lawman56

I've found the website "Haze Grey & Underway" (https://www.hazegray.org/)to be highly informative when researching USN vessels. As well as the Naval History and Heritage Command (https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc.html) I have been researching USN paint measures for a potential diorama depicting the USS Johnson. Both of those sites provided a wealth of info. Another search that was helpful, was a generic "USN Paint Measure Colors WWII". Although I can't find the exact link for some reason, one of those 2 sites also led me to the structural dimensions and paint info for Essex class carrier decks that I needed for a Hellcat diorama Hope this info helps some Joe

I have quite a few of these little buggers, and have to agree, they're awesome!

Now that was pretty cool. I never gave much thought to the fact that a carrier can also be a floating garage. Much respect to the line handlers and seamanship of the captains of both vessels.

This type of historical work is precisely why I'm currently using my VA Voc-Rehab benefits to get my Bachelors Degree in History, (and also why my builds and interaction on this forum has decreased dramatically!). Living in the Hudson River Valley, north of Albany I have plenty of history to enjoy, from the French & Indian War up through the US Civil War. With any luck, I'll be able to secure employment at the Saratoga Battleground, or any number of forts and/or historical societies in the area. Although I am a bit jealous of your subject as WWI is fascinating to me. My dream vacation is to spend weeks roaming the trench lines and battlefield in general. Give me a shovel, trowel and a team of archaeologists to dig for, and I have found Utopia! On a side note, my girlfriend gifted me with a new coffee mug last year that says; "History Buff. I'd find you more interesting if you were dead" Joe

I have actually built a section of an Essex Class deck, and recall finding the info online. The problem is that I can't remember exactly where, but I do know it was public record and it included the dimensions as well as the colors (FS #s) for the paint. I'll try to find the sites, but one to start with is Haze Gray & Underway - Naval History and Photography, or NHHC I do know my info was to WWII specs from the builder's original contract, that I converted to 1/32 scale for a Hellcat dio. If worse comes to worse I'll measure mine and give you the info.

If memory serves, the S.M. 79 was/is to be in 1/32nd, correct? I hope so, the closing down of PCM a few years ago put a serious dent in my desire to build Italian aircraft of the era. Sadly they are far under produced, in my opinion. My fine motor skills no longer allow me to scratch-build one or even attempt a vacuform kit, so without some sort of manufacturer, I'm at a loss. Now that Italeri has released the Folgore, maybe they'll either produce other RA aircraft, or convince others to. One can only hope...

Spent my entire 9 year career at Bragg! From 85-94. Although the term "at" is used loosely, as most of my time was spent deployed! 16th MP Bde (ABN), 503rd MP Bn (ABN), 108th MP Co (ASSLT)

In many cases this was true. Japan was an ally of sorts to the US prior to WWII. Many times the Japanese (military and civilian) were invited here to learn manufacturing or military techniques. It's precisely why Yamamoto make the now famous "sleeping giant" statement. They learned a lot, and we shared more than we should have (hindsight, right?). Many historians point out how similar, yet improved upon, Japanese technology was to ours.

Is that the new 1:1 scale "cut-away" from Tamiya?

Somewhat. Most often scale models were used by fighter pilots of all nations to understand where defensive weapons were, how to attack and to help in developing a multi-pronged attack. Primarily the things a silhouette can't quite do. It allows the pilots to physically see and understand what their target would look like at all angles of approach. Especially when engaging aircraft mounting extensive defensive weapons, (B-17, B-24, B-29, etc). Hope that helps some! Joe

I have to say, your subtle use of colors in the wheel bay is beautiful work! It took me a good 15 minutes to soak it all in! I love how you incorporated brass looking fittings into the line connections. I will DEFINITELY be following your work here! Stunning job so far, keep it up! Joe

Apparently we here in the US have that handled. By the time any of the cargo ships get to port, the legalities should be complete

I fully agree. He did a fantastic job! When I was 9 I'd be lucky if I didn't paint myself!

I'm inclined to agree that if stencils were re-applied, they were of importance. Not exactly about aircraft here, but as an example when I first went in the Army in the mid 80s, we still had the M151 jeep and once every year we repaint them. In my unit, this was done with chalk, grease (to cover the lights & reflectors, cans of paint and brushes. Once everything had cured, we were given cans of flat black spray paint and a box of brass stencils of various sizes along with a drawing of what went where and it's size. Omitted were things such as "Fill Only 3/4 Full" under the fuel cap, "Lift Here" by the lift hooks, etc. Basically we just re applied the bumper numbers, stars and the "24 volts" stencil on the battery box. As a side note, any vehicle that ended up in the Corps shop, came back repainted and marked as the factory had originally. They looked very odd to us!