Calling all RM Littorio-class fans!

[Atma]

The 5 red stripes I was referring to are on the Polish artwork which YOU POSTED
Plus, I'm asking about the Littorio, NOT the V.V.

Oops sorry ! And Im not able to find a clear view of RM Littorio's stripe

[Giampiero]

I am preparing the outlines of the bow and stern decks


Good sunday
Giampiero

[Atma]

I am preparing the outlines of the bow and stern decks


Good sunday
Giampiero

Looking forward for it !

[falcon04]

Thank you, Giampero. Looking forward to your drawings.

Here is something to further confuse the issue. This photo is from "Orizzonte Mare 3/I", p.40, and shows the bow deck of the Littorio. The identical "fishbone ends" on the turret sides are unique to Littorio, so it's NOT the V.V.

Note:

(1) No stripes on deck - dark gray.

(2) Some white left on deck fittings showing stripes were originally painted ( too bright for light gray ). I've noticed on viewing countless pics of the striped decks of both BB's and CA's that everything in the striped area was overpainted either red or white.

I'm assuming that the decks were painted in 1941 when the new camo. was applied, and this pic may have been taken during that period.

Also note:

(1) no blast bags on #1 turret
(2) "Gufo" radar on director
(3) Carley floats on turrets - striped (?) and array on #1 turret
(4) 2 of the 4 single 37mm forward - darker than gray on deck, turrets, or superstructure

[Atma]

The blast bags can be removed anytime. So I guess is not safe to say that for the whole 1941 number 1# turret never had blast bags.
Anyway nice picture with a wealth of detail.

[JJCG]

Hi

This is my first post and I'm not sure it'll end up in the right subject category! I have just purchased the new Trumpeter model of the "Roma" and whilst I have built and painted many model kits in my younger youth I find myself completely floored on how to go about painting the splinter camouflage and diagonal stripes on this ship. In particular trying to achieve the continuation of the splinter patterns across the upper part of the ship when viewed in elevation. Grateful for advice and techniques on how to go about this daunting task. Or should I simply paint it in some other guise, if so which?

Thanks

JJCG

[Secondo]

Hi

This is my first post and I'm not sure it'll end up in the right subject category! I have just purchased the new Trumpeter model of the "Roma" and whilst I have built and painted many model kits in my younger youth I find myself completely floored on how to go about painting the splinter camouflage and diagonal stripes on this ship. In particular trying to achieve the continuation of the splinter patterns across the upper part of the ship when viewed in elevation. Grateful for advice and techniques on how to go about this daunting task. Or should I simply paint it in some other guise, if so which?

Thanks

JJCG

While on trials, Roma was painted in the standard prewar measure, grigio cenerino chiaro on vertical surfaces and dark grey on the decks: you could revert to this option.

Jim Baumann has built THE model of Roma (as his is indeed a reference work), and has portrayed her in that timeframe: check out his build log in his gallery

(Here's a pic, meanwhile)

[Secondo]

Side note: I just noticed this book is out



Now, you will know that the real Roma never had the air rec stripes on her aft deck, so spread the word among those who own this book

(From the rewiews I red here, done by prominent naval historians, it seems that this book is neither very thrustworthy in the infos it provides, so be advised...)

[Atma]

I was thinking to buy that book. The reviews are not good at all.

[falcon04]

Questions on R.M. "Light Gray":

( FS 595B used only as a reference - I know it didn't exist during WW II )

(1) Lifecolor UA613 "Grigio Cenerio Chiaro" paints out to a warm light gray - something close to FS 36440 or FS 36492.

(2) Snyder & Shorts color chip for "Grigio Chiaro" is a cooler blue-gray, slightly lighter than FS 36375. I believe that the WEM color RM02 Grigio Chiaro (which I do not have) matches the S&S chip.

These colors are quite different from each other:

(1) Was there more than one Grigio Chiaro ?

(2) If not, which color is correct?

Also, FYI, Tamiya XF-75 IJN Kure Gray is a very close match to Lifecolor UA615 RM deck color - "Grigio Piombo Ponte" - Lead or Bridge Grey.

[Secondo]

Officially, Grigio Cenerino Chiaro was only one. Some original samples show the kind of bluish light gray found on the S&S chip; but the most recent archivial research has led to the neutral light gray produced by Lifecolor.
I have no official data about this, but my feeling is that, as was the case with IJN, different paint manufacturers, altough working on the same formula, did produce visibly different tones.

[falcon04]

Secondo - thanks for the quick reply.

That certainly makes sense. I assume that blue pigment may have also been in short supply for the Italian paint manufacturers, as it was in the US.

If that assumption is correct, there were probably variations in the dark gray as well.

I would note that USN 20B Weather Deck Blue looks pretty good as one approximation of Grigio Scuro.

For Giampiero - any progress on the forecastle stripes on Littorio ? My photo search is inconclusive !

[falcon04]

Much as the blue grays are more pleasing to my eye, I think that the warmer grays ala Lifecolor just feel more correct.

A couple of hours on the Betasom Italian site, following some of the embedded links, and wearing out Google Translate as well as looking at a number of vintage color photos ( I know that's dangerous ) lead me there.

Now to match the Lifecolors with some solvent-based ( or acrylics like Tamiya which thin with lacquer or Gunze Mr. Color thinner ) from my stash for airbrushing and I'm OK.

Thanks for all the info.

[Atma]

Thanks guys for the colour info

[Guest]

About the Osprey Italian Battleships of World War II, it is regretful that the collor illustration of the Roma incorrectly depicts her recognition stripes. Who knows how many models will be painted likewise based upon that illustation?

I have to say that the book is otherwise excellent. The reivews on Amazon are quite good, actually. and anyone considering the book should consult those reviews. I recommend the book for it's informational content, including weapons and combat histories and the author's original assessment of their use and effect on the Italian war effort. The photos and illustartions (with the exception of the Roma painting) are also nice.

[falcon04]

Some out-of-the-bottle color matches to the Lifecolor RM paints for those who prefer using solvent-based paints for airbrushing. All were painted out 1"x1" on white 3x5" index cards and compared under a combination of flourescent and incandescant light:

(1) LC UA613 Grigio Cenerio Chiaro = Testors Modelmaster 2038 Light Gray FS36492 ( exact )

(2) LC UA614 Grigio Scuro = Tamiya XF-24 Dark Grey = Floquil Rail 110132 SP Lark Dk. Gray (very close )

(3) LC UA615 Grigio Piombo Ponte = Tamiya XF-75 IJN Gray ( Kure ) (very very close )

(4) LC UA617 Verde Scuro Antivegitativo = Gunze Mr. Color 124 Dark Green Mitsubishi = Tamiya XF-70 Dark Green 2. (very close )

[Atma]

Thanks for the colour information guys.

[Giampiero]

Secondo - thanks for the quick reply.

That certainly makes sense. I assume that blue pigment may have also been in short supply for the Italian paint manufacturers, as it was in the US.

If that assumption is correct, there were probably variations in the dark gray as well.

I would note that USN 20B Weather Deck Blue looks pretty good as one approximation of Grigio Scuro.

For Giampiero - any progress on the forecastle stripes on Littorio ? My photo search is inconclusive !

Hello,

almost ready

,

[Giampiero]

Scheme for Roma /realized with my friend Maurizio Maggi follow scheme for Littorio e Veneto

[Atma]

Thanks Giampiero



Quick question, why the Italians used so big turrets for the Vittorio Veneto class ? See the picture compared to a quadruple turret of Richelieu class(sorry for the blurry picture but you get the point ):