late 19th century French ship colours

[Bullshott]

I need to know what colours late 19th century (1880 onwards) French warships were painted (lower hull/below waterline, upper hull, superstructure/turrerts, deck and funnels). Can anyone help me with this? Pictures would be appreciated too.

[odd duck]

Just had a quick look in Tony Gibbons, encyclopedia of Battleships .The colour illustrations show Black Hull ,Red bellow the waterline ,the superstructures are painted Buff/tan in the earlier illustrations and white in the later ships.Looks like there was a change in the colour schemes during your chosen period but I can't be sure I'm using an illustrated Battleship encyclopedia right now I'll check with my Conways and get back to you later if I find anything,hope this little bit helps

[odd duck]

Can't find anything in writing on colour schemes so far, did find this site a few postcard type illustrations among the black and whit photos if you dig around
http://www.cityofart.net/bship/frameset6.html

[Bullshott]

odd duck - thanks for the link. That's a great resource and just what I wanted:

[Gluteus Maximus]

A bit OT, but that first pic would make a nice colour scheme for VSF Aeronefs 

[Thunderchicken]

A bit OT, but that first pic would make a nice colour scheme for VSF Aeronefs 

Funny you should say that, I was thinking the very same thing. 

[Bullshott]

Funny you should say that, I was thinking the very same thing. 

Keep an eye out on the VSF board over the next few weeks .....