I am currently completing another 'Maru' using the HP Models 'Legie' as the donor.

I will either complete it as Himalaya Maru or Calcutta Maru but need to know the pre-war fleet colour schemes for NYK and OSK tramp steamers. Black hulls and white superstructure I can guess - but boot topping, steel deck, vent and mast colours are not apparent from my photo sources.

Any help appreciated. Thanks

Jim S (Freighter)

Hi Jim

I have checked my references, but I haven't found nothing about your request...
I tried to find one post I have made over at MW, to a tread started by a japanese Maru modeler, but it seems it got "lost".
He was the guy to answer your questions, Jim.

Sorry


Rui

PS: I hope you have a good 2009!

Thanks Rui for looking. I too was looking for that thread and I know that we've addressed it here also at some time. I think Capt Songhouse (Karl) gave me some info previously from Merchant Fleets of the World (or similar).

So I reckon Iwashige-san or Karl are the men with the answers.

Come in fellahs!

Jim S

Hi Jim!

Consulting my 69-year old reference, both OSK and NYK ships had black hulls with a narrow white 'cheat' band running at main deck level just below the bulwarks, red boot toppings, black ventilators, and red cowl interiors.

--Karl

Karl,
You're the man - many thanks. Any mention of mast colours? I'm guessing mid/dark brown for tramp steamers and white for passenger ships. Photos I have seem to show the aft mast was painted black upwards from superstructure level. Can you confirm?

Jim S

From "Merchant Ships 1942" by Talbot-Booth:

OSK ships had black hulls with white band, white superstructures, red boot-topping, black funnels with white bands, white-banded hulls, white masts, black or light brown ventilators with red or blue inside the cowls.

NYK ships had black hulls with white band, red boot-topping, black ventilators with red on the inside of the cowls, white superstructures, black funnel with 3 white and 2 red bands.

John/Guys,

Many thanks for your help on this one - much appreciated. I seem to remember, in the long distance days of my youth, that this info was available in the Ian Allen books -oh that I wished I kept them....

I'll post pics to this website when I've completed the ship.

Thanks again

Jim S

I've just posted a few photos of 'Himalaya Maru' to the members gallery. Hope you like it.

Jim S

Hi Jim

Yes I like it, and I also would like to ask a batch of photos to release it as a MOD, as well as the Kurohime Maru, with it's nice wavy seascape... Is it possible?
If so, please send them to my email



Rui

Rui,
Photos of Kurohime Maru should be in your mailbox today. Himalaya Maru follows tomorrow.

Thanks for the encouragement and thanks to all who contribute to my knowledge of this under-modelled subject.

Jim S

Hi Jim

No need to thank me - it's always a pleasure
Cheers,
Rui