CONFIDENTIAL
From: BuShips
To: Comdts., M.I.,Norfolk, and Cavite.
3. These two shades can be made from the white untinted base, formula 5-U by combining appropriate amounts of it with the blue and black pastes described in detail in paragraphs 3(a) and 3(b) of reference (b). One hundred gallons of the blue paste should be combined with 12 gallons of the black paste. Thirty-five fluid ounces of the composite blue-black paste when added to five gallons of the white untinted base, formula 5-U will produce the lighter of the two shades of gray paint and the shade will approximate the Munsell color designation, Purple Blue (P.B.) 6/2. The darker shade of gray paint can be produced by the addition of 162 fluid ounces of the composite blue-black paste to five gallons of the white untinted base, formula 5-U. The resultant shade approximates the Munsell color designation, Purple Blue (P.B.) 4/4. The Bureau has assigned the formula designation 5-H, "haze gray" to the lighter of the two new gray shades and formula 5—S, "sea blue" to the darker shade of gray.
4. The trend toward the use of these two new shades of gray paint is strongly indicated and the information given above relative to manufacture is forwarded to the addressees in advance of any actual authorization to manufacture. The addressees should plan manufacturing schedules accordingly, so as not to build up any reserve stock of dark gray paint, formula 5-D, in anticipation that paint in accordance with the latter formula will become obsolete.
5. The Bureau has not decided whether to authorize manufacture of the complete haze gray and sea blue paints at the paint manufacturing yards or to issue the white base and the correct proportions of tinting materials to the Forces Afloat, as has been the prevalent practice in the case of a light gray and ocean gray, formulas 5-L and 5-0.
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 H. A. Ingram By Direction |