Lower hull paint on Lafayette class SSBN John Marshall - red or black

[Timothy L]

In this photo supposedly of the Lafayette class SSBN John Marshall in drydock at Holy Loch, Scotland, the lower hull does not appear to have red oxide anti-fouling paint - but rather the later used black paint.

1) Does anyone know for sure if this is an accurate statement?

2) Whether black or red antifouling paint, why does the photo appear to show such extreme marine bio-fouling?

3) Is that normal with all antifouling paint after a 2-3 month voyage?

4) What causes the 2nd distinct lower horizontal “line” towards the very bottom of the hull? Thank you.

[wlambing]

Tim,
Last first: She is carrying 3 distinct layers of paint. Bottom, up to main axis is all hull red, at main axis, there is a single coat of black sprayed over the red, which shows as a dark purple in real life, then, at the waterline she goes all black to the top of the sail. Remember, on a model flat black is too black. Dark charcoal gray hotrod primer is a good choice.
The bottom doesn't look red due to small barnacles and other bios.
Anti-foul paint wears out quickly. Growth commensurate to age of the paint and where she was patrolling. UK waters promote lots of growth.

Take care,

Bill

[Timothy L]

Thank you Bill -
1) Just to double check - Is the 2nd horizontal band from the bottom (which appears as the darkest, almost black band in the photo), the area which you say appears dark purple in real life?

2) A search for dark charcoal gray hot rod primer brings up large quantity primer (primarily available through TCP) for auto body shops. can you recommend a rattle can color or Tamiya jar color that comes close to the charcoal gray you are describing - so I can get a visual of the color? Colors on the computer screen can be misleading. Is the NATO black shown below reasonably close?

Thanks again.