HMS Campbeltown's colours

[PaulC]

The Airfix instructions for painting the 1/600 HMS Campbeltown are for slate grey hull and superstructure and green decks.

Is this correct? Would she have retained her USN scheme when leased by the British or was she re-painted in a RN scheme?

Paul

[aleccap]

Hello there, as I understand it, there was more then one paint job worn by this town class destroyer, this is my first attempt -
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2630/399 ... f72e_o.jpg
and although I've been told its correct, her sister ships also wore the same camo, with the instruction that came with that, and my new (still old model) 1-240 Revell the colour is calling for grey, while you'll find photo's of her, you're be very lucky to find a colour one, if you do, I'd love to see it.
I hope this doesn't get me into trouble, I pinched this from the site somewhere, first class, I only wish my next Campbeltown turns out as good.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2449/399 ... ab0c_o.jpg
on my 1-220 model, the top part of the bridge is solid plastic, the above photo shows what its like cut away, and if I can, I wouldn't mind giving that a go, have a look at the deck, it might be the colour you're after, sorry I can't help any more then this.

[Tracy White]

It depends on which time frame you are aiming for. She wore a different scheme for the raid than she did in regular lend-lease service.

[PaulC]

Thanks guys. Great job as usual Alec. I'd like to see more of that camo scheme though.

Any shots from "abeam" on both sides or was the starboard side identical?

Paul

[aleccap]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/311 ... 3ed6_b.jpg
Although I will be building this model again in the near future, I no longer have the original, only the few photo's, and oddly enough all port side, and I honestly can't remember if both sides are the same, the fake white wave I'd say yes on both sides, the camo shapes, my first thought is no, port and starboard would be slightly different, how different I couldn't say, I do know any pix of her sister ships will be the same camo design, in the mean time, I'll search for more pix, although I doubt it, you could check the dark-side (steelnavy.com) as I know I submitted this model on that site under 'destroyers'

[PaulC]

I took a walk on the dark side and...uh!...

Having recovered somewhat and finding the strength to resist it's power, I found your model and although there are no complete starboard side shots it seems to me that it mirrors the port side. Also pictures I've found of sister ships seem to vary somewhat, though this one of HMS Reading is very similar.



The colours look to be light grey (AP507C?) and B6 light blue, with AP507A decks? Hope that's close enough cuz that's what I got!

Thanks much!

[ottoirving]

aleccap message with images...


Hello there, as I understand it, there was more then one paint job worn by this town class destroyer, this is my first attempt -

and although I've been told its correct, her sister ships also wore the same camo, with the instruction that came with that, and my new (still old model) 1-240 Revell the colour is calling for grey, while you'll find photo's of her, you're be very lucky to find a colour one, if you do, I'd love to see it.
I hope this doesn't get me into trouble, I pinched this from the site somewhere, first class, I only wish my next Campbeltown turns out as good.

on my 1-220 model, the top part of the bridge is solid plastic, the above photo shows what its like cut away, and if I can, I wouldn't mind giving that a go, have a look at the deck, it might be the colour you're after, sorry I can't help any more then this.

[ottoirving]

British style camouflage...

[ottoirving]

[John Snyder]

The camouflage in question could have been either Peter Scott type camouflage, or an early version of Western Approaches camo. Here is what Alan Raven has to say about the two types:

PETER SCOTT TYPE*
Unofficial in origin. Worn by destroyer BROKE during latter part of 1940. Later worn by a few Flower class corvettes during the first part of 194l. Used by small numbers of Coastal Forces craft during 1941 and 1942. Which actual ships used it is not known.
Colors used: light blue, light green, 507C, and white.
Decks: believed as peacetime practice - may have varied between ships.
Masts and topmasts: White.
Athwartship vertical surfaces: White.
Countershading: Extensive use was made of countershading when Western Approaches camouflage was used. The following surfaces should have been painted white:
A. Undersides of blast shields, flag decks, boats, Pom-Pom decks, and other platforms.
B. After side of bridge.
C. Lockers, vents, davits, etc.
D. Whole of after blast screen.
E. Darken ship screens, canvas covers to reels, etc.
F. Lower 1/3 of gun barrels, searchlights, etc.
G. Both masts (if two carried), and crow�s nest.
H. Insides of gun shields.
I. All stanchions and other small fittings on deck.
The camouflage was always taken over the boot topping, down to the waterline.

*Note added 11/12/08: To expand on that which I wrote over a decade ago. From what I know, the very first designs did not employ the colour green, however, this colour began to be used quite soon afterwards in 1941. Scott stated that his first designs, ex-Broke, were for those ships of the Town class operating out of Plymouth in late 1940. If I were to write on this in any depth today, I would probably flesh out the story a lot more. This would not necessarily make things clearer though, and of course there were many variables on a theme as you know. Official documentation on the Peter Scott designs is very small, although there is a greater amount on the Western Approaches camouflage which was inspired by the former.

WESTERN APPROACHES TYPE
Official in origin. Used by hundreds of ships from destroyer size down.
Colors used: Western Approaches Blue, Western Approaches Green, and white.
Decks: Areas laid with wood, asphalt, semtex, or corticene, should be left in their natural colors. Steel deck areas were painted MS 2.
Athwartship vertical surfaces: White.
Countershading: Extensive use was made of countershading when Western Approaches camouflage was used. The following surfaces should have been painted white:
A. Undersides of blast shields, flag decks, boats, Pom-Pom decks, and other platforms.
B. After side of bridge.
C. Lockers, vents, davits, etc.
D. Whole of after blast screen.
E. Darken ship screens, canvas covers to reels, etc.
F. Lower 1/3 of gun barrels, searchlights, etc.
G. Both masts (if two carried), and crow�s nest.
H. Insides of gun shields.
I. All stanchions and other small fittings on deck.
The camouflage was always taken never the boot topping, down to the waterline.

The camouflage worn by the Town class destroyers did not initially use Western Approaches Green, and it is unlikely that Campbeltown ever wore that color. Her vertical colors would have been White and Western Approaches Blue.

[ar]

A decade you say. Seems lke yesterday. Reads okay though.

[Tracy White]

Actually over a decade as you wrote the addition almost a year ago and called it "over a decade" then. So it aged even better than you thought!

[aleccap]

Sorry in interject at this stage, has any of this information answered PaulC ?