Pink Japanese cruiser

[Baine]

I was playing the game "Destroyer Command" and reading the historical background about destroyers in the Pacific when I came across a claim that at one time the Haguro was painted pink. I'd never heard that before and was wondering if it was true or some bizarre wartime urban legend.
A Web search didn't come across anything to substantiate the claim, just one article from a book on Japanese cruisers in WWII saying that while some sources mention it,there has been no proof found that she was really painted pink.
If true, anyone know the purpose of a pink paint job?

[ingura]

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[mike mccabe]

Here is my model of HMS Broadway in Plymouth Pink, intended for camouflage at dusk and dawn

http://www.finewaterline.com/pages/gall ... oadway.htm

Mike

[ingura]

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[Felix C]

I think it is the effect of sunlight on grey.

I have noticed military ships appear pinkish at sunset or sunrise.

[linux]

The "pink" claim seems to have originated in A Battle History of the Imperial Japanese Navy (1941-1945) by Paul S Dull.

On pages 332-333 he writes:

Walker, however, had detached a five-destroyer force for such an eventuality, and the Venus, Verulam, Virago, Vigilant, and Saumarez made radar contact at 2300. Using an often-practiced (but seldom-used) "star" destroyer attack formation, they attacked the Haguro, fought a close-range battle, and sent the pink-painted cruiser down at 0150, 45 miles southwest of Panang.

It has been discussed on various boards over the years. The usual conclusion is that the claim is unproven, as no other source for the "pink" claim has been found.

[linux]

Looking at saved board topics I found another answer had been posted by Kevin Denlay on j-aircraft.com in April 2007:

Some months ago I recall signing off on a discussion that had again brought up the possibility of Haguro being painted pink at the time of her demise, and some other points, one re HIJMS Kamikaze, and I said I would check with survivors from both ships and try and get a definitive answer. Well, it has taken some time � I bet you thought I forgot, or worse, just blowing smoke - as had to go through another friend involved with the survivors and have him translate the detailed questions first.

The following answers come from the head of Haguro Survivors Association, who was on Haguro when she sank, and the head of Kamikaze Survivors Association, who was on Kamikaze that fateful night also. (They also checked with other survivors to confirm answers, hence the delay in the reply coming back.)

The questions posed - abbreviated here- were basically;

Question) Was Haguro painted camouflage color like Myoko?

Answer) NO

Question) Was she painted pink or a variation thereof on her final sortie in Malacca Strait?

Answer) NO, SHE WAS GREY.

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[Doug Hallet]

The reason ships are painted gray in the first place is that it picks up all the prevailing sea and sky tones present at any given time of day. That is why so many navy ships appear to have a blue tint, even when they are painted in a neutral or gull-gray color. Warships will naturally pick up pink tones at sunset or sunrise as the suns rays reflect off them. No need to use pink paint.

[Olaf Held]

Here is my model of HMS Broadway in Plymouth Pink, intended for camouflage at dusk and dawn

http://www.finewaterline.com/pages/gall ... oadway.htm

Mike

Mike, the pink doesn't work, I still can see the model...

(btw, a nice one...)

Happy camouflaging ~ Olaf!

[Seasick]

Remember everyone that when its dawn and dusk sunlight is skewed to longer wavelength light "aka red". Red light reflecting off of anything usually gives it a red biased appearance. The best color for dusk and dawn is white, also good for night, not good in full daylight.

[Felix C]

I once worked at a facility with a turning basin whose inlet mouth faced due east and had an unobstructed view of the sunrise. When there was no wind,the water would turn from black to purple to red to pink then blue as the sun begin to rise. It was inspiring.

[ottoirving]

took this from:http://www.whiteensignmodels.com/brochure/ruskyskelly.htm
one of my favorites modelers and inspiration is Ian Ruscoe, i bought this model to also do this kelly in 1941 only in full hull. i bought a Tamiya Modelling international issue 134 comes a complete review and model building.
Here is the Pink scheme from GB.


hope it helps

[reigels]

As I recall, the USN experimented unsuccessfully with pink submarines as well...

[John Snyder]

On a more serious note than pink subs, the USN had several ships painted in Mountbatten Pink, and at least one destroyer painted in Union Castle Lavender (the supposed inspiration for Mountbatten Pink).

[mike mccabe]

Also the primrose yellow flower class corvettes just for something different

Mike

[ar]

In addition, in 1941 stretching into the early months of 1942, there was a colour named 'Nore Pink'. This was believed to be a true pink, unlike Mountbatten Pink, and was used on the Leader Campbell, which was in Nore Command. Others of the command may also have been painted this way.
Posted by A Raven.

[Olaf Held]

Also the primrose yellow flower class corvettes just for something different

Mike

What?
http://www.google.de/images?hl=de&q=pri ... CCYQsAQwAA
Seriously? Not that I haven't enough humour but ... any more information to share about this?

@ John ~ Do you happen to know which of the USN destroyers was painted in UCL?

Happy painting ~ Olaf!

[John Snyder]

Hi Olaf,

According to the good Professor Raven, it was WINSLOW (DD-359), which obtained the paint from SS DUNOTTER CASTLE during a stopover in Capetown in 12/41. DDs that subsequently painted up in MBP included WARRINGTON (DD-383), CLARK (DD-361) & PHELPS (DD-360).

[mike mccabe]

Olaf
http://www.shipcamouflage.com/royal_navy3.htm half way down, also an illustration in John Lambert and Les Brown's Shipcraft Flower class book. Cool eh?

Presumably 'true pink' is the kind of shade some Spitfires were painted in?

Mike

[John Snyder]

Olaf
http://www.shipcamouflage.com/royal_navy3.htm half way down, also an illustration in John Lambert and Les Brown's Shipcraft Flower class book. Cool eh?

Presumably 'true pink' is the kind of shade some Spitfires were painted in?

Mike

No, the PRU Pink worn by the Spits was very, very pale indeed. The RN pink Alan refers to had much more color saturation. It's included in one of the Snyder & Short RN paint chip sets.