The changing colours of QE2

[Rob Lightbody]

I previously sought permission to use these, but only now realised how - enjoy!  Click on any photo to tell the author how much you like them.


QE2Outline1b(1969) by Captain Martini, on Flickr


QE2Outline2a(1973) by Captain Martini, on Flickr


QE2Outline3a(1977) by Captain Martini, on Flickr


QE2Outline3b(1979-80) by Captain Martini, on Flickr


QE2Outline3Falk by Captain Martini, on Flickr


QE2Outline4a(1982-3) by Captain Martini, on Flickr


QE2Outline5d(1983) by Captain Martini, on Flickr


QE2Outline6b(1987) by Captain Martini, on Flickr


QE2Outline7c(1994) by Captain Martini, on Flickr


QE2Outline8c(2005) by Captain Martini, on Flickr

[Rob Lightbody]

There's a great photo here of QE2 in 1980 with the blue underwater coating, in Southampton Water

https://www.flickr.com/photos/johndedman/9536476375/

[Michael Gallagher]

In all I think there were 15 main 'faces' of QE2 and by that I mean something structural was done or a new colour was introduced to give her a different look. Her faces:

1969 - October 1972
November 1972 - October 1975
October 1975 - December 1977
Blue Boot-topping (November 1978 to November 1980)
December 1977 - May 1982
Falklands
August 1982 - June 1983
June - November 1983
December 1983 - October 1986
April 1987 - November 1994
December 1994 - December 1996
December 1996 - November 1999
December 1999 - May 2004
May 2004 - February 2005
February 2005 -

[Hank Hargrove]

Am I the only one who liked the pebble gray phase, even though it needed to be replaced with Dark-gray/black?

[Adam Hodson]

Nope, I liked it as well. The more I see pictures of her in grey, the more I like it. It made her look different, in a good way. However she looked best in her traditional colours.

[Bruce Nicholls]

The first time I saw QE2 in the metal was from a ferry to or from St Malo during the pale grey period. I have never been more disappointed. Here was the ship of my dreams sailing in up Southampton Water and she was a rust bucket!

However a decade later when I fulfilled a dream beyond imagination and set off across the Atlantic in her she looked pristine (to my eyes) in her slate grey.

[June Ingram]

I have to agree that her slate grey did justice to her elegance and grace in a way that the light grey did not.  To me, in her slate grey and gleaming white, she was "dressed"  as a Queen should be. 

[Adam Hodson]

Whilst I liked the light grey phase (apart from when she turned into a 'rust bucket'), I do agree with you June when you say that the slate grey did justice to her elegance.

[pete cain]

Still doing a bit of looking around at paint colours, & although I'm commited to the shade of Orange on my model  I found this interesting anecdote  http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=462322.     Just tab down to the Princendam topic , never heard this one, wonder if it's true, maybe Capt'n Mc Naught might tell us one of these days
  As usual mods please shift as necessary...........

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Great find, Pete! Maybe Ian McNaught can be asked about this if anyone goes to collect the jigsaw from him .

[June Ingram]

Still doing a bit of looking around at paint colours, & although I'm commited to the shade of Orange on my model  I found this interesting anecdote  http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=462322.     Just tab down to the Princendam topic , never heard this one, wonder if it's true, maybe Capt'n Mc Naught might tell us one of these days
  As usual mods please shift as necessary...........

Hi Pete - This is very interesting !!   

[Lynda Bradford]

A fascinating topic that started with discussions on the changing colours of QE2 and Chris Frame posting photos then the topic developing into discussions about the funnel colour not only of QE2 but QM2 as well. 

What was your favourite QE2?  or do you like QE2 no matter what colour or funnel?

[June Ingram]

I love QE2 no matter what color, funnel, etc., but for me, she is best in her 1969 shape, funnel, and colours !

[Trevor Harris]

Her 1969 looks were incredible and remain my favorite. However, I'll always remember the way she looked when she was sent off to Dubai. A true Queen.

[Lynda Bradford]

The QE2 changes to colours chart has been referenced a couple of times on the forum including by Bob C on Models of QE2

There had been discussions at the start of this topic of how people had been aware on the chart on a website that was no longer available.

On the admin mail box we were sent the chart image to be uploaded. The person had used the waybackmachine web site to track down the image and send to us.