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ОглавлениеDESTROYERS BUILT TO WWI PROGRAMMES
ADMIRALTY ‘R’ AND ‘S’ CLASS DESTROYERS
HMS SKATE H39
Admiralty ‘R’ Class Destroyer 1939
Skate at the start of WWII when a minelayer. This ship had a variety of roles between the wars and during WWII. She was the only three-funnel destroyer still in RN service. Her numerous sisters were scrapped in the 1930s, having been poorly maintained in reserve. Note the effect of dull grey in dull conditions, such as a minelayer would operate under at night or in low light. MG light AA and 12pdr AA. Colour 507b. Deck Corticene brown and 507b.
HMS SKATE H39
Admiralty ‘R’ Class Destroyer 1940–1
Skate had a very good top speed and is shown when in service as an influence minesweeper. She used her high speed to avoid the explosions of magnetic mines, but it was still a very dangerous duty steaming up and down mined areas to set off magnetic mines that had been triggered for slow merchant ships. She had adopted the medium hull, light upper works style common to many ships. These duties kept her close to the coast and well in range of the Luftwaffe so she carries a quad 2pdr, quad 0.5in MGs and twin Lewis guns aft. Only one main gun is carried. Colours are MS4a and 507b.
HMS SKATE H39
Admiralty ‘R’ Class Destroyer 1941–2
Skate altered as a Short-Range Escort (SRE), for convoy runs from the UK to Iceland, and the UK East Coast convoys. Eight depth-charge (DC) throwers are fitted. Fixed Type 286 radar on foremast. Splinter mats and quad 0.5in MG between the funnels, There is a single 12pdr AA amidships and two 20mm aft. A very heavy depth charge load is provided. She carries an unofficial paint scheme nonetheless influenced by Western Approaches (WA) ideas. Green was often difficult to obtain. Only one LA 4in carried. Colours WA green and white.
HMS SKATE H39
Admiralty ‘R’ Class Destroyer 1943–5
Old but still useful! This is Skate as she looked at the Normandy landings in 1944. She has a Type 271 radar lantern on a lattice mast aft. The ship finally paid off in 1945 having lasted longer in service than many younger vessels. Note the late war Admiralty standard scheme of B30 dark olive panel camouflage on B55 overall. Her AA armament comprises a 12pdr and four 20mm. Her deck is now dark grey. The single LA 4in was original but the barrel had been changed several times. She carried a powerful load of DCs and could deliver quite a punch in ASW operations. Type 291 radar is at the foretop. Colours B30 and B55.
HMS STURDY H28
Admiralty ‘S’ Class Destroyer 1942
This shows Sturdy as a minelayer but with contrast camouflage of unofficial design and colours. Two LA 4in still carried, and a 12pdr AA aft. Twin Lewis guns in bridge wings. There is a single 2pdr AA on the aft deckhouse. No depth charges. Colours 507c, 507a and B5 edged white on the hull. Corticene brown on decks with MS1.
HMS SARDONYX H26
Admiralty ‘S’ Class Destroyer 1941–4
Sardonyx shows her appearance during the Battle of the Atlantic as an SRE. She has a 12pdr AA amidships, 2pdr AA aft and 20mm. Twin Lewis guns in bridge wings. Eight DC throwers and a very large number of charges carried. The scheme is typical early WA type but she soon moved to the east coast of the UK as her range was too short for the Atlantic convoys. Colours WA green, WA blue, white.
HMS SCIMITAR H21
Admiralty ‘S’ Class Destroyer 1941
Scimitar is depicted in a WA-style camouflage in very pale blue. Ships in this scheme often used pale green or both. Her ASW capacity is huge and she could deliver heavy attacks. The radar fitted is a fixed early Type 286 at the foremast top. Colours white and WA blue.
HMS SHIKARI I85
Admiralty ‘S’ Class Destroyer 1941–4
Shikari altered for escort duty in an Admiralty paint scheme. Note the Type 271 radar on a tower aft. Type 286 and later rotating Type 286P on foremast, itself later replaced by Type 291. Colours white, 507a, 507c, PB10. These ships were overcrowded due to new electronics and weapons. They were also very unhealthy in rough conditions as the crew quarters were continually damp.
Admiralty ‘S’ class destroyers were built at the end of WWI. Although similar to the ‘R’ class the bridge was moved further aft as the previous designs had been very wet forward. The hull was given more sheer and in good weather they were very fast ships. Small 14in torpedo tubes for anti-destroyer work were mounted at the break of the hull, but found too wet when at speed, and soon removed. They were good for the North Sea, but very cramped, small and short-ranged for work in the North Atlantic. Units did serve on distant stations, however.
HMS SALADIN H54
Admiralty ‘S’ Class Destroyer 1942
Saladin in a green and blue WA-style camouflage which probably suited work on the Eastern Approaches as well. As with her sister ships, she has a big ASW capability. Her light AA is twin Lewis guns in the bridge wings, 20mm between the funnels, a 12pdr amidships and two single 2pdr aft. Radar Type 286 on masthead. WA white, WA blue, WA green. Decks Corticene brown and 507b.
