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1. In compliance with reference (a), Commander Battleships issued reference (b), directing that Battleships, Battle Force be painted in accordance with Measure 1 of reference (c), and that the COLORADO, OKLAHOMA and NEVADA carry out Experiment F of reference (a) by painting the false bow wave shown on Plate 4 of reference (c). 2. In accordance with paragraph 7 of reference (a), reports on efficacy of camouflage painting, summarized in enclosure (A), are submitted herewith. Reports received from individual battleships in this command, submitted in compliance with reference (b), are forwarded in enclosures (B) through (I) inclusive.(These were not with the report when scanned) 3. Summarized comments and recommendations in enclosure (A) were drawn up after study of the enclosed reports. In view of the subjective nature of these experiments, it is considered that a measure of contradiction between conclusions and remarks - 1 -
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presented by different ships in the enclosures was inevitable. In each case, an endeavor has been made to arrive at the most reasonable recommendation under the circumstances. Inasmuch as reports were submitted by vessels operating in the Hawaiian Area for the most part, the remarks in enclosure (A) are to be considered as restricted in their application to operations in a locale where excellent weather and visibility normally obtain, and where fog, mist, haze and overcast weather are infrequent. 4. Conclusions (for amplification see enclosure (A)). (a) Measure 1 decreases visibility effectively, particularly when observed at night under searchlight illumination, and from the air. Estimation of speed and target angle, and indentification as to type and character are impaired. (b) False bow waves painted in accordance with Plate 4 of reference (c) are ineffective, and may reveal the ship at night. (c) For ships painted in accordance with Measure 1, wake visibility is greater than self visibility under air observation, and under searchlight illumination at night, and is less than self visibility under surface observation during the day, and at low speeds under the other conditions cited. (d) Experiment K (ENTERPRISE) is effective, in that the observer sees two ships, and is confused as to character of the ENTERPRISE. 5. Recommendations.(for amplification see enclosure (A)). (a) Measure 1 may be improved by using a slightly lighter, bluer, shade of non-specular paint than Formula 5D, for painting, and by painting the whole ship uniformly, i.e., discontinuing light gray tops. (b) Discontinue use of false bow waves. (c) Eliminate all light colored and reflecting surfaces topside; cover exposed glass surfaces at night. It is considered unnecessary to paint or stain exposed wooden decks. (d) Paint ten-thousand-ton light cruisers dark gray with light gray stern. (e) Carry out further experiments with graded system, - 2 -
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using Measure 12 as adopted by Atlantic Fleet. 6. The information in the enclosures is not applicable to ships in areas where low visibility prevails, or where overcast, haze and fog are general; therefore no recommendations are submitted as to camouflage measures to be adopted under such conditions. However, it is recommended that a policy be definitely established of painting a vessel appropriately before it departs for any specified combat or operating area.
W. S. ANDERSON DISTRIBUTION:
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CONFIDENTIAL CAMOUFLAGE MEASURES SUMMARIZED REPORTS, COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS BY COMMANDER BATTLESHIPS A. Relative efficacy of Measure 1 (Dark Gray System) and Measure 3 (Light Gray System). I. Surface observations, daylight. (a) Visibility - When the observed vessel is up sun, the mode of painting is unimportant, since the silhouette effect prevails. Down sun, and with the sun at an angle, the dark gray ships are less visible than the light gray ships, when short of the horizon, and somewhat more visible when over the horizon, particularly against a hazy sky. Early detection of ships painted in accordance with Measure 1 is frequently facilitated by the sharp line of color contrast presented at the juncture between the dark gray hull superstructure and the light gray tops. (b) Target Angle and Identification - Measure 1 renders judgement of target angle difficult, even when the observer is experienced in estimating target angle at long ranges. With or without optical aids, identification of dark gray ships as to character, type, and ship is confused, regardless of the weather conditions or sun direction. (c) Range-taking - Stereo range-taking is unaffected, but coincidence ranging is considerably more difficult when the target is a dark gray ship. II. Surface observations, night. (a) Visibility, target angle and identification. (1) Moonlight nights- Down moon, light gray ships are more visible due to higher reflectance than dark gray ships. In other directions, no difference in visibility is apparent. (2) Moonless nights - Opinion is equally divided; hence it is concluded that character of painting has little effect. (3) Searchlight illumination - Measure 1 is very effective, the dark gray ships being difficult to pick up, follow, identify, estimate target angle, and take ranges on. Usually only the light gray tops, bow wave, and wake are visible, the latter two only at higher speeds. -1- ENCLOSURE (A) |
