United States Navy camouflage schemes

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
US Naval Jack
Ships of the
US Navy

A - B - C - D - E - F - G
H - I - J - K - L - M - N
O - P - Q - R - S - T - U
V - W - X - Y - Z

Lists of
United States Navy ships
by type
Amphibious warfare
Aircraft carrier
Frigates
Frigates (sails)
Escort aircraft carrier
Escort destroyer
Auxiliary ships
cruiser
Ships of the line
Airships
Anti-mine units
Patrol boats
Battleships
Submarines
destroyer
and their additional
information
Ship categories
Camouflage schemes
Combat systems
Charles S. Sperry with camouflage scheme 32 / 9d (June 1944)

The camouflage schemes of the United States Navy should make it more difficult for the opponent to recognize a ship from sea or from the air , to determine its course or speed , and to make it difficult or even impossible to identify the ship class.

Ship camouflages in the First World War

Alerted by the successful sinkings by German submarines with their torpedoes, the British Navy looked for solutions to reduce the sinking rate. The artist Norman Wilkinson proposed a special form of camouflage to the British Admiralty. Wilkinson had his idea based on his experience on a patrol in the English Channel .

His special camouflages consisted of complex patterns of geometric shapes in contrasting colors that interrupted and cut through each other. At first glance, it didn't seem like a form of camouflage, but rather an eye-catching pattern. Its camouflage patterns had a very specific purpose, however, they were supposed to make it difficult for the enemy to identify and aim at the ship, its speed and the course for the optical target systems of the time.

In the English language, these camouflages are also known as Dazzle Painting or Dazzle Camouflage ; (Eng. dazzle 'glare', camouflage 'camouflage').

The Alsatian was the first naval ship to be camouflaged in August 1917 based on Wilkinson's suggestions. The following year, the US Navy also used such eye-catching camouflage patterns on their ships for the first time.

Ship camouflages in World War II

There are different opinions about the effectiveness of these camouflages. The Royal Navy Admiralty relied on statistics that the camouflage patterns had no effect on the number of scuttles. Nonetheless, the paintwork was retained because - through the crews' subjective perception that their ships were protected from discovery - they had boosted morale on board.

The British gave up this form of optical camouflage in the 1940s, as German submarines now sighted their targets using sonar or listening bearings and no longer optically. At the end of the Second World War, the first torpedoes existed that could actively follow the screw sounds of a ship; see wren (torpedo) .

With the introduction and improvement of radar - technology were generally ineffective optical camouflage, because the enemy already now far beyond the sight could locate out. As early as 1941, the German battleship Bismarck could no longer escape the radar-based British chasing group.

The US naval command, however, was convinced that camouflage patterns were very effective and offered protection against detection. In particular, however, the Americans fought in the Pacific against the technically less well-equipped Japanese - compared to the German submarine fleet - and in the landing operations in particular it played a role that the ships should be less clearly visible against the horizon.

For this purpose, however, less conspicuous ship drawings were used as a rule than Wilkinson had proposed to the British in World War I, since it was the late discovery and not the confusion of potential enemy gunmen that mattered.

Paint and camouflages used by the US Navy in World War II

Even in World War II , the goals of what the camouflage paints were supposed to do had not fundamentally changed, so that the previously often quoted confusion of the enemy was still the goal. The paint or the camouflage of the USN ships had the purpose of making it more difficult for the enemy to identify the ships, so that they could be recognized and identified as late as possible from the water and / or from the air. Depending on the task, area of ​​operation, environment and the desired camouflage effect, the ships were camouflaged with single or multiple paints.

Schemes

In the US Navy, the guidelines for the use of various camouflage paints, called schemes ( measures ), were modified several times during the course of World War II. The scheme itself only indicated the colors and shades to be used. The arrangement of the colored areas was carried out on the basis of color plans, so-called patterns ( designs ). Measure 32 / 6A e.g. B. stood for scheme 32, combined with the arrangement of the colored areas according to pattern 6. The letter A indicates that this pattern was designed for aircraft carriers. But it also happened that an aircraft carrier was given a design (letter D) intended for destroyers. The designs for cruisers had the letter C.

Aircraft carrier camouflage schemes

Scheme 1

Dark Gray - All vertical surfaces were highlighted in Dark Gray . Was no longer applied from mid-September 1941. At the beginning of the war, numerous ships in Pearl Harbor had this paint.

Scheme 3

Light Gray - uniform light gray (light gray), which led all ships until about 1941. This paint was no longer applied during the war.

