Class Destroyer 1939–40
Wessex is shown as a fleet destroyer in an early-war paint scheme. Corticene was a lightweight linoleum material that gave grip, but also stopped decks becoming too hot or too cold in various climates. Note that the only light AA comprises two single 2pdrs. She was sunk in 1940 with very few alterations having been made. Colours may be 507b and MS 4a but are possibly also unofficial mixes.
HMS WOLVERINE I78
‘W’ Class Destroyer 1942
Wolverine was very active escorting convoys in the Eastern Atlantic. This camouflage scheme is based on shades of grey plus black, colours more available than most others. She has four 20mm AA but her ASW equipment is more extensive than most other SRE. These ships had priority to receive radar and Wolverine used hers with great success. Colours are 507c, B6 and black.
HMAS WATERHEN I22
‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1941
Australia received four ‘V&W’ class destroyers in 1933 and sent them to the Mediterranean when WWII broke out. They gained the nickname ‘The Scrap Iron Flotilla’ after a derisive Lord Haw-Haw broadcast. As can be seen, Waterhen had an Admiralty design camouflage in three colours of 507a and 1941 blue on 507c. Note that she has a single 4in AA gun on the aft shelter deck. Records do not confirm this but the gun with its AA-type shield appears in a photograph of her at Alexandria before leaving on her final voyage and was confirmed by the author’s uncle who was a survivor of her sinking. Her AA armament is a 12pdr in place of the aft torpedo tubes quad 0.5in MG mount behind the aft funnel; twin Lewis guns in the bridge wings.
HMS WALPOLE I41
‘W’ Class Destroyer 1944
Walpole is shown here wearing a grey and green camouflage that was no doubt intended to be suitable for her role supporting the allied landings in France. These are 507c and 1940 green. She has a twin automatic 6pdr forward for fighting coastal craft. There are rockets on ‘B’ mount for illumination. The AA fit is pretty standard for her type.
HMAS VAMPIRE I68
‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1941
Vampire shows a 1940 Mediterranean scheme in grey and black. These colours provided an easy camouflage and many ships used this style in the Mediterranean theatre. The grey appears to be 507c. Her bridge is protected with splinter mats. She had twin Lewis guns in the bridge wings but many Australian ships had additional unofficial MGs salvaged from sunken ships. Some Italian MGs were even used until captured ammunition supplies ran out.
HMAS VOYAGER D31
‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1940
Voyager is shown early in her Mediterranean Fleet service. She still bears the peacetime pennant number D 31. The aft torpedo tubes have been removed and replaced by a quad MG mount while she waits for a 12pdr AA gun for that position. Her light AA comprises four quadruple MG. She still carries her four main guns. DCs not yet increased. Her scheme is 507c overall.
HMAS VOYAGER I31
‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1941
Voyager altered for war service sports a fairly standard camouflage type utilising three shades of grey. ‘Y’ gun has been removed. She has a 12pdr AA in place of the aft torpedo tubes and 20mm in the bridge wings. There are twin Lewis guns on the bridge and aft in ‘Y’ position. An early fixed Type 286 radar is at the masthead. Flag superior of her pennant has been changed to ‘I ‘. Her scheme is B6, 507c and 507b.
HMAS VENDETTA D69
‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1941
This confusion scheme was worn by Vendetta during her service with the Mediterranean Fleet. It was intended to confuse from a distance and, apart from the light green edging, was similar to that used by Italian torpedo boats and destroyers. She has three sets of quad 0.5in MG, one in each bridge wing and one amidships. The Mediterranean Fleet was well known for some of the more lurid camouflage schemes worn by British and Commonwealth warships. Colours are B15 outlined in G45 on 507c. It is possible that these shades were non-standard, acquired locally.
HMAS VENDETTA D69
‘V&W’ Class Destroyer 1944
The only ship of the four Australian ‘V&W’ class to survive the war, Vendetta underwent several modifications. In this, her last form, she was converted to an escort destroyer and operated in New Guinea waters, where she sometimes conveyed
