Flags on Ships

[Scoobydoof]

I'm currently building a Revell 1:700 HMS Kipling and a 1:1200 USS Missouri, both waterline models so will be displayed at sea. What flags should each have flying whilst underway? I've seen different combinations.

 

TIA

Chris

[bootneck]

Both vessels would fly their nationality flags plus any others if they are signalling their intentions or orders etc.

 

HMS Kipling would fly the White Ensign, which has the union flag in the upper quadrant, at the yardarm or possibly at the stern.  USS Missouri would fly the US Flag (stars and stripes) at the yardarm and a smaller 'stars' at the bow.  Check images of RN and US ship in Google images for ideas.

 

All other combinations of flags would be for warnings (red flag etc.) or messaging to and from other vessels or ports.  These could range from a couple of flags, to a whole range of them.

 

A word of caution:  Don't just put any flags on your ships, for example to look busy etc., because there are flag-reading equivalents to rivet-counters out there who may be watching! 

 

Mike

[Paul E]

On ‎20‎/‎03‎/‎2018 at 8:56 PM, bootneck said:

A word of caution:  Don't just put any flags on your ships, for example to look busy etc., because there are flag-reading equivalents to rivet-counters out there who may be watching! 

I resemble that remark

 

If you are displaying your ships underway, then they will not be flying flags (their Jacks) at the bow. The normal sea position of the Ensign is on a yardarm or a gaff on the Mainmast. The ensign staff (the flag pole at the stern) would only normally be rigged when entering and leaving harbour otherwise it would interfere with the gun firing arcs.

 

I know this  is a model of a more modern ship but you can see the positions of the Ensign and code flags when the ship is at sea. The code flags in this example are the ships international call sign.

 

 

Google images is always a good source for examples.

I hope this helps.