I'm sorry, I don't have an accurate date for that photo other than to say summer-fall, 1941. Similar photos with aircraft in the same colors were taken aboard in early October, 1941 (Doyle, pg. 97) so maybe that photo was part of the same group of photos taken at the same time. Therefore, best guess: early October, 1941.
Sara completed the refit that added the large Oerlikon platform on the funnel and the widening of her flight deck at the bow on 28 April 1941 at Bremerton, Washington. Sometime in late October or early November, she entered Puget Sound Navy Yard where her AA defenses were improved. It is not clear exactly what changed during that refit. That work was complete by 2 December 1941 and she sortied to San Diego to pick up her air group. She arrived at San Diego on 7 December 1941. She sortied for Pearl Harbor the next day.
In January, 1942, Sara was struck by a submarine-launched torpedo. Initial repairs were conducted at Pearl Harbor where her 8" turrets were removed and used as part of coastal defenses there where they served in that role until 1948. She received four 5"/38 Mk.32 mounts in their place. She then went on to Puget Sound for permanent repairs and extensive modifications which lasted from February to May 1942. It was at Puget Sound her funnel was cut down to a lower height, her island significantly modified, she gained Mk.37 directors, her hull was blistered, and her flight deck extended aft, among other mods. Sistership Lexington did not survive long enough to receive similar mods, unfortunately.
Below is a well-know photo of sistership Lexington. Note that the large Oerlikon platform on Lexington's funnel is positioned much higher on the funnel than the platform on Saratoga's funnel. This means that to build an accurate Saratoga 1941 model, a Lexington 1941 model kit's funnel is not a good match.
Hope this helps.
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