I have the DML 1/700 Essex on my short list of upcoming builds and would like to finish her in her 1944 ‘dazzle’ scheme. The painting guide calls for a Ms 32 6-10d scheme which, according to the shipscamouflage website, consists of 3 colors (light grey, ocean grey & black). However, the Dragon instructions (and box art) show what appears to be only 2 different colors in the pattern. My question is, is Dragon’s representation of the pattern accurate? Was there flexibility in the application of the camo pattern? If not, is there a source out there for the correct pattern?
You might want to look at www.modelwarships.com home page. At the bottom right is a link to Gator’s Paint Mask. This company makes masks for ships, aircraft, cars and other items. In their carrier page they have an Essex 1/700 and 1/350 mask for the Essex carrier in five measures including 32/6-10d with colors used in each measure.
The Dragon pattern is correct; the only colors used were the light gray and black.
The Gator masks fail to take the hull shape into account and will not give an accurate pattern on the bow and stern unless he’s updated them.