RE: [Paddlewise] Boat color

From: <knelson_at_actionpoint.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2002 11:36:55 -0700
writes:

"During WWII, there was a theory that pink easily blended in with other 
colors, so for a while, the tips of submarine periscopes were painted that 

color. Under this theory, pink would be a stealth color, at least for 
small 
objects (the above water part of a periscope was about the size of a broom 

handle). I think, however, that even for gray periscope tips it was the 
periscope's wake that attracted the eye, not the color."

Pinks and tans were, and still are, the favorite camo colors for desert 
warfare. Various shades of pale pink do mimic a variety of colors to the 
normal human eye. Drawing from camouflage history then; should we 
duplicate the dazzle patterns of WW 1 and to an extent WW 2, used on 
Allied shipping? The idea as I understand it was the foe plainly sees the 
ship, it's hard to miss, but the contrasting irregular black and white 
geometric patterns made it impossible to figure out what kind of vessel it 
was, its course, it's speed, or distance. Certainly the visibility would 
be there, but what reaction a slightly inebriated power boat operator may 
have to a small "fleet" of aquatic zebras is open to speculation.

Kevin




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Received on Fri Jul 12 2002 - 11:34:29 PDT

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