what color

Dark Grey...

woodspiderF-18

Hi guys!! Can someone tell me what color were Japanese Subs I am building the 1/700  I 361 and I 171 Hasagawa

Thanks

Japanese ships during WWII, including submarines, were painted in paints formulated locally in one of the several naval arsenals,  Kure, Sasebo, Maizuru, and Yokohama.   

If you research your subjects through the Tablular Records of Movement (TROM) for the IJN;  I-class submarines here http://www.combinedfleet.com/sensuikan.htm#tromsi

You will be able to determine which base(s) the submarines operated from, and what colors they would likely have been painted.  

White Ensign's Colourcoat line of paints has enamel paints matched to these arsenal colors.   Tamiya.   offers several of the colors in their spray lacquer line of paints.      Alternatively, Snyder & Short produces a several sets of naval color paint chips which will allow you to mix and match your own to their standard

Tamiya Acrylics as well........................

I've only built one myself, and that was Tamiya's I-400.  I don't remember what color I used, but it was what the instructions reccommended.  Looked good enough to me.

I threw the instructions away after I built it.  But, here's something that might help with the instructions..

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10057871

Not sure how well they'll download but, there they are.  Hope this helps!

Tamiya recommends Tamiya (who'd a thunk it) Kure Gray for the I400.   Kure, as in one of the naval arsenals.

Check the TROMs for your subject & work from there.