Advice requested: Western Approaches colours HMS Barfleur

[Maarten Sch�nfeld]

Does anyone have an inkling what the correct colours are for HMS Barfleur, the first operational Battle class destroyer?

HMS_Barfleur_D80_.jpg

Clearly a Westren Approaches scheme, but what are the correct colours?

Thanks for the help!
Maarten

[tjstoneman]

The photo does not show a Western Approaches scheme. BARFLEUR is camouflaged in the "Special Emergency Fleet Scheme", which seems to have been correctly applied - if so, the colours should have been G20, B30, G45 and White. The following is taken from the Ship Camouflage website (http://www.shipcamouflage.com/3_6.htm):

Known as the �Special Emergency Fleet Destroyer Scheme�, it comprised just one pattern along with a set of new colours, which were; G20, B30, G45, and white. These colours formed part of a new range that came into widespread use in early 1943. Even though the pattern was for destroyers of the O and P class, several other fleet destroyers took up the design including some from the Tribal class, and it was even worn in 1945 by the new Battle class destroyer BARFLEUR. Like other designs it was rarely carried as per the issued pattern, and there were large numbers of variations. Generally however, the essence of the design was retained.

[Maarten Sch�nfeld]

Thanks for this well documented reply! I will make good use of it.

Maarten

[Mike Reading]

Certain destroyers of the C class carried this varied scheme into 1944.