The Ship Model Forum

Hi Ted,

Prior to WW1 captains of RN vessels had quite a bit of freedom on how boats where painted and even the ship herself. Once hostilities broke out the Admiralty ordered the paint scheme to be grey overall. This implicitly included all ships boats and the Captains discression was removed.

So rowing boats should be grey on the outside and white on the inside. Steaming boats should be grey overall but any wooden decks left natural.

If you Google 'hms indefatigable 1915' ans then look at images, this is what you get.

Cheers,
George

Hi all-

I have seen several interpretations of the painting of ships' boats on WW1 British capital ships. Some paint the hull white, others gray, some with a red bottom, others not. The interior of cutters is sometimes dark brown, some tan, similarly the thwarts are some brown, some tan.

What is right? I am doing the Indefatigable as she appeared after removal of torpedo nets, about 1915-1916.

Thanks,

Ted0330 (ted0330@gmail.com)