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Was the Musashi really colored deck tan?

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  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Tacoma WA
Was the Musashi really colored deck tan?
Posted by gjek on Friday, May 18, 2007 12:14 AM
My instructions are all in Japanise but the primary hull color is Tamiya's #53 deck tan. This seams odd in that aircraft were the biggest threat and the deck tan on a dark blue ocean would be easier to spot. Does anyone have any trustworthy resources to support this? Thanks, Greg.
Msgt USMC Ret M48, M60A1, M1A1
  • Member since
    April 2004
Posted by Chuck Fan on Friday, May 18, 2007 9:58 AM
The deck is tan colored because it is natural wood.  I think the long white wake such a big ship would leave would give her away to any air observer regardless of the deck color.   But during second half of 1944, her deck was repainted a dark gray to reduce visibility from above.
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Tacoma WA
Posted by gjek on Friday, May 18, 2007 4:51 PM

I guess that's what I get from reading Japanise. After a thorough reevaluation Blush [:I], I find the proper hull color is neutral gray. Thanks!

Msgt USMC Ret M48, M60A1, M1A1
  • Member since
    January 2005
Posted by John @ WEM on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 12:13 PM

It depends on the time period you're modelling. Up until the Battle for Leyte Gulf, her wood decks--which were Hinoki cypress--were natural wood. Hinoki cypress is very light colored, lighter even than teak, and would have been kept holystoned and bright. However, both Musashi and Yamato stained their wood decks black for the Leyte operation, using a mix of funnel soot and oil. Yamato's decks were still stained black when she was lost.

Cheers,

John Snyder, White Ensign Models, http://WhiteEnsignModels.com 

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