HMS SABRE H18
Admiralty ‘S’ Class Destroyer 1942
Sabre in a very dark, unofficial or experimental scheme suited for the Icelandic convoy run in poor light conditions. The effect would be to make the ship look shorter or further away. She spent a lot of time with convoys to and from Iceland. Her general appearance and armament is similar to her sister ships in home waters. She has Type 286 radar at the top of the foremast. Colours are PB10 blue, G5/MS1 and mid-blue washed.
HMS TENEDOS H04
Admiralty ‘S’ Class Destroyer 1942
Schemes in the Far East were locally designed with the paint available. This is taken from photographic records and verbal descriptions. Mostly unmodified, she still carries a full Corticene deck covering. Light AA was twin Lewis guns, a single 2pdr and two single 20mm. The aft gun was removed for minelaying but she carries both sets of twin torpedo tubes. No radar fitted. Colours possibly 507a and 507c, but probably mixed locally.
HMS SCOUT H51
Admiralty ‘S’ Class Destroyer 1942
Scout is shown in another unofficial scheme probably designed by the officers based on information from other war zones and paint available. Aft gun removed for minelaying which was a major mission for these ships in the run-up to war with Japan. They were at the bottom of the priority list to get radar and modern AA due to the demand in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. No radar fitted. One single 2pdr pom-pom and Lewis guns make up her only AA armament. Colours black, 507c, B6.
HMS STRONGHOLD H50
Admiralty ‘S’ Class Destroyer 1942
Stronghold is shown as in official records. However, like Thanet, she may have reshipped her aft gun as it was stored on station. The aft tubes had been landed while on minelaying duty. They may also have been re-shipped when the first warning of Japanese attacks came. Note no radar. Camouflage based on MS1 and 507c.
HMS THANET H29
Admiralty ‘S’ Class Destroyer 1942
Prior to departing on her last mission, Thanet had re-shipped her full gun and torpedo armament. She had previously reduced her armament to carry out minelaying duties. Confirmation of final fit comes from divers who have visited her wreck and from official action reports that describe her using all three guns and both torpedo mounts. Her light AA is just a 2pdr and some Lewis guns. Colours 507c and 507b.
MOUNTBATTEN PINK
HMS THANET H28
Admiralty ‘S’ Class Destroyer
Many years ago I was told by an Australian veteran that some of the British ships on the Far East station adopted Mountbatten Pink late in 1941 due to contact with officers from the Mediterranean Fleet. I have found no written evidence of this at all. However, considering the rapid course of events from December 1941 onward and the loss of some ships I cannot entirely discount it. These drawings of Thanet show how she may have looked if dark and light
Mountbatten Pink was applied, instead of the grey seen in black and white photographs. Unofficial schemes were quite common early in WWII. Mountbatten Pink was very popular with crews and thought to have superior qualities. However, research showed that in some conditions it could make the ship more visible, not less. In fading light or at sunset it appeared darker. Its use eventually died out. Colours are Mountbatten Medium and Light.
PB 101
British Admiralty ‘S’ Class Destroyer 1943
HMS Thracian ran aground at Hong Kong on Christmas Day 1941 and was scuttled. The RN considered her too damaged for salvage having even removed some parts. The Japanese raised her as Patrol Boat 101. She is shown here in IJN dull dark grey. There is a 3in AA aft and a 4.7in forward, both of Japanese type. There are triple 25mm guns to port and starboard amidships, another triple behind the aft deck house and twin 13mm on the bridge roof. She has a row of DC throwers and a rack aft. The new bridge is IJN style. The grey is similar to 507b.
PB 101
British Admiralty ‘S’ Class Destroyer 1945
Thracian had been so severely damaged when scuttled by the RN that the Japanese found her mechanically unreliable as an ASW patrol boat. She sailed for Japan and was fitted as a radar trials ship with some patrol boat capability. She now has single 4.7in AA fore and aft and has single 25mm added abreast the bridge. Type 22 radar is carried on a platform over the bridge. The large tower aft was for testing new types of radar. ASW ability has been reduced but she retains the triple 25mm mounts. There are some sources that say these were possibly 25mm twins, especially the aft mount.
‘V&W’ CLASS DESTROYERS IN FLEET AND SRE CONFIGURATION
HMS VORTIGERN I37
SRE Destroyer 1941–2
A typical WA scheme using green without blue as originally intended. She has a HF/DF mast aft to enable the interception of U-boat signals. Her AA armament is a 12pdr in place of the aft tubes, single 2pdrs behind the aft funnel and single 20mm in the bridge wings. There is a Type 276 radar at the masthead. Colours are white and WA green.
HMS VETERAN I72
Modified ‘W’ Class Destroyer 1942
There were many variations of the WA scheme but a green aft funnel is typical. The modified ‘W’ class did not have the usual thin fore funnel of most ‘V&W’ class ships. She is fitted with a Hedgehog forward and her bridge has a Type 271 radar lantern. The masthead Type 276 was soon to be replaced. Most SREs retained some torpedo tubes. The Type X one-ton DC was usually fired from a torpedo tube against very deep U-boats. Colours are WA green on white.
