USS Hornet

You can simply enlarge the box art showing the pattern through photocopying. When you get that done, you can strip off the pattern with a cutter and there you have it..a template. You might want to get the February copy of FSM. They have complete tips in detailing the Hornet in that specific issue.

As far as I've heard (and don't quote me on this - better to check with Jeff) but I think the boxart & painting template for the Hornet on Trumpeter (that's if you're doing the 1/350 and not the Tamiya 1/700) are not exactly correctly. I haven't of yet started to paint my CV-8 but it's better to check photos and books for the correct reference of the exact Mod Measure 12 patterns. Ignore that glossy profile sheet - it's wrong. There only use two colours - remember the paint colours differ from the island and the hull. Pale Grey stripes were on her island. Books like Warship Perspectives Yorktown Class Carriers & website like Navsource Photo's should help.

Sorry I didn't exactly asnswer your question about the technique of masking off the scheme!

Luke,

You're correct, the glossy sheet in the Trumpeter kit is wrong...however, it's the color callouts that are wrong, the pattern itself isn't too bad.

Hornet's Measure 12 Revised pattern consisted of 5-N Navy Blue on the hull with 5-O Ocean gray as the lighter color. On the island, 5-O was used as the darker color with 5-H Haze Gray as the lighter color.

My Hornet is packed away, if someone out there can scan that glossy sheet, it'll help csmallc out for sure.

Otherwise, check the gallery of Modelwarships.com, you'll find several Hornet's there, including Kelly Quirk's US Nationals winner.

Regards,

Jeff Herne
Modelwarships.com

On the

I guess I should have read...

Typically, paint the lighter color first, then your darker color. Since Hornet's scheme is very wavy, you might want to consider using a single strip of wide masking tape, pre cut with an X-acto knife. That's typically how I'll do a Measure 12 pattern.

JH