Calling all USS Wasp CV-7 fans

[Charybdis]

77 years today, USS WASP was sunk.



Task Force 18
Tuesday 15th Sept, 1942

FROM: NOUMEA
TO: GUADALCANAL
MISSION: ESCORT CONVOY OF 7th MARINE REGIMENT TO REINFORCE GUADALCANAL
COM: RADM LEIGH NOYES (WASP)

USS WASP
USS JUNEAU
USS SALT LAKE CITY
USS SAN FRANCISCO
USS HELENA
USS LANSDOWNE
USS AARON WARD
USS DUNCAN
USS LAFFEY
USS FARENHOLT
USS LARDNER

Latest video Episode 8: Commission https://youtu.be/fjMB-B5MQpk

[Charybdis]

Photo montage of WASP and ENTERPRISE.



https://www.dropbox.com/s/l4opgk113wttg ... E.jpg?dl=0

[TOMLABEL]

Wasp was already sunk before the Enterprise got those upgrades as well as flight deck markings. Wasp seems to be at anchor and ENT underway.

[MartinJQuinn]

Wasp was already sunk before the Enterprise got those upgrades as well as flight deck markings. Wasp seems to be at anchor and ENT underway.

Well, he did say it was a photo montage

Photo montage of WASP and ENTERPRISE.

[TOMLABEL]

Wasp was already sunk before the Enterprise got those upgrades as well as flight deck markings. Wasp seems to be at anchor and ENT underway.

Well, he did say it was a photo montage

Photo montage of WASP and ENTERPRISE.

Yes, he did Martin. Quite right. I should have paid more attention to the post than to the pic!

Now, someone please help me get out of this barrel of rivets...

Kelley

[Charybdis]

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



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

[Mike C]

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

[Charybdis]

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

[Jeff Sharp]

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

[Rick E Davis]

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.

[Charybdis]

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?

[Mike C]

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.

[Jeff Sharp]

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.

[gtbred]

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

[Rick E Davis]

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.

[Jeff Sharp]

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

[Charybdis]

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.

[Charybdis]

A detailed look at the Focsle Deck on the Wasp.

https://youtu.be/tI7Hio5QNmM

[Papa_Yeti]

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/

[El Santo]

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?