-tone: Extra Dark Sea Grey (Colourcoats ACRN 02) and White (Colourcoats C 03), had the White undersides painted out with Extra Dark Sea Grey. That's what made them look Black from a distance. They then gradually were repainted properly in Dark Sea Grey (Colourcoats ACRN 03), apart from the Harriers of 809 squadron which were Medium Sea Grey (Colourcoats ACRN 04), the only Harrier FRS1s to be in that scheme. This squadron was formed in April 1982 having previously been the last RN squadron to operate Buccaneers before disbanding after the Ark Royal was scrapped. They operated from Hermes and then Illustrious until December 1982 when they were again disbanded. They were also the only RN aircraft to carry nose art as well.

FALKLANDS SEA KINGS: The Sea Kings were still in the RAF Blue Grey (Colourcoats ACRN 19) scheme with the white lettering and numerals up to when the conflict started. Initially the large white numerals and lettering were painted out quickly with Matt Black (Colourcoats C 02). Things like the red and white "Danger" rectangles on the tail didn't get painted out until later. The powers-that-be didn't know what to do about them as they were warning markings, and it wasn't until Peter Hall, who was a helo mechanic aboard HMS Hermes,  pointed out to them that just by painting out the white with black and leaving the red, would work well enough for people close enough to matter to be able to see. The rotors were still the all-metal ones at that stage, and were olive green (use Colourcoats ACUS  12) upper surfaces with black undersides. The leading edges of the rotors had a stainless steel protective strip around them, that in turn were covered in a black rubberised strip.

The composite rotors on Sea Kings didn't come into service until 1986. They were the light grey all over. If they got black undersides, it was soot from the engine exhausts (writes Peter Hall).

RAF & FAA HELICOPTERS: Are currently painted in Olive Drab BS381C 298 (no Colourcoats match, but ACUS 12 is close).

FAA WESSEX HELICOPTERS: The Mk 1 and Mk 3 Anti-submarine variant was RAF Blue/Grey (Colourcoats ACRN 19) up to a line running along the upper fuselage below the canopy transparencies and above the main cabin door right the way aft. Above this line the top fuselage was painted Golden Yellow (Colourcoats ACRN 21) right the way aft along the top of the tail cone and up the leading edge of the tail pylon.

The Mk1 Commando variant was a Mid Stone (Colourcoats ACRN 11) and Olive Drab (use Colourcoats ACUS  12) camo pattern all round the fuselage.

The Mk 1 Search and Rescue variant was again all over RAF Blue/Grey (Colourcoats ACRN 19) but with a Dayglo Orange nose and tail cone.

The Wessex Mk 5 Commando variants were all over RN Olive Drab (use Colourcoats ACUS 12) unless they were on detachment to Norway for winter exercises, when they were daubed with a white distemper (use Colourcoats C 03) in a tiger stripe pattern. This stuff washed off though.

The Wessex Mk 5 Search and Rescue variant was all over RAF Blue/Grey (Colourcoats ACRN 19) with a Red (Colourcoats ACRN 27) nose and tail cone.

ARMOUR COLOURS

WEHRMACHT DUNKELGELB: We're getting lots of calls lately regarding this colour, and specifically its use as a base colour on Tiger tanks. Here's what we can tell you. There were apparently two slightly different versions of the colour. The problem in matching them is that the standard upon which they were based--RAL--changed after WW2 and the current RAL standard colours differ from their wartime predecessors. Therefore, any colour callout for WW2 colours based on the current RAL colours is almost certainly incorrect. Compounding the problem is the almost complete lack of extant wartime RAL colour cards. So, with that in mind, here's what we can say. The early version, which some have dubbed "Dunkelgelb I" and which was purportedly matched to RAL 7028 came into use as the Wehrmacht's standard base colour in February 1943. Colourcoats ARG 02 is a virtual match to the early Dunkelgelb. The later version, dubbed "Dunkelgelb II" and with an RAL standard listed by some as 7028/1 (suspect, because RAL never listed their colours in that manner) came into use as the standard base colour from October 1944. Colourcoats ARG 11 is the match for this colour, and is based on a series of colour matches made by Steve Zaloga on Wehrmacht machines in the armour collection at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in the U.S. So, depending on the time period you are depicting on your German armour--Tiger or otherwise--you can select the proper Dunkelgelb base colour.

PAINT FORMULAE

There are some colours that, while important, just can't be justified for production. For those, see below:

Cavite Blue, a homebrew colour worn by the ships of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in the early days of WW2, as an equivalent for Measure 1 camouflage when the Fleet could not obtain 5-D Dark Gray:: Mix 20 parts Colourcoats US 08 5-N Navy Blue to 3 parts Colourcoats US 27 Norfolk 250-N Flight Deck Stain.

Chicago Blue, worn by RAN ships beginning in mid-1942: Mix RN 16 B.20 plus a bit of blue, or US 27 Norfolk 250-N Flight Deck Stain lightened a bit with light grey.

PB 10, a deep blue worn by RN submarines operating in the Med: Mix equal parts of ACRN 32 Oxford Blue and US 27 Norfolk 250-N Flight Deck Stain.

Norfolk 251-N Stain, used for USN flight deck markings in conjunction with Norfolk 250-N Flight Deck Stain: to a full tin of US 09 add 10 drops US 03.

Have a ship or aircraft for which you need colour information and it's not listed here? E-mail John Snyder at johnsnyder@onetel.com and we'll see what we can do.