Scheme 5

Bow Wave - should simulate a high bow wave in conjunction with scheme 1 or 3. The purpose was to make the ship appear to the enemy moving faster than it was actually moving.

Scheme 11

Sea Blue System - Sea blue uniform painting of all vertical surfaces. Introduced around 1943. Matt paint with a blue that was a little lighter than the blue that was used to paint aircraft on board. Difficult to distinguish from Scheme 21.

Scheme 12

Graded System - two-tone camouflage introduced after the start of the war. From the water pass to the level of the main deck (for aircraft carriers up to the hangar deck) parallel to the Sea Blue water line . Everything about it, Ocean Gray . Mast tips and parts protruding above the superstructure Haze Gray . Very difficult to distinguish from Scheme 22. Recognition aid: The contrast between the lower and upper coat is less than in scheme 22.

Scheme 14

Ocean Gray - uniform ocean-gray painting of all vertical surfaces. Used from 1943 to 1945 and very difficult to distinguish from schemes 1, 11 and 21 on photos.

Scheme 21

Navy Blue - All vertical surfaces were painted Navy Blue , slightly darker than Scheme 11. Used mid to late 1943.

Scheme 22

Graded System - hull from the lowest point of the hangar deck in a parallel line to the Navy Blue water pass , everything above it including the superstructure Haze Gray (hazy gray). First evidence for this scheme around 1941. Last evidence around 1947.

Scheme 32

Medium Pattern System - in use from late 1943. Graduated in 3–6 tones, large camouflaged areas in dark gray colors and with various patterns, as can be seen on various Essex-class aircraft carriers. The colors used are: Dull Black (black), Pale Gray (pale gray), Haze Gray (hazy gray), Ocean Gray (ocean gray), Ocean Green (ocean green) and Haze Green (hazy green).

Scheme 33

Light Pattern System - overall lighter than scheme 32. Just like scheme 32, various dark blue, gray and green tints.

Destroyer and cruiser camouflage schemes

Since the camouflage schemes of destroyers and cruisers are almost identical, they are summarized here. If there are deviations, is with a superscript Z noted. Schemes 31, 31A, 32 and 33 were often coupled with the dazzle pattern . More information under the section Samples .

Scheme 1

Dark Gray System - All vertical surfaces and decks have been painted Dark Gray . Constructions and poles above the chimney cap were Light Gray (light gray) deleted. Wooden decks were left natural.

Scheme 2 Z

Graded System - All vertical surfaces, below the lowest point of the deposed decks were, Dark Gray (Dark Gray) deleted. The rest were pestered Light Gray . Decks were kept in Dark Gray .

Scheme 3

Light Gray System - The scheme corresponded to scheme 13, peace gray , only the color was light gray (light gray). The decks were kept as in Scheme 1.

Scheme 4 Z

Black System - A one-color scheme in which all vertical surfaces have been painted black.

Scheme 5

Painted Bow Wave - This scheme was used in combination with Scheme 1. A bow wave was applied in white .

Scheme 11

Sea Blue System - All vertical surfaces have been painted Sea Blue . The decks (also wood) were pestered Deck Blue (black blue ).

Scheme 12

Graded System - All vertical surfaces of the ship's hull, from the Sea Blue water pass. The Ocean Gray superstructures and the masts and elevated superstructures in Haze Gray . The painting of the decks corresponded to scheme 11.

Scheme 12 splotch

A variant of Scheme 12 in which stain patterns were applied instead of clear dividing lines. The sea-blue hull was provided with an ocean-gray pattern and the superstructures ocean-gray with a hazy gray pattern.

Scheme 12 mottled

Another variant of scheme 12, which corresponded to the splotch scheme, only the spots and patterns were speckled.

Scheme 12 mod

Modified Graded System - From the water pass to the main deck line, either Navy Blue or Navy Gray . Everything above the main deck line has been painted in Ocean Gray and decks in Deck Blue .

Scheme 13

Haze Gray System - All vertical surfaces Haze Gray . Deck surfaces were painted in Deck Blue .

Scheme 14

Ocean Gray System - Vertical faces have been painted Ocean Gray . All high components and mast tips above the chimney cap are Haze Gray . Decks, including wood paneling, were painted Deck Blue .

Scheme 16

Thayer System - This scheme was mainly used in northern waters with long daylight. The vertical surfaces were White (white) and Thayer Blue (light blue) with geometric patterns that were different on both sides of the ship. Decks in Deck Blue .

