The WW1 Dazzle camouflage was developed to make ships indistinct to submarine attack as the view trough a periscope was rendered useless. It was very effective but not used as much in WW2.
The German Airforce in WW1 used a similar idea sometimes on the top plane of a biplane. It was painted to move the center, off center so shooting from above would miss the pilot.
The 2017 Liverpool Dazzle paint job - see pictures - was an artist interpretation.
During 2014-2018 to remember WW1 several ships in the UK received WW1 dazzle paint work. There was one on the Thames in Central London.
Terranova47
USA
Naval camouflage is not my area, but I seriously doubt those colours. Also, the lines are vertical or nearly vertical, and would have been useless as Dazzle Camoulage. The intent of Dazzle was to use high-contrast diagonals or curves at differing angles to make it difficult to estimate speed, range, and angle, as well as complicate identifying the ship type and size. A false bow wave as usually painted on as well. Were the other ships painted in Dazzle colours done in a more accurate manner, or were they all 'artistic' interpretations ? It was very interesting to see these photos, as I did not know that some ships had been painted as part of the WW1 commemorations.
ReplyDeleteI saw this ship a few years back in Liverpool. We may have even sailed on it. We did sail on a small ship and they explained, incidentally, that they could only play very short parts of the song Ferry Across the Mersey so they didn't get billed for royalties! As for Dazzle, its a style that entered popular culture. Just think of the artistic look of John Lennon's famous Roll's Royce [was it a die-cast too?} and the magical Mini Stripey dinky die-cast car from Gerry Anderson's Candy and Andy.
DeleteHiya Woodsy, nice to have you back. I'm assuming you've been away or something as I've noticed you've been conspicuous by your absence. No one tells me anything;D
DeleteI once sailed on a Mersey Ferry and heard a tannoy announcement promoting a visit to Spaceport to see K9, which was my scratchbuild on display!
ReplyDeleteStripey the Magic Mini is a lot closer to WW1 Dazzle Painting than the ship in the photos. The wooden models owned by Terranova47, which began all this, are much more accurately painted. Dazzle has also been used on a few aircraft, but I think only for trials.
ReplyDeleteThe John Lennon Rolls-Royce was based on traditional canal barge painting, rather than Dazzle. There has been at least one large scale collectors model of this car, with a price tag to match, but I am not aware of any toy versions. Perhaps the scheme was just too complicated ?
Wow the Albert Dock in Liverpool. Havent been there in ages! Merseyside group Orchestral Manoevres did an album called Dazzle Ships in the 90’s, not really one of the best, but nice cover!
ReplyDeleteWhat Candy and Andy Mini Car Woodsy ?
ReplyDeleteI've looked at all the C and A photos you've shown, and I can't see it !!!
Mish.
Wotan has posted it just now Mish.
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