radartec
Does anyone have the actual paint scheme for the USS Bainbridge,DD1 ?
You pays your money and you takes yer chance!
According to the instructions which came with the old Gulfstream/Blue Water Navy kit, the Bainbridge was in 'Bottle Green' (i.e. Munsell 5G 4/4).
However, I believe that the original color was closer to the Spanish-American 'War Color' or Slate Gray.
See the picture of the Bainbridge soon after commisioning moored next to the USS Denver. The Denver has been repainted into white. The Bainbridge is not stark black.
http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/0500105.jpg
Later in her career on station in the Philipines she was painted into a lighter gray.
http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/0500114.jpg
Marcus Goodrich, author of the novel 'Delilah' about US destroyers in the Philipines in the 19-teens before the US entry into WWI, describes the ship as being painted in a light misty gray. Goodrich served on the USS Chauncey (DD-3) during this time.
See if you can locate a copy of the Nautical Research Guild monograph
"Paint and Colors for American Merchant Vessels, 1800-1920: Their Study and Interpretation for Modelmaking". by Erik Ronnberg. It used to be on their website but is now gone.
It is a very good reference on maritime colors, and not American, not just merchant. The Admiralty /Bureau of Construction wanted the best/most economical coverage for their ships. Color refernces include house paint sources as well as railroad applications