HMS Ocean (1944-62) Winter Refit - by Bodgitt and Bodgitt. World Naval Ships Forums Archive

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HMS Ocean (1944-62) Winter Refit - by Bodgitt and Bodgitt. World Naval Ships Forums Archive

HMS Ocean (1944-62) Winter Refit - by Bodgitt and Bodgitt.

Posts 1 to 50

Hi Guys, new winter project.:D Robbie has had his COLOSSUS Class Carrier HMS OCEAN for twenty years or more (and it don't seem a day too much tra la ;)) and it's time for her to be tendered for refit. She is 1:72 scale and comes in at a healthy 10'. Robbie and a club member, Jon Clapham spent two years building the plug for the hull, taking care to include the gun sponsons and the bilge keels in the mould, thereby giving great strength to the protrusions. In that twenty years she has suffered fair wear and tear so we hope to bring her up to RENOWN standard. Between us, we have served on five aircraft carriers, notably: HMS VICTORIOUS; HMS ARK ROYAL; HMS HERMES; HMS OCEAN and HMS BULWARK. Both of us served our time as "Badgers" on the flight decks of the fixed wing strike carriers so we are familiar with the task in hand. Not sure of the timezone of HMS OCEAN yet, either WWII or Korean War. While I'm keen on camouflage, Robbie remains to be convinced. (Will discuss tonight and decide). Anyway, the 1944 camo pattern was non disruptive and simplified.:rolleyes: Just hope you are interested in this little project and we will keep you all well and truly in the picture as progress progresses.:D Hope that you look in from time to time Missy, we value your comment. To start, some images of the forward section as it arrived in the garage yesteday.:rolleyes:;):D Sandy and Robbie (da Owner).
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[QUOTE=Destroyerman;10054282]Hi Guys, new winter project.:D Robbie has had his COLOSSUS Class Carrier HMS OCEAN for twenty years or more (and it don't seem a day too much tra la ;)) and it's time for her to be tendered for refit. [B]Just hope you are interested in this little project [/B]and we will keep you all well and truly in the picture as progress progresses.:D To start, some images of the forward section as it arrived in the garage yesteday.:rolleyes:;):D Sandy and Robbie (da Owner).[/QUOTE] Sandy: Great to see that this project is now officially underway! Look forward to following your progress.

Like Tim I look forward to another best selling epic. 'Go'n yer sel's lads, Mair power tae yer Elbies.' Jim

Now that the colder days of our winter are nearly upon us, I will book a seat in front of the log fire and peruse the forthcoming events with much interest. You may proceed Gentlemen. Jack.

Hmmmm, it's shaping up to be an interesting winter with another great looking ship coming down the ways.

Welcome to the thread "Groupies".:D As this is to be a cosmetic job we hope to find sponsorship from Estee Lauder; Rimmel; Olay etc, etc.:rolleyes: Failing that, we two old codgers will plod on without the assistance of beautifying aids (personally)..................... Although [B]we[/B] need them.:o Robbie has a flight deck full of period aircraft so the refit will have to represent that particular age. (Makes sense). First thing is to rub down the forward section of the hull and ascertain whether or not our chosen grey spray undercoat reacts with the original. This undercoat is a propriety brand and represents (to us anyway) possibly the truest shade of ships side grey for a 1:72 scale post war aircraft carrier. We are firm believers that as a model decreases in size by scale, the corresponding base grey should lighten for best effect. Following that, the existing compartments that simulate the boat decks (not boat sponsons) and accommodation spaces will be levered off and re-jigged to give a smarter and more detailed finish. Watertight integrity will be improved at the same time. Herein lies a quandry. How do you guys describe the rectangular recesses along the side of an aircraft carrier. I always referred to the wooden decked apertures as "accommodation spaces" but others describe them differently, and, rather obviously, the boat decks as they were. We need to be singing from the same hymn sheet, don't we. There's a possibility that we will re-porthole the hull, but the brass eyelets we use are in ready supply locally. (Proper brass too).:rolleyes: Thankfully, we don't need to re-jig the bows (as in RENOWN), nor do we need to produce and fit anti-torpedo bulges, two tasks that took a considerable amount of time in the last conversion. So, "once more into the breech dear friends" and thanks in anticipation for your continued support. Sandy and Robbie (da Owner).

