Two Stupid Questions

   First question--You're going to have to look up a scheme.  I have the Trumpeter 1/350 version of the CV-19 USS Hancock, and just gray doesn't begin to cover it.  

   Navsource.org has been my biggest friend so far; I found a 3 view drawing of the USS Baltimore with the proposed scheme for the Baltimore class!(I mean like a 3 view outline that was lined and filled in with pencil for a proposal).  This site also has listing of paint schemes per class and ship(at least the cruisers).  They give you the scheme number, and a sample photo of a ship with that scheme applied.

Second question--I've only built a handful of ships, but painting at certain stages before final assembly seems to be the prevailing strategy.

Hope this helps.

These links may be of assistance:

http://www.steelnavy.com/essex_data.htm

http://www.steelnavy.com/usnchips.htm

Phil_H wrote:

These links may be of assistance: http://www.steelnavy.com/essex_data.htm http://www.steelnavy.com/usnchips.htm

Be advised that those paint chips posted on Steel Navy are not accurate. They were simply approximations, using commercially available house paint chips (from Sears, IIRC). If you went to Sears today, you probably wouldn't find any of the referenced colors as that post was made about 8 or 9 years ago.

Try having a look at  http://www.shipcamouflage.com/_derived/index.htm_txt_button_7.gif

You'll find all you need there regarding USN WW2 camouflage, including a ship-by-ship database showing what ship wore what camouflage scheme, and when. Then, when you have your answers, come see us for accurate paints from our Colourcoats line of enamels.

Cheers,

John Snyder, White Ensign Models, http://WhiteEnsignModels.com

Fair enough John, I'm not a ship guy. I spend most of my time in the Armor forum...

EDIT: PS: Your link above is just the image for the button on the webpage. The actual link is http://www.shipcamouflage.com/warship_camouflage.htm

Thanks for the help fella's.  It's greatly appreciated

                                                                                Chris

Even modelers who have an air brush (I don't) generally paint their ships in stages, such as the hull, superstructure components, guns, etc., and then put it all together.

Nowwwwwww, about that photoetch we all know you're just dying to experience *maniacal laughter* ... I know, I know, my bad.