The design drawing for Measure 32/21D for Fletcher class destroyers, probably dated late 1943 or early 1944. The Measure 32 colors specified were dull black (BK) and light gray (5-L) vertically. There is an identical drawing for the Measure 31/21D colors (NARA 80-G-165749 and 80-G-165750) that was dated January 19, 1944. Neither drawing included the front views or back views of the turrets. The stern view at D caused some ships to paint extra panels.
The Design 21D pattern was derived from an earlier Measure 16 Thayer Blue pattern but used new colors. Walkowiak and Sowinski provide an excellent comparison showing the similarities of the two patterns in Camouflage 1. 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 as above for the Fletcher class in both Measure 31 and Measure 32 colors.
Original drawing source: NARA 80-G-160239 and 80-G-160240.
