"East Coast Merchant/Coalier Colors Question" Topic

Did all East Coast convoys' civilian ships paint their ships in some sort of gray color for camouflage?

If so, any idea when it started and how long it might have taken to have all ships in camouflage?

Would they have retained their deck coloring or gone all gray also?

Thanks in advance.

I'm not 100% sure, but given some of the photos (black and white of course) I've seen, as well as various postings, I have the impression that at least for the early period of the war, up to about the Battle of Britain, or so, most were in their original peacetime colors, e.g. black hulls, and with either white, or buff/light yellow upper works and masts.

That could be totally wrong, but that is the impression I've been left with while looking for info on this subject.

Reaching out to Mal Wright might be worthwhile, since he is much better versed on the subject than me. He is active on Facebook, in various naval groups.

I hope that helps.

Rob

Thanks. I think that I'll end up painting two sets of merchants, one in their original peace time colors and another set in standard war gray.

This is better than nothing. Not a lot better than nothing, but IWM at least.

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