HMS VIVACIOUS I36
Modified ‘W’ Class Destroyer 1942–3
Blue was often substituted for green due to wartime shortages and became the most famous image of the WA scheme; however, it was originally intended to have been pale green. All light AA are 20mm. Type 271 and 291 radars are carried. Colours are WA blue and white.
HMS WIVERN I66
‘W’ Class Destroyer 1942
WA schemes were often very simple, as shown here with WA blue and white. Note Wivern has a HF/DF mast aft. Her radar lantern is amidships raised on a lattice platform. Type 291 radar at the masthead, replacing Type 276 which was far too noisy and easy for U-boats to detect. She still has single 2pdr AA guns amidships.
HMS VENETIA D53
‘V’ Class Destroyer 1939–40
A typical ‘V&W’ in plain mid-grey 507b. ‘Y’ gun has been replaced by extra DCs, the only wartime alteration. Corticene decks were retained by most. There is a single old-model 2pdr amidships but she probably had twin Lewis guns in the bridge wings. She has a pre-war pennant number. Black waterline still retained. This was the configuration of most old destroyers used on fleet duty.
HMS WINDSOR I42
Modified ‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1941–2
Windsor shows some wartime modifications, reduced torpedoes for a 12pdr AA gun etc. But she retains three of her main guns and a set of torpedo tubes which would allow her to be used for a wide range of operations. SREs generally took convoys out part-way into the Atlantic and met others coming in to the UK. Their range was too short to cross the Atlantic. Colours are typical white and WA green.
HMS WILD SWAN I62
‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1942–3
SREs retained most guns as they were more likely to see action against enemy coastal forces. Wild Swan has a HF/DF mast aft for detecting U-boat radio transmissions. All 2pdrs have been replaced by 20mm Oerlikons. Her scheme includes WA green, WA blue, on white.
HMS WITHERINGTON I76
‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1941–3
This SRE has had all her torpedo tubes removed and extra DC stowage added. These were often far more important than torpedoes. All her light AA are 20mm Oerlikons. Type 286 radar was later replaced by Type 291 which was harder for U-boats to detect. Her scheme includes irregular patches of WA green on white.
HMS WITCH I89
Modified ‘W’ Class Destroyer 1943
Witch has ‘A’ gun replaced by a Hedgehog. She carries a blue and green mix WA scheme, which includes rather more green above the hull than usual. Interestingly, she has retained her director on the bridge and only has Type 291 radar. Wartime alterations were far from standard and instead of all 20mm Oerlikons she retains single 2pdrs between the funnels.
HMS WESSEX D43
‘W’ Class Destroyer 1939–40
Wessex is shown as a fleet destroyer in an early-war paint scheme. Corticene was a lightweight linoleum material that gave grip, but also stopped decks becoming too hot or too cold in various climates. Note that the only light AA comprises two single 2pdrs. She was sunk in 1940 with very few alterations having been made. Colours may be 507b and MS 4a but are possibly also unofficial mixes.
HMS WOLVERINE I78
‘W’ Class Destroyer 1942
Wolverine was very active escorting convoys in the Eastern Atlantic. This camouflage scheme is based on shades of grey plus black, colours more available than most others. She has four 20mm AA but her ASW equipment is more extensive than most other SRE. These ships had priority to receive radar and Wolverine used hers with great success. Colours are 507c, B6 and black.
HMAS WATERHEN I22
‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1941
Australia received four ‘V&W’ class destroyers in 1933 and sent them to the Mediterranean when WWII broke out. They gained the nickname ‘The Scrap Iron Flotilla’ after a derisive Lord Haw-Haw broadcast. As can be seen, Waterhen had an Admiralty design camouflage in three colours of 507a and 1941 blue on 507c. Note that she has a single 4in AA gun on the aft shelter deck. Records do not confirm this but the gun with its AA-type shield appears in a photograph of her at Alexandria before leaving on her final voyage and was confirmed by the author’s uncle who was a survivor of her sinking. Her AA armament is a 12pdr in place of the aft torpedo tubes quad 0.5in MG mount behind the aft funnel; twin Lewis guns in the bridge wings.
HMS WALPOLE I41
‘W’ Class Destroyer 1944
Walpole is shown here wearing a grey and green camouflage that was no doubt intended to be suitable for her role supporting the allied landings in France. These are 507c and 1940 green. She has a twin automatic 6pdr forward for fighting coastal craft. There are rockets on ‘B’ mount for illumination. The AA fit is pretty standard for her type.
HMAS VAMPIRE I68
‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1941
Vampire shows a 1940 Mediterranean scheme in grey and black. These colours provided an easy camouflage and many ships used this style in the Mediterranean theatre. The grey appears to be 507c. Her bridge is protected with splinter mats. She had twin Lewis guns in the bridge wings but many Australian ships had additional unofficial MGs salvaged from sunken ships. Some Italian MGs were even used until captured ammunition supplies ran out.
HMAS VOYAGER D31
‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1940
Voyager is shown early in her Mediterranean Fleet service. She still bears the peacetime pennant number D 31. The aft torpedo tubes have been removed and replaced by a quad MG mount while she waits for a 12pdr AA gun for that position. Her light AA comprises four quadruple MG. She still carries her four main guns. DCs not yet increased. Her scheme is 507c overall.
