Algerine Minesweeper colours, very late war or early post war

[Graham Boak]

Thanks - Lighter aircraft colours such as Medium Sea Grey and Sky often photograph light, but there's normally no suggestion of EDSG.  However there are a (small) number of b&w photos with it looking very light, notable one of a Skua an Ark Royal but there is another very late photo of "Faith" on Malta..  This has caused considerable discussion.  I think it is because of this effect that TSS can appear so variable in b&w photos, from almost no contrast at all to this very strong difference.   From the evidence of the roundel colours this effect occurs on Ortho film, but not always so markedly.  It occurred to me that I'd not seen any suggestion of similar effects on RN colours, and wondered if this was something that perhaps might be influencing interpretations.  I know that USN colours also used a lot of blue, but the US did not seem to use ortho film to any great extent, if at all.

[Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies]

Folks,

 

This is a replica of the design plate published in Peter Hodges' book and all the text is reproduced exactly. I stress to add that neither Richard or myself believe this is exactly what is applied to Mutine in Imperial War Museum FL16588, and a couple of reasons may objectively include the obvious darker tone on the funnel, yet the demarcation plainly visible on the hull of the boat located abeam the funnel which has further implications. In addition, CAFO 679/42 gives clear guidance on which paints to use for Pennant numbers depending on the background colour, and due to being so close in tone, white would not be used on a MS4A background. This hints fairly strongly that the background colour of the hull is not MS4A but something darker.

 

 

[Robert Stuart]

Thanks for looking into that Jamie and Richard.
Interesting to note that there is a camouflage stripe on the starbord side of the (?)bridge(?), but not on the port.