During the Second World War navies developed low visibility camouflage, applied to both the vertical and horizontal surfaces of their ships, in order to reduce visibility by blending in with the sea, or confuse the identity of a ship by applying obtrusive patters. In this volume by maritime artist Mal Wright, all the paint schemes that adorned the cruisers, minelayers and armed merchant cruisers of the Royal Navy and Commonwealth are depicted in detail, along with discussion on changes of armament and electronics that effected the outward appearance of each ship. Beginning with the older cruisers, the book goes on to cover all the other cruiser classes taking in heavy cruisers, prewar cruisers, prewar and wartime cruisers; a large part also covers minelayers and armed merchant vessels (AMCs). Where possible both sides of the ship are depicted. With 800 full colour illustrations, arranged by ship type rather than camouflage scheme, this book concentrates the clearest possible information into a single volume to provide a one-stop reference source. Many schemes would be difficult for any reader to unearth other than with the most intensive research, so this work is an invaluable tool for historians, collectors, modelmakers and wargamers. 'Overall, this is a very good book that brings the subject matter to life in a way that no previous work has done. Like its predecessor you can read it from cover to cover or dip into it to study a particular ship or class and it is a tribute both to Mal Wright's many years of research and his artwork. I thoroughly recommend it...' Australian Naval Institute

During the Second World War navies developed low visibility camouflage for their ships, on both the vertical and horizontal surfaces, in order reduce visibility by blending in with the sea, or confuse the identity of a ship by applying more obtrusive patters. In this now classic work by maritime artist Mal Wright both the official and unofficial paint schemes that adorned ships of the Royal Navy and Commonwealth are depicted in detail, along with discussion on changes of armament and electronics that effected the outward appearance of each ship. Starting with destroyers from WW1 still in service during WW2, the book progressively covers ships below cruisers, class by class, to provide a detailed and easy-to-use guide to paint schemes in use. In some cases individual ships are shown in the several schemes they wore thus providing a source that covers various periods of service. With 740 full colour illustrations, all of named vessels, this book concentrates information into a single volume to provide a one-stop reference source, and, for the first time in a single volume, it covers not just the well-known ships, but also escort vessels, minesweepers, trawlers, coastal craft and auxiliaries in sequential format. Many schemes would be difficult for the reader to have found other than with the most intensive research so that historians, collectors, modelmakers and wargamers will find this unique reference source absolutely invaluable. 'A book that all steel navy fans will want in their library. The book is heavily researched and I doubt that anyone else but the author knows more about this subject. ... All I can say is "Wow" to all of the information packed into this small book. It is perfect for the WWII researcher, and the model maker. Bob Friedman, Ship Modellers Forum

During the Second World War navies developed low visibility camouflage for their ships, on both the vertical and horizontal surfaces, in order reduce visibility by blending in with the sea, or confuse the identity of a ship by applying more obtrusive patters. In this the second volume by maritime artist Mal Wright, both the official and unofficial paint schemes that adorned the capital ships of the Royal Navy and Commonwealth are depicted in detail, along with discussions on changes of armament and electronics that effected the outward appearance of each ship. Beginning with the Royal Sovereign class, the book goes on to cover all the other battleship classes as well as the battlecruisers, monitors, the first and second generation carriers as well as light and escort carriers. Where possible both sides of the ship are depicted, and there are multiple images of the ships where armament or equipment changes had a fundamental impact on a ships appearance. Overhead views are also included. With 525 full colour illustrations, arranged by ship type rather than camouflage scheme, this book concentrates the clearest possible information into a single volume to provide a one-stop reference source. Many schemes would be difficult for the reader to have found other than with the most intensive research so that historians, collectors, modelmakers and wargamers will find this unique reference source absolutely invaluable. 'With 525 full colour illustrations, all of named vessels, this book concentrates an astonishing level of information regarding paint colours, schemes and patterns into a single volume to provide a unique one-stop reference source.' Model Boats Magazine