German 'Baltic' scheme

[Motoyuki Iwashige]

Hello,
When studying German naval paintings in WW2 I came about some questions;
Some sources suggest that new colors were developed for �Baltic scheme�. As far as aspect of pattern the scheme simply seems to consist of additional black and white (30 and 33?) bars on peacetime scheme (31-1/2?) aside of bow/stern, and so written in other sources. Why different outboard paints were stated or suggested? Did they, together with later paints like �Norwegian' blue grey have been given any number?
Any reply will be appreciated,
Motoyuki Iwashige

[Olaf Held]

The b/w stripes were directly applied on the piecetime livery (03 and 04). I know at least one source stating that they had different grey tones for the Baltic camouflage. I think this source based this on a mis-understanding, or at least the information given can be mis-understood.

31.1 and 31.2 were camouflage paints. According to the paint regulation they used it during the construction period (well, depending on locality, whatever that means. Camouflage paints ranging from 30 to 33 should be used).

As far as I know the Norwegian blue tones were a result of the so-called Dechend memorandum (mid-1942), in which he (Dechend) suggested to mix this or that into this or that paint in order to make it less intense. You need to look at the 1944 paint regulation in order to find out if you find any of the Norwegian blue tones in there...

Happy painting ~ Olaf!

[Motoyuki Iwashige]

Hello Olaf,
Thanks to your explanation fog is gradually thinning. Information nearby me is very limited and I am still reading German, English, and even Italian books taking several pages for German camouflage painting, although each of them is not intact and sometimes conflicting. Now I can understand that color 3 and 4 have alternative number 51 and 50 respectively, apart from the reason.
Many manufacturer release German ships clothed Baltic scheme, especially Bismarck with various color instruction. It is very important that the conclusion is either one color or two.
Motoyuki Iwashige

[Olaf Held]

Hello Olaf,Now I can understand that color 3 and 4 have alternative number 51 and 50 respectively, apart from the reason.

Ooops, sorry a problem between my ears.

The numbers 3 and 4 are the ones from the paint samples, and you're right, they are correlated to 51 and 50, which are the numbers given in the list of paints. In the paint samples the numbers are also provided with according RAL numbers, just in case anyone wants to make us believe they hadn't them in 1941 (while in contradiction at the same time saying that the RAL numbers are of no use because today they are different... ).

Happy painting ~ Olaf!