Hi everyone, I’m building a model of the USS Arizona and wanted to ask if anyone knows if the boat deck was teakwood or steel at the time of the attack at pearl harbor? Thx Steve.
was wood & it is called Superstructure Deck according to the 1941 Booklet of General Plans.
http://www.researcheratlarge.com/Ships/BB39/BOGP/RG19AlphaArizona162285-3_a.jpg
Yes, but just to be clear, it was a steel deck, covered in teak, with the exception of the 12" waterway along the edges. Most kits don’t show that.
Thanks all for the replies!!! I have another question, what color where the boats on superstructure deck at the time of the attack? Thanks Steve
As I recall (and I could be wrong) the majority of the ships boats were in the water at the time of the attack. I will check my sources to confirm.
Now as for the boats themselves, at the time the boats and their skids should have been painted the same color as the vertical surfaces of the ship, and probably covered with fitted tarps of a similar color.
Thx Hooyah, I’m building an old Revell model of the Arizona. I thought it would be neat to paint it as if it in a middle of a new paint measure to see what it would look like based on Lauren Bruner’s recollection. Any information you or anyone else might have to help would be greatly appreciated, thanks Steve
You are most welcome, as ARIZONA is kind of my thing. Now going by your intentions and not knowing your background, let me start by saying that in Navy ‘repaint’ jobs, do not forget that any potentially bare metal areas would be primed first, then painted. So, If you are doing an ‘in progress’ scenario, for places that you think would get wear and tear, if you want the primer showing it should be painted a dull pumpkin orange, as that is the color of ‘red lead primer’, which is what was used on steel back then. I would do some small spots between the new color and the old color. Also, there was some ‘construction’ happening on ARIZONA at the time, including a rebuild of the RDF shack and fire control director mounts on the superstructure and aft deck. those could all be ‘primed’ in your build. Just a thought.
As an example, this photo is from the1929-31 major overhaul. all of the dark areas are actually areas that are just primed with red lead.
Adjacent vertiacl Gray with either a white or black bottom.
With two exceptions.
The Captains’s Gig (this was a naming thing, not a size) was, during peacetime, nearly always White (sometimes with a gray bottom) with a blue gunwale.
The Admiral’s Barge (again a naming thing, not a size) was painted blue, with a gray or black bottom, and, often a white gunwale.
By '42, when camo measures were really being enforced, the Gig might only have a white rail and the arge a blue rail.
And, either of those vessels would be given “curtains” of sennet and macramae, often bleached white when not painted. The rails for the Bowman and Coxswain would be srapped in white painted marline, with Turk’s head knots to close them off. (All of that latter being extremely difficult to render in 1/350.)
Interesting. i always thought the in the water parts were whatever color the verticals were, some blue at the time.
Black?
Sure could be.
what purpose were the curtains?
bill
Oh, and Steve, if you leave the boats off, you’re going to want to rework the area below the boat cradles and the incinerator, as they will be much more visable.
Was busy-work for the Boat Crew, and a way to embelish the boat
Probably less critical with the modern versions
What with tinted windows and all. And enclosed cabins.
Here’s a 26’ Motor Whaleboat
Which is clearly the Captain’s Gig.
The Boat Crew were typically specific members of a Ship’s crew–from three, a couple of Bo’s’ns and a MotorMac, to 5-6 personnel (40’ launch wants Bowhook, Cox’sun, MotorMac, Sternhook, and a line handler). These worthies would see to the paint and upkeep of “their” boat.
Thx all for the replies!! You have been most helpful !!