HMAS VOYAGER I31
‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1941
Voyager altered for war service sports a fairly standard camouflage type utilising three shades of grey. ‘Y’ gun has been removed. She has a 12pdr AA in place of the aft torpedo tubes and 20mm in the bridge wings. There are twin Lewis guns on the bridge and aft in ‘Y’ position. An early fixed Type 286 radar is at the masthead. Flag superior of her pennant has been changed to ‘I ‘. Her scheme is B6, 507c and 507b.
HMAS VENDETTA D69
‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1941
This confusion scheme was worn by Vendetta during her service with the Mediterranean Fleet. It was intended to confuse from a distance and, apart from the light green edging, was similar to that used by Italian torpedo boats and destroyers. She has three sets of quad 0.5in MG, one in each bridge wing and one amidships. The Mediterranean Fleet was well known for some of the more lurid camouflage schemes worn by British and Commonwealth warships. Colours are B15 outlined in G45 on 507c. It is possible that these shades were non-standard, acquired locally.
HMAS VENDETTA D69
‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1944
The only ship of the four Australian ‘V&W’ class to survive the war, Vendetta underwent several modifications. In this, her last form, she was converted to an escort destroyer and operated in New Guinea waters, where she sometimes conveyed troops to combat zones. Her guns have been replaced with an HA 4in, four 20mm Oerlikons and two single 2pdrs, plus numerous MGs. The scheme she wears is the American overall blue which was used by several Australian ships. Note the impressive number of DC throwers and USN radar on mast. British Type 271 radar aerial amidships.
‘V&W’ CLASS DESTROYERS CONVERTED TO AA ESCORTS (WAIR)
HMS VANITY L38
‘V&W’ Class AA Destroyer 1940
Vanity is shown wearing an early unofficial scheme. Her only light AA is multiple MG mounts amidships. Note the false wave effect of the camouflage. She has early radar at the masthead. Black and grey were of course very easy to obtain and a scheme based around them is hardly surprising. The lack of Type 285 radar on the gun director would have affected her efficiency in the AA role. Scheme is possibly an unofficial mix, appearing to be G5/MS1 and MS4 on a 507c hull. Gun mounts and aft funnel are dark blue.
HMS VICEROY L21
‘V&W’ Class AA Destroyer 1942
Viceroy is shown in an Admiralty scheme common to ships escorting convoys on the UK East Coast. The colours are PB10, mid-blue washed and 507c hull. There is a lower than usual radar lantern amidships, perhaps indicating a topweight problem as it should have been carried higher. AA defence was very important for the North Sea and coastal convoys and the extra light guns fitted here may be the cause of the weight problem. There is extra DC stowage, and a mix of 20mm and single 2pdr AA guns, with the 2pdrs in front of the radar lantern. Type 285 radar on the gun director.
HMS VANITY L38
‘V&W’ Class AA Destroyer 1942+
Vanity has an Admiralty light disruptive camouflage scheme. Note radar lantern aft. Four single 20mm guns. She served mostly on the UK East Coast convoys. WAIR ships did not need to carry the large number of DCs other destroyers needed on Atlantic convoys. Colours are mid-blue on white washed with PB10.
HMS VALOROUS L00
‘V&W’ Class AA Destroyer 1944
Valorous is shown wearing an Admiralty light scheme. She has some extra DC stowage. Light AA four single 20mm. There is Type 285 radar on her gun director and Type 291 at the masthead and this would have been her final war configuration. Note HF/DF mast aft. It was unusual for WAIR ships to carry that equipment. The colours are PB10 and a lightened 1941 blue on a 507c hull.
HMS VEGA L52
‘V&W’ Class AA Destroyer 1940
This was a very early unofficial scheme for ships that served near the coast. The main colour is MS4a but the khaki was almost certainly locally mixed. 1941 blue is outlined in white, but even this could have been local procurement. There is a prominent bow wave. Note the ship has no radar fitted. The light AA comprised two quad 0.5in MG mounts and Lewis machine guns in the bridge wings.
HMS VEGA L41
‘V&W’ Class AA Destroyer 1942
Vega is shown in MS4a Home Fleet grey with areas of MS2 mid olive. There was a radar type 285 on the director and a 286P rotating set on the mast. It was most uncommon for ships on the UK East Coast to have a HF/DF mast but this implies she may also have been used on convoys to Iceland.
HMS WOLFHOUND I56
‘V&W’ Class AA Destroyer 1941
This scheme was intended for coastal convoy work where the WAIRs were mostly employed. It comprises a light grey hull, probably 507c, 1941 blue, and the aft funnel possibly in WA blue. However, this is still in the period when many unofficial or experimental schemes were used and the colours could have been unique to the ship as the green appears non standard. Four 20mm singles was standard for these ships. Type 271 radar amidships and Type 285 on the director.
