Calling all Essex-class (WWII configuration) fans

[Frank R.]

I have been reading this thread on the Essex class carriers for some time now. I have the trumpeter 1/350 Yorktown CV-10 kit along with PE by GMM and WEM for the kit as well., ie perforated catwalks, 20 and 40MM gun details, Essex "The Ship" weapons and armaments. I also have a selection of L'arsenal 40MM and MK 37 directors as well. I figured that eventually I would find the time and inspiration to construct this model. The pictures of the previous carriers constructed by this group of modelers makes me wonder if I can ever hope to approach the level of quality and realism which obviously shines through both in the model building efforts and the research attached to this class of warships. I will never know unless I try. I am sure that I will have many questions during the building process but will attempt to peruse the previous posts and try to find the necessary data. What with all of the instructions that I presently have in front of me, its a bit daunting to determine where to begin. Perhaps the island structure. Keep up the discussions as they help tremendously, at least as far as this modeler is concerned.

[Tracy White]

Island's one place to start. I just started with the main hull myself and worked up. When I found it getting a bit daunting I'd lay the deck and parts of the island I'd done on top so it at least looked like a carrier and let it sit for a day or so so that I could SEE a carrier instead of just parts and worked left undone.

[Frank R.]

Island structure it is. I assume that the island horizontal areas (decks) are finished in 20-B as is the flight deck and vertical surfaces are completed per the specific measure scheme called for. I think that I will enjoy attempting the various radar fits on the island using the PE. Late war Essex class carriers shine in this respect.

[Tracy White]

Something I'd wondered about for a while but just got around to trying to confirm today is Bennington's forward Flight Deck.

Like the two bugs (Hornet and Wasp), Bennington had her forward flight deck collapse during a typhoon. Because of the press of war, she was not sent back like Hornet was for repairs, and was instead repaired at Ulithi.

Not the best place for major overhauls... so I wondered how they'd do this given the large trusses and structure in this area. Turns out they just lopped most of it off and she served the rest of the war with a shorter flight deck forward. So, for those considering building her as she was between July and August, bookmark this page or print out the photo... you can see the forward quad 40 mount has an EXCELLENT overhead arc!

[Gordon Bjorklund]

I have made some progress on this ship. The fit of flight deck to hull at the cutouts has been dealt with. The 20mm galleries have been added to the sides of the flight deck.







Now on to the Island and A/C

Gordon

[Tony Bunch]

Hi Guys,
I guess I will be hanging around here......
After all, Tracy is building. I will have to check out Gordon's progress...and maybe Steve will get on with his 1/350 Essex class.....
Great show!
Nice work Gordon! In a couple of months, you can go back a few pages to this one....and see how far you've come. It's kind of interesting, as you will re-live these moments....again.
faithfully submitted, Tony Bunch

[Tracy White]

Something I'd wondered about for a while but just got around to trying to confirm today is Bennington's forward Flight Deck.

Like the two bugs (Hornet and Wasp), Bennington had her forward flight deck collapse during a typhoon. Because of the press of war, she was not sent back like Hornet was for repairs, and was instead repaired at Ulithi.

Not the best place for major overhauls... so I wondered how they'd do this given the large trusses and structure in this area. Turns out they just lopped most of it off and she served the rest of the war with a shorter flight deck forward. So, for those considering building her as she was between July and August, bookmark this page or print out the photo... you can see the forward quad 40 mount has an EXCELLENT overhead arc!

I also just noticed that the forward radio mast is missing from the ship following repairs; presumably they only used the aft ones for her last war patrol. Photos of her in 1946 show the flight deck length restored and the original large masts on the stern as well, so she never got the later whip antenaes.

Now the only real stumbling block is CV-15!

[Gordon Bjorklund]

I got the flight deck finished last night. The stripes are painted on. The #16"s are from the kit's decal sheet. I spent about 20 minutes sanding down the decals with a sanding pad. Even though you can't see it in this picture, the deck detail stands out very well with the thinned decals.

I got the a/c and the island started. I laid out the pieces for the island and noticed that the kit did not have any yardarms. I got out my Tom's PE #757 (for the trumpeter and Dragon) Essex class ships. No yardarms supplied in it either. So I went to the White Ensign Models site but my Windows XP systems wouldn't work properly as noted on their site. I then go to Gold Medal Models site to see if they have a description of their PE.
They usually don't have pictures of their web site. But Lo and behold there was a link to the review section on this site with a picture. Yes!! There were the yardarms on GMM700-07 (WWII USN Aircraft Carrier) that I need. They are now on order.
Now to go and paint some a/c.

Gordon

[Avery Boyer]

Great looking Essex! What technique, if any, do you have for getting the decals straight?

Again, a great build

[Tracy White]

What technique, if any, do you have for getting the decals straight?

