Calling all Midway-class (CVB-41) fans

[dhenning]

Looking for info on the flight deck color following the recommissioning in 1970. Ray Bean's CD states that it was a darker color than later versions of the ship. Any ideas for a color match (preferably in acrylics)?

Working on the 1/800 Akii kit to depict the Midway in April 1975 during Operation Frequent Wind (the evacuation of Saigon) for a friend that was onboard.

Thanks,
Dave

[Mark McKinnis]

For modern flight decks on carriers I use Gunship Gray.

[dhenning]

Thanks Mark. I've used gunship gray for the decks on post war ships, but haven't considered it for the flight deck. Will do some test shots and comparisons to period photos.

[dhenning]

Are all of the underway replenishment stations on the Midway on the starboard side? I've seen photos with station 3 starting behind the forward starboard elevator, but haven't found any clear photos of stations 1 and 2 marked. Were they forward of the forward elevator?

Were there any underway replenishment stations on the aft port sponson?

Thanks in advance,
Dave

[JoeP]

Looking for info on the flight deck color following the recommissioning in 1970. Ray Bean's CD states that it was a darker color than later versions of the ship. Any ideas for a color match (preferably in acrylics)?

Working on the 1/800 Akii kit to depict the Midway in April 1975 during Operation Frequent Wind (the evacuation of Saigon) for a friend that was onboard.

Thanks,
Dave

I cannot help with the specific color of the deck, but if you didn't know that actually scales to around 1/730 scale, so you can use 1/700 or 1/720 aircraft and details and they'll be pretty close to scale.

JoeP

[Michael Potter]

You�re aware that during Operation Frequent Wind her embarked aircraft comprised ten USAF H-53�s whose rotors did not fold (8 CH-53, 2 HH-53; all necessarily parked on the flight deck) and her own HC-1 Det 2 SH-3�s. USS Coral Sea and USS Enterprise were there for air defense.

On the day of the evacuation, she landed 45 UH-1�s and 3 CH-47�s, most or all arguably deserting SVN aircraft (Air America also still flew commercial versions of UH-1�s), and famously a Cessna O-1 that landed without tailhook.

After the evacuation she ferried ex-SVN F-5, A-37, UH-1, etc., from Thailand to Guam. Warship Pictorial 41 cites the total as 52, and has a photo also showing 2 SH-3�s on the flight deck, presumably from HC-1 Det 2.

Apologies if particular cyber-stalking imposters intrude in this thread, as they have elsewhere to gaslight earnest modelers.

[dhenning]

Thanks Joe and Michael! Yes, I am aware of the scale issues. Will be using the Gold Medal Models 1/720 carrier set for the build. I have used 1/730 in calculation of the dimensions of items that I have used to detail the sponsons some. Funny, but the F-4s in the kit are spot on for 1/800 (maybe 1/802nd).

Yes, aware of the HH-53s, but I think some resources may have indicated that some Marine CH-53s also flew off the Midway during the operation. I have purchased 1/700 CH-53s, UH-1s, and a couple of CH-46s (could not locate any 1/700 CH-47s-so I might modify the landing gear and maybe the sponsons to look a little closer to a Chinook). The CH-53s are E models, so I will probably be carving off the third engine and might modify the horizontal stabilizer on the tail. Will have to live with the extra rotor blade and the longer length, but I don't think the ultimate recipient will mind. Definitely will not have the full number of helicopters on the deck, but will be painting some of the Hueys as Air America birds. Actually found a set of VNAF roundels in 1/350 and 1/700 on Evil Bay.

One of the references that I found stated that half of the air wing was offloaded before the H-53s were embarked. Also, I have found at least one photo of evacuees sitting on blankets on the hanger deck with the bottom portion of an aircraft fuselage (possible an A-7) behind them. You can clearly read the NAVY and USS Midway markings that were behind the wings on the aircraft. Any how, decided to have eleven aircraft in the hanger. A mix of F-4s, A-7s, and one A-6. It only took about 4 weeks to apply the Starfighter 1/700 decals that I bought to the 11 aircraft! I don't know how some of you guys work exclusively in this scale!

Thanks for the info. I'll go back and review my references again on the H-53s. Have always loved the Super Jolly Green's (I'm the son of a USAF MSgt.), but thought that the contrast in markings with the green USMC birds with the higher visibility markings would be interesting as well.

Dave

[Michael Potter]

Good research. I've edited my previous post.

Despite the title "USS Midway-Shipboard Arrivals After Evacuation of Saigon" the first part of this video was shot aboard USS Okinawa (LPH 3), as evidenced (1) by the BPDMS Sea Sparrow launcher starting at time 1:32, and (2) the CH-53's "YF" identified HMH-462, which was embarked exclusively aboard USS Okinawa:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn2DL8MFatk

Later in this video the F-4 and SH-3 on the angled deck identify USS Midway.

[dhenning]

I have had that video bookmarked for some time. Now that you point it out, the flight deck in the first portion of the video seems much narrower than the Midways and it makes sense that an Assault Carrier would be carrier the marines shown loading up on the CH-53s. I have plenty of time before I start on the H-53s, so will check the references again before I start painting them. Thanks for the info!

Dave

[MartinJQuinn]

Check out this 1/350 scratch build of the Coral Sea over on Modelmarine (German language site): http://www.modellmarine.de/index.php?op ... d=97:frank

[dhenning]

Does anyone have information on when the Fresenel (?) Light landing system was installed on the Midway? Trying to build her from mid 1975 and cant find good photos or info.

Dave

[dhenning]

Wow! Beautiful work!

[William]

Just to let you know, there is an outstanding conversion of the Revell 1/570 USS FDR that corrects the lower hull from the original flat bottom by using the lower hull from a Forrestal kit for grafting. The conversion is on Fine Scale Modeler website. Check it out!

[dhenning]

The booklet of general plans available on the Historic Naval Ships Assoc website (1985 fit) shows a rotating beacon light on the platform at the top of the mast. I know if it was a masthead light it would be white but was this a aircraft warning /anti collision light instead? If so would it be red?

[Paul_541]

Hi ! Is there anyone who have good pictures of the side of the bridge after the modification around 1946-47 of the bridge of the USS Midway ?

[dhenning]

Paul,
Do you have the Warships Pictorial No. 41 on the Midway? There are some photos showing the bridge from 1949 and 1950 that might be of some help.

Dave

[Rick E Davis]

Paul,

You didn't specific which side of the bridge you were interested in seeing. Here are three sides of the bridge taken in 1947 after her mod work was complete.

[Paul_541]

Paul,
Do you have the Warships Pictorial No. 41 on the Midway? There are some photos showing the bridge from 1949 and 1950 that might be of some help.

Dave

Yes I have a copie thanks !

[Paul_541]

Paul,

You didn't specific which side of the bridge you were interested in seeing. Here are three sides of the bridge taken in 1947 after her mod work was complete.

Thanks a lot. I am in need of pictures of the starboard side after 1946. My question is specifically if they removed the conning tower when doing the overhaul ?

[taskforce48]

Hey everyone,

Was wondering if anyone had clearer images of Midway's island in the 1958-1962 time period? I noticed the she carried a series of images/symbols on both port and starboard sides of the island. My gut feeling would be squadron insignia's, but these 2 images are the best in my arsenal.




TIA

Matt