I think that the Pampanito and the Lionfish shots are the closest to the gray I have, but...and there's always a but. I think Frank mentioned that in addition to the black on the upper portion of the ballast tanks, the used anti-fouling red below the water line. Now, my problem is, I never have a color photos of mid-war, non restored, boats. All I seem to have is early war Gatos that were all black and anti fouling red. So...do you think that in this photo that this is ant-fouling red with a rusty surfaceshowing above the waterline or just rust?


Aren't you guys going to be glad when this is over and I stop bugging you with this sort of thing?

Yo ho ho and a bottle of Sam Adams

Steve Steve

I have noticed that you and Garry have been drinking a lot :-) :-)

This is the only reason for you to say those silly thing like "Aren't you guys going to be glad when this is over and I stop bugging you with this sort of thing?

On that link that I had previoulsy send you, they stated that no Anti-fouling red was used - But I have (and you too, since it's on the Navy League Book by Barnes and Noble) a pic of one Gato class sub in black and red

Also a lot of Fleet subs built and with pics online, show the anti-fouling red...

I like this 1/72 scale USS Gato Built by Rusty White (bow to the Master)!
https://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery/ss/ss-212/72-rw/Gato1.jpg

So... here we are again in a dillema!
I would go for the no red option... for a post 1941 boat!

Skipper

It's the pressure of this campaign Skip..I'm telling you. I'm out of anti-acids so I need a substitute..right Garry?

I think it's just rust. The boats were put into the water while the antifouling paints were still wet, so they immediately began to fade. This is because if the paint dried and hardened, then the poisons would be unable to leech out.

I've seen photos of boats and subs where the antifoul paint faded to such a light tone that the upper hull paint looks dark. Also, because the anti foul paint faded and wore off it was necessary to repaint to avoid rusting.

This photo looks like the antifoul below the water line has completely wore off and the hull itself is rusting. I would say that the dark blue or black above the water line is the antifoul color.

Take Care,

Jess

It sure looks like rust BUT..keeping in mind that pictures fade especially in the red area and that rust that extensive would not be tolerated, I would say that it is some well worn anti-fouling red