HMS Montgomery camouflage

[Motoyuki Iwashige]

I received question from my friend who is building HMS Montgomery. Her camouflage pattern in this available photo seems to be conflicting with instruction by model manufacturers including WEM and Airfix, and drawing in Mr. Alan Raven�s Warship Perspectives, mainly in the matter of brightness of the central trianglar panel. Where does the pattern in the instruction come from? Does anyone know the other source showing the very thing? Or is it a mischief by photograph?

Motoyuki Iwashige

[JCRAY]

I've never seen a color photo showing that WEM pattern. That doesn't mean it didn't happen. Wartime paint shortages were common. Darker colors were often substituted. If it were me I would be inclined to do the standard WA colors : off white , pale blue & pale green. I think the WA green photographs slightly darker than the WA blue, as it appears in your posted photo. But what do I know? hth! john

[Rick E Davis]

I'm not a camo expert, particularly for the RN, but this image of HMS MONTGOMERY at Halifax harbor on 2 May 1942 may be of use. It comes from a collection taken by of all people the censor, H. B. Jefferson, at Halifax harbor during WWII. His photo collection is quite amazing and he captured several HMS. HMCS, and USN ships particularly during early 1942 that are unique. They have an on-line collection of "thumbnail" images of limited value in showing configuration details and the camo scheme, but if you want, you can order a full size image for what looks to be a reasonable price.

... http://www.gov.ns.ca/nsarm/virtual/east ... sh#results ...

[John Snyder]

The color information came from Alan Raven himself.

[sandy]

What a great set of photos. Thanks for the link.

[Motoyuki Iwashige]

Thank you all for instructive replies.
Officially WA Blue and WA Green is stated to be same brightness (reflection factor 55%) and these two hardly can be distinguished when carefully prepared, as seen in the photo of Montgomery earlier configuration, same as Rick posted. I agree that shortage of paint material, especially green paste must have affected UK camouflage practice. Still, I guess that more simple matter must be regarded when estimating individual pattern; it is very difficult to adjust brightness between different tones of color and it is probable that darker blue was painted occasionally. How can we see through such accident in monochrome photograph?



Aside from it, in the look-down photo of Montgomery, sunlight comes from rather low angle of her port side judging from shadow and therefore the broadside paint must seem to be much lighter than original brightness. I estimate that dark triangle and pennant number might be either 507A or MS2. Any opinion will be appreciated.

Photo: WEM Buttercup built for latest Japanese model magazine.


Allied freighters I have built before.


Motoyuki Iwashige

[JCRAY]

If you have Ravens Warship Perspectives Volume Two RN 1942, page 48. He has artwork showing Georgetown in early 42 with that commonplace WA scheme for the Flushdeckers as shown in your photo.

He shows the "pointed angular slash" to the rear of the galley, as WA pale green. The front & central triangles as WA pale blue. The stern diamond shaped panel as WA pale green. Bridge with angular pattern of WA green, 1st & 3rd stack with patches of WA pale green.

Of course nobody knows without several color photos & I doubt that they will be found. hth! John