During October 1944 a trio of pattern camouflage designs was prepared for three classes of older battleships that had previously been painted in single color or horizontally arranged two color schemes. Designated Camouflage Measure 31a, Designs 6B, 7B amd 8B, these employed Navy Blue (5-N), Ocean Gray (5-O) and Haze Gray (5-H) on their vertical surfaces, giving an overall appearance that was somewhat lighter than was typical of other Measure 31 schemes. Four ships were painted up in these three designs, with two of them having the pattern camouflage removed in a matter of weeks.
In addition, a modified version of a Measure 32 destroyer design was prepared for another older battleship. However, it was never applied to her.
Initials appearing on most of the drawings presented here indicate that their designer/draftsman was Everett Warner ("EW").
This page provides information and drawings concerning the application of U.S. Navy Camouflage Measures 31, 32 and 33a to older battleships. The drawings are listed in order by battleship hull number.
For information and images related to Camouflage Measure 31-32-33 designs used on other ship types and classes, see:
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital
images presented here, see: "How
to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." CAUTION: camouflage drawing photographs shown on this page have generally had contrast altered to enhance patterns. Contrast in actual photographic reproductions may differ markedly from that seen here. |
Click on the small picture to access the Picture Data Sheet for each image. A larger reproduction of that drawing or photograph can be accessed by clicking the small picture in each Picture Data Sheet.
Colors used in this design: Navy Blue (5-N), Ocean Gray (5-O), Haze Gray (5-H) and Deck Blue (20-B).
Camouflage Measure 31a Design 7B was one of the schemes prepared for older battleships during the latter part of 1944, probably in anticipation of their transfer from the Atlantic war zone to the Pacific. USS Arkansas was painted in this measure during the Fall of 1944, but was soon repainted in the overall dark paint of Measure 21, which she wore by the beginning of 1945.
Colors used in this design: Navy Blue (5-N), Ocean Gray (5-O), Haze Gray (5-H) and Deck Blue (20-B). Note: Unlike the great majority of Measure 31-32-33 series designs, Design 8B featured the essentially the same pattern on both the starboard and port sides.
Camouflage Measure 31a Design 8B was another of the schemes prepared for older battleships during the latter part of 1944, probably in anticipation of their transfer from the Atlantic war zone to the Pacific. USS New York wore it in late 1944 and early 1945. Texas was briefly painted in this design during late 1944.
Colors used in this design: Navy Blue (5-N), Ocean Gray (5-O), Haze Gray (5-H) and Deck Blue (20-B).
Camouflage Measure 31a Design 6B was one of the schemes prepared for older battleships during the latter part of 1944, probably in anticipation of their transfer from the Atlantic war zone to the Pacific. USS Nevada was painted in this measure during the Fall of 1944 and wore it at least into the Spring of 1945. Note: Judging from the photographs seen above, showing Nevada in this camouflage design, it appears that the patterns (and perhaps the colors) applied to her varied somewhat from those shown in the drawings.
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Measure 32 Design 3D, for USS Pennsylvania (BB-38). Drawing made circa 1943. |
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BUT: See Below |
Colors used in this design: Dull Black (BK), Ocean Gray (5-O), Light Gray (5-L) and Deck Blue (20-B).
Camouflage Measure 32 Design 3D
drawings were prepared for USS Pennsylvania (BB-38). However,
that measure was never applied to her, and she was painted in
the overall Navy Blue (5-N) of Camouflage Measure 21 during World
War II's final two years. See :Photo
# 80-G-K-2106 for a color view of Pennsylvania wearing
Measure 21.
Note: As discussed on another page in this series, USS Colorado (BB-45) was given Measure 32, Design 3D, camouflage that was a fairly close copy of that shown here.
Related image: Photo # 80-G-156820-A represents a blank camouflage design sheet for USS Pennsylvania. The drawing shows the ship's starboard side, exposed decks and superstructure ends, but no camouflage pattern is seen.
In addition to the drawing presented above of the Measure 32, Design 3D camouflage scheme prepared for, but not applied to USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), the National Archives appears to hold at two other images of drawings of that design. The following list describes these photographs:
The images listed below are NOT in
the Naval Historical Center's collections.
DO NOT try to obtain them using the procedures described in our
page "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions".
Drawing of Camouflage Measure 32, Design 3D scheme prepared for USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), showing pattern intended for the ship's port side. The pattern seen is broadly similar to Design 3D port side schemes prepared for other ship types, but differs considerably from them in detail. Drawing of Camouflage Measure 32, Design 3D scheme prepared for USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), showing the pattern intended for the ship's horizontal surfaces. NOTE: These patterns were NOT actually used on Pennsylvania.
Reproductions of these images should be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system for pictures not held by the Naval Historical Center. The images listed in this box are NOT in the Naval Historical Center's collections. DO NOT try to obtain them using the procedures described in our page "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions". |
Other Image Sources: The website of the privately-operated organization NavSource features images of possible interest which are not available in the Naval Historical Center's collections. Among these are:
For information and images related to Camouflage Measure 31-32-33 designs used on other ship types and classes, see:
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital
images presented here, see: "How
to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." CAUTION: camouflage drawing photographs shown on this page have generally had contrast altered to enhance patterns. Contrast in actual photographic reproductions may differ markedly from that seen here. |
Page made 20 June 2007
Text revised 22 June 2007