Scheme 17

In this experimental scheme , the vertical faces were Navy Blue , Ocean Gray, and Haze Gray . The colors were applied in geometric patterns and were the same on both sides. This was only the case with this pattern. This pattern is said to have been the prototype of the dazzle pattern .

Scheme 21

Navy Blue System - In this scheme, all vertical surfaces were Navy Blue and all decks were Deck Blue . It was used very often.

Scheme 22

Graded System - All vertical surfaces were painted Navy Blue from the water pass to the lowest point of the main deck, in a line parallel to the water pass. The entire rest of the hull and the Ocean Gray superstructure . Decks were kept in Deck Blue .

Scheme 31

Dark Pattern System - a scheme that predominantly led to dark colors. The colors used were Haze Gray , Ocean Gray, and Dull Black . The decks as usual in Deck Blue . This scheme was used very often on destroyers.

Scheme 31A

Medium Pattern System, Low Contrast - This scheme used shades of low contrast. In the case of two-color patterns, the vertical surfaces were pitted with Navy Blue and Haze Gray, and in the case of three-color patterns, in addition, with Ocean Gray . Decks were kept Decks Blue .

Scheme 32

Medium Pattern System, High Contrast - This scheme used high contrast tones. In the case of two-color patterns, the vertical surfaces were highlighted with Light Gray (light gray) and Dull Black (black) and with three-color patterns, in addition, with Ocean Gray (ocean gray). Decks were kept Decks Blue .

Scheme 33

Light Pattern System - A scheme with very light colors. In the two-color scheme, Ocean Gray and Light Gray were used; in the three-color scheme, Navy Blue (navy blue), Haze Gray (hazy gray) and Pale Gray (pale gray) were used. This applied to all vertical surfaces. Decks were kept in Deck Blue .

Battleship camouflage schemes

Scheme 2

Ocean Gray hull . The vertical surfaces of the superstructures Haze Gray . The foremar of the command tower and the front fire control devices Pale Gray (light gray). All horizontal surfaces in Deck Blue (dark blue).

Scheme 12

All vertical surfaces Ocean Gray (medium gray) or light gray basic color with camouflage surfaces in Navy Blue (navy blue). All horizontal surfaces in Deck Blue (dark blue).

Scheme 13

The standard used in peacetime Haze Gray (gray haze)

Scheme 21

All vertical surfaces Navy Blue (Navy)

Scheme 22

From the water line to the lowest point of the main deck line parallel to the Navy Blue water line . The rest of the hull and the vertical surfaces of the superstructure are Haze Gray . All horizontal surfaces in Deck Blue (dark blue).

Scheme 32

Camouflage pattern of large dark, light gray and navy blue areas for the vertical surfaces of the hull and superstructure. All horizontal surfaces in Deck Blue (dark blue).

Camouflage schemes for destroyers escort

The camouflage scheme of most destroyer escorts was the graded system according to Scheme 22. The solid camouflage paintwork, i.e. the single-colored paintwork according to schemes 11, 14 and 21, was hardly used at all. Schemes 31, 31A, 32, 33 and 34A were often coupled with the dazzle pattern . More information under the section Samples .

Scheme 13

Haze Gray System - All vertical surfaces became haze gray and deck surfaces were black-blue. However, this pattern did not really gain acceptance on these units until after the Second World War , so that scheme 13 was the standard of this type until 1953.

Scheme 21

Navy Blue System - A common scheme among destroyers escort. The vertical surfaces were all painted Navy Blue .

Scheme 22

Graded System - All vertical surfaces were painted Navy Blue from the water pass to the lowest point of the main deck, in a line parallel to the water pass . The complete rest of the hull and the superstructure Ocean Gray (ocean gray). Decks were kept in Deck Blue .

Scheme 31

Dark Pattern System - This scheme consisted of dark colors, Haze Gray , Ocean Gray, and Dull Black . For the escort ships, scheme 31 was coupled with many patterns. The converted APD were camouflaged according to scheme 31 / 20L. Ocean Green and Navy Green were used for the vertical surfaces and Deck Green for the deck .

Scheme 31A

Medium Pattern System, Low Contrast - Here color tones were used that convey an overall impression with low contrast. Navy Blue and Haze Gray were used for two-tone patterns . In the case of three-color patterns, Ocean Gray was added. The decks were pestered Decks Blue . This pattern was not used in the escort ships of the Navy .

Scheme 32

Medium pattern system, high contrast - high- contrast colors were used here. The resulting overall impression was then also middle helm. Two-tone patterns consisted of Light Gray and Dull Black . Things were going to Ocean Gray added (Ocean Gray) in three-color patterns.

