My instructions are all in Japanise but the primary hull color is Tamiya’s #53 deck tan. This seams odd in that aircraft were the biggest threat and the deck tan on a dark blue ocean would be easier to spot. Does anyone have any trustworthy resources to support this? Thanks, Greg.
The deck is tan colored because it is natural wood. I think the long white wake such a big ship would leave would give her away to any air observer regardless of the deck color. But during second half of 1944, her deck was repainted a dark gray to reduce visibility from above.
I guess that’s what I get from reading Japanise. After a thorough reevaluation [:I], I find the proper hull color is neutral gray. Thanks!
It depends on the time period you’re modelling. Up until the Battle for Leyte Gulf, her wood decks–which were Hinoki cypress–were natural wood. Hinoki cypress is very light colored, lighter even than teak, and would have been kept holystoned and bright. However, both Musashi and Yamato stained their wood decks black for the Leyte operation, using a mix of funnel soot and oil. Yamato’s decks were still stained black when she was lost.
Cheers,
John Snyder, White Ensign Models, http://WhiteEnsignModels.com