HMS Ilex 1940-41 in the Mediteranean

[Archelaos]

Hi! 

 

I recently got HMS Ilex model from IBG. The model portray her as she looked after refit in USA in 1942, but I prefer to build her as she looked during her service in Mediteranean Fleet 1940-41. So far, I was unable to find any photos showing her it that period. Do we know how she looked at that time (camo, deck colors, modifications)?

[dickrd]

Late 1940 Ilex was wearing a very fussy patterned camouflage scheme that looked in some ways a bit like this 1942 one on USS Ingraham in 1942:

 

The (private) photo I have of her at this time was taken in very strong sunlight at Alexandria so it is hard to be precisely sure of the tones:

 

 

I suspect 507A for the darks, 507C for the lights and then all the darks edged in a thin line of white. A possible alternative interpretation is a 50/50 mix of 507A & 507C for the lights, 507A for the darks and 507C for the thin edging to the darks. 

 

No obvious modifications to her peacetime appearance.

There is then another (private) photo taken during March 1941 from HMAS Perth. By a process of elimination it is thought to be of Ilex. It is a slightly distant shot of the destroyer's port quarter. If it is Ilex it shows her to be by then in a more normal Alexandria type scheme of 507A & C. This is what that looked like (the darks were not black): 

 

Some details of the pattern are not visible in the photo, particularly the hull at the bow, the upper bridge (lower on the bridge side was definitely light- upper looks dark) and the forward funnel.

 

Modifications: mainmast (aft) removed and a new small stump mast with gaff at aft end of searchlight platform fitted, aft funnel cut down and I think the forward one also. (Still had both sets of TT's.)

 

 

Edited June 13 by dickrd
Typos

[Archelaos]

33 minutes ago, dickrd said:

Late 1940 Ilex was wearing a very fussy patterned camouflage scheme that looked in some ways a bit like this 1942 one on USS Ingraham in 1942:

The (private) photo I have of her at this time was taken in very strong sunlight at Alexandria so it is hard to be precisely sure of the tones:

 

 

I suspect 507A for the darks, 507C for the lights and then all the darks edged in thin line of white. An possible alternative interpretation is a 50/50 mix of 507A & 507C for the lights, 507A for the darks and 507C for the thin edging to the darks. 

 

No obvious modifications to her peacetime appearance.

There is then another (private) photo taken during March 1941 from HMAS Perth. By a process of elimination it is thought to be of Ilex. It is a slightly distant shot of the destroyer's port quarter. If it is Ilex it shows her to be by then in a more normal Alexandria type scheme of 507A & C. This is what that looked like (the darks were not black): 

Modifications: mainmast (aft) removed and a new small stump mast with gaff at aft end of searchlight platform fitted, aft funnel cut down and I think the forward one also. (Still had both sets of TT's.)

Thanks!

 

First pattern would be awesome, but I guess impossible to do without full profile drawing... Unless going complete fantasy. BDW, are mods for march 41 the same as for this earlier camo?

 

Second is much more doable, even if other side has to be made up. 

 

Just noticed I picked wrong model as Ithuriel, with it's earlier bridge wings would be easier to rebuild than backdating Ilex. Oh well, a bit more scratchbuilding ahead.