RJW Fleet painiting Reference?

[afilter]

I was just wondering how most decide what colors to paint their fleets?

I have noticed some tend to go with a similar color scheme for all ships form a single nation. I started to do this with my RJW fleets. I initally used the Houston Models page as a painting guide. As a reult most of my Russian BBs are a very dark charcoal gray(look black) and my IJN ships are a medium gray.

As I have progessed I have started to do internet searches for each ship and have found many pictures of Russian ships that appear almost white.

As I look ahead to doing the Russian Baltic fleet for Tsushima it appears there was a mix of Light and dark ships.

Just wondering if anyone has an actual color reference they use as photos are mostly B&W and a have found only a few color references.

TIA,

[Bluebear]

Aaron,

First allow me to say that I've "cheated" in that I made a conscious decision to use "pre-war" liveries for my fleets. Why? Because I wanted to be able to easily tell the ships of different nations apart.

That being stated, I was then faced with the dilemma that Russian ships in particular didn't really have a unified painting scheme. The "Pacific Fleet" and "Home Fleet" were quite different . . . and not all that consistent anyway. So I just picked one scheme from the many and used it for all even though I knew it to be incorrect for all.

By the way, the best online source for paint schemes that I've found is at the "War Times Journal" website. (Look at second item under "Information Links" / "Historical Naval Miniatures"):

www.wtj.com/store/

Now Jim Pitts has chosen to paint his RJW ships in a much closer to "historical reality" manner. Search his blog back a bit to see all of his ships:

colcampbell-shipyard.blogspot.com/

Another blog that you might find of interest is the SteelonSandBlog's Pre-Dreadnought Photos subsection:

steelonsand.blogspot.com/search/label/Pre-Dreadnought%20Photos

Finally, I am fortunate to have a large table (5' x 10' 6") and unfortunate enough to have limited eyesight . . . which is why I've chosen the path that I have. Let's face it, 1/2400 Pre-Dreadnoughts are SMALL. So I wanted more color and a bit more ease in telling fleets apart . . . but while my choice fits my particular situation, it is not for everyone.

Paint your fleets as you think best . . . that is what I suggest, sir.


-- Jeff

[warchariot]

Great advise from Blue Bear and, as always, helpful links.