color of decks on wwii a/c carriers

Well, for IJN ships, you do have the color opportunity presented by the fact that IJN used linoleum on the decks.  The color for that material is described as "red"--a roan leather to brick color being the most commonly used. 

And only your research will really tell what decks were what material.

For US carrier flight decks, there are several references out there, and as the case, they can be contradictory.  I want to remember that there's reference to a stain, rather than a paint, for carrier flight decks.  It would be a blue stain, and probably ought to be about as dark as Deck Blue.  But, you also have to remember that flight decks are completely exposed to the weather, and have a large volume of wheeled traffic across them.

I'd check http://www.j-aircraft.com/ . Despite the name they have some material concerning ships plus links to Combined Fleet and other sites. A lot of stuff appears under construction so there might be some digging involved.

Eric

Model Masters Acrylic actually had (has) a "Flight Deck Blue" and a "Weathered Flight Deck Blue" which I use almost exclusively. I weather them accordingly, but the match looks to be very good and I like the effect. The Testors website should have the colors you need.

Carrier decks were stained whereas other ships' decks painted; the decks took such a pounding that a stain that penetrated the wood was more desired.

For Essex class carriers you want Flight Deck Stain 21, which was matched to the 20-B Deck Blue Paint. I'd give it some brownish tones in the weathering to set it a part a bit so the model isn't as monochromatic.

Actually, the Flight Deck Stain 21 that Tracy refers to--the one that matched to 20-B Deck Blue--was the 1945 revised version of Flight Deck Stain 21. The original Flight Deck Stain 21, in use in 1943 - 44, was lighter so you'll want to determine what period you're depicting with your model.

Only a very few IJN destroyers were painted in patterned camouflage, so you'll need to do a bit of research to determine which those were.

For help in finding accurate paints, feel free to contact me.

Cheers,

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

WEM on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/White-Ensign-Models-Ltd/133782763306405

John @ WEM

Actually, the Flight Deck Stain 21 that Tracy refers to--the one that matched to 20-B Deck Blue--was the 1945 revised version of Flight Deck Stain 21. The original Flight Deck Stain 21, in use in 1943 - 44, was lighter so you'll want to determine what period you're depicting with your model.

What was in use prior to 1943? I am working on a USS Hornet, April 1942, Doolittle kit!.

I beleive it was Norfolk 250-N Flight deck stain. HTH, Jon

Jon is correct--Norfolk 250-N throughout 1942. And for you pre-war carrier fans, it was Mahogany Flight Deck Stain with Chrome Yellow markings.

this is going to sound nuts but should i paint the deck tan first  then thin out the deck stain 21 a bit to give it a stain over wood look instead of a paint on plastic look  to give it the wood natural color undertones

DURR

this is going to sound nuts but should i paint the deck tan first  then thin out the deck stain 21 a bit to give it a stain over wood look instead of a paint on plastic look  to give it the wood natural color undertones

That's not nuts, I do the same thing.  I lay down a lighter tan color, then the deck blue.  Then I weather the heck out of it, including using some fine grit sandpaper (starting at 400 or better) or a piece of emery cloth, to wear the blue color down to the tan.