HMS WINCHESTER L55
‘V&W’ Class AA Destroyer 1942
A Type 271 radar lantern sits aft but in 1942 Winchester does not yet seem to be fitted with Type 285 on the gunnery director. Although it was a high priority, there was a heavy call on production of this set and refit of the director to use it. Her scheme is of mixed type utilising 507c grey and 1940 green but with white or very pale upper works. This was probably derived from the WA scheme but darkened for the East Coast of the UK.
HMS WOOLSTON L49
‘V&W’ Class AA Destroyer 1942
Woolston is shown wearing an Admiralty Intermediate scheme of B6/B30, B5, and 1941 blue. It was intended that at a distance these would blend together to make the ship harder to see. There was a radar lantern for 271 aft but positioned rather lower than normal. As usual the director has type 285 radar fitted. The light AA armament is unusual in that there are four single 20mm Oerlikon guns, as well as two single 2pdr manual mounts.
HMS WALLACE L64
Shakespeare Class AA Destroyer Leader 1939-40
Wallace was larger than the other WAIR ships and carried a quadruple 2pdr AA aft. She has no radar as shown here and has quad 0.5in MGs as part of her AA armament. She was built as a destroyer leader and was intended to act in that role for WAIR ships. Pale grey was a common 1939–40 scheme but without a black boot topping.
HMS WALLACE L64
Shakespeare Class AA Destroyer Leader 1942
By 1942 Wallace had a radar lantern Type 271 in place of her searchlight platform. The 1941 blue with bold outline was distinctive, but a similar area near the bow was not outlined in white. The hull was MS4a grey. The upperworks were much lighter in 507c pale grey. Decks were dark grey. Extra depth charge stowage had been added amidships. Single 2pdr AA guns have replaced the previous quad machine gun mounts and there were four single 20mm as well.
HMS WALLACE L64
Shakespeare Class AA Destroyer Leader 1944-5
Wallace at the end of WWII. The 1941 blue panel, on 507c light grey, was intended to make the ship look shorter or further away to spoil the aim of a torpedo being fired. A full range of electronics and radar types are fitted, making her very up to date for the period. It is worth remembering that when Wallace was first built radar did not exist and no ships were actually designed to carry it until the first wartime designs. Yet by 1945 it was considered indispensable.
‘V & W’ CLASS CONVERTED TO LONG-RANGE ESCORTS (LRE)
HMS WALKER I27
‘W’ Class LRE
This is an Admiralty intermediate scheme favoured for ships that might work in several areas rather than just Atlantic convoys. On a WA blue hull, she has B5 forward and PB10 aft. She has extra DC stowage and, of course, the forward funnel removed with its boilers to create more space for fuel tanks. There are single 20mm in the bridge wings and another right aft on the quarterdeck. There are two single 2pdr AA amidships and a Hedgehog forward in place of ‘A’ gun mount. The Type 271 lantern on the bridge is set low to reduce topweight. These ships had a very long endurance.
HMS VANQUISHER I54
‘V’ Class LRE
Vanquisher is shown in a non-typical WA scheme including MS4a grey. The remainder is of standard WA blue and WA green. She has a Type 271 radar lantern on the bridge, Type 291 at the masthead, and HF/DF mast aft. There is a Hedgehog forward in ‘A’ position and four single 20mm AA. All torpedo tubes have been removed and extra DCs are in the aft tube position. The forward boilers and funnel have been removed in order to provide extra fuel tanks to increase range.
HMS VISCOUNT I92
Thornycroft ‘V’ Class LRE
Not all ‘V&W’ class had a thin aft funnel. Viscount’s camouflage scheme is based around the WA style but a bit more elaborate with more WA green and WA blue on white than usual. The forward tubes have been retained and probably carry a single one-ton Mk X DC. There is also a Hedgehog forward. A 12pdr AA has replaced the aft torpedo tubes. Only the ‘V&Ws’ in best condition were given this refit to extend their lives and range. The light AA is mixed, with single 20mm in the bridge wings and two single 2pdr aft of the funnel.
HMS VANSITTART I64
Modified ‘W’ Class LRE
Vansittart is displaying a standard WA camouflage scheme of white hull with patches of WA green and WA blue. Type 271 radar on the bridge with Type 291 at masthead. There are 20mm in the bridge wings and aft of the funnel. Weight had been drastically reduced and the forward boiler room removed for extra fuel stowage which enabled these ships to cross the Atlantic without refuelling. All torpedo tubes have been removed to save weight and allow extra DC stowage. These ships not only had a very long range, but were also formidable ASW ships.
HMS VIMY I33
‘V’ Class LRE 1942
Vimy wears a dark Admiralty scheme best suited for dull northern waters. The pattern seems to concentrate the eye on the centre of the ship using dark colours yet with a break to make it seem there could be two ships. All ideas to fool a U-boat captain during his quick glimpse through a periscope were considered. It was often necessary to have a dark colour aft to enable other ships to keep station when steaming in line. Here the aft gun shield is black. Note there is no Hedgehog. Colours are black, white, 1941 blue, and a patch of WA blue at the bow.