Scheme 33

Light Pattern System - A scheme with light colors. For two-tone paints, Ocean Gray and Light Gray were used. If three colors were used, they were Navy Blue , Haze Gray and Pale Gray .

template

While the scheme dictated the colors to be used, the pattern ( designs ) determined the precise geometric figures in which they were put together. Measure 32 / 6a e.g. B. stood for scheme 32, the 6 means a uniform arrangement of the camouflage pattern and the letter A indicates that this pattern was designed for aircraft carriers. But it also happened that an aircraft carrier was given a design (letter D) intended for destroyers. Often times, patterns from destroyers were used on cruisers, and patterns from cruisers were also used on destroyers. Both cruisers and destroyers used the 11A aircraft carrier for some ships.

Table with the sample letters

Type of ship Letter
Aircraft carrier A.
Battleship B.
cruiser C.
destroyer D.
Escort destroyer E.
frigate F.

Table of color names for camouflage patterns

The United States Navy specified the camouflage patterns for their ships during World War II in the SHIPS-2 manual. This manual was subject to four revisions, in January and September 1941, June 1942 and March 1942. When choosing colors , the Navy relied on the Munsell Book of Colors from 1929. In 1943 this work was improved. All colors listed here are based on color definitions before the Book of Color was improved. The Munsell code that has been handed down can therefore no longer be converted directly. In the course of the war, the four revisions of the manual were based on experience gained in each theater of war. The table below shows the color names, color numbers and the corresponding Munsell codes used by the Navy, as well as the RGB correspondence (with the help of which the colors in the table are coded).

Color name, year Navy No. Color ( Munsell code, RGB values ​​in decimal)
Navy Gray, 1919 # 5 10B 6.5 / 1.5, 122 157 176
Deck Gray, 1919 # 20 N 3.6 / 0, 56 56 68
Black, 1920's # 82 and # 24 N 2.5 / 0.36 36 48
Light Gray, 1941 - 10B 7 / 1.5, 135 159 171
Ocean Gray, 1941 5-O 5PB 4.5 / 3, 77 109 132
Dark Gray, 1941 5-D 5PB 2 / 1.5, 11 21 48
Haze Gray, 1941 5-H 5PB 5.7 / 1.6, 121 138 164
Haze Green, 1941 - 7G 5.9 / 2.5, 101 135 111
Sea Blue, 1941 5-S 2.5PB 3.6 / 4, 64 96 107
Haze (Cabot), 1941 - 7PB 3.2 / 2, 44 52 71
Pearl Harbor Blue, 1941 - 7.5PB 1.5 / 6, 32 45 77
Sapphire Blue, 1941 - 5PB 2.2 / 6, 25 45 78
PT Green, 1941 - Exact color unknown! Possibly a medium shade of green.
Cavite Blue, 1941 - 5PB 4/2, 70 92 106
Union Castle Lavender, 1941 - 10P (P-RP) 6/4, 144 121 139
Navy Blue, 1941 5-N, same color as 5-NB Navy Blue, 1944 5PB 3/2, 37 48 68
Thayer Blue, 1941 5-B 5PB 6.5 / 2, 145 156 184
Deck Blue, 1942 20-B 5PB 3 / 1.5, 38 49 67
Deck Blue Revised, 1942 20-B 5PB 3/4, 33 48 79
Blue Flight Deck Stain, 1942 250N 5PB 3 / 1.8, 30 35 57
Flight Deck Stain, 1942 # 21 5PB 4.5 / 3, 96 110 137
Flight Deck Stain Revised, 1942 # 21 5PB 3/4, 27 50 82
Mountbatten Pink (Light), 1942 - 5RP 5 / 1.5, 116 110 112
Elco Gray, 1942 - Exact color unknown
Light Gray Green, 1942 - Exact color unknown
Countershade Gray, 1942 - Exact color unknown
Yellow Green, 1942 - Exact color unknown
Medium Pink, 1942 - Exact color unknown
Mauve, 1942 - Exact color unknown
Green, 1942 - Exact color unknown
Blue, 1942 - Exact color unknown
Brown, 1942 1A 5YR (YR-Y) 2/2, 56 45 41
Brown, 1942 2A 5YR (YR) 3/4, 114 85 55
Brown, 1942 3A 10YR (YR-Y) 3.5 / 3, 129 108 61
Brown, 1942 4A 10YR (YR-Y) 5/6, 160 131 97
Green, 1942 1A 5GY (GY) 3/2, 58 77 58
Green, 1942 2A 5GY (GY) 3.5 / 4, 70 78 54
Green, 1942 3A 5G 4.5 / 2, 38 91 61
Green, 1942 4A 5GY (GY) 4/6, 66 90 42
(Green), 1942 5/84 - 2 / 5TMA 5G 5/8, 57 135 77
(Blue Green), 1942 5/84 - 4 / 5TMA 5BG 4/4, 53 120 126
Lime Green, 1942 - Exact color unknown
Pale Gray, 1942 5-P 5PB 8/1, 195 209 222
Light Gray Revised, 1943 5-L 5PB 7/2, 160 177 207
Dark Green, 1943 759 Exact color unknown
MTB Green, 1943 - 5G 5/8, 54 134 71
Robin's Egg Blue, 1943 - Exact color unknown
Haze Green, 1943 5-HG 10GY (GY-G) 6/2, 102 143 103
Ocean Green, 1943 5-floor 10GY (GY-G) 5/2, 80 125 102
Navy Green, 1943 5-NG 10GY (GY-G) 3/2, 51 82 41
Deck Green, 1943 20-G 10GY (GY-G) 2/2, 41 58 52
Pale Green, 1943 5-PG 5GY 8/2, 204 219 198
Light Green, 1943 5-LG 5GY 7/2, 170 178 157
Haze Green Revised, 1943 5-HG 5GY 6/2, 132 141 124
Ocean Green Revised, 1943 5-floor 5GY 5/2, 105 114 93
Navy Green Revised, 1943 5-NG 5GY 3/2, 32 56 32
Green Tinting Medium, 1944 5-GTM 5GY 3.5 / 3, 35,57,34
Green, 1943 #1 5GY 5.5 / 3, 121 146 88
Green, 1943 # 2 5GY 4/2, 33 86 60
Green, 1943 # 3 5GY 2.5 / 2, 28 51 41
Brown, 1943 # 4 10YR (YR-Y) 4/3, 119 99 40
Outside Gray, 1943 # 46 N 8/0, 201 202 194
Light Gray, 1943 # 37 5-L N 7/0, 163 168 161
Haze Gray, 1944 # 27 5-H N 6/0, 123 129 125
Ocean Gray, 1944 # 17 5-O, same color as # 16 Medium Gray, 1943 N 5/0, 91 91 89
Medium Gray, 1943 # 16, same color as # 17 Ocean Gray, 1944 N 4.9 / 0, 91 91 89
Outside Gray Revised, 1943 # 11 N 4/0, 63 68 71
Navy Gray, 1943 # 7 5-N N 3.4 / 0.31 37 37
Deck Gray, 1943 # 4 20 N 2/0, 15 15 27
Navy Blue, 1944 5-NB, same color as 5-N Navy Blue, 1941 5PB 3/2, 37 48 68

