For those unaware of the joke, the title of the thread refers to the two Renown class battlecruisers, a dig at the number of times they entered docks for modifications or other reasons.
This class of ship has always fascinated me, certainly one of my all time favourites. Sometimes considered among "Fisher's follies" (though not to the extent of the Courageous class), they served in the shadow of HMS Hood and tend to get neglected, especially the early part of their careers. Nevertheless, they were very busy in WWI and between the wars, experimenting with camouflage, ferrying royalty and showing the White Ensign around the world. And a catalogue of the aforementioned modifications that I like to nerd over. Whatever their flaws, I consider them the last true and thoroughbred battlecruisers, and among the prettiest ships to ever grace the seas. Rule Britannia sounds even sweeter at 32 knots!
At the moment the series is just WWI and inter-war. I prefer their early appearance, though I will extend the series to include their late 1930s refits and WWII appearances.
Repulse as completed, note equal height funnels:
![[ img ]](https://i.imgur.com/91e9ZYl.png)
Repulse in WWI with experimental camouflage on the starboard side only, and (I assume) ID markings on the funnels:
![[ img ]](https://i.imgur.com/VVwPpid.png)
Repulse later in WWI with a gradual accumulation of small upgrades, retaining a variation of the ID markings but ditching the camouflage:
![[ img ]](https://i.imgur.com/KWprqpg.png)
Repulse, now refitted with torpedo bulges and upgraded armour, shown here as she accompanied the Hood on the famous World Tour:
![[ img ]](https://i.imgur.com/impH9Gi.png)
Repulse after her major 1930s refit, sporting Mediterranean fleet colours and Spanish Civil War nutrality markings.
![[ img ]](https://i.imgur.com/W2CAeZb.png)
Repulse after another small refit inteded for a Royal Cruise, but now back in Home Fleet colours as WWII begins.
![[ img ]](https://i.imgur.com/bukuCsy.png)
Repulse as sunk, showing additional light AA and wartime camouflage.
![[ img ]](https://i.imgur.com/SQmhDaq.png)
Renown, post-WWI but before her first major refit, depicted here with modifications (such as extra accommodation, promenade deck and squash court!) to serve as Royal Yacht.
![[ img ]](https://i.imgur.com/i5xUQ1a.png)
Renown after her first major refit. Note different torpedo bulge configuration to Repulse, as lessons were learned.
![[ img ]](https://i.imgur.com/mJV78zF.png)
Renown sporting new pom-pom AA guns and aviation facilities, depicted shortly before her major 1930s refit.
![[ img ]](https://i.imgur.com/0MGCfW3.png)
Renown after her major reconstruction, shown here during her time with Force H in the Mediterranean.
![[ img ]](https://i.imgur.com/cfvxK1r.png)
Renown back with the Home Fleet and painted in an Admiralty disruptive camouflage pattern. This is my personal interpretation of the camouflage based on tonal analysis of the photos with the most up to date light reflectance values for the colours known to be in use at the time.
![[ img ]](https://i.imgur.com/HUOKC7j.png)
Renown following numerous AA additions and the removal of aircraft facilities, wearing her second Admiralty disruptive camouflage scheme.
![[ img ]](https://i.imgur.com/izaDxG6.png)
Renown wearing Standard Scheme A as part of the British Pacific Fleet.
![[ img ]](https://i.imgur.com/3DNZEXv.png)
