I've always used a very dark gray as the base color for American supercarriers, then weather them with shades of black and lighter grays to replicate scuffs from heavy use. I mix lighter to medium grays to get the color for the hull, sponsons, and starboard side of the island. The port side of the island was painted black up to the lower platform on conventional carriers. Look at photos for the time period in which you are interested. Also, please let me know if you have any modeling needs for the kids.
Bill