Color of SK-2 radar dish

Modeling Subjects Ships
1

Hi,I am building the Trumpeter USS North Carolina in 1/350 scale. I am detailing with photo etch from Toms Model Works. My question is:
What color is the SK-2 radar dish? Kit instructions and detail set instructions do not say. Any help would be appreciated.
emo07

2

Ahoy emo07,

I found some photos for you, hope it will help.
www.motionmodels.com
Click on battleships and North Carolina BB-55
Have a nice day and happy modeling !

Joe

3

Thanks Grauwolf,
But , those pictures were not any better than my reference photos that are in black and white . It appears to be a light gray or silver.
emo07

4

Hi emo07,
I would be inclined in believing that the light gray as seen on the rest
of the ship, would be the appropriate color.

Silver ??? Highly reflective, maybe not so good for the ship’s
concealment.
If I come up with more info, will inform.

Joe

5

Same color as the predominate camouflage.

Jeff

6

Thanks Jeff and Joe for your replies. These replies helped alot.
emo07

7

Hi eno07,
Just did some browsing and found out the BB-55 North Carolina is stationed
as a war museum in Wilmington, North Carolina. I don’t know how far it is
from your town, Concord, but a trip out there should help answer many of your
questions and I am sure seeing the real thing up close would quite an experience.

I myself am primarily a u-boat modeler and I am planning a trip from Montreal
to see the U-505 exhibit in Chicago. There is nothing like seeing the real thing!

Hope the info has been of some help,
Have a nice day and happy modeling,

Joe

8

Thanks Joe,
I have been to the USS North Carolina many times. I asked this question to a worker while I was there and he could’nt tell me the wartime color of the radar dish. He said it now recieves a coat of gray paint yearly to combat corrosion.
emo07

9

Depending on what year you are modeling is going to affect the color. If she is in Ms 21, (1943-early 44) the radar will be 5-N Navy Blue. If you go with her Ms 32 Medium pattern the radar would be pale gray, and if you go with Ms 22-graded it will be haze grey, Oh yeah I forgot if she is to be modeled in Ms 12-graded (1942) the radar will be Ocean gray. I think that she didn’t recieve an SK-2 untill her 43 refit. Hope this helps.

10

Doesn’t that say exactly the same thing as ‘same color as the predominate camouflage?’ [;)]

Incidentally, with Measure 12 graded, it would still be haze gray…

Ms 12: Graded System. Paint hull 5-S to the level of main deck (Carriers to the level of the hangar deck). Paint superstructure to the tops of the funnels Ocean Grey 5-O. Above the funnels Haze Grey 5-H.

Jeff