I am building a model of subject boat and need the color scheme used in Viet Nam. The instructions with the model show it as all gray but from pictures I have seen on the net the color looks much darker. I cannot determine if they were drab or green or what from the photos. If any one has any info on this or where I can find it I would appreciate it.
Billk
They were gray …
No, you’re wrong they were always green …
No, your both full of sh**! They were always painted dark gray
All seriousness aside, as you can see they were painted a variety of colors, based on location and period of operation. I suggest that you pump PCF Swift Boat through your favorite search engine and check images for yourself. I spent 5 minutes in Google Images and came up with these.
Thanks EdGrune,those picture were much clearer than what I had looked out before. I was thinking they were either dark gray or various shades of green.
Thanks for you reply.
I’m an ex PBR and Monitor sailor as well a a Submariner, I personally never saw a Swift Boat in any color other than Haze Gray. I do understand that the RVN Navy painted most of their craft OD but the few swifts I saw were " Easy Target here I am Gray"
This was the 1969 time period in the delta. Ive been told that a certain Senator from the Bay State commanded one that was yellow… LOL Just a joke guys… naaa Remember… some of us can joke all we want about that… some paid a heavy price to have the right to do so. I have forgiven but will not forget.
While on the subject of boat colors, almost every Pibber or Raft I saw that was dry serviced in country was painted overall OD even below the waterline…
By the look of the photos provided, and images I have seen before, I would say that it is definitely gray. The only thing that makes the photos look greenish is the quality of the photo itself, as the pics that are off-color suffer a color-shift that affects the tint of the whole image, and not just the boat.
A bit of research that actually compliments the era would be to watch “Apocalypse Now,” or similar movies that featured the Vietnamese crafts.
As far as PBR’s are concerned, I’ve heard they were always OD above the waterline and anything from OD to dark grey to red below the waterline. Of course, as is typical, the sailors in the combat zone couldn’t have cared less what color it was as long as it was done! [:D]
Just remember that PBRs and Swifts were two totally different boats! I’ve seen the Swift in both Haze grey and Olive Drab (OD). I’m building a couple of the Monogram 1/48 Swift boat models for a Vietnam vet in both schemes. These are based on color photos he took during his stint in Vietnam. I also did extensive research for my 1/12 RC Swift boat which turned up a lot of photos of OD boats. The only color I have seen a PBR in is OD.
I almost picked that kit up yesterday. Is it decent?
It’s a reissue of a 60s era kit. No interior, detail is not even close to modern kits, fit is a little rough, but it is A) the only game in town, and B) nothing some basic modeling skill cannot handle. I built one up as a “veteran” boat that had a lot of weathering and scuffs - it ended up in a museum somewhere around Norfolk, VA, while boat number 2 was built in pristine haze grey for a Vietnam veteran. I may tackle boat number three for myself. Back in the 60s, Monogram had the Swift boat, a RAG boat, and a Comand Junk. I’ve managed to snag all three. The junk is building up into a strikingly different model. If you tackle a Swift, let me know. I’ve got volumes of detail info from the boats they brought back to Little Creek Amphib base in the mid 90’s.
Okay, you talked me into it. I’ll be heading to my hobby store tomorrow to see if they still have it in stock.
Thanks for the help.
Most Swift’s seemed to be Haze Gray probably with a black boot-topping (the waterline) and I guess standard deck gray on the decks. I remember the PBR’s being an olive green sometimes all over even below the waterline and I’ve seen one or two with a red underhull