Atlantic Anti-Submarine Camouflage Schemes (ASW) (1943–1945)

It became clear during 1943 that the standard US Navy three-tone camouflage scheme—developed for operations in the Pacific—was not effective under the grey, overcast conditions of the Atlantic. The deep blues that worked well against tropical skies created excessive contrast in the muted light of northern latitudes, making aircraft more visible rather than less.

As a result, on 19 July 1943, the Atlantic Fleet’s air commander issued a directive introducing two new camouflage schemes specifically designed for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) operations. Since the majority of US Navy aircraft operating in the Atlantic were engaged in ASW duties, these schemes became the standard for patrol and escort aircraft.

Scheme I (Three-Tone Atlantic Scheme)

Scheme I was intended for aircraft operating in regions with clearer skies, such as:

• The southeastern United States
• The Caribbean

This scheme retained a three-tone layout similar in concept to the Pacific scheme but replaced blue hues with neutral greys better suited to Atlantic conditions.

Color Layout:

• Upper surfaces: Dark Gull Gray ANA 621
• Side surfaces: Light Gull Gray ANA 620
• Undersurfaces: Insignia White ANA 601

The upper color typically curved downward along the fuselage sides, blending toward the wings in a manner similar to the tri-color Corsair schemes used in the Pacific.

Scheme II (Two-Tone Atlantic Scheme)

Scheme II was designed for operations in heavily overcast environments, particularly:

• The North Atlantic
• Northern convoy routes
• U-boat hunting zones

This scheme simplified the camouflage by eliminating the mid-tone grey.

Color Layout:

• Upper surfaces: Dark Gull Gray ANA 621
• Sides and undersurfaces: Insignia White ANA 601

In this configuration, Insignia White replaced the areas that would otherwise be painted Light Gull Gray in Scheme I.

Because most Atlantic combat operations took place at northern latitudes with persistent cloud cover, Scheme II became by far the most widely used of the two. It is also the scheme most commonly observed in the limited number of surviving color photographs from the Atlantic theater.

Development of ANA Colors

The introduction of these schemes coincided with updates to the ANA (Army-Navy Aeronautical) color system.

• Light Gull Gray (ANA 620) and Dark Gull Gray (ANA 621) were formally added to the ANA palette in June 1944.
• Their primary wartime application was within these Atlantic ASW schemes.

Light Gull Gray can be seen as a development of the earlier Light Gray used under the M-485 specification, although there were slight tonal differences between the two.

Dark Gull Gray, however, did not have a direct predecessor, representing a new standardized shade introduced specifically for operational needs.

Paint Guide and Modern Equivalents

Light Gull Gray – ANA 620

• Closest FS match: FS 36440
• Notes:
  • Very close match post-war
  • Slightly warm neutral grey

Model Paints:

• Gunze: H51 / C11 (dedicated wartime match)
• Vallejo: references both ANA 620 and FS 36440
• Hataka: includes ANA/FS equivalents

Dark Gull Gray – ANA 621

• Closest FS match: FS 36231
• Notes:
  • Slightly darker, neutral-to-warm grey
  • No direct pre-war equivalent

Model Paints:

• Gunze: H57 / C73 (“Aircraft Grey”)
• Vallejo: dual ANA/FS reference
• Hataka: dedicated matches available

Insignia White – ANA 601

• Closest FS match: FS 37875

Notes:

• Not a pure, bright white
• Slightly muted/off-white appearance
• Typically applied in a matte or low-sheen finish

Key Operational Insight

The purpose of these schemes was not perfect concealment, but reduction of detection time.

In ASW operations:

• Enemy submarines observed aircraft from below
• The background was either bright sky or diffuse cloud cover

The use of grey upper surfaces and white undersides reduced contrast against these backgrounds, delaying visual detection by U-boat crews. Even a delay of a few seconds could be decisive in allowing an aircraft to initiate an attack.

Modeling Notes (Critical for Accuracy)

To reproduce these schemes correctly:

• Prefer Scheme II for most Atlantic subjects
• Avoid blue tones entirely
• Use matte or satin finishes, not glossy
• Apply subtle weathering:
  • Salt streaking
  • Exhaust stains
  • Light grime accumulation

Avoid heavy sun fading, as Atlantic conditions produced less UV bleaching compared to the Pacific.

Undersurfaces should not be pure white—add slight grey variation for realism.

WWII U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Deck – Support Equipment FS Guide part-2

https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2011/09/world-war-ii-asw-schemes-versus-norfolk.html

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234919065-sea-grey-and-light-grey-their-possible-equivalents/