The Ship Model Forum

I'd look at it this way, the revised 1945 colors were the shift from the purple-blue base to the neutral gray base. The order was issued Feb 1945 but when did they start making the new paint? When was it shipped to the front lines IF at all? If she pulled into Ulithi for only 7-10 days prior to a MAJOR operation I seriously doubt they would have worried about painting her unless she was in dire need and if so with whatever paint was available, regardless of any new orders. They had plenty of other things to worry about prepping for an invasion. Something else to consider is there are plenty of photos (some color) showing depicting ships painted in Ms. 22 using the blue paints well into 1946 and some into 1947. The thinking behind that is we had so much of the blue paint left they decided to use it up. I would guess that if she ever received the revised gray color it would have come during a stateside yard period and not in the field. I'm not an expert though, I'm just coming at this from a logic standpoint. I'm not sure how widespread the neutral grays became in 1945 but from what I do know I'd be very surprised if any ships were repainted in them in the field, especially that far west. I'd go with the purple-blue colors for your build.

I'm not a camo expert, but if USS HENRY A WILEY (DM-29) was repainted into Ms 22 prior to IWO JIMA and from the February 1946 photo, it doesn't appear that she was "touched-up" prior to returning to the states. In that case my "guess" is that she was painted with the older paint that would have been on hand in the "forward" area prior to February 1945.

I am building 1:192 DM-29 model as mine layer; have Iwo Jima pic of
DM-29 in Ms.22 and Feb.46 pic of her in San Francisco Bay in Ms.22
like scheme. Can anyone confirm whether 2/46 pic is Ms.22 or Ms.22-Revised?
There was a 2/20/45 memo to fleet commanders to repaint per Ms.22-Revised.
Reading DM-29 DANFS, it's presumed only time repaint possible post Iwo was
@ Ulithi (7-10 day replenishemnt/staging for Okinawa invasion); DM-29 in constant
action post Okinawa thru Aug.45; then mine sweeping service Aug.-Dec.45; exiting
PTO Jan.46 and arrival in SF Bay on 2/17/46. Please reply if anyone can help.

Thanks much,
toeg41