Aircraft carrier camouflage patterns

While the individual camouflage schemes were decisive for the differentiation according to the camouflage colors used , the numbering of the camouflage patterns is about the identification of certain dazzle patterns . These patterns were designed for one or more ships. With the exception of the four sunken aircraft carriers Lexington (CV-2) , Yorktown (CV-5) , Wasp (CV-7) and Hornet (CV-8) , only three ships never had a camouflage pattern. These are

Pattern 1A

Designed for Rangers (CV-4) . It was the only pattern that was 4 tones, most of the others were 3. It was light gray, hazy gray, ocean gray, and navy blue.

Pattern 3A

Was not tied to a fixed scheme. Four aircraft carriers carried it on both sides:

3D pattern

A pattern designed for destroyers carried on by USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) and USS Monterey (CVL-26) .

Pattern 4AB

Was only run by the first Enterprise (CV-6) . Officially listed as Scheme 33, it seems as if the darkest shade was the black from Scheme 32.

Pattern 6A

In practice it was equipped with the colors of Scheme 32 and was operated by Bunker Hill (CV-17) and Franklin (CV-13) , with Franklin leading pattern 3A on the port side between May and November 1944.

Pattern 6 / 10D

This pattern was the only one that was only two tones: black and light gray. It was only made by Essex (CV-9) . The pattern was originally designed for destroyers and then adapted for Essex.

Pattern 7A

Was put together from the colors of Scheme 33 and carried by the following aircraft carriers:

Pattern 8A

Was an open pattern with only one color specified: white - and only for a few overhanging parts of the ship. This was one of three patterns carried by the Independence-class light aircraft carriers . The sample was carried out by the following sponsors:

Has apparently also been combined with the navy blue from Scheme 33.

