Painting Essex

Hi All,

I got the Trumpeter 1/350 Essex for a song. I Don’t know too much about ships but there was no way I could pass on this deal. My only problem with the kit is the painting instructions which I found to be rather vague. I ask those who know much more than I what shades of Model Master (Preferably acrylic) paints would be most appropriate?

As always, thanks in advance. PF

Essex wore a Measure 21 scheme when she was commissioned, until her refit in San Francisco in April 1944.

This means…in laymen’s terms, that the entire ship is painted overall 5-N Navy Blue. The flight deck is painted Norfolk 250 Stain, and the other horizontal surfaces are 20-B Deck Blue.

Testors makes an acrylic of all these colors, in their ModelMaster line.

Regards,

Jeff Herne
Modelwarships.com

Jeff,
Thanks for the info. I have a couple more questions for you now. Would the davits and such be painted 20-B? Also, I can’t find that Norfolk 250 Stain anywhere. Would there be an FS number for that?

Thanks again, PF

Davits and fittings would be painted 5-N. 20-B is only used for decking.

Norfolk 250 Stain is very, very close to 5-N, if you weather your flight deck, you’ll never be able to tell the difference.

Jeff

Hey Jeff,

I can’t thank you enough for your help.

Take care, PF

No trouble, glad someone can make use of all this trivial information in my cranium.

J