Oooops missed the "Now Hear This!". Typical female... have drawn up my easy chair, plumped up my cushion and got the choccies out :D. Gentlemen, I am looking forward to the Winter Activities in the Dockyard by Bodgitt and Bodgitt and am positive that I will be amazed and educated by your usual skill, flair and gift with words and pictures. :):):) Missy

Nice to see that the dockyard matey's have not been laid off for the winter, hope that this refit keeps you both gainfully employed until the sailing season starts next spring. Regards Richard

Matters arising...................spring 1962, I was Reserve Fleet Plymouth (HMS ORION), one of the Duty Watch tasks was to place lights at bow and stern of ships "up the trot" awaiting disposal. One such ship was OCEAN................I have walked the length of her flight deck several times! I eagerly await Sandy's ever entertaining "refit tales".

Welcome aboard guys.:D Work starts in earnest on Monday.;) Robbie (da owner) and his young mate, Sandy.

Well, I'm on board for this one, too! Re your post #6 Sandy, I guess it depends what's inside those rectangular openings, but in the US and N they were oftern referred to as "boat pockets" -- recesses where the boats were stored. Looking at your photos, I'm not sure if this is what you are referrring to or not. Hopefully this project will engage Missy's attention well enough so's I can sneak in and snitch some of her choccies! :)

Thanks for that Don. There was a mixture of boat recesses and gangway recesses too, sometimes also the refuelling points at sea. Glad to have you on board.:) Afraid there's no substantial turret for you on this one, it's mostly AA.:D Regarding missy, I'm with you there, not for the choccies, but for the excellent contributions she makes. I think between us we can elicit more postings.:D I have a weekend in London, so ready to start with Robbie on Monday. Kind regards, Sandy.

Well, since all of my sea-time as a Gunner's Mate was actually aboard an aircraft carrier, I think I'll be able to contribute some nit-picking if nothing else...:)

Oh dear Don, we'll have to be on our mettle then.:eek::D Sandy and Robbie.

Just an image of the model as she appeared last century.:eek::D Got a way with words eh? :rolleyes: Last century indeed. Sandy and Robbie.
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[QUOTE=Destroyerman;10054692]Just an image of the model as she appeaed last century.:eek::D Gotta way with words eh? :rolleyes: Sandy and Robbie.[/QUOTE] What a beauty! Was anyone court-martialed for running her aground?

[QUOTE=Scatari;10054699]What a beauty! Was anyone court-martialed for running her aground?[/QUOTE] Only Junior Seaman Robbie Robertson 2nd class Tim.:rolleyes: The moment the keel scraped solids, the buck started flying like a demented butterfly. As Robbie (at the time) was emulating a sloth, (for whatever reason, known only to him) the buck conveniently found a place to stop. The rest, as they say, is history.:D Sandy and Robbie (victim of circumstance).:rolleyes:

[QUOTE=Destroyerman;10054701]Only Junior Seaman Robbie Robertson 2nd class Tim.:rolleyes: The moment the keel scraped solids, the buck started flying like a demented butterfly. As Robbie (at the time) was emulating a sloth, (for whatever reason, known only to him) the buck conveniently found a place to stop. The rest, as they say, is history.:D Sandy and Robbie (victim of circumstance).:rolleyes:[/QUOTE] Well if he's a Junior Seaman 2nd Class, that rules out removal of his bridge watch-keeping certificate, so I guess 30 days stoppage of leave will have to suffice!

"Ocean" looks gorgeous guys. In the redoux, could I trouble (rather immensely) the Barclay and Robertson yard for an angled flightdeck, ala HMS Warrior, --- OR, have I just landed myself in the brig? :D

A fine model, pity about the shape of the starboard bower anchor though. I thought that the majority of that class had Byer's type. GK

Hmmmm glad you have seen the light and moved over to the Big Boys toys Sandy:rolleyes: Will have to sink another set of Sea Anchors at the lake should you ever decide to tour the East now ;) I'll send a memo to the Wardroom Steward and she can get the catering sorted out for you [ can do a lot better than the odd cup of tea and biscuits ... ] Will this be another "Silent Ship" or are you going to delve into the sound scene :D

Just have a look at post#20 Ivor.:mad: And you're mentioning sound effects.:rolleyes:;);););););););););););););););) I'm not familiar with German Anoraks. Must look 'em up in the great scheme of things.:rolleyes: Meanwhile, only yesterday my other half and I paid a visit to the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich. By the entrance door there were two massive anchors, both a 1950's and a more modern 1960's version. During the course of this refit, (should we bother to continue the blog), we'll try to procure one of these as a medallion for pedants.:mad::rolleyes::cool: Sandy. (Nothing to do with Robbie, my view only).

[QUOTE=Grosser Kreuzer;10054817]A fine model, pