 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Pre-Dreadnought Color Schemes
Introduction
Following are just a few of the many hundreds of possible paint schemes
for Pre-Dreadnought miniatures. The information was largely provided
with the assistance of the Pre-Dred mailing list at yahoogroups, the
largest discussion group for the era on the 'net, which I have considered it
my honor to moderate for the past four years. The information will be
expanded and updated over the course of the next several months; it's my
goal to have every fleet from the era listed here in some capacity, and
anyone with information is encouraged to submit it forthwith.
Keep in mind that our research may differ from yours; this is extremely
common in an era when personal discretion was still given to the
commanders of fleets, squadrons, and even individual vessels in
determining the appropriate color schemes. Variation is unavoidable, as
is the changing shape of research within this, our beloved era.
On Black
Black is a color that is extremely important to the pre-dreadnought era.
Black, however, has a very nasty tendency to fade rapidly over time (as do
all colors when exposed to salt and sun for more than a few hours). I have
found that using a charcoal color represents this effect very admirably, and
would strongly recommend using such a color when the use of black is
called for.
On Decking
Most ships had natural wood or treated wood decking which would initially
appear tan and then fade to a white or even grayish tinge. The Austrian
and Spanish fleets are confirmed by color plates to have tarred their
decks, which tended to make their decks darker than others; the practice
was not universal amongst other fleets.
Many naval gamers tend to avoid painting decks on all but the largest
ships when painting pre-dreds, and a number of professional model
makers (such as Navis/Neptune) continue to produce models with decks
matching the color of the uppers (superstructure and most vertical
surfaces unless otherwise noted). You will not be looked down upon if you
choose the path of sanity and avoid painting the bizarrely configured decks
of the era in anything but the largest of scales, and even then, don't be
ashamed. Navis charges a small fortune for its vessels, and the lack of
painted decks hasn't ruined their appeal to collectors.
That having been said, the decks on my 1/6000 Austro-Hungarian fleet are
painted. Why? I was extremely bored at the time...
On Destroyers
These could, literally, come in any color of the rainbow. Most were black or
grey. Some Russian destroyers have been described as having been
cinnamon or even green in color.
On Masts and Rigging
This is a difficult subject. In general, however, masts were painted in
colors identical to those used in uppers. When they differed, they'll be
noted, but keep in mind that there was WIDE variation. According to some
accounts, for example, Infanta Maria Teresa maintained one white mast
and one yellow mast at Santiago. Why? Probably to mark her as a flagship.
Rigging is a matter of personal taste. Early in the period, especially during
the 1870s and 1880s, pre-dreadnoughts did go into combat with rigged
masts (though rarely with canvas, only the rigging lines themselves). By
the 1890s, however, few fleets actually went into combat with even
minimal rigging. Most wargamers tend to avoid complex rigging in this
era, as there really is no need for it. I sometimes do a minimal rig for
attaching national pennants and signal flags, but this is, again, really a
matter of personal preference.
On Ship's Boats (Lifeboats)
These were almost universally painted white. It simply wasn't worth the
time and effort to repaint them every time a ship went into wartime color
scheme. Of note, the Russians may have left their boats in a natural wood
color, according to some sources, but I find this highly unlikely.
Austria Hungary
For much of the era, through about 1916, Austria-Hungary had a fairly
standard color scheme. This included pine green hulls and uppers, with
white trim, turrets, funnels, and masts. Guns were usually black. Stacks
could be black or white.
The ships ordered to engage the Americans during the war with Spain
(they did not arrive in time) were most certainly painted in this manner.
China (Sino-Japanese War)
The Chinese ships of the era were heavily varnished and painted; by
some accounts, they were quite garish. Color plates just prior to the Yalu
reflect vessels painted with black hulls and white, grey, or red uppers,
turrets, and funnels. Stacks were probably black, but could have been any
color.
Of note, according to Thomo of the Pre-Dred mailing list, Philo McGiffin
(the American who took command of the Chinese fleet), notes that some
vessels had their uppers painted in "invisible grey".
Many Chinese vessels were heavily encrusted with decoration. Use of
bronze or gold to pick out such details (figureheads, stern lanterns, etc.)
is quite appropriate for larger models that include such detail. Nearly all
Chinese ships had multi-colored bunting and rigging. They may or may
not have mounted this rigging at Yalu.
France
Spain and France had nearly identical color schemes during the era. See
Spain's entry for details.
Japan (Russo-Japanese War)
The Japanese ships of the era were, for the most part, painted in their
wartime schemes by the time of the opening of hostilities with Russia in
1904. This was an overall dark blue grey, with slightly lighter grey uppers.
Most Japanese vessels had black funnel tops and grey stacks with black
caps. Mikasa is depicted by some as having had black guns and grey
turrets. She may or may not have had black turret tops.
Japan (Sino-Japanese War)
Japanese vessels maintained the traditional Victorian livery of the time.
Black hulls, white uppers, buff funnels, and black stacks. Turrets were
white, guns were black. Multiple members of the Pre-Dred list say that
some of the Japanese vessels were whitewashed in their entirety prior to
the battle. Other accounts claim that the Japanese vessels were given an
overall grey color scheme, similar to that described for Japanese vessels
of the Russo-Japanese War.
Russia (First Pacific Squadron)
Reputedly an all over Olive-Green scheme, with black stacks. This is a
very lovely, striking scheme on the tabletop, and immediately draws
attention. Some sources on the Pre-Dred list say that the color may, at
some point, have been cinnamon.
Russia (Second and Third Pacific Squadrons, RJW)
Most of the Second and Third Squadrons were painted in an overall black,
with yellow stacks and turret tops. This may have also been the case for
survivors of the First Pacific Squadron. The black would have been heavily
faded, and cries out more than any other fleet on this page for the charcoal
method I allude to earlier in this article.
As a modelling touch, some of the vessels in the Second and Third
Squadrons had piles of coal and shells on their decks at Tsushima, due
to the need to carry extra provisions for the trip from the Baltic. Of course,
the survivors of Tsushima would not have kept up the practice.
Spain (Spanish-American War)
The Spanish fleets at Santiago and Manila were both given orders to go to
a wartime scheme of overall invisible grey, but very few of the vessels
actually did so.
Spanish ships were most commonly seen with black hulls, Africa yellow
turrets, funnels, stacks, and uppers. Masts could be both white or Africa
yellow, which varied depending upon the ship. Some ships used both
colors. According to Mark S. of the Pre-Dred List, who lives in Spain and
has spent some time with the Spanish naval archives, Spanish vessels
on colonial station were given white hulls.
Spanish destroyers were an overall grey, although Cervera's destroyers
may have actually maintained the peacetime scheme.
United Kingdom
Usually black hulls, white uppers, turrets, and masts. Buff funnels and
stacks. Guns were generally black.
United States (Spanish-American War)
American vessels were most commonly seen in medium grey, with black
turret tops, stacks, and guns. Some (such as Texas) maintained the gilt
figureheads without removing or painting them over in battle.
The American peacetime color scheme was predominantly white, with
buff vertical surfaces, turrets, stacks, and masts. Guns were black. There
were several variations on this theme. Coast Guard vessels and most
U.S. armed yachts tended to be painted in an overall white, with very little
buff/yellow.
Reactivated ACW-era monitors were black, with white turret sides and
pilot houses.
