U.S.S. North Carolina camo scheme

If you're doing her post September 1944 then you can use the Trumpy kit and Lion Roar PE as they are (kit would need surgery otherwise and the LR PE only has the post Sept. 1944 radar suite). In that case use 5-L, 5-O and black, don't let the secondary source buffoons snow you, until they bother to do real research with original source materials they are just repeating errors or blowing smoke (hint, I have close to 1000 hours of research time on this one ship). Mr. Shoker and I have discussed this at length, he's now leaning towards the colors I just listed. Realize there are no color photos of her later Ms32/18d scheme that have been found at NARA or NHC so the buffoons base all their color arguments on B&W photos and publications with many easy to spot errors. Until the museum lets a third party sand the paint back to bare metal and color match every layer there will never be a 100% sure answer.

As to her decks in that version of the scheme, overall deck blue by the time she rejoins the fleet. For a brief while she has the remains of the previous colors on her turret tops but that's while she's still working up from the refit. Be aware the turrets that carry the black all around the top appear to have black roofs as well. Do not go by the design sheet for the pattern use photos (if the lower starboard bow panel is grey and she has the bowl shaped SK-2 radar you have the right ones). For this version use masking tape, for the previous version you have to cut a bunch of wiggles and paint brush boogies into the edges.

BTW that shipcamouflage thread got nasty because one person (Warneke) doesn't like to be held to his own "rules of proof"......he can't put up and won't shut up.

Ron, thanks very much for the info, but your answer leads me to additional questions.  First, the only reference I currently have is the Shoker TR 1 book.  Aside from the colors listed there are the patterns in the color plates accurate?  If not, are there drawings available showing the proper pattern?  Secondly, when you say that the turrets should have black roofs are you refering to the 5" turrets?

Thanks again, Pete

You're welcome Pete,

The pattern in Shoker's book is close enough to correct for the Septmeber 1944 and later time frame (note it cannot be used for the September 1943-August 1944 pattern, there were differences). I say close enough because one of the "colors" on the pattern on page 51 is slightly out if register. I still recommend looking at some photos, especially for the main battery turrets. From what I've seen the rangefinder ears on the main battery turrets carry the predominant side color onto their tops. As for the black turrets, yes the 5" secondaries.

pmm736 wrote:

Ron, thanks very much for the info, but your answer leads me to additional questions.  First, the only reference I currently have is the Shoker TR 1 book.  Aside from the colors listed there are the patterns in the color plates accurate?  If not, are there drawings available showing the proper pattern?  Secondly, when you say that the turrets should have black roofs are you refering to the 5" turrets? Thanks again, Pete

Thanks again Ron, You've been a great help.  Now if that Lion Roar set would come in stock I could get moving on this thing!

Pete

Sorry Ron, another question.  In the photo below it appears that the roof of the aft 16" turret was not painted in Deck Blue but in the Light Grey of its other sides.  Am I reading the photo right or is it the lighter colored equipment located there creating the illusion that the roof is the same color?

Thanks again, Pete

 

pmm736 wrote:

Sorry Ron, another question.  In the photo below it appears that the roof of the aft 16" turret was not painted in Deck Blue but in the Light Grey of its other sides.  Am I reading the photo right or is it the lighter colored equipment located there creating the illusion that the roof is the same color? Thanks again, Pete

It sure looks light grey in the photos I have too. BTW- go ahead and start the thing because you have a lot of puttying and sanding to do before applying PE.

Those of you interested in the USS North Carolina may want to know that the Summer issue of Nautical Research Journal, published by the Nautical Research Guild, will have an in depth myth busting article on the ship. You can go to www.naut-res-guild.org to subscribe to the Journal.

Yes I wrote the article and it is the one place you'll be able to find accurate information from original source douments on this ship.....at least for now.

But do you have detailed drawings of the waterslide from the 04 level down to the main deck? :-)

Jeff

Jeff Herne wrote:

But do you have detailed drawings of the waterslide from the 04 level down to the main deck? :-) Jeff

That wasn't a waterslide, it was the jello chute used during Neptune parties!!!!!!