Paint Schemes and Deck Markings

[Swordguy]

For those of us repainting our ships to represent others of the same class, does anyone have access to color pictures of Yorktown (CV-5) and Hornet (CV-8)? Preferably as close to the Battle of Midway as possible. I'm trying to get both camo schemes and the deck markings, and all I can find are bad-angle, low-detail B&W images. I'm taking it on faith that the Big E's colors are correct for a Midway-era fleet.

For Hornet specifically: were the deck markings from the Doolittle Raid (the twin takeoff markers) repainted for Midway, and with what?

For the Big E: I'm seeking confirmation. She had her deck stained pre-Midway, yes? So she wouldn't have the natural mahogany color anymore?

(Yes, I've checked Shipcamoflage.com - the pics there are either B&W, or too small to make anything out).

As a side note, how weird is it that it's child's play to find deck markings for Kaga, Hiryu, and Soryu pre-Midway, but finding the same for US carriers has proven next to impossible?

Thanks all. I can't believe it took me this long to find this place.

[NimitsTexan]

I am fairly certain that all US CVs had stained decks by June 1942. The Hornet's Doolittle Raid markings had been painted over, but whether or not they were still visible underneath the new paint, I could not tell you. In general, though, the Enterprise we have is a pretty good representation for all three Yorktowns at Midway (though the Hornet had some minor differences from the other two, they were probably not big enough to show up in a WaS scale model).

[Swordguy]

So then, aside from having to paint over the number, it would be reasonable simply to use a "stock" Enterprise model for the other two Yorktown-class CVs?

[J.L.Robert]

As a side note, how weird is it that it's child's play to find deck markings for Kaga, Hiryu, and Soryu pre-Midway, but finding the same for US carriers has proven next to impossible?


There are deck markings for Kaga, Hiryu and Soryu post-Midway? :p

[Swordguy]

There are deck markings for Kaga, Hiryu and Soryu post-Midway? :p

Well, as opposed to at Midway, but good point nonetheless...

[weedsrock2]

Actually, the USS Enterprise mini is using a representation of a later war camouflage scheme. Probably a Measure 32 scheme. At Midway the Yorktown had the Measure 22 graded system camouflage scheme. (I did some research on that for painting my Yorktown). I suspect Enterprise had the same scheme since the 'dazzle' measures were not introduced until March, 1943. Hornet is usually represented with the modified Measure 22 graded system overpainted with vertical 'squiggley' dazzle she wore during the Doolittle raid. I do not know if she still had that paint scheme at Midway, but it is the coolest camouflage scheme to use. :cool:

If you want more information on US camouflage systems this is the best reference I have found:

http://home.att.net/~ShipModelFAQ/

When you get to this site go down to the 'Painting' section and the US camouflage measures question in that section.

Here is my Yorktown:

http://boards.avalonhill.com/showthread.php?t=20193

And yes, the decks were very likely stained deck blue by Midway.

[Vornargith]

Has anyone here painted their customs using the Razzle Dazzle Paint Schemes? They were used mostly during WW1, but some British & American ships still implemented them in WW2.

[weedsrock2]

Has anyone here painted their customs using the Razzle Dazzle Paint Schemes? They were used mostly during WW1, but some British & American ships still implemented them in WW2.

Many U.S. and British ships were painted with what are essentially razzle-dazzle camouflage schemes in WWII. The British let their captains and crews use their own imagination for the first half of the war. Measure 31, 32, and 33 camouflage schemes for U.S. ships used patterns very similar to WWI razzle-dazzle.

Here are links to my North Carolina and Missouri repaints:

http://boards.avalonhill.com/showthread.php?t=21138

http://boards.avalonhill.com/showthread.php?t=20196

[mikoyan]

The Enterprise at Midway had the same paint scheme as the Yorktown. I found a couple decent pictures of both but they were black and white. I think the Hornet still had the funky paint scheme.

[Vornargith]

Razzle Dazzle was bit wilder than the grey and black patterns. Some of the razzle dazzle ships were lavishly colored.

BTW: Anyone know of a website with good color reference diagrams of ship hulls?

[Torps]

This isn't razzle-dazzle but it is pretty dramatic and includes a feature that was so popular with freindly ships that she kept the lady's leg on her side for the duration of the war.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee11/Torps_album/000_1417.jpg

Needless to say, she is HMAS Australia.

[Vornargith]

Found some images of Dazzle painting ... interesting

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l67/vornargith/dazzle.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l67/vornargith/gloire-dazzle.jpg

[weedsrock2]

They are definitely interesting. I have seen the Zebra stripe photo before. But I have to wonder if they made the ships harder to see or easier to see? An observer may not be able to tell if they are coming or going, but they will sure know they are there.