HMS WHITEHALL I94
Modified ‘W’ Class LRE 1944
This is an Admiralty intermediate scheme introduced mid-war, intended for use on ships not necessarily on the Atlantic convoy runs, but nonetheless able to be used there if there was no time to repaint. 1941 blue, darkened WA blue and a hull that appears to be MS4a with a greenish tint. The ship is fitted with 20mm AA in the bridge wings and amidships. There is a Hedgehog in place of ‘A’ gun and no tubes are fitted. A Type 271 radar lantern is on the bridge with Type 244 IFF on top plus Type 291 at the masthead. There are Type 253 hourglass interrogators on the mast.
HMS WATCHMAN I26
‘W’ Class LRE 1943
Although a LRE and displaying a powerful DC stowage, Watchman has a single 2pdr in the eyes of the bow which indicates that, despite carrying a WA paint scheme, the ship must have had to venture into areas were E-boats were likely to be encountered. The HF/DF mast aft is, however, more indicative of an Atlantic convoy escort, The mix of WA green and WA blue on a white ship is what the scheme designer intended but shortages of green did not always make this possible.
HMS VERITY I63
Modified ‘W’ Class LRE 1943
Verity has a WA blue on white scheme without green. There is a large DC stowage. There are five 20mm AA and two main guns retained. Hedgehog forward and radius of action has been greatly increased for a drop in speed to 25 knots. It was only when newer ships started to come on line that the Admiralty could spare ships for such an extensive refit, hence LREs did not start to appear until mid-war and later.
WWI PROGRAMME SHAKESPEARE CLASS DESTROYER LEADERS
HMS KEPPEL I84
Destroyer Leader 1940
This was a very early camouflage scheme that is almost certainly unofficial, or at the direction of the flotilla commander. Early schemes often favoured blue with outlines in white or black. Note that the funnels, upper bridge and searchlight platform are in a lighter grey. There is no radar fitted as yet. ‘Y’ gun has been landed for more DCs. There are single 2pdr between the funnels and a 3in AA aft of the rear funnel. All tubes are retained. Twin Lewis guns in the bridge wings.
HMS KEPPEL I84
Destroyer Leader 1942
Green on white was preferred for the WA scheme rather than the often used pale blue but, due to wartime shortages, green was not always available due to heavy army and air force demand. Pigment availability and whoever mixed it could result in differences in shade. This ship had not lost any torpedo tubes for a 3in AA gun as she already had one aft of the rear funnel. There are 20mm in the bridge wings and between the funnels. Two main guns have been retained and a Hedgehog fitted forward. Radar fit is typical with Type 291 at the masthead and a Type 271 lantern atop the bridge.
HMS BROKE I83
Destroyer Leader 1940
A very early unofficial attempt at camouflage. Very pale upper works of lightened grey, 507c grey hull and black areas. Decks were Corticene with steel areas painted dark grey. This type of scheme was often designed by the officers of each ship. In some cases, Captain (D) may have influenced how the ships of his flotilla were painted. More depth charges fitted at the expense of landing ‘Y’ gun. No radar fitted.
HMS BROKE I83
Destroyer Leader 1942
Broke displays a typical WA scheme worn by many convoy escorts, but with WA blue and green concentrated forward and aft, leaving most of the ship white. She now has a Hedgehog forward, four single 20mm AA added and more DCs, but still retains her torpedo tubes. Radar Type 271 fitted with fixed Type 286 on the masthead. There is a HF/DF mast aft to detect the brief signals made by U-boats. If other units with the equipment were present it was possible to triangulate the position of the U-boat and hunt it down or drive it off.
SCOTT CLASS DESTROYER LEADERS
HMS MALCOLM I19
Destroyer Leader 1942
Malcolm wears a very intense scheme based on the white, blue, green colours of the WA type. Her deck was painted in dark grey. There is a Hedgehog forward and extensive DCs aft including extra stowage replacing her after torpedo tubes. She retains two of her 4.7in guns and a 3in AA behind the aft funnel. She has 20mm in the bridge wings and a single aft in ‘Y’ position, as well as two 2pdr between the funnels. HF/DF has been added on a mast aft. There are radar Types 286PU (full rotation) on the mast and 271 in a lantern on the bridge.
HMS CAMPBELL I60
Destroyer Leader 1939–40
Grey is itself a camouflage colour and Campbell is shown in very light and mid-grey soon after the start of WWII. However, she retains a black boot topping for smartness. Ships from destroyer down were later ordered to paint out the black waterline but some retained it. She still has her WWI Corticene decks (see Montrose) and around her guns. There are 2pdrs between the funnels and a 3in AA aft of them. There are MGs on the bridge but no other major alterations. No radar is fitted.
HMS MONTROSE I01
Destroyer Leader 1940
Montrose shortly after the outbreak of war. The aft gun has been landed for more DCs and a twin Lewis gun. The 3in AA is still aft of the rear funnel and the old 2pdrs between the funnels. There are twin Lewis in the bridge wings as well. Deck is Corticene brown. The rest of her scheme is a dulled-down grey overall and the black boot topping at the waterline has been painted out.
