anyone done it yet? What is the color scheme for early Pacific war? Did it escort Hornet during Doolittle raid?
Uhhh…maybe you’re thinking of Enterprise…Essex wasn’t launched until July 31, 1942. Enterprise (CV-6) was Hornet’s escort on the Doolittle raid from April 8-25, 1942.
Essex CV-9 arrived in the Pacific in May of 1943, but her first operation was in the Marcus Islands in August. At this time, she was wearing Measure 21, overall 5-N Navy Blue, and remained in Measure 21 until April of 1944. She underwent a refit in April of 1944 that altered her island structure, installed catapults on her flight deck, and increased the number of 40mm mounts. She then repainted into Measure 32/16d. She repainted back into Measure 21 in November of 1944.
Jeff