[ Post a Response | The SteelNavy.Com Message Board ]
Posted by Terry Pottle on June 12, 2026, 7:14:58, in reply to "Garbage, utter, mostly fantasy"
Ron, the question was for RN & Commonwealth patterns, NOT USN.
And although there is doubt about some of the patterns and colours, they do seem to conform to photographic references available from IWM & NARA. As such they are a useful contribution for modellers of RN, RAN, RCN, RIN, RNZN, SAMF and allies’ ships.
I agree with Dick’s assessment of Hodges book, alas long out of print. My copy is well worn. His other books on the Tribal and Battle classes are also good, even if old.
Raven’s work is a more than just useful, first appearing in Plastic Ship Modeller – again long gone – but has only recently been challenged, not about the patterns but the colours. And there it has to be said that not all of the official papers were available to him.
So, you have the choice, to buy and check or leave it alone
Previous Message
His "research" is at best from books and online, often from long surpassed or discredited sources. He lives in Australia so has never been to NARA or the Brit equivalent. Mostly he invents shit for wargames that bears no resemblance to reality.
For example a few years ago he posted a long piece on US DDs in Measure 2. He never once called out a correct color or used correct 5-X designations. He made up names like bluish gray, medium blue gray, dark grayish blue. To further make an ass of himself he named ships that never wore Measure 2, some not even launched until well after is was done away with and used mostly Measures 12, 18 and 22 as examples.
Whenever he's criticized and corrected on Facebook he throws a fit, refuses to believe original source documents and blocks people. He's somewhat popular but fanboy fools and their money are easily parted. Toilet paper is a better deal and more useful.
Hope that helps. Previous Message
Hello,
I kind of recall that there was a lot of criticism of the series of books on RN and Commwealth Camouflage by Malcolm Wright when they were first published. Am I remembering incorrectly? Any feedback and thoughts on these works would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Felix B.
Responses