I am interested in building various bases to display my models at our local club meeting, and my most recent brain storm is a deck for a World War II Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier. Most bases will be 12" by 12" (approx) . I build in 1/48th scale. Here are my questions:

What was the deck material (wood planking, steel plates. etc)?

What were the material sizes (plank width and length, plate width and length)?

What was the color? Any traffic control or aircraft staging markings normally used? and if so what were the colors and dimensions?

Did the Brits use tie down strips similar to the USN?

How about the elevators? I have seen photos of RN carrier decks that showed the elevators, but the photo featured an aircraft, so there was not much detail for the deck and accessories. I am thinking about including just a portion of the elevator fram to add interest to the deck.

Does anyone offer a pre-manufactured deck that can be painted up proper and used as I am planning? I believe Verlinden and possibly Eduards offers a deck section (has anyone used these items? and how did they work out for you?).

What reference material is our there that could help? I plan to Google after this posting, but I have been offered great help in the past from the AeroScale members and I wanted to start here.

I know absolutely nothing about carrier decks for any nation, so this spur-of-the-moment idea needs much support and direction.

My other plans include a Japanese Navel Ensign, a Union Jack, a US star and bar insignia, a Red Star and maybe something for the Luftwaffe. I still need to determine how I want to create these bases, but plan to fix them to a wood base with a stained border trim. I have tried stencils made from Frisket paper to create the Japanese ensign, but have not been happy with the results so far. I am close to a solution.

The carrier deck just came to me. I sometime have more imagination than skill, but Michigan winters can be cold and boring. These projects are intended to retain my sanity or push me over the edge!

Thanks.

RN carrier decks were steel; that's why Kamikazes had so much difficulty; if they came in, at an angle, they just bounced off. As they were welded, then smoothed and painted, seams would be unlikely. Normal colour was grey, and tie-downs were rings, about every 6 feet, with a circular centre, of steel. Apparently you became acutely aware of them, if you hit one during a game of deck hockey.
Edgar

Michael,


I'm trying to remember the details of this one! Still, it does show a fairly plain looking deck, with non skid (asphalt based?) surface, showing tyre marks, and the markings. The elevator in the background has no distinguishing border painted around it. The whole finish is a dull, non descript dark grey.
Hope this helps some.
Cheers.
Jeff W.

Edgar and Jeff, thank you for the response to my post.

I am not much of a naval buff, but I do recall reading that the RN used armored decks on their carriers, but I had no details beyond that. I was not certain if they used a wood planking overlay or what, but your information has cleared that up for me.

I recently obtained a 1/48th scale Tamiya Swordfish float plane at the IPMS USA Nationals, and just this Saturday at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo finally acquired the wheeled version of the Stringbag. I thought it might be neat to create a display base for the wheeled version, and what would be more appropriate than a RN carrier deck.

Now I have no excuses. Thanks again for your help.

Glad to be of help. Bear in mind that it was the larger modern 'Fleet' carriers that pioneered the armoured decks - viz:

Illustrious class: HMS Illustrious, HMS Victorious, HMS Forminable.

Indomitable: HMS Indomitable. A version of Illustrious class.

Implacable class: HMS Implacable, HMS Indefatigable. Another variant of Illustrious class.

The earlier HMS Ark Royal had a non armoured steel deck, which was an integral part of the structure.

The 'Light fleet aircraft carriers' had unarmoured steel decks:
Colossus Class: HMS Colossus, Glory, Ocean, Venerable,
Vengeance, Theseus, Triumph, Warrior

Many of the escort carriers used by the FAA were American built and used wooden decks including Archer class, Avenger class, Attacker class, Ameer class. (38 in total.)

Jeff W.

Flight deck color varied from ship to ship, though generally was AP 507A Admiralty Dark Grey. Some ships had camouflage-patterned flight decks, so you would possibly need to be specific about which ship you're depicting. Remember also that the Royal Navy's US-built escort carriers had wood decks and US-style tie-down strips.

We've got all the RN and FAA paint colors accurately matched and available in our Colourcoats range of enamels--no minimum order and we ship worldwide.

Cheers,
John Snyder
White Ensign Models
http://WhiteEnsignModels.com

As noted previously, the Fleet Air Arm had several 'Lend Lease' aircraft carriers with US decks. There is a manufacturer that makes these decks - they are called Just Plane Stuff and as you are based in the USA, you can get them direct from www.justplanestuff.net or from Roll models, Squadron and other retailers.

Shame you dont live in the UK - I could have directed you to my webshop

Regards,

Lee

http://www.justplanestuff.net