The changing colours of QE2

[Bob C.]

Andy,
   This matrix may help you a bit on the blue paint and stack colors. 

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/vmorley/QE2data.htm

As far as the teak decking on Upper Deck forward being removed, I can only guess that it was removed when the galley extension was built.  Logically speaking, the fire hazard presented by the decking during welding operations would necessitate it's removal and I can't see them only removing part of it or laying it back down.   Will look at my photos to see if there is anything there.

[Rob Lightbody]

The QE2 Dating Guide - Fantastic! - Love it!!

[Scott Ebersold]

The most subtle changes were the Cunard orange to Cunard red boot topping.  Cunard red is the color of the stack and boot topping today.  The original boot topping was the original Cunard orange like QM's smoke stack color but much more durable than Britannia's buttermilk paint.     

I had different understanding about "Cunard Red".  I had read that "Cunard Red" was alway the reddish-orange color that resulted from the buttermilk ochre mixture that was applied to early Cunarders.  In later years it was created by paint (without buttermilk) and appeared on the funnels of QM and QE (among all Cunarders) and then for QE2 originally only  in the scoop of funnel (and later on the main part of QE2's funnel).  The boot of QE2 always appeared "true-red" to me and the funnel "Cunard Red".  I didnt' think they were the same value.  I also heard (but don't know this to be true for sure) that color of the funnels on QM in long beach were not the correct "Cunard Red" for a number of years until very recently.  And I believe this was because she wasn't owned by Cunard any longer and they didn't have the exact formula to make the red-orange color.  I think recently they were repaint Cunard Red (red-orange).

[Bob C.]

Scott,
    I heard the same thing about QM and I believe it is true.  I know the QM funnels were painted within the last 2 years and they were supposed to return to the original color although I have not been up there recently to see for myself.  A few times I've been up there, the paint was just faded due to improper upkeep and the color was hard to determine.

    As far as the QE2 colors go, Cunard red is Cunard red and that color is the red-orange color created in the buttermilk formula.  I do know that the original boot topping was more orange than today's red and that the boot topping back then did not match the Cunard red in the wind scoop which is why I call it Cunard orange.  Not sure all the ins and out s of the changing paint shades and would love to come across the color chart that used to be posted on thedebrisfield.com again.  That chart difinitively showed the color variations side by side.   Wishing Andy success.

[Rob Lightbody]

Going off-topic myself here... but QM's funnels were recently repainted, for the first time in a LONG time.



Great shot here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/lightandimages/3354109371/



Read this - apparently they matched the colour with a paint chip from the 1907 Mauretania!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/40368089@N00/3088007463/

[Andy F]

A great collection there Chris.  Re the funnel debate, my earliest memories are of the original white & black stovepipe version and when I saw the first images of the newer fatter design, I wasn't sure tbh.  This was such a radical change, not unlike changing the nose or delta wing on Concorde. However, I soon grew accustomed to it and in retrospect, the slimline version now (to me at least), doesn't look right. That said, it's a personal thing but while the latter version gets my vote, they are both synonymous with the greatest ship I have ever known or likely to! 

[Twynkle]

Wasn't the white and black one just too cool - and a bit skinny?

The red and black is more traditional...and it's easier to see!

[R80OOP]

I always think that when she had her new funnel  - she was growing up from being the teenager into a beautiful lady.... and gaining those few extra pounds made her even more elegant......

Though I will be honest ,I did like the Cunard lion in gold they added above the Cunard lettering ( if only it was minus the blue speed stripe) that did look smart - made her look very regal
However does any one remeber when Tragalgar House cheekily put their house flag emblem on her stern superstructure - just before the  Lido club?/magradome or was it post magradome -  

Ne way what ever form she took over her life from the non-traditional whitefunnel - and new kitchens - she's a pure head turner!!!
cheers

[R80OOP]

Folks - the Cunard funnel colours have changed over the years!!!

In fact I believe that the Queen Mary was the first Liner to bare the Cunard Orange/Red - This was due to the fact that White star merged with Cunard in 1934 - hence why the QM was able to re-start building , as the government enforced this merger, as the ailing White Star Line was on her last legs (last Liner Georgic - which sailed under Cunard White Star in her White star livery)

I believe this is when the funnels became this colour as it was a mix of Cunard and White Star colours (white star - buff yellowish - Cunard - red)

Cheers

[Scott Ebersold]

I don't really mean to be the voice of decent here but what I have read about "Cunard Red" has been very clear that it has been the same "red-orange" since the buttermilk/ochre mixture was applied to the original Cunarders in the 1800s. 

After the merger of Cunard and White Star the Majestic retained its White Star livery (yellow funnel and stripe near the top of black hull) for the remainder of her career.   And the traditional Cunard Red (aka red-orange) was applied to the Cunard-White Star's new super-liners (QM and QE) as it had been to all previous Cunarders.

The notable exception was QE2 who only had this color applied to the inside of funnel scoop until later in life (as we all know).

s

[Chris]

Scott - my understanding is that you are indeed correct. The colour was due to the mixture used on the funnels during the early-days. The black top was actually originally caused by this mixture becoming dirty / burnt by the heat and soot while the original 'black bands' were the connection mechanism between the funnel sections.

After the Cunard-White Star merger, the White Star liners retained their buff funnel livery. This was most notable with Britannic and Georgic which retained their unique identity long after White Star disappeared. In fact, Britannic was the last of the White Star Liners, retaining her original colours until 1960.

http://www.chriscunard.com/archives3.htm#Britannic
http://www.chriscunard.com/archives3.htm#MV_Georgic

QE2 - as you say, was the start of an exception to the Cunard funnel colour rule. Her scoop sported the "Cunard Red" while the rest of her funnel was white & black. Similarly we saw white funnels aboard Cunard Ambassador, Adventurer and Countess until the Countess appeared in traditional livery. QE2 followed after the Falklands campaign.

Interestingly to note is I've heard that QM2 actually was painted with the wrong shade of Cunard red and only last year during her refurbishment in Hamburg was she treated to the traditional Cunard red. During my recent voyage aboard her funnel is looking magnificent in the red/orange we're all so fond of - but indeed looking back at photographs from 2004 and 2007 it does appear to be a darker shade toQE2 or those that came before her.

[Andy F]

Interestingly to note is I've heard that QM2 actually was painted with the wrong shade of Cunard red and only last year during her refurbishment in Hamburg was she treated to the traditional Cunard red.

An interesting post in response to what is becoming a most fascinating thread.  Funny you should mention QM2's funnel makeover though.  I was looking at some shots taken earlier this week, the fiirst I've seen post refit, and although the funnel looked brighter, I assumed this was because it had been repainted recently.  Hadn't realised it was a different shade though.

[Scott Ebersold]

That is interesting about the possible wrong shade on QM2's funnel.  I remember looking up at it a lot thinking something was off but couldn't put my finger on it.  I did notice that at night it appeared even redder because there were red lights shining on it.

[Twynkle]

Might the weather and sea air have had any effect on the red paint?
It certainly did on the bonnet of a red car! 

[Scott Ebersold]

I've been thinking about how QM2 might have been painted the wrong shade of Cunard red.  I've found two pics - one the maiden QM2, the other the final West bound QE2.  I think a mistake was made.