Red Decks?????

...medium red...

If you are talking about the decks covered in corticene you can find an exact match from White Ensign Models stock no.RN24 Corticene.  I've always thought the color to be more like milk chocolate or a dark cafait au lait than red.

What’s your source? I ask because all the color shots (DUH! HMS Iron Duke was decommissioned in 1946 — what “color shots”?) I could find are of models, and model colors are notoriously inaccurate. (Frankly, they look like holystoned teak.)

I checked a naval archive forum and got:

Semtex was apparently a trowelled on surface

… green in colour

Corticene was apparently held down with brass strips

… brown in colour

The decks are of different materials.  Main deck was covered in wood, the shade of which varies with the time period and maintenance thereof.  Superstructure decks were painted dark gray or covered in a linoleum type substance.  You can check the research of Snyder and Short or go to the White Ensign website.  I'm not entirely sure of what year the Airfix kit depicts so that is something you might find out at the Rajens Kit List site http://www.quuxuum.org/rajens_list/shiprevs.html

Oh boy!

I really try not to get anal with a build,but this deck color seems to be a key feature I just can't ignore.

The box says 1915 on it,but others more knowledgable than I say the kit is a later version of the ship.Early '20's possibly.

I'll figure something out.

I like Rustoleum primer.

I just might have some of that!

I am not sure here ,and this is just a suggestion.Try TESTORS - MODELMASTER enamel that is described as "rust", You could add a drop or two (small ) of insignia red flat to possibly make it brighter if it needs to be .       tankerbuilder

I'd probably start with "Leather" as being a reddish brown.

I've seen it used convincingly for IJN and Soviet linoleum decks.

The lowest deck was sprayed with auto primer.The others were brushed with Polly Scale rust.A very good match.I'm happy with the results.