Editing LMS Coronation Class (section)

==== Pre-1942 ====
Before applying the top coats of paint, the LMS would apply a matt undercoat of shop grey. The first non-streamlined loco was fitted with mock-up nameplates and numbers for each of the first batch of locos which was then photographed to mimic each individual loco. Those temporary nameplates are now in the NRM's collection in York. The ensuing LMS top coats for the Coronation Class came in two basic colours during this period: Caledonian blue and crimson lake. Linings for streamliners involved the renowned 'speed whiskers' comprising stripes emerging from a fixed point in the lower centre of the front of the locomotive to run in parallel along the sides. Non-streamliners carried the standard LMS-style lining.

The first five locomotives, Nos. 6220–6224, were painted in Caledonian blue livery with banding in silver-coloured aluminium paint.{{r|Haresnape|p=115}} Wheels, lining to the edges of the bands, and the background to the chromium-plated nameplates were painted in a darker blue, Navy or Prussian blue.{{r|Haresnape|p=115}}

The second and fourth batches of streamlined locomotives, Nos. 6225–6229 and 6235–6244, were painted in crimson lake livery, with banding in gold lined with vermilion and black.{{r|Haresnape|p=115}} Nameplates had a black background.{{r|Haresnape|p=125}} LMS shop grey was carried briefly in service on No. 6229 ''Duchess of Hamilton'' from 7 September 1938 until its return to Crewe Works later that year.<ref>{{cite book |last=Talbot |first=Edward |year=2002 |title=The Coronation Scot, The Streamline Era on the LMS |location=Stafford |publisher=Edward Talbot |isbn=0-9542787-1-2 |at=Page 60, Plate 77}}</ref><ref name="Jennison">{{cite book |last1=Jennison |first1=John |last2=Meanley |first2=Bob |last3=Essery |first3=Bob |author-link3=Bob Essery |last4=James |first4=Fred |last5=Hunt |first5=David |title=Pictorial Supplement to LMS Locomotive Profile No. 11 – The 'Coronation' Pacifics |year=2009 |publisher=Wild Swan |location=Didcot |isbn=978-1-905184-62-0}}</ref>{{rp|19}} It was then painted crimson lake and disguised as No. 6220,{{r|Haresnape|p=115}} in preparation for the 1939 visit to the New York World's Fair. Lettering and numerals for both Caledonian blue and crimson lake liveries were in a newly created style of unshaded sans-serif.{{r|Talbot11|p=50}}

The non-streamlined Nos. 6230–6234 were painted in a special version of the standard crimson lake livery.{{r|Haresnape|p=124}} The locomotives were lined out in gold bordered with fine red lines. Serif lettering and numerals in gold leaf and vermillion shading were applied. Handrails and sundry small external fittings were chrome-plated, as were the nameplates, which had a black background.{{r|Haresnape|p=124}}

Two unusual events have been recorded. Firstly, in 1940 No. 6221 ''Queen Elizabeth'' had its Caledonian blue colour scheme replaced by the crimson lake, the only such instance.{{r|Baker|p=64}} Secondly, it was often speculated that at some time in the two-year history of the ''Coronation Scot'' a crimson streamliner might have hauled the blue trainset. Such an event has, probably uniquely, been captured on film.{{r|Talbot11|p=32 |at=Plate 36}}