KM boat colors

[Dan Banks]

WE are getting alot of KM ship kits lately, and I am seeing what might be considered conflicting information as to the lower hull colors of the boats, eg. 11m admirals gig, 9m captains gig, 11m launch etc. I have seen them in both the standard brownish red, and dark gray bottom colors. My questions is did they use both depending on the ship, or is someone guessing. The regulations as stated in the ADTK book states dark gray, if my German translation is correct.

[Olaf Held]

I never came across any reference stating red or brownish red. The ATDK book is guessing a bit as well, I think. It's main source is the KM paint regulation from 1944, I have this and the 1941 edition. I need to look it up but I'm pretty sure at least the later version gives you four paints with antifouling ingredients - brownish-red (RAL 8013), green (RAL?), dark grey (RAL 7016) and black. But it does not really tell what they used on the boats, if I'm not mistaken. On all the colour photos I have seen, this colour looks pretty dark. Could be a faded black or dark grey.

Hope this helps ...

Happy painting ~ Olaf!