The Ship Model Forum

by **navydave1989** » Fri Apr 24, 2026 9:58 am

Hi, Curtis-
You might want to reach out to the National Naval Aviation Museum here in Pensacola. https://navalaviationmuseum.org/artifact-donations/

R/Dave

by **curtis d cushman** » Thu Apr 23, 2026 10:32 pm

My father, K M Cushman of VT-7, was sunk on the Wasp and survived swimming in the CORAL sEA. I have a twenty-dollar bill and a Noumea
five franc note that he had fellow survivors sign right after they were rescued.

Would anyone be interested in these artifacts of her sinking?

Curtis D Cushman

by **Charybdis** » Fri Jan 10, 2025 2:00 am

El Santo wrote:
Charybdis wrote:I would argue that you can see the 5-L above the funnel top on the fore mast.
You misunderstand the nature of my objection. Obviously the mast above the funnel cap is a lighter color than the superstructure below. But just as obviously, that lower superstructure is of a color lighter than the hull. If that were Measure 4, the ship should be the same, darkest color all the way from the waterline to the funnel cap, unless there existed some three-tone version of the scheme that I've never heard of.

My apologies, I did misunderstand your objection. Regarding the three tones you mention; this scheme can either be Measure 4 or Measure 12. If Measure 12, we should see a clear separation line on the bow at the main deck level. I think the reason it appears three-tone is the fact that Wasp's portside hull was canted and due to the angle the paint looks darker than the rest of the ship.

by **El Santo** » Thu Jan 09, 2025 4:50 pm

Charybdis wrote:I would argue that you can see the 5-L above the funnel top on the fore mast.

You misunderstand the nature of my objection. Obviously the mast above the funnel cap is a lighter color than the superstructure below. But just as obviously, that lower superstructure is of a color lighter than the hull. If that were Measure 4, the ship should be the same, darkest color all the way from the waterline to the funnel cap, unless there existed some three-tone version of the scheme that I've never heard of.

by **Charybdis** » Wed Jan 08, 2025 9:49 pm

I would argue that you can see the 5-L above the funnel top on the fore mast.

by **El Santo** » Tue Jan 07, 2025 8:35 pm

Charybdis wrote:I've just seen this photo of Wasp posted on the Carriers! FB group. It's a new one for me.

Posted by Donald Tenney who got it from his father-in-law who worked on USCG Travis. His caption states Wasp and Ranger at Norfolk in 1940.

On close inspection, this seems to me to be from 1941 and could be a rare photo of Wasp in her Measure 4 camo scheme.

The range finder has been removed and replaced by splinter shields. Possibly splinter shields on the .50 cal MG battery too. These changes happened at Norfolk Navy Yard in March 1941. The paint looks very dark, which doesn't mean much but if you look at the foremast, it seems to be painted lighter from stack level up. This means it is either Measure 4 or Measure 12. If Measure 12, you should see a clear separation on the bow between Seablue and Ocean Gray.

If this is Wasp in Measure 4, that would date the picture as summer 1941 around the time of her P-40 delivery to Iceland.

I thought Measure 4 was supposed to be just black up to the funnel caps, and then Light Gray 5L above, though. Or did the two carriers get a special, three-tone version with-- what? Ocean Gray 5O, I guess?-- interposed between the black and the Light Gray?

by **Papa_Yeti** » Thu Dec 26, 2024 3:03 pm

3D-Wild has just released a 1/350 USS Wasp CV-7!! I treated myself for Christmas by immediately ordering one of these - their ad says they only have 50 available...at most 49 since I've got one on the way

. Also got the "B" selection of carrier aircraft (these are an additional purchase), you can get 3 options for an entire air wing for your model. I can attest that these kits are awesome, my first one from them was the 1/350 Soryu which turned out to be one of my best models. They are a bit on the pricey side but well worth it in my opinion. These are made by 3D printers and the details especially on the aircraft are astounding. Happy holidays everyone!

https://3d-wild.com/

by **Charybdis** » Fri Jan 26, 2024 3:38 am

A detailed look at the Focsle Deck on the Wasp.

https://youtu.be/tI7Hio5QNmM

by **Charybdis** » Thu May 18, 2023 12:15 am

I've just seen this photo of Wasp posted on the Carriers! FB group. It's a new one for me.