The stripes are painted on.

It's actually pretty easy to do this if you can cut a long strip of tape.
* Paint the line color first
* Cut pieces of tape to width (of the sripe) a bit longer than the length of the flight deck.
* Tape down the length of the deck, keeping them straight and parallel. I do this by placing the forward edge, holding the tape taught, and dropping it down on the aft end and pressing the tape down on the deck from bow to stern making sure not to create any "bubbles" along the length.
* cut and peel away every other segment of deck between the tie down strips (including the tie downs).

As you can see from this photo on USS Ticonderoga, this was the pattern the Navy used to keep it simple for the deck crew.

[Gordon Bjorklund]

Tracy, Avery,Devin:

Thank you for your kind words on this project.

Devin: the 1/350 CV-10 Yorktown I have is under construction but on hold at this time. It's so big.

Avery: getting the decals on straight is very simple and and quick to do.

1. find center of flight deck
2. place decal on flt dk.
3. place decal so outer edges of decals are the distance from edge of
flight deck.
4. mark corners of the decals with tape.
5. your ready to install decals.



HTH

Gordon

[Gordon Bjorklund]

I got my GMM PE last Wednesday. I have made some progress on the Island over the last couple days. I don't know whether I have got the easy part or the hard part done. I do know my eyes need a rest. These Carriers sure had a lot of Radar on them.







Gordon

[Gordon Bjorklund]

More progress in the Island radar. It needs a couple of ladders, paint and rigging and it's done.






Gordon

[Gordon Bjorklund]

Here's a couple of pictures of my USS Intrepid CV-11. Built as she was heading to the war zone.









Gordon

[Ross Blunden]

Gordon,

What paint did you use on your Intrepid? She looks very cleanly built.

[Gordon Bjorklund]

Guy's thank you for your kind comments on the ship.

Ross, I use Testors MM Marine Acryl paints on my model ships.

Timmy, living way up there in BC it's a wonder your lawn is not covered
with snow.

Tracy, Seattle summer lawns are great. Small water/sewer bill and not
having to mow the lawn every week is great.

Last night I got the railings mounted to the hangar deck level on Lexington.
Tonight I got her mounted to the base.
Now to go make some waves.

Gordon

[MartinJQuinn]

Guy's thank you for your kind comments on the ship.

Ross, I use Testors MM Marine Acryl paints on my model ships.

Timmy, living way up there in BC it's a wonder your lawn is not covered
with snow.

Tracy, Seattle summer lawns are great. Small water/sewer bill and not
having to mow the lawn every week is great.

Last night I got the railings mounted to the hangar deck level on Lexington.
Tonight I got her mounted to the base.
Now to go make some waves.

Gordon

Gordon,

You are a model building machine. First the multiple Enterprise (CV-6) models, then Iowa-class and now the Essex-class. Pretty soon we'll be calling you Task Force 58 (or 38, depending on your preference!) Nice work sir!!

[Tracy White]

Made a nice find today that lays some questions to rest.

As I've said (probably in other places but maybe in here) the Navy switched paint formulas in 1945 from blue-based colors (even "ocean gray" was based on blue pigment) to neutral grays. The challenge was to determine when. I'd founda document dated February 26 that made the official change, but was there any sort of lead time for some ships to paint in the new colors in advance?

Today I found another memo from the commander of the Pacific Fleet's Service Force that listed the approved paint measures and their colors. This letter was dated February 3rd, 1945, 23 days before the above document, and directed the three "west coast" (Pearl Harbor, Mare Island, and Puget Sound) to paint in accordance with the "old" colors (no mention being made of the upcoming neutrals.

So this means that CV-13 Franklin and CV-17 Bunker Hill, painted in Measure 21 in January 1945, were definately using the old paints.

CVs 11 (Intrepid, May-June 1945), 12 (Hornet, July-Sept), 14 (Ticonderoga, Feb-April 1945), 16 (Lexington, March-May 1945), 18 (Wasp, April 1945), 19 (Hancock, April-June, 1945) and 31 (Bon Homme Richard, April-June 1945 at Pearl) were PROBABLY to DEFINATELY painted in the neutral paints depending on time period and supply chain length. Anything west coast proper after March I'd say would be gray... no idea as to the Pearl Harbor ships or those out in the fleet.

[Hanchang Kuo]

Hi,

I am looking for pictures of fight deck overhangs. Preferably looking up from below. I've decided to scratch build the all flight deck overhang areas on my 1/700 Franklin. Could use some helps if you guys happened to come across pictures of those.

Thanks in advance,

[Tracy White]

Can't really help you there, I have a few zones but not much. You see a couple photos here and there during unrep from the starboard since but not much from the port side as they didn't usually have anything close in to take pictures of (that you see the overhangs in the borders of)