Pattern 10A

Was performed with the colors of scheme 33 from the following aircraft carriers:

Pattern 11A

Was specially designed for Saratoga (CV-3) , taking into account its unique side view. It has been coupled with the colors of scheme 32; H. the darkest area was black.

Pattern 17A

Actually, there were two patterns that traded as 17A. 17A-1 was the US Navy’s only six-tone pattern . The colors were light gray, medium gray, haze gray, ocean gray, navy blue, and black. The two aircraft carriers

were the only ones to follow this pattern. 17A-2 used the three normal colors from Scheme 32 and was carried by the following aircraft carriers:

Table of US aircraft carrier camouflage patterns
Name and ID Camouflage scheme / pattern image
Saratoga (CV-3) 32 / 11A
Saratoga (CV-3)
Ranger (CV-4) 32 / 1A
Ranger (CV-4)
Enterprise (CV-6) 32 / 4AB 3
Enterprise (CV-6)
Essex (CV-9) Bb : 32 / 6D,
dc : 32 / 10D 		N / A 2
Yorktown (CV-10) 33 / 10A
Yorktown (CV-10)
Intrepid (CV-11) 32 / 3A
Intrepid (CV-11)
Hornet (CV-12) 33 / 3A
Hornet (CV-12)
Franklin (CV-13) Bb : 32 / 3A
dc : 32 / 6A
Franklin (CV-13)
Randolph (CV-15) 32 / 17A-1
Randolph (CV-15)
Bunker Hill (CV-17) 32 / 6A
Bunker Hill (CV-17)
Wasp (CV-18) 33 / 10A
Wasp (CV-18)
Hancock (CV-19) 32 / 3A
Hancock (CV-19)
Bennington (CV-20) 32 / 17A-1
Bennington (CV-20)
Bennington (CV-20) 32 / 17A-2
Bennington (CV-20)
Independence (CVL-22) 32 / 8A N / A 2
Princeton (CVL-23) 33 / 7A N / A 2
Belleau Wood (CVL-24) 33 / 7A N / A 2
Cowpens (CVL-25) 33 / 7A N / A 2
Monterey (CVL-26) 33 / 3D N / A 2
Bataan (CVL-29) 32 / 8A N / A 2
San Jacinto (CVL-30) 33 / 7A
San Jacinto (CVL-30)
Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) 32 / 17A-2
Bon Homme Richard (CV-31)
Antietam (CV-36) 32 / 17A-2 N / A 2
Shangri-La (CV-38) 33 / 10A N / A 2
  • 2 No suitable image to document the camouflage scheme was available for this aircraft carrier
  • 3 This pattern was intended for both aircraft carriers (A) and battleships (B)

Camouflage patterns of destroyers

Pattern 1D
3D pattern
Pattern 6D
Pattern 7D
Pattern 9D
Pattern 10D
Pattern 11D
Pattern 13D
Pattern 14D
Pattern 16D
Pattern 21D
Pattern 22D
Pattern 23D
Pattern 24D
Pattern 25D
Pattern 27D
Pattern 28D
Pattern 11A
Pattern 2C
Table camouflage patterns of destroyers

Due to the high number of destroyers, only one destroyer is listed in this table as an example of the camouflage pattern used.

destroyer Camouflage scheme / pattern image
Bagley (DD-386) 31 / 1D
Bagley (DD-386)
Patterson (DD-392) 32 / 2C
Patterson (DD-392)
Mayrant (DD-402) 32 / 3D N / A 2
Hull (DD-350) 31 / 6D
Hull (DD-350)
Farragut (DD-348) 31 / 7D N / A 2
Dunlap (DD-384) 31 / 9D
Dunlap (DD-384)
Daly (DD-519) 32 / 10D N / A 2
Soley (DD-707) 32 / 11A
Soley (DD-707)
Ellet (DD-398) 31 / 11D N / A 2
Nicholas (DD-449) 13D N / A 2
Terry (DD-513) 32 / 14D
Terry (DD-513)
Grayson (DD-435) 32 / 16D
Grayson (DD-435)
Coney (DD-508) 31 / 21D
Coney (DD-508)
Selfridge (DD-357) 32 / 22D
Selfridge (DD-357)
Mahan (DD-364) 31 / 23D
Mahan (DD-364)
Robinson (DD-562) 32 / 24D
Robinson (DD-562)
Borie (DD-704) 31 / 25D N / A 2
Alfred A. Cunningham (DD-752) 33 / 27D N / A 2
Drayton (DD-366) 31 / 28D
Drayton (DD-366)
  • 2 No suitable image for documenting the camouflage scheme was available for this destroyer

