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Posted by scott s on August 5, 2025, 13:02:43, in reply to "Re: USN early WW2 paint color 5D "
If it helps I did a Revell Arizona as a 1941 Pearl Harbor Pennsylvania in MS 1. I used Colourcoats 5D. It is a very dark gray, not quite black but a very dark gray. I could not see a blue tint, but this is based upon what my 71 year old eyes can see. FWIW.
scott 
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Thanks Craig. Snyder & Short's webpage is actually the first source I found that mentions Houston being re-painted in MS1 in '42: https://www.shipcamouflage.com/usn_ca.htm
With regard to 5D, there seems to be a variety of opinions on the exact shade. Colorcoats (https://www.whiteensignmodels.com/p/Colourcoats+1941+5D+Dark+Gray+US04+30ml/25772/) whose research I usually find to be rock solid - have it as an almost pure gray, while LifeColor (https://www.amazon.com/Lifecolor-U-S-Navy-WWII-Camouflage/dp/B086R9JKFZ has it with a strong blue tint. On the other hand, Snyder and Short show it as almost black (http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/books-plans/snyder-short/usn-1/usn-01.jpg).
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The USS Houston CA-30 had been repainted in Cavite Blue prior to her loss. Cavite Blue was like a medium gray according to the Synder and Short paint chips. Squadron paint colors carries it as part of their navy color series. Previous Message
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.
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