An online database of camouflage used by 
United State Naval Warships during WWII

The Development of Naval Camouflage 1914 - 1945 
Part IV: United States Navy - The Interwar Years

By Alan Raven

 (Article reprinted courtesy of Plastic Ship Modeler Magazine issue #97/2)

the colors and schemes that were applied to REID and DOWNES only. (See Figs. 6 and 7.)  The results were, as expected inconclusive, and further tests were suggested.

  The follow-on tests were conducted in the following year from May to September.  Ships taking part were as follows:

CONYNGHAM - Dazzle type (Black and Ocean Gray). (Fig 8)
RALEIGH - Graded System - Black, Dark Gray, Ocean Gray, #5.
MELVILLE - Dazzle Type.
DETROIT - #5 Navy Gray.

Second series of tests:

Destroyer Division Four:

CUSHING - Matt - black.
PERKINS - Matt - dark green.
PRESTON - Gloss - black.
SMITH - Matt - black.

Destroyer Division Five:

CASSIN - Matt - Ocean Gray.
DOWNES - Gloss - black.
REID - Matt - Ocean Gray.
CONYGHAM - Gloss - Ocean Gray.

Third test series:

Destroyer Division Four:

CUSHING - Gloss - dark green.
PERKINS - Matt - dark green.
PRESTON - Ocean Gray.
SMITH - Black.

Fourth test series:

Destroyer Division Five:

CASSIN - Ocean Gray.
DOWNES - Black.
REID - #5 Navy Gray.
CONYGHAM - Dazzle - Black and Ocean Gray.

Fifth test series:

SOMERS - Ocean Gray.
WARRINGTON - #5 Navy Gray.
GRIDLEY - #5 Navy Gray.

The above series of experiments was noteworthy because they were conducted over several months covering an area from the East Coast of America to the Pacific and included observations made by day and night under a wide variety of weather conditions.  Observations were made from surface vessels, submarines at periscope depth, and from the air.  They were the most extensive and most professional tests made since 1918.  Information and conclusions from the experiments led directly to

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