Camouflage patterns of cruisers

Many cruisers of the US Navy carried the camouflage or confusion pattern (English. Dazzle Pattern ) during the war . All ships listed below had only one camouflage pattern during their service life. The only cruiser, Pensacola (CA-24) carried two types, namely 33 / 10d and 32 / 14d. Interestingly, the cruisers carried more destroyer camouflages (letter D) than cruiser camouflages (letter C). Two cruisers carried an aircraft carrier camouflage pattern. The cruisers Nashville (CL-43) and Augusta (CA-31) carried unmarked camouflage patterns. They were listed along with Schemes 16 and 17, with Nashville (CL-43 ) leading Scheme 16 ( Thayer system ) and Augusta (CA-31) leading Scheme 17.

Pattern 11A
Pattern 2C
Pattern 7C
Pattern 10C
Pattern 1D
3D pattern
Pattern 5D
Pattern 6D
Pattern 7D
Pattern 9D
Pattern 10D
Pattern 13D
Pattern 14D
Pattern 16D
Pattern 18D
Pattern 22D
Pattern 24D
Pattern 2F
Table camouflage patterns of cruisers
cruiser Camouflage scheme / pattern image
Raleigh (CL-7) 32 / 1D
Raleigh (CL-7)
Detroit (CL-8) 33 / 3D
Detroit (CL-8)
Richmond (CL-9) 32 / 3D
Richmond (CL-9)
Trenton (CL-11) 32 / 2F
Trenton (CL-11)
Pensacola (CA-24) 1 33 / 10D N / A 2
Pensacola (CA-24) 1 32 / 14D
Pensacola (CA-24)
Salt Lake City (CA-25) 33 / 14D
Salt Lake City (CA-25)
Chester (CA-27) 32 / 9D
Chester (CA-27)
Louisville (CA-28) 32 / 6D
Louisville (CA-28)
Augusta (CA-31) 12 mod
Augusta (CA-31)
Portland (CA-33) 33 / 7D
Portland (CA-33)
Indianapolis (CA-35) 32 / 7D
Indianapolis (CA-35)
Tuscaloosa (CA-37) 33 / 13D
Tuscaloosa (CA-37)
San Francisco (CA-38) 33 / 13D
San Francisco (CA-38)
Nashville (CL-43) 16 / Thayer camouflage pattern N / A 2
Phoenix (CL-46) 32 / 5D N / A 2
Honolulu (CL-48) 32 / 2C
Honolulu (CL-48)
St. Louis (CL-49) 32 / 2C
St. Louis (CL-49)
San Diego (CL-53) 33 / 24D
San Diego (CL-53)
San Juan (CL-54) 32 / 22D
San Juan (CL-54)
Columbia (CL-56) 33 / 1D
Columbia (CL-56)
Montpelier (CL-57) 32 / 11A
Montpelier (CL-57)
Denver (CL-58) 33 / 3D
Denver (CL-58)
Birmingham (CL-62) 33 / 6D
Birmingham (CL-62)
Vincennes (CL-64) 33 / 3D
Vincennes (CL-64)
Pasadena (CL-65) 32 / 24D
Pasadena (CL-65)
Springfield (CL-66) 33 / 24D
Springfield (CL-66)
Topeka (CL-67) 33 / 24D
Topeka (CL-67)
Biloxi (CL-80) 32 / 6D N / A 2
Houston (CL-81) 32 / 1D
Houston (CL-81)
Vicksburg (CL-86) 33 / 6D
Vicksburg (CL-86)
Duluth (CL-87) 32 / 11A
Duluth (CL-87)
Miami (CL-89) 32 / 1D
Miami (CL-89)
Astoria (CL-90) 33 / 24D
Astoria (CL-90)
Reno (CL-96) 31A / 24D
Reno (CL-96)
Flint (CL-97) 33 / 22D
Flint (CL-97)
Amsterdam (CL-101) 31A / 10C N / A 2
Wilkes-Barre (CL-103) 32 / 24D
Wilkes-Barre (CL-103)
Atlanta (CL-104) 32 / 24D N / A 2
Baltimore (CA-68) 32 / 16D
Baltimore (CA-68)
Canberra (CA-70) 32 / 18D
Canberra (CA-70)
Quincy (CA-71) 32 / 18D
Quincy (CA-71)
Pittsburgh (CA-72) 32 / 18D
Pittsburgh (CA-72)
Alaska (CB-1) 32 / 1D
Alaska (CB-1)
Guam (CB-2) 32 / 7C
Guam (CB-2)
  • 1 Pensacola (CA-24) was the only cruiser that carried two camouflage patterns during its service
  • 2 No suitable image was found to visually document the camouflage scheme