HMS MONTROSE I01
Destroyer Leader 1943–4
This leader is an experimental Admiralty scheme intended to make the ship look shorter. It could also make it look like two separate ships. Colours forward are WA blue on white. From the break of the foredeck she has 1941 blue on mid-grey. There is a twin 6pdr automatic mount in ‘A’ position for fighting E-boats. There are single 20mm AA in each bridge wing, between the funnels and another aft of the second funnel. The 3in AA gun originally from that position has been relocated to the aft deck house. Radar Type 271 is atop the bridge, and Type 291 would be at the masthead.
HMAS STUART D00
Destroyer Leader 1939–40
The leader of the Australian ‘V&W’ class destroyers is shown here in the 507c colour scheme she carried on arrival in the Mediterranean with her flotilla. The armament is as built with the addition of quad MGs in each bridge wing. Her paint style is peacetime with no attempt at camouflage and pennant number is pre-war. The application of camouflage was not necessarily carried out as soon as WWII broke out. The Admiralty issued some guidelines and designs were left up to the officers of the ship, which in many cases became a matter of wardroom ideas settled on. Then it was a matter of what paint was available. Black, white, grey and red lead undercoat were in most ship paint lockers and therefore had to form the basis of designs.
HMAS STUART I00
Destroyer Leader 1940–1
The lessons of war learnt, Stuart now wears a three-tone scheme that uses two shades of grey combined with black. This was a very popular mix of colours in the Mediterranean. Many ships mixed their own paint shades in this period. Her pennant has changed to ‘I’. The increase in AA is remarkable. She has a single 20mm in place of ‘Y’ gun, a single 20mm on the aft blast shield and a captured 20mm Italian Breda on the forward end of the aft deck house. Quad MGs in the bridge wings, single 2pdrs between the funnels and a single 20mm Breda abreast the SL platform. There are twin Lewis guns on the bridge and she had a single Vickers 0.303in MG on the foredeck. ASW has also been increased. Fixed early Type 286 at masthead. Aft funnel cut down to save weight. According to a veteran of the ship, she had up to eight Breda 20mm on the deck on one occasion.
HMAS STUART I00
As Fast Escort 1942–3
Another year and Stuart is now a fast escort back in Australasian waters. She is now shown in overall B6. Her armament is now two 4.7in, one 3in AA, two single 2pdrs between the funnels, and single 20mm in each bridge wing and in the place of ‘Y’ gun. Her ASW equipment is heavily increased. But she was an old ship and would be converted as to the right with reduced speed.
HMAS STUART I00
As Fast Transport 1945
With new ships coming into service Stuart was altered to a fast transport. For that role, the vessel is wearing a British-style pale 507c grey with dark blue panel probably of PB10 or US Navy pattern dark blue. The panel was supposed to be from the aft end of the rear shelter deck to the fore end of the forward shelter deck and with a slight tilt forward as shown. However, as with all such things, there were many versions. The armament is now a single 4in AA, seven 20mm and three 2pdrs. She had a refrigerated store hold.
HMS CAMPBELL I60
Destroyer Leader 1941
An unofficial scheme using white to highlight and possibly suggest white waves from high speed. The design is almost certainly one derived aboard, but influenced by other ships. Edging in white was popular for some time in the early-war period. Note the 3in AA has been moved aft to ‘X’ position and a 20mm replaces it amidships. There are single 2pdr AA between the funnels and single 20mm in the bridge wings. The forward torpedo tubes have been removed to save weight for more DCs. Type 286 radar at the masthead and a Type 271 lantern has replaced the gun director.
HMS MONTROSE I01
Destroyer Leader 1944-5
Montrose is shown here at the end of the war. She has a dark blue PB10 panel on the hull and 507c grey elsewhere. ‘A’ gun position still has the twin automatic 6pdr for anti-E-boat work, derived from the Army anti-tank gun of the same calibre. The 3in gun is on the aft deckhouse and six single 20mm are carried. The forward tubes have now been landed to save weight.
EX-US FLUSH-DECK DESTROYERS
HMS STANLEY I73
Converted to LRE
Stanley was rebuilt as an LRE but was lost immediately afterwards while escorting Convoy HG76. When lost, she was wearing a camouflage scheme of WA pale green and WA pale blue on WS white. New bridge and two funnels removed. There is a 4in forward, a 12pdr AA aft, four 2pdrs and two 20mm. Alterations gave the ship a far greater radius of action and more stability.
HMS CLARE I14
Converted to LRE
Clare had the same refit as Stanley but most of her type were not given this conversion as the ships were too old and worn out. The drawing shows a very pale version of the WA scheme which uses the very pale WA green that was originally intended by the designer. There is a Hedgehog forward and Type 271 radar on the bridge. The AA comprises a 12pdr aft, three 2pdr singles and a single 20mm Oerlikon.
HMS CHESTERFIELD I28
1940
Chesterfield is shown on her first convoy duty under the White Ensign. The camouflage is probably an invention of the wardroom using what was available from her paint locker. See illustration right for later appearance. Her only AA is an old US 3in aft and some MGs.
