The SteelNavy.Com Message Board: Re: USN early WW2 paint color 5D

Interesting, this is very helpful, thanks! I presume that also means that USS Marblehead and the various DDs stationed out there were this same color as well?

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Yes, Craig is absolutely correct. Cavite Blue become the Asiatic Fleet color in late 1941, no I can't pinpoint the date.

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I’m building USS Houston in 1942 as she was during the ABDA campaign, and all sources seem to agree she was painted in Measure 1 - meaning all verticals below the stack tops in 5D.

I’m wondering if anyone happens to have any primary source info they can share about exactly what shade 5D was? I believe it was labelled “Dark Grey” by the navy, but did it feature a blueish-gray tint like the Royal Navy’s 507 series greys from the same era?

I haven’t found much original color photography of ships painted in Measure 1, and most of what I have found are battleships in Pearl Harbor (AZ, WV, etc.) which definitely do appear to have a blueish tint.