Destroyer Escorts

This is a composite of the drawings for Design 21D for the Buckley class destroyer escorts in a 3-color Measure 32, originally produced probably March or April 1944. The standard Measure 32 colors: dull black (BK), ocean gray (5-O) and light gray (5-L) were used. The bow view was crossed out with pencil in the original starboard view drawing. No destroyer escorts are known to have used this version of Design 21D.

The pattern used by Design 21D was used in an earlier measure that had been successful in North Atlantic waters, using two colors: white and a light blue (Thayer Blue) that was labeled Measure 16. Design 21D was drawn up for USS Nashville (CL-43) as early as July 14, 1943. In late 1943 and early 1944 it was also drawn for the Fletcher class destroyers in both Measure 31 and Measure 32 colors.

Original drawing sources: NARA 80-G-172861 and 80-G-172869.