HMS CHESTERFIELD I28
1942
Chesterfield after extensive wartime alterations. Hedgehog, lots of DCs and only one set of torpedo tubes. She has 2pdr AA amidships, only a single 4in forward, 12pdr AA aft and 20mm AA on SL platform. A typical radar lantern for Type 271 is on the bridge. The scheme is one of the Admiralty patterns experimented with on these ships. The intent is to form a false impression of length and speed. MS4a hull with MS1 over 1941 blue.
HMS RAMSEY G60
1942
Ramsey demonstrates an Atlantic scheme based on the WA type but with more extensive application of colours. The scheme was intended to have more white areas and only small panels of WA green or blue. Three funnels lowered. She has been modified for escort duty but her AA is limited to a 12pdr aft and two single 20mm Oerlikons amidships. Note that the two US-type 4in guns amidships have been retained. These were uncomfortable ships in the mid-Atlantic and every opportunity to save weight and lower the centre of gravity was taken.
HMS RIPLEY G79
1943
Ripley has an Admiralty-designed paint scheme and standard modifications for her type. The overall colour is MS4a with areas of MS1 forward and 1941 blue aft. Two funnels are also in blue. The intent is to confuse the length of the ship. Note HF/DF mast aft, 2pdrs amidships and 20mm in place of the aft SL tower. Fore funnel has been capped. There is a Hedgehog directly forward of the bridge. One torpedo tube was retained but has been relocated onto the centreline. These alterations are pretty much the ultimate for ships of her kind in RN service.
HMS BUXTON H96
1941
This is a well-thought out official scheme with a MS4a hull, broken up with patches of 1941 blue, but the use of sand or pale stone is unusual if serving on convoys. She has radar, Hedgehog, single 2pdrs and single 20mm. Her only set of tubes have been placed aft. This layout was very typical of her escort type that had received the full modifications. Radar at mast top is Type 286 fixed with Type 271 on the bridge. US-type 3in AA has been replaced by a RN 12pdr on the aft deckhouse.
HMS BRIGHTON I08
1942
Brighton is shown in a variant of white and 1940 green. She is heavily protected with splinter mats around the bridge. Although she has Type 271 radar in a lantern and Type 291 at the masthead, her AA armament is very poor, being restricted to a 12pdr aft and two single 20mm. Apart from that, she only had MGs on the bridge and aft.
HMS NEWMARKET I47
1941
Newmarket is shown not long after transfer and with very basic changes to make her useful for Atlantic convoy duties. Like Chesterfield, the scheme is an early unofficial one utilising available paint. She still has 4in guns port and starboard amidships and one forward but the aft one has been replaced by a 12pdr AA. Her only light AA consists of MGs on top of the bridge. She still carries her forward torpedo tubes each side but one was soon removed and the other placed on the centreline.
HMS LEWES G68
1942
Lewes was unusual in that she had 3in guns port and starboard amidships and one aft. Forward, she had two single 2pdr side by side. Others were on the centreline and SL moved to the rear of the aft deck house. She later had all her 3in removed and more light guns added. She served mostly in the South Atlantic and later as a target ship in Australian waters. Her scheme is very unusual, utilising white for some upper areas. On a pale grey-green hull, she carries panels of MS3.
HMCS GEORGETOWN I40
1942
Georgetown is shown in a design that features a black line to catch attention and draw the eye elsewhere, a trick often used by artists. However, in this instance there seems little to draw the eye to except the black funnel top. Her hull is overall white but the panels are 1941 blue. HF/DF mast fitted, Type 271 on the bridge and one set of tubes. There is a Hedgehog forward and three of the funnels have been lowered to save topweight in an attempt to improve stability
HMCS MONTGOMERY G95
1942
Montgomery wears an interesting camouflage design which visually seems to divide her into two different ships. The ‘front’ ship is in MS1 and B6 grey while the ‘rear’ ship is in a WA scheme of green on white. Visually it looks very impressive but, out on the Atlantic, one wonders, because the whole idea of the WA scheme was to make a ship almost invisible. However, as a means of shortening the ship to the observer it is certainly effective.
HMCS ANNAPOLIS I04
1942
This is a reverse application of colours to the WA scheme and features a dark panel amidships. The shades are intended to conceal and the dark area to confuse the eye. Annapolis was one of several ships of this type manned by the RCN.
HMCS SALISBURY I52
1942
This is a pale and ghostly version of the WA scheme of light green on white. It would certainly provide a lot of concealment from an anxious U-boat captain taking very quick sightings through the periscope while getting into attack position on a convoy. There is a HF/DF mast aft. The US 3in AA gun has been moved
HNoMS ST. ALBANS I15
1943
St. Albans is depicted in an Admiralty light scheme in MS3 grey-green on a lighter shade of the same. There is also pale grey 507c. The ship was manned by the Royal Norwegian Navy from 1941 to 1944 but retained the name given by the RN on transfer. She was transferred to the Soviet Northern Fleet in 1944 as the Dostoini.
DEIATELNYI I45
1945
Deiatelnyi was HMS Churchill until 1944 when transferred to the Soviet Northern Fleet. The scheme is much the same style as she wore on transfer but repainted with Russian black or a hue called ‘black blue’. The hull is in WA blue. Soviet schemes varied considerably. The ship still has British Type 271 radar on the bridge and the armament is unchanged.
