The biggest challenge in reproducing a carrier deck on a large scale is the tie-down strips - the stamped-metal strips with u-shaped holes that ran athwartships every few feet, and were used to tie down the aircraft. The Verlinden resin kits represent the tie-down strips nicely; I seem to recall that at least one other aftermarket company sells something similar. The British firm White Ensign Models also sells photo-etched brass tie-down strips. On the basis of the firm's reputation I'm sure they're first-rate products. A good way to find out about the White Ensign range is via the Steel Navy website, <www.steelnavy.com>. Then click on the White Ensign Models icon. If you haven't been to that site, by the way, you're in for a treat.
Basswood is a decent material for imitation deck planking. (At all costs avoid balsa wood. Modelers have become fascinated with it over the decades, but its only real virtue, its light weight, is solely of value in flying models.) Any veteran ship modeler will tell you that maple would be even better. And the best wood of all for deck planking is holly. It's sold in the form of veneer, and isn't really very expensive - though you'd have to cut the veneer into accurate, consistent strips. If you're interested, try the website of Constantine's (formally known as Constantine's of the Bronx, but now located in Florida): <www.constantines.com>.
One other thought. Dragon makes a version of its 1/72 F4F Wildcat kit that comes with a carrier deck base. As a matter of fact I think Hasegawa sells its Brewster Buffalo in a similar package. I have no idea how those bases look, but one of those kits might turn out to be the cheapest solution to the problem.
Hope this helps. An accurate-looking carrier deck makes a nice, atmospheric base for a model.
Youth, talent, hard work, and enthusiasm are no match for old age and treachery.