Ok .... thank you for that info Kromma.
It is hard to get any of the often named Russian books here in Germany with theme of Imperial Russian Navy, So I was lucky that a colleague had it and lent it me.
What is about this book, also mmore fairy tales including or ok? Anyone any experience?
"The Imperial Russian Navy" from Anthony J. Watts
I found it with different prices reaching from 42.00 GBP on amazon UK up to 420.00 USD on amazon US (ehm, some error at someone here I guess?). Before I buy this, I better ask now.
About Black or not Black or "how black" in general:As previously told, black in general becomes by weathering and fading
always a more or less dark grey shade. How fast depends on several factors, for example type of color, used thinner and other things.
But in general no black stays really black after some time and this is proofed by countless examples. Only to name one: At most NATO members, military vehicles are painted in Forrest Green base, Leather Brown and Black on it. Even these 3 colors are CARC colors (Chemical Agent Resistant Color), the black is i.e. on German and US vehicles faded to dark grey after only some month.
Out of this and because I will not build a Borodino or other ship fresh painted from Yard, the fading and weathering effect will (and in my opinion must) be included in painting = there is no pitch black on any Russian ship.