I have a question about the forward elevator bay on the Essex class carriers. The book “Carrier Air War” has a picture of the Yorktown on page 60 which shows a dark blue bay. Was this because the overall camouflage pattern was Ms. 21 or was the bay dark on all Essex regardless of camouflage scheme.
I would probably fathom a guess and say that it was painted that way to maintain a continuance of the flight deck color with the elevator in the down position…
Jeff