What’s the best color or mix of colors for painting WWII wooden aircraft carrier decks? Were there any WWII carrier decks other than wood?
I need this just for the base wood color, from there I can do the wash, highlights, dry-brushing, etc.
Thanks for your help.
you should probably specify whose navy , usa,japan,etc because they use different colors
More to the point Kielers, is that your picture !?
As well as early, mid,late-war, as this is a topic of debate amongst model ship builders.
This can affect the color of the striping as well as the deck color.
Tom T [C):-)]
mmmm… thongs… oh, er uh… Give us some specifics and we can point you in the right direction, as far as carrier wooden decks go… 
Start at this link if you’re interested in US carriers. Click on the link below then, scroll down 'til you find “FLIGHT DECK COLORS AND MARKINGS” continue on to the Next Page. Provides plenty of information on US aircraft carrier decks. Most of these colors you can get from Model Master and order direct from www.testors.com.
Sorry for the ambiguity. I’m looking specifically for US carriers in the Pacific Theater up till late 1943. And to be real specific, the USS San Jacinto, the carrier George H.W. Bush was flying from when he got shot down near Chichi Jima in September 1943.
No, that’s not me, that’s just one of the things I like most about Europe in the summer time.
The link I provided is what you need. Also, you may already have the book, but Flyboys by James Bradley provides some good background on Chichi Jima.
Thanks Quagmyre, I’ll check the site. I do have the book “Flyboys.” It’s a great account of the action not only around Chici Jima but throughout that part of the Pacific Theater.
US carrier decks were planked with Douglas fir. In 1943 they were stained (not painted) with Flight Deck Stain 21. The tie-down strips were painted with 20-B Deck Blue. We have both those colors accurately matched and available in our Colourcoats enamels:
US 08, 20-B Deck Blue
US 11, Flight Deck Stain 21
No minimum order on paints, and we ship worldwide.
Cheers,
John Snyder, White Ensign Models, http://WhiteEnsignModels.com