USN Modern Carier Deck Diorama

I found a short 'how-to' article here:

http://www.internetmodeler.com/2002/february/aviation/f14.htm

When building a carrier deck diorama the first thing is to draw out a rough sketch and start from there. If you are going to make it static ( Parked on the deck) you will have to do research on where it would be parked. If you are going to make an action diorama ( Launch or recovery) you will have to figure out where to place the deck crew. Also anything around the aircraft such as tow vehicles, starting units etc, include that in your sketch. Planing is five percent of the job but the most important.

I disagree, Berny. Planning is at least 50% of the job, maybe more. What story are you telling? How will the eye move? How large, what pieces, how arranged, etc.

But that's common to any diorama. You're fortunate in that there are accessory kits available that provide ready-made modern USN flight-deck crew and equipment, not to mention weapons. I think they're by Tamiya, but I could be wrong. I'm pretty sure they're in 1/72.

Verlinden makes modern US carrier accessories in 1/48th from deck crew to vehicles(tow,fire and fuel tugs).
Flaps up, Mike

Thanks for the lively discussion. The one item I'm most interested in is the flight deck itself (color, tie downs, details, etc) and how to make them.

In this information age, I wish someone would have a large .jpg file of some samples scanned in for download. ...hint...hint.

Hasegawa also makes a deck crew set in 1/48 as well as weapons sets. consider making weapons carts filled with missels or bombs to make it come alive. I have yet to try a diorama, I have a lot of work to do to get there yet.

When out shopping for Christmas gifts in December, I stoped by Books a Million. I came across a book about aircraft carriers. I don't remember the name but I did look through it. It had numerious color photographs of the flight deck, elevators and interior of the ship. It showed several classes of carriers. I am sure you will be able to find something at a local book store.

I lived onboard the USS Enterprise CVN-65 and the USS John F Kennedy CV-67 for a total of six years and made four trips halfway around the world and one trip all the way round the world. After spending many hours up on the flight deck I can tell you with authority that a modern US carrier's flight deck is BLACK! The actual paint is a grainy black mixture called "non-skid", kinda like thick paint full of sand. The pad-eyes, all one thousand of them, (tie down points on the flight deck) are painted white inside. This makes it easier to see foreign objects (nuts, bolts, cotter keys, etc) that may be lurking in there to be found during the FOD walkdown that happens before every launch. New chains are cadmium plated, kinda gold color, that wears off to eventually turn chains into plain old worn/rusty steel. The big number up on the front of the flight deck is white, foul line and elevator markings are alternating red/yellow. The centerline is white. The non-skid becomes very worn after about two months and becomes so oil soaked and so greasy that aircraft being towed during heavy seas will sometimes slide two or three feet (and sometimes more) in any direction, before the sailor riding the brakes, the plane captain with the chocks, and the tractor driver gets it to stop. Hope this helps you get started.

Thnaks for the info eaglecentral. In years past was the deck blue? Every diorama I've ever seen is with it blue. Perhaps this is just a perception of the blue sky and water reflection?

I just returned from a cruise in december on the USS George Washington. If you need technical data let me know.....i can give you shirt colors...types of towmotors they have...types of aircraft we use etc. hope that i cna help you out! I also have some pics if needed!

Thanks for the offer sailor. I'll pass on the info for now because I won't get around to it for some time.

What I'm trying to avoid is paying $20-$30 for a photocopy of an aftermarket flight deck. I understand these aftermarket guys are in a buisness to make a profit (and that's ok) but that's just too steep for me. Thus, I was hoping someone had electronic copies fit for E-mail and printing. If you can help me out here, e-mail me:

wehrenbergtoddm@johndeere.com

Thanks,

Toad

Try this
http://m2reviews.cnsi.net/scotts/accessories/fltdeckb.htm

toadwbg:
In WW2 the decks were Deck Blue which was pretty dark.