 When they finally made the paint available in different colours they returned "Queen Elizabeth 2" anti-fouling paint to the traditional red colour.On 3 May 1982, she was requisitioned by the British government for service as a troop carrier in the Falklands War.In preparation for war service, Vosper Thornycroft commenced in Southampton on 5 May 1982 the installation of two helicopter pads, the transformation of public lounges into dormitories, the installation of fuel pipes that ran through the ship down to the engine room to allow for refuelling at sea, and the covering of carpets with 2,000 sheets of hardboard.