Channel Dash Question

[DonC]

All, I am starting to model DKM Scharnhorst in 1/700 scale and I found that my kit is set up to reflect her at the time of Operation Cerberus. My question is what color the speckled camouflage was on her upperworks. I have seen everything from light blue (which I think is erroneous because the turret tops carried that color) to dark gray portrayed online - does anyone have any idea what the actual color was, even roughly?

As always, thanks in advance for any assistance!

Don

[Waffenreich]

Don,

I know you're a savvy guy and have probably already scoured the net, but have you checked these links out. I didn't read them in their entirety, but they do address paint schemes and might give you some insight to drive you towards some flexibility in your choice of colors: http://www.kbismarck.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1045 and http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum...4716&start=240.

This book may help as well: http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews...cw-review.html

Good luck and look forward to seeing it when it's done.

vr

Bob

[DonC]

Thanks, Bob - Yes, I checked out bismarck.org - that's how I found ut about the speckled camo on the upperworks. I have three reference books on the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, but there is only one picture of the Channel Dash in which I can detect the speckled pattern on one of the 5.9 cm turrets out of all three books. I am sure they had more important things to do at the time than to document the colors the ships were painted. I think I am going to go with dark gray. Thanks for the shipmodels link - I had not seen that, although mnost of the links are, sadly, dead.

Don

[Waffenreich]

You're welcome Don. Looking forward to seeing pics when you christen her.

vr

Bob

[DonC]

Well, here's Big Sister - hoping I can do a better job on Scharnhorst.

Don

[Waffenreich]

Looks great Don! How long did that take you and did you go stock kit, or use photo etched parts as well?

vr

Bob

[DonC]

Bob, it's an old Aoshima kit, which didn't have the best detail so I used some spare PE that I had to detail it out (ladders and railings) and a wood deck. Also swapped out the crappy 20mm single mounts for some better ones. Took me on and off about six weeks - just a little at a time. I'll post more pics with the Scharnhorst when I finish her.

Don