Photo: Royal Navy
Before modern technology became a staple, military strategists had to be much more creative when devising defense techniques. And, although outdated, most of these techniques are iconic due to their historic value. The dazzle camouflage paint scheme on the Royal Navy’s HMS Tamar is a great example of that.
HMS Tamar, the new patrol ship that entered service just last year, showed off her striking camouflage print in various shades of gray. At first, you might be tempted to think that it’s just a purely decorative, unique-looking colorway. But the truth is that the unusual geometric shapes and bold colors have a strategic purpose and a long history behind them.
During World War 1, one man came up with a brilliant idea. The problem was that ships were easily visible to the recently-introduced U-boats and, therefore, vulnerable. That’s when Norman Wilkinson, a Royal Navy officer, as well as an artist, created the dazzle paint technique.
By painting ships in various colors and geometrical patterns, they would truly become camouflaged for submarines, who would have a much harder time trying to identify them and determine their coordinates. The strategy worked and it was used extensively by the Royal Navy, with over 2,000 ships boasting the dazzle camouflage until the end of the war.
During the Second World War, even though military technology was already more advanced, this unique paint scheme continued to prove its utility as a defense mechanism.
In the post-war era, it gradually became outdated. But the good news is that it’s currently being revived within the Royal Navy, after a decision was made to give the River-class ships in the Overseas Patrol Squadron an exclusive identity.
Tamar already had a special appearance, due to her oversized red lion motifs, but now she definitely stands out, after 53 gallons (200 liters) of paint were used to give her the dazzle camouflage in 4 shades of gray, plus black.
During World War 1, one man came up with a brilliant idea. The problem was that ships were easily visible to the recently-introduced U-boats and, therefore, vulnerable. That’s when Norman Wilkinson, a Royal Navy officer, as well as an artist, created the dazzle paint technique.
By painting ships in various colors and geometrical patterns, they would truly become camouflaged for submarines, who would have a much harder time trying to identify them and determine their coordinates. The strategy worked and it was used extensively by the Royal Navy, with over 2,000 ships boasting the dazzle camouflage until the end of the war.
During the Second World War, even though military technology was already more advanced, this unique paint scheme continued to prove its utility as a defense mechanism.
In the post-war era, it gradually became outdated. But the good news is that it’s currently being revived within the Royal Navy, after a decision was made to give the River-class ships in the Overseas Patrol Squadron an exclusive identity.
Tamar already had a special appearance, due to her oversized red lion motifs, but now she definitely stands out, after 53 gallons (200 liters) of paint were used to give her the dazzle camouflage in 4 shades of gray, plus black.
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