Camouflage patterns of destroyers escort

Since most of the escort ships ( frigates and destroyer escorts ) joined the fleet from the end of 1942, the camouflage schemes introduced at the beginning of the war were not used. Most of the destroyers escorted by the solid (single-colored) paintwork according to schemes 11, 14 and 21 were not used at all. A large number of destroyers escorted according to Scheme 22. From the end of 1943 until around 1945, scheme 22 was replaced by the confusion pattern for many units. The camouflage colors corresponded to schemes 31, 32 and 33. The units Robert Brazier (DE-345) , Mason (DE-529) and Roberts (DE-749) had two camouflage schemes.

Pattern 30B
Pattern 2C
Pattern 1D
3D pattern
Pattern 6D
Pattern 9D
Pattern 10D
Pattern 11D
Pattern 13D
Pattern 14D
Pattern 16D
Pattern 21D
Pattern 22D
Pattern 24D

Aircraft carrier decks

The paintwork of the aircraft carrier decks changed several times during the war. At the end of 1941, the wood-planked decks were first painted dark gray. The identification number was applied either in dark blue or in a lighter gray if the deck was very dark. From mid-1944, sea ​​blue was then ordered.

Battleships

Before the Second World War and mostly afterwards, the vertical surfaces were painted pale gray (light gray) or haze gray (hazy gray ). The roof surfaces of the turrets were dark gray . The deck areas that can be walked on also or natural wood colors in the areas that were planked with wood. In connection with a camouflage all horizontal surfaces were painted deck blue (black blue ). If it was a paint according to scheme 31, 32 or 33, the black-blue paint could, depending on the type of pattern used, be interrupted by camouflaging areas in ocean gray .

Paint and camouflage paints for the US Navy from 1950

After the Second World War and by 1947 at the latest, all ships were painted according to scheme 13 haze gray , which is still in use today. All vertical areas are haze gray and the horizontal areas are dark gray . This scheme was also referred to as scheme US 27 . Aircraft carrier flight decks are anthracite-black, the deck markings in white and orange. This results in a black and white impression. In the course of normal flight operations, however, all three colors quickly take on a dirty gray tone. This "normal" color often makes it difficult to identify the identification numbers protruding into the catapult tracks.

Scheme US 17

Vertical surfaces are painted in Ocean Gray , decks in Dark Gray . This scheme was never introduced with the escort ships.

Scheme US 27

All vertical surfaces are painted Haze Gray , the decks Dark Gray .

literature

  • Chris Ellis: United States Navy Warship Camouflage. 1939-1945. Kristall Productions, Henley-on-Thames 1975, ISBN 0-904811-00-X .
  • Larry Sowinski, Tom Walkowiak: United States Navy Camouflage of the WW 2 Era. 2 volumes. Floating Drydock, Philadelphia PA 1976-1977 (standard reference on the subject).
  • Stefan Terzibaschitsch : US Navy aircraft carrier. 3rd expanded edition. Bernard & Graefe, Bonn 1999, ISBN 3-7637-6200-0 , pp. 25-27 and p. 144.
  • Stefan Terzibaschitsch: Escort ships of the US Navy. From the Evarts to the Claud Jones class . Koehler, Herford 1998, ISBN 3-7822-0457-3 , pp. 36-38.
  • Stefan Terzibaschitsch: US Navy cruiser. From the Omaha class to Long Beach . Bechtermünz, Augsburg 1997, ISBN 3-86047-588-6 , pp. 31-34.
  • Stefan Terzibaschitsch: US Navy battleships in World War II. Bernard & Graefe, Bonn 2001, ISBN 3-7637-6217-5 , pp. 12-14.
  • Stefan Terzibaschitsch: Destroyer of the US Navy. From the Farragut class to the Forrest Sherman class . Bechtermünz, Augsburg 1997, ISBN 3-86047-587-8 , pp. 60-65.
  • David L. Williams: US Camouflage Schemes. In: David L. Williams: Naval Camouflage 1914–1945. A Complete Visual Reference. Chatham, London (recte: Rochester) 2001, ISBN 1-86176-154-6 , pp. 136-203.

Web links

Commons : Dazzle camouflage  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Remarks

  1. ↑ For example the USS Essex (CV-9)

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Danny Kringiel: Dazzle Ship Camouflage : War in Carnival Costume . In: one day . November 10, 2011, accessed November 14, 2011 .