I am modeling a WW2 DE with measure 32 design 11d camouflage, I have great references for the camouflage pattern but I cannot figure out what color the hull should be below the water line? Hull red? Black? Dark grey? Something else? Your insight is appreciated.

Hull red

Cheers,
Joe

Hull red below, a black boot topping "at" the waterline.

If you're doing a full hull model the waterline stripe, for DD's and DE's should be app. 4 - 5 scale feet wide (roughly 4 mm. in 1/350). If a waterline model, then the amount of waterline visible varies from just visible (fully combat loaded) to very visible (out of ammo and fuel!). Most of the painted line was below the waterline level. Also, the larger the class of ship, the wider the waterline stripe.