Hi all,

Does anyone have any information on what color(s) were used on the deck?

Thanks,
Harry

Jeez, Harry...
Everything I have is in Black and White...let's let the thread run and see if some of our archivists can come up with an answer...

I think you go something there........it must be in the grayscale.

Harry, that looks like Measure 3

Measure 3 Light Gray System

Vertical Surfaces:
Paint all vertical surfaces, such as sides of hull, sides of superstructure, stacks, masts (and pole masts) etc., Light Gray 5-L.

Horizontal Surfaces:
All horizontal surfaces except wood decks shall be painted Dark Gray 5-D. The systems differ only in the painting of the vertical surfaces. In case of doubt, as on sloping surfaces, use Dark Gray 5-D.

Notes:
The camouflage painting need not be exact or carried into corners. Small gear, wires, rigging, and areas permanently in shadow, as under boats, etc., need not be painted with the camouflage colors. There is no objection to exact or careful painting which may be desired for the sake of good appearance at close range.

All bright or shiny objects, no matter how insignificant, shall be painted, covered, or removed.

Glass windows shall be covered or removed, especially during the day in sunny weather, and at night when anticipating searchlight discovery. Insofar as conditions permit, similar precautions shall be taken on airport lenses.

Wood Decks.
Wood decks, except on submarines, shall not be darkened pending further instructions. The best paint or stain for this purpose is being investigated.

OK....I'll bite. What kind of a boat is this? I see a 1942 date, no torpedoes, what looks like depth charge dropper or shooter in the back, and only one what looks like a small gun in the front .... 3 incher? SOme kind of sub hunter / coastal patrol boat, an early Coast Guard vessel?

U.S Navy 110' Subchaser.
USCG used them also.

Quite a nice read and very detailed drawings in:
Allied Coastal Forces Vol 1 by John Lambert & Al Ross
This two volume set is a Must Have!!

All that I could find on SC661 was 4 NavSource B/W photos. Nothing useful in Naval Historical Center, Historic Naval Ships Association, United States Naval Institute, Hyperwar, GlobalSecurity or Haze Gray.
http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/150661.htm

a 1918 publication on painting USN vessels - including 110' submarine chasers
http://www.subchaser.org/san-jun-2007
A bit early for a ship launched in ’42 but it is fact.
In their guest book Warren M. Fordham [email protected] Says sc661 was built in Lantana Florida rather than Manitowoc (Burger boat co HQ) Wisconson.

Splinter Fleet for a color photo of a SC 648 now on permanent display at the Navy Museum, Washington Navy Yard, Washington D.C. (I did not see it on their web site)
http://www.splinterfleet.org/sfmodel.php
in 1/32 fine art models want $6,500! I doubt the color they use can be referenced. But there are a few other links on this page

SC-497 Class Submarine Chaser: Laid down 30 December 1941 by the Burger Boat Co., Manitowoc, Wisconsin; Launched 26 June 1942; Commissioned USS SC-661, 26 October 1942; Transferred to the Soviet Union 25 May 1945 as BO-303; Served until 1954. Fate unknown.

It is a tough question!
I hope this helps.

Thank you Kenny and Redshirt for your input.

But, that deck color has me a little puzzled.
When you look at the water and the sailors who I presume are in navy-blue, the deck looks like it could be a light to medium gray.

Thought I would get some opinions, before I let the kits out the door.

Harry

Harry, don't forget to take into effect fading from the sun. It could have started dark gray and faded. There is no telling how long it had been since they painted the deck.

Thanks for info guys, I thought it to be a subchaser....as to deck color, I too would lean towards a light to medium gray.