dick wrote:
Indeed, and another: B30 was a blue grey not a grey green.
The only official reference I know of that illustrates this scheme is CB3098R of 1943. It lists four colours: white, G20, B30 and G45. Any three colour applications would be a variation on that.
However having looked closely at the various black and white photos of Haida in the summer of 1944 I see four distinct shades.
From some colour photography aboard Haida late April 1944:
The darker shade on the aft of forward funnel and all the twin 20mm AA mount between the funnels was definitely a light grey.
The shielding on the pom pom aft was definitely a blue.
Hello all,
I agree with Dick on this; I see four shades, I believe it would be G20, B30, G45 and white, and that it is an adaptation of CB3098 plate 401.
If Dick is correct that the AA mount between the funnels was grey in the colour footage, then the attached mark-up seems like a good possibility for the scheme. I can't quite tell the tone of X and Y turrets; I believe that they would be B30, but Dick might know from the colour footage.
The adaptation (other than plate 401 being of a single-funnelled destroyer) seems to be limited to the three diagonal bars (of white, I can best assume) on the G20 panel, each side of Haida's hull.
The design (plate 401) is specifically for fleet destroyers. Basically it was found that the light schemes were of such affect that when applied to Fleet destroyers in northern waters, the risk of collision with friendly ships when attempting to hold station was a greater threat than an attack by U boat. The fix was to make the aft and sides darker, but to have light bows as they were warranted in hiding the ship when the destroyer was moving head-on to the attack. The high contrast was also seen as an aid to confusing inclination. (CB3098 sections 167 to 170 refer.)
Apologies for any statements of the obvious.
Regards,
Lindsay
Hey Lindsay, thanks very much for the schematic, thats exactly what I was thinking as well, based on the discussion here and my previous research; it just makes sense.
It is however not correct as per the Munro plans I attached previously...which shows no G45 grey on upper surfaces, just a "pale-blue" for superstructure camo. But again I think Dick's videos prove otherwise.