The two drawing sheets for 31/24D as drawn for the Buckley class destroyer escorts dated January 6, 1944. The vertical colors were dull black (BK), ocean gray (5-O) and haze gray (5-H), but light gray (5-L) could be used instead of 5-H to make this Measure 32. This drawing included both a bow view and a stern view. We know that these two sheets go together because the bow view gives a glimpse of each side that allows us to match the sheets. The port side view was labeled 31/24Dx, which might have meant that it was a replacement. Also in the port view the whaleboat was erased and replaced by the trunking for the boilers.
Design 24D was derived from a Measure 16 pattern dated June 1942. In December 1943, Design 24D was used for the light cruiser USS Reno (CL-96) in Measure 33 colors: ocean gray and light gray. About the same time 24D was used with Measure 32 colors for the Fletcher class destroyers. In February 1944, it was redrawn for the Cleveland class light cruisers. Design 24D was worn by the light cruisers USS Springfield (CL-66), USS Topeka (CL-67) and USS Astoria (CL-90) in Measure 33 colors and USS Pasadena (CL-65) in Measure 32 colors. Light cruiser USS San Diego (CL-53) also wore Design 24D using the Measure 32 colors dull black and light gray, beginning in April 1944, until the end of the war.
Original drawing sources: NARA 80-G-105513 and 80-G-172879.
