Pre-1943 HMS Nelson colors?

[LeeF]

Good afternoon! I am working on the old 1/600 Airfix kit of the HMS Nelson. My Royal Navy color knowledge is nil and I could use some help. I'd like to paint her in early-war colors. I believe her deck was still wood and not painted, correct? Also, what brand of paint(s) do you recommend. I am fine with acrylic or enamel.

Thank you for any help you can offer!

Lee

[SovereignHobbies]

This isn't complete or fully checked yet. I've also had help from 4 other forum members who will be credited at the bottom of this once it's finished. Until then, I felt it unfair to implicate them in something not fully agreed however if they want to identify themselves as contributors they can do in the following comments.

Overall I, personally, am fairly comfortable that this is the colour palette used. There may be details and spots of white countershading still missed from the illustration. One of our group was leaning towards colour assignment to the camouflage pattern "panels" being different fore and aft on the starboard side of the hull. I share this now in its incomplete state because even like this it's closer than some nonsense on the internet using either completely made-up colours, or assigning true colour names to badly flawed understandings of what the colours were or when they were in use.




In 1941 and earlier though it's pretty non-contentious (although there is still a lot of published material out there parroting the incorrect believe that Admiralty Pattern 507A was Dark Grey, Admiralty Pattern 507C was Light Grey and therefore by logical juxtaposition Admiralty Pattern 507B must be Medium Grey - this is nonsense and we wrote a paper on that subject).



Fast forward to 1943 though and the scheme stayed broadly similar to 1942, but there are evolutionary changes to the pattern shapes and the paints themselves were superceded by a new series which changed the overall look of the ship to a more bluish impression.

[tjstoneman]

Whilst the original post is only discussing camouflage colours (sorry, it's "colours" for Royal Navy ships!), note that the kit represents the ship after her 1944-45 refit. To represent an early war configuration accurately, many changes in light AA armament, boat locations and fire control would need to be made.

[LeeF]

Whilst the original post is only discussing camouflage colours (sorry, it's "colours" for Royal Navy ships!), note that the kit represents the ship after her 1944-45 refit. To represent an early war configuration accurately, many changes in light AA armament, boat locations, and fire control would need to be made.

Ah, thank you for pointing that out! I was unaware that the Airfix kit represents Nelson during the latter part of the war. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know this. I'll paint her the appropriate colours for sure!

Many thanks,

Lee

[LeeF]

James, thank you for posting those colors pallets up to use for reference. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and help in this matter.

Sincerely,

Lee

[SovereignHobbies]

Hi Lee,

Nelson went in to a US yard for refit in the latter part of 1944 wearing the blue derivative of the above disruptive pattern camouflage. She recommissioned after refit in January 1945 and left the US east coast wearing the new standard scheme A:



I've never actually looked at the Airfix kit, but if it has the quad 40mm Bofors platforms by the funnel and in front of the bridge superstructure then it's post January 1945 refit. If there are no Bofors guns then it's pre-refit.

[LeeF]

Thank you for that additional info, James! I will check the parts tonight to see if it has been molded to reflect her 1945 refit and let you know.

Many thanks,

Lee

P.S. What color would her decks have been for this latest camo pattern?

[tjstoneman]

All the box-art illustrations on Airfix kits of NELSON show her in 1945 configuration, and that is the way the original molds were made. I would be VERY surprised if Airfix had done anything to the molds in the decades since they were made. That's probably why many online photos of built-up kits (some purporting to be NELSON, some RODNEY) show the ship(s) in patterned camouflage with four quadruple Bofors 40mm mountings, no armoured director hood etc.

[LeeF]

All the box-art illustrations on Airfix kits of NELSON show her in 1945 configuration, and that is the way the original molds were made. I would be VERY surprised if Airfix had done anything to the molds in the decades since they were made. That's probably why many online photos of built-up kits (some purporting to be NELSON, some RODNEY) show the ship(s) in patterned camouflage with four quadruple Bofors 40mm mountings, no armoured director hood etc.

Yep, that appears to be the case as the molds are configured for her 1945 refit. I took a look last night. So, that makes painting her a bit easier now! Thank you all VERY MUCH for your help!

Very grateful,

Lee