Mauretania in Dazzle Camouflage

[Dave Ward]

I've been kept away from the bench by bad back pain - and whilst lying on my bed, I was thinking about possible future projects. I know I have an Airfix Mauretania in the stash, but the normal Cunard livery didn't really appeal. She was used as a troopship in WWI, and had two different dazzle camouflage patters applied 1917-18


There are a few photos around ( as above, hand coloured ) and a drawing or two


I have noticed that all of these show the starboard side - I can't seem to find a picture/drawing of the port side. The only one I could find looks merely like a reversed image. I managed to track down some drawings of the 'Olympic', which showed me that port & starboard are totally different. The only portside views are of models. Each ship had a unique pattern applied, designed by the painter Norman Wilkinson.
Anyone have any pointers to pictures, or drawings? - I'm a bit wary about the models, after all, the maker could have had the same problem!
Dave

[adt70hk]

Sorry Dave. Can't help.

Andrew

[stillp]

I see what you mean Dave, there are plenty of photos of the starboard side, but this is the only one I can find of the port side
(from 1250scale.com).
There are plenty of the Olympic, both sides, so if all else fails I guess you could copy that.
Have you tried emailing Liverpool Maritime museum? I've found them very helpful in the past when researching a ship for a colleague, but of course they might not be working at the moment.
Sorry to hear about your back pain.
Pete

[Neil Merryweather]

what a brilliant idea!

[Dave Ward]

Pete,
that's the photo I think is a reverse image - it seems to have the same pattern as photos of the starboard side. From my reading it's said that the patterns were different p & s - at the moment. its a bit of a puzzle! :thinking:
Dave

[Tim Marlow]

Hi Dave
i don’t think they are reverse images of each other, look at the bow pattern and the line of the bow to the bridge. Both are different. The crane also appears at different points above the bow.

[Guest]

Pete,
that's the photo I think is a reverse image - it seems to have the same pattern as photos of the starboard side. From my reading it's said that the patterns were different p & s - at the moment. its a bit of a puzzle! :thinking:
Dave

This is definately not a reverse image as you can see quite clearly the tug which is not in the first image.

[prichrd1]

Dave,

Found this one - IWM archives:-

RMS Mauretania

HTH,

Paul.
:smiling2:

[Dave Ward]

When I meant reverse image, I meant this - mirrored image...................

Dave

[Guest]

This is definately a reversed image :tears-of-joy:.

[stillp]

Pete,
that's the photo I think is a reverse image - it seems to have the same pattern as photos of the starboard side. From my reading it's said that the patterns were different p & s - at the moment. its a bit of a puzzle! :thinking:
Dave

Yes, I see what you mean now.
Pete

[Dave Ward]

After a hour or so poking around, I think I've found something which looks pretty useful!

Supposedly an Admiralty sketch of the 1918 pattern.
Not the clearest photo I've seen, but good enough!
Dave

[Neil Merryweather]

Hi Dave
i don’t think they are reverse images of each other, look at the bow pattern and the line of the bow to the bridge. Both are different. The crane also appears at different points above the bow.

I'm with Jim here, the patterns in the two images are similar, but not identical

[stillp]

Found this on warrelics.eu:

Looks very much like your Admiralty sketch Dave.
Pete

[stillp]

I didn't know the Mauretania was involved in the Gallipoli campaign until now, so thanks Dave! My grandfather might have either been delivered to Mudros on board her, or returned to the UK when she was a hospital ship after he was wounded.
Pete