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CONFIDENTIAL CAMOUFLAGE MEASURES SUMMARIZED REPORTS, COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS BY COMMANDER BATTLESHIPS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - III. Air observations. Measure 1 is very effective, the dark gray ship being considerably less visible under almost all conditions of weather and lighting. Dark gray ships are usually first picked up when their wakes or light gray tops are sighted, or because of sunlight reflected from glass or shiny surfaces. Estimation of speed and target angle are impaired, and at speeds under 12 knots (battleships) the wake is un-obtrusive and the ship is very difficult to pick up. IV. Submarine observations of surface vessels - forwarded in reference (d). V. Conclusions and recommondations. Under very few circumstances is Measure 1 less effective than Measure 3, and from several important considerations, namely air observation, and under searchlight illumination, it is very effective and has great merit. The retention of light gray tops as part of Measure 1 appears of questionable value; accordingly, it is recommended that experiments be carried out with ships uniformly painted dark gray. Further experiment as to color of dark gray paint is recommended, using a color slightly lighter and containing more blue than Formula 5D. It is understood that the Bureau of Ships has in hand a program for furnishing Formula 5S - "Sea Blue" -which may meet the requirements of the experiment suggested. B. Efficacy of Artificial Bow Waves - Experiment F (reference (a)).I. Surface observations, daylight. Opinion is virtually unanimous that the false bow wave painted in accordance with Plate 4 of reference (c) is deceptive only within very narrow range limits, at sharp angles on the bow, and under given weather and lighting conditions. Adverse criticisms in the main are directed to the harsh contours and contrast between the white outline and dark gray background, the failure to utilize natural blues and greens below the white outline, and lack of versimilitude in the design; Only a very unexperienced observer would be deceived, and then only under optimum conditions. II. Surface observations, night. Regardless of lighting, mast observers base speed estimate on the wake. The white portion of the false bow wave, painted on a dark gray ship, frequently discloses the presence of the ship, especially at low speeds, when the wake - 2 - ENCLOSURE (A) |
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CONFIDENTIAL CAMOUFLAGE MEASURES SUMMARIZED REPORTS, COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS BY COMMANDER BATTLESHIPS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - is inconspicuous. This is particularly true under searchlight illumination. III. Air observations. Bow waves painted in accordance with the reference are not true likeness of real bow waves as viewed from aircraft aloft. Detailed suggestions for air deception in this regard are offered in enclosure (E). IV. Submarine observations - forwarded in reference (d). V. Conclusions and recommend ations. The disadvantages of increased visibility, particularly at night and undor searchlight illumination, are considered to far outweigh the restricted possibilities of mild deception attending the use of the artificial bow waves reported upon; therefore this measure is not recommended. C. Experiment G - Wake visibility. I. Surface observations - daylight. Under normal conditions prevailing in this area, a ship is usually sighted at a far greater distance than its wake is visible. II. Surface observations - night. (a) Speeds under 12 knots (BB), and under 15 knots (DD, CL and CA). Wakes arc inconspicuous, except when at relatively close range and illuminated by searchlight. (b) Speeds over 12 knots (BB), and over 15 knots (DD, CL and CA). A wake is frequently sighted before the dark gray ship producing it, particularly when down moon or under searchlight illumination. Up moon, wakes are seldom visible as far as the ship itself can be made out. III. Air observation. Generally the wake is sighted before the dark gray ship producing it is apparent; particularly at moderate and high speeds. Especially is this true at night, and during the day from high altitudes. - 3 - ENCLOSURE (A) |
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CONFIDENTIAL CAMOUFLAGE MEASURES SUMMARIZED REPORTS, COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS BY COMMANDER BATTLESHIPS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - IV. Conclusions. The actual radius of wake visibility is a function of several variables - light conditions, weather, state of sea, type of ship, speed of ship, and altitude of observer. Data in the enclosures are insufficient to conclusively determine any fixed values of wake visibility. Qualitatively, it is possible to state that for surface observation by day, the circle of self visibility greatly exceeds that of wake visibility; by night, the reverse may hold true, particularly for lighter craft at moderate and high speeds. For air observation of dark gray ships, the wake is visible at con-siderably greater distances than the ship itself, particularly at moderate and high speeds. D. Miscellaneous. I. At night, under searchlight illumination, ships painted in accordance with Measure 1 are disclosed by light gray top, false bow wave, reflection of light from glass and shiny surfaces, and at moderate and highor speeds, by true bow wave and wake. All of these except the latter two are capable of suppression. II. Experiment K, reference (a) - The deception afforded by painting dark gray silhouettes on the ENTERPRISE has been found excellent during daylight at most target angles and at all ranges outside of 5000-7000 yards. However, the value of such camouflage is in direct ratio to the degree of security accorded its existence. III. Ten-thousand-ton cruiser painted dark gray with light gray stern is believed to be very effectively camouflaged as to identity, when the observer is abaft the cruiser's beam. IV. Definite recommendations in regard to Experiments A, B, C, D, E, H, I and J of reference (a) are not offered, inasmuch as the data presented in enclosures (B) through (I) are incomplete and inconclusive on these experiments.
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Transcribed by RESEARCHER @ LARGE. Formatting & Comments Copyright R@L.