HMS Victory mast painting question.

It certainly is feasible Chuck, but I believe the tops were made of soft wood, fir, and presumably they had the manpower to keep them tarred or blacked to offer some level of preservation.

A good question to ask the guides, which I will do on my next visit, trouble is they may invite me to go up and have look

As regards models of Victory, those that are painted that is, they are generally shown as having the upper sides of the tops also blackened. This accords with the colour scheme published by the Official Victory web site which does not note a variation between the various parts of the tops.

I have however seen a photo of the 'Constitution' from above which shows the planking of the tops a grey looking colour in contrast to the white rims and bottoms.

The bottom and sides of the top platforms, as well as the supporting trusseltree underneath it, are painted black.  The top surface of the platform is likely to be barewood as black paint is unlikely to last. 

George W,

Thanks for the information.  It helps a lot.  One of the reference books I use is the Stephen Biesty picture book "Man 'O War", which is based on the Victory.  In his book I couldn't tell if the tops were black wood or dark iron.  I also have the McKay Anatomy of the ship book on the Victory.  I love the book but the color pictures only show the sides, bow, and stern and not the upper masts.  I've also been viewing online photos but haven't seen any that show close detail up in the masts.

Thank You!

DJ 

The platforms you refer to are called the Tops, they were made of wood and in the case of Victory painted black, as were the cross trees at the topmast head.

The lower masts were painted yellow ochre, the iron hoops were painted black, but just prior to Trafalgar were painted yellow ochre by order of Nelson.

The topmasts were natural wood varnished.

 Hope this helps.