by kramnosdivad » Tue Aug 26, 2008 3:56 am
From six years painting actual warships in the navy, I can tell you that warships are not allowed to look rusty and weathered because the public does not like to see these expensive national protection systems in a state of visual disrepair. Even after a long cruise, the day we were due to dock in any port we were out there washing all the salt build up off and hanging over the sides (at low speed) doing endless touch ups. A captian who put into port with a sad looking ship would be damaging his chances of promotion. Of course in a war situation we would not have wasted this time, but pull alongside and do it there whilst rearming \ replenishing. submarines and very small craft were much less pampered. If you must make a ship look 'roughed up' you could do a display with battle damage, leaking oil and fire scorching alond the superstructure. In this case all crew energy would ave been expended on making the ship seaworthy instead.
From six years painting actual warships in the navy, I can tell you that warships are not allowed to look rusty and weathered because the public does not like to see these expensive national protection systems in a state of visual disrepair. Even after a long cruise, the day we were due to dock in any port we were out there washing all the salt build up off and hanging over the sides (at low speed) doing endless touch ups. A captian who put into port with a sad looking ship would be damaging his chances of promotion. Of course in a war situation we would not have wasted this time, but pull alongside and do it there whilst rearming \ replenishing. submarines and very small craft were much less pampered. If you must make a ship look 'roughed up' you could do a display with battle damage, leaking oil and fire scorching alond the superstructure. In this case all crew energy would ave been expended on making the ship seaworthy instead.