The Ship Model Forum

I have been researching the HMS Penelope to build a model. In the book, Volume 3 of British Commonwealth Warship Camouflage of WWII, it is stated that when returning to the UK after repairs in New York, an “Admiralty” scheme was applied. That scheme appears to be fairly close to the only photo of Penelope that I have found in camouflage. THS given date for the scheme is November, 1942.

However, in the Osprey Series, British Light Cruisers 1939 - 45, there is a colored drawing of Penelope, on page 17 that Shows her in a similar, but different scheme. That drawing is dated “October 1941, when she was transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet.” The scheme for that period in British and Commonwealth Warship Camouflage is ‘Mountbatten pink.’ I am curious regarding which book is a better reference, or if anyone has other references.

If anything in that book is correct it's a happy coincidence. The vast majority of the schemes in it quickly unravel upon a quick inspection of the real thing be it the actual ship, shape of the scheme, relative tones or dates.

You're probably best setting it aside and starting the research afresh with a clear and open mind not clouded by what's in that book. Just my 2p

_________________
James Duff
Sovereign Hobbies Ltd
http://www.sovereignhobbies.co.uk

Current build:
HMS Imperial D09 1/350
http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=167151

"If anything in that book is correct it's a happy coincidence"

Does this refer to "Volume 3" or to the Osprey book?
Regards, Richard

Neither book is without its flaws! The drawing in the Osprey book matches HMS ARETHUSA - eg https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item ... /205120103 (although there are minor differences in configuration).

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205016031

The IWM captions are frequently incorrect but there are numerous photographs of Penelope captioned as being taken in Q1 1942 showing dark hull and light upperworks.

_________________
James Duff
Sovereign Hobbies Ltd
http://www.sovereignhobbies.co.uk

Current build:
HMS Imperial D09 1/350
http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=167151

I took another look at the “Calling All Ship Fans; Arethusa” thread, and found a post with a 1941 photo of Penelope, which does differ from the referenced photos. It is closer to the Osprey diagram, but not exact. I will use the photo as a reference, but don’t have anything on the port side pattern. Don’t have references for the port side, yet. (Then again, if there aren’t any to be found, no one can dispute the camouflage pattern.)

https://www.world-war.co.uk/Arethusa/ar ... class.php3

Sorry, the pic doesn't show for me.
John

Did a re-edit. Should show now.

Thanks! I would love to know those colors?
John

That scheme is in Raven's Warship Perspectives Vol.2 page 15 and listed as being MS2, B5 and MS4A



It passes the initial "laugh test" but I haven't studied HMS Penelope previously to see if it still hangs together when parts are viewed close up.

_________________
James Duff
Sovereign Hobbies Ltd
http://www.sovereignhobbies.co.uk

Current build:
HMS Imperial D09 1/350
http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=167151

I re-checked the last photo against the November 1942 profile of HMS Penelope in the Warship Camouflage book, and they match very closely. The “Penelope Profile” in British Light Cruisers does match HMS Arethusa in April 1942 in the British Light Cruisers book.

Tried to attach a photo of the profile, but it came out upside down.

Most of us can save the photo & Flip it esp. the moderators!
hth John

Thank you for your post, James!
John