Hi Chris,

This is a fun subject, simply due to the ignoring of the "blue crew" to one specific statement contained within one of their primary "sources" of their argument. You can see this here:

http://www.researcheratlarge.com/Ships/S19-7/15-CN-41.html

The specific statement they choose to ignore is contained in paragraph 9 of this document. It states as follows:

"Pending receipt of comprehensive instructions from the Bureau of Ships, no change is contemplated in the present directive providing for the general application of Measure 1 to ships in the U. S. Pacific Fleet. However, inasmuch as the manufacture of Formula 5-D has been discontinued, painting will of necessity be limited to touching up with available supplies of this paint, until general issue of the new formulas, 5-S, 5-0 and 5-H has been initiated. Ships having exhausted supplies of formula 5-D, will requisition sufficient Formula 5-S, to apply Measure 1A of paragraph 2 above, and will report application of this measure to Type Commanders. For the present, paint will not be applied to the wood decks of ships other than those designated to carry out measures outlined in reference (f ). General instructions for painting all vessels in this Fleet will be promulgated in the near future."

Since this directive is signed by H.E. Kimmel (CINCPAC), it is an order NOT to repaint into a proposed measure, and Measure 1 NEVER stated (or proposed) to use 5-S in place of 5-D. Measure 1A was the use of 5-S on ALL vertical surfaces, which means that AZ's fighting top would not be painted in 5-L.

AZ's "new" color was just a poor job of research to cover a model maker's poor research...

Jon