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HMS WATCHMAN I26
‘W’ Class LRE 1943
Although a LRE and displaying a powerful DC stowage, Watchman has a single 2pdr in the eyes of the bow which indicates that, despite carrying a WA paint scheme, the ship must have had to venture into areas were E-boats were likely to be encountered. The HF/DF mast aft is, however, more indicative of an Atlantic convoy escort, The mix of WA green and WA blue on a white ship is what the scheme designer intended but shortages of green did not always make this possible.
HMS VERITY I63
Modified ‘W’ Class LRE 1943
Verity has a WA blue on white scheme without green. There is a large DC stowage. There are five 20mm AA and two main guns retained. Hedgehog forward and radius of action has been greatly increased for a drop in speed to 25 knots. It was only when newer ships started to come on line that the Admiralty could spare ships for such an extensive refit, hence LREs did not start to appear until mid-war and later.
WWI PROGRAMME SHAKESPEARE CLASS DESTROYER LEADERS
HMS KEPPEL I84
Destroyer Leader 1940
This was a very early camouflage scheme that is almost certainly unofficial, or at the direction of the flotilla commander. Early schemes often favoured blue with outlines in white or black. Note that the funnels, upper bridge and searchlight platform are in a lighter grey. There is no radar fitted as yet. ‘Y’ gun has been landed for more DCs. There are single 2pdr between the funnels and a 3in AA aft of the rear funnel. All tubes are retained. Twin Lewis guns in the bridge wings.
HMS KEPPEL I84
Destroyer Leader 1942
Green on white was preferred for the WA scheme rather than the often used pale blue but, due to wartime shortages, green was not always available due to heavy army and air force demand. Pigment availability and whoever mixed it could result in differences in shade. This ship had not lost any torpedo tubes for a 3in AA gun as she already had one aft of the rear funnel. There are 20mm in the bridge wings and between the funnels. Two main guns have been retained and a Hedgehog fitted forward. Radar fit is typical with Type 291 at the masthead and a Type 271 lantern atop the bridge.
HMS BROKE I83
Destroyer Leader 1940
A very early unofficial attempt at camouflage. Very pale upper works of lightened grey, 507c grey hull and black areas. Decks were Corticene with steel areas painted dark grey. This type of scheme was often designed by the officers of each ship. In some cases, Captain (D) may have influenced how the ships of his flotilla were painted. More depth charges fitted at the expense of landing ‘Y’ gun. No radar fitted.
HMS BROKE I83
Destroyer Leader 1942
Broke displays a typical WA scheme worn by many convoy escorts, but with WA blue and green concentrated forward and aft, leaving most of the ship white. She now has a Hedgehog forward, four single 20mm AA added and more DCs, but still retains her torpedo tubes. Radar Type 271 fitted with fixed Type 286 on the masthead. There is a HF/DF mast aft to detect the brief signals made by U-boats. If other units with the equipment were present it was possible to triangulate the position of the U-boat and hunt it down or drive it off.
SCOTT CLASS DESTROYER LEADERS
HMS MALCOLM I19
Destroyer Leader 1942
Malcolm wears a very intense scheme based on the white, blue, green colours of the WA type. Her deck was painted in dark grey. There is a Hedgehog forward and extensive DCs aft including extra stowage replacing her after torpedo tubes. She retains two of her 4.7in guns and a 3in AA behind the aft funnel. She has 20mm in the bridge wings and a single aft in ‘Y’ position, as well as two 2pdr between the funnels. HF/DF has been added on a mast aft. There are radar Types 286PU (full rotation) on the mast and 271 in a lantern on the bridge.
HMS CAMPBELL I60
Destroyer Leader 1939–40
Grey is itself a camouflage colour and Campbell is shown in very light and mid-grey soon after the start of WWII. However, she retains a black boot topping for smartness. Ships from destroyer down were later ordered to paint out the black waterline but some retained it. She still has her WWI Corticene decks (see Montrose) and around her guns. There are 2pdrs between the funnels and a 3in AA aft of them. There are MGs on the bridge but no other major alterations. No radar is fitted.
HMS MONTROSE I01
Destroyer Leader 1940
Montrose shortly after the outbreak of war. The aft gun has been landed for more DCs and a twin Lewis gun. The 3in AA is still aft of the rear funnel and the old 2pdrs between the funnels. There are twin Lewis in the bridge wings as well. Deck is Corticene brown. The rest of her scheme is a dulled-down grey overall