Posted by Donald Tenney who got it from his father-in-law who worked on USCG Travis. His caption states Wasp and Ranger at Norfolk in 1940.

On close inspection, this seems to me to be from 1941 and could be a rare photo of Wasp in her Measure 4 camo scheme.

The range finder has been removed and replaced by splinter shields. Possibly splinter shields on the .50 cal MG battery too. These changes happened at Norfolk Navy Yard in March 1941. The paint looks very dark, which doesn't mean much but if you look at the foremast, it seems to be painted lighter from stack level up. This means it is either Measure 4 or Measure 12. If Measure 12, you should see a clear separation on the bow between Seablue and Ocean Gray.

If this is Wasp in Measure 4, that would date the picture as summer 1941 around the time of her P-40 delivery to Iceland.

by **Jeff Sharp** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 4:01 pm

Hi guys,
I've been reading up on the discussion in this thread about the shape of the aft end of Wasp's funnel. I must admit that photos do suggest that it did flare out at the base. This one really shows an angle at the base.

If it did not flare out, then what are the angles we see in photos? Was the funnel simply square at the base but then transitioned to a rounded shape a little ways up causing the angle effect?

Thanks

by **Rick E Davis** » Wed Mar 17, 2021 3:46 pm

Another simpler answer to the "red", is that it is primer. Look at the areas by the island, the "red" areas are spotty and not the whole deck area. The USN used red primer pre-WWII before using mostly a yellow zinc chromate for at sea "touch-ups". The day was nice and they were about to be at sea for quite awhile, touching up would be something the CO (Chiefs) would order to keep the crew busy.

by **gtbred** » Wed Mar 17, 2021 2:19 pm

Going to have to repaint the thing. Should have waited for the color photos. Ohhh well! Too busy with the Supercarriers

by **Jeff Sharp** » Mon Dec 21, 2020 9:48 pm

Charybdis wrote:The second photo is officially listed as "San Diego" on NHHC. I knew that she should be showing the 40mm gun sponson port aft, if that was the case. I found it more likely to be Scapa until I came across Rick's research which proved it conclusively as Casco Bay.

I've noticed the red areas on the deck before. It seems only to be in certain areas. Could this be non skid matting?

Here is a shot of Yorktown. I don�t think we are looking at red/brown mats.

by **Mike C** » Sun Dec 20, 2020 12:08 am

I wish I could have seen these photos when I was making my patterns. Great view of the rear of the funnel.

Regarding the brown patches, as I recall, CV-6 had similar mats in her gun galleries at about the same time. I think they were cork for non-skid. OTOH, their bright color and the newness of the ship in these photos suggest they might be wood grates. Just speculation on my part, though. The plans should specify materials.

by **Charybdis** » Fri Dec 18, 2020 2:34 am

The second photo is officially listed as "San Diego" on NHHC. I knew that she should be showing the 40mm gun sponson port aft, if that was the case. I found it more likely to be Scapa until I came across Rick's research which proved it conclusively as Casco Bay.

I've noticed the red areas on the deck before. It seems only to be in certain areas. Could this be non skid matting?

by **Rick E Davis** » Thu Dec 17, 2020 11:58 pm

Another group of images I scanned at NARA and turned over to the 5th Floor staff!!

The most interesting thing about the series of images that these images came from, was researching the date and location. After cross checking when USS WASHINGTON and NORTH CAROLINA were anchored in the bay at the same time when USS WASP (CV-7) was with them, the only date was 25 March 1942. Just before the USS WASP and USS WASHINGTON Task Force departed to join the RN Home Fleet.

by **Jeff Sharp** » Thu Dec 17, 2020 10:46 pm

OK Wasp fans, get out your Linoleum brown paint because her Superstructure decks were linoleum brown in 1942 while wearing MS-12 Mod. Camo.

by **Charybdis** » Sat Sep 28, 2019 5:50 am

I think you're right. I haven't this on other US carriers of the time.

by **Mike C** » Sat Sep 28, 2019 2:36 am

I don't know for sure, but it looks like a fog horn.

by **Charybdis** » Thu Sep 26, 2019 9:17 am

Any ideas what the piece of equipment labeled with the question mark is?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/szkioyq9yjqz8 ... 0.jpg?dl=0

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