British and Commonwealth Warship Camouflage of WWII. Malcolm George Wright
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HMAS VOYAGER I31
‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1941
Voyager altered for war service sports a fairly standard camouflage type utilising three shades of grey. ‘Y’ gun has been removed. She has a 12pdr AA in place of the aft torpedo tubes and 20mm in the bridge wings. There are twin Lewis guns on the bridge and aft in ‘Y’ position. An early fixed Type 286 radar is at the masthead. Flag superior of her pennant has been changed to ‘I ‘. Her scheme is B6, 507c and 507b.
HMAS VENDETTA D69
‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1941
This confusion scheme was worn by Vendetta during her service with the Mediterranean Fleet. It was intended to confuse from a distance and, apart from the light green edging, was similar to that used by Italian torpedo boats and destroyers. She has three sets of quad 0.5in MG, one in each bridge wing and one amidships. The Mediterranean Fleet was well known for some of the more lurid camouflage schemes worn by British and Commonwealth warships. Colours are B15 outlined in G45 on 507c. It is possible that these shades were non-standard, acquired locally.
HMAS VENDETTA D69
‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1944
The only ship of the four Australian ‘V&W’ class to survive the war, Vendetta underwent several modifications. In this, her last form, she was converted to an escort destroyer and operated in New Guinea waters, where she sometimes conveyed troops to combat zones. Her guns have been replaced with an HA 4in, four 20mm Oerlikons and two single 2pdrs, plus numerous MGs. The scheme she wears is the American overall blue which was used by several Australian ships. Note the impressive number of DC throwers and USN radar on mast. British Type 271 radar aerial amidships.
‘V&W’ CLASS DESTROYERS CONVERTED TO AA ESCORTS (WAIR)
HMS VANITY L38
‘V&W’ Class AA Destroyer 1940
Vanity is shown wearing an early unofficial scheme. Her only light AA is multiple MG mounts amidships. Note the false wave effect of the camouflage. She has early radar at the masthead. Black and grey were of course very easy to obtain and a scheme based around them is hardly surprising. The lack of Type 285 radar on the gun director would have affected her efficiency in the AA role. Scheme is possibly an unofficial mix, appearing to be G5/MS1 and MS4 on a 507c hull. Gun mounts and aft funnel are dark blue.
HMS VICEROY L21
‘V&W’ Class AA Destroyer 1942
Viceroy is shown in an Admiralty scheme common to ships escorting convoys on the UK East Coast. The colours are PB10, mid-blue washed and 507c hull. There is a lower than usual radar lantern amidships, perhaps indicating a topweight problem as it should have been carried higher. AA defence was very important for the North Sea and coastal convoys and the extra light guns fitted here may be the cause of the weight problem. There is extra DC stowage, and a mix of 20mm and single 2pdr AA guns, with the 2pdrs in front of the radar lantern. Type 285 radar on the gun director.
HMS VANITY L38
‘V&W’ Class AA Destroyer 1942+
Vanity has an Admiralty light disruptive camouflage scheme. Note radar lantern aft. Four single 20mm guns. She served mostly on the UK East Coast convoys. WAIR ships did not need to carry the large number of DCs other destroyers needed on Atlantic convoys. Colours are mid-blue on white washed with PB10.
HMS VALOROUS L00
‘V&W’ Class AA Destroyer 1944
Valorous is shown wearing an Admiralty light scheme. She has some extra DC stowage. Light AA four single 20mm. There is Type 285 radar on her gun director and Type 291 at the masthead and this would have been her final war configuration. Note HF/DF mast aft. It was unusual for WAIR ships to carry that equipment. The colours are PB10 and a lightened 1941 blue on a 507c hull.
HMS VEGA L52
‘V&W’ Class AA Destroyer 1940
This was a very early unofficial scheme for ships that served near the coast. The main colour is MS4a but the khaki was almost certainly locally mixed. 1941 blue is outlined in white, but even this could have been local procurement. There is a prominent bow wave. Note the ship has no radar fitted. The light AA comprised two quad 0.5in MG mounts and Lewis machine guns in the bridge wings.
HMS VEGA L41
‘V&W’ Class AA Destroyer 1942
Vega is shown in MS4a Home Fleet grey with areas of MS2 mid olive. There was a radar type 285 on the director and a 286P rotating set on the mast. It was most uncommon for ships on the UK East Coast to have a HF/DF mast but this implies she may also have been used on convoys to Iceland.
HMS WOLFHOUND I56
‘V&W’ Class AA Destroyer 1941
This scheme was intended for coastal convoy work where the WAIRs were