Dick J wrote:
I will try to answer a few of your questions, but I don't have anything definitive for or against the MS-4 paint scheme you reference (although the dark gray of MS-1 is sometimes mistakenly thought to be black by those not familiar with the published measures). Some splinter screens are very likely to have been added in a March '41 refit. I have one photo showing the ship with splinter screens in place for the 5" mounts prior to receiving the MS-12mod paint scheme in Dec '41/Jan '42. In that photo, taken from the port side, the 1.1s are not readily apparent, being blocked from view by aircraft on the deck. No splinter screens are visible for the MG's in the catwalks. The ship is in what appears to be MS-12 (unmodified), the same scheme and colors as Yorktown. No radar is apparent, but the photo is not high enough resolution to rule it out. When she did receive the radar, it was a CXAM-1 rather than CXAM. (Only 6 CXAM set were produced and were mounted on Yorktown, California, Pensacola, Northampton, Chester and Chicago. California's set was later remounted on Hornet.) 20MM are highly unlikely for that refit since they only started hitting the fleet in the Nov/Dec '41 timeframe. Therefore, it is probable that she still had her as-commissioned outfit of .50 cal MG's through 1941. Wasp had the forward arrestor gear and LSO platform from the time she commissioned.
Thank you very much for the information. I'd be interested in seeing the photograph you mention if that is possible.
Maurice