The Ship Model Forum

I am (slowly) making a USS Washington (ACR-11, 1905), which I would like to finish in 1908 colors.

The hull underside is red - red lead is probably OK...

The hull sides are white- white lead I would guess...

The upperworks are "buff" -there is no buff lead!!
The only contemporary clues are lithographed postcards- not too definitive.

(There are a surprisingly large number of FS595 colors with "buff" in their name, and their shades are surprisingly diverse...)

I will probably end up with a shade based on what paint is available, but I thought I'd see if anybody actually knows...?

Weasel

There is no color standard to names.
White Ensign had a buff paint (not sure if it was matched to US Or Royal Navy or if it was the same between the two), but I don't know when Sovereign Hobbies will have the Colourcoat line running again. MidTenn hobbies does show some in stock if you are in the Continental US.

_________________
Tracy White -Researcher@Large

"Let the evidence guide the research. Do not have a preconceived agenda which will only distort the result."
-Barbara Tuchman

In Colourcoats, you would want US 30, USN Buff--it's accurately matched to the color you want.

_________________
Cheers,
John Snyder
Shady Grove Farm
Shady Grove Farm on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShadyGroveDuckEggs

No such color as "buff" in the USN ever. The correct name is spar and it is still in use by the US Coast Guard. Exact same mix of pigments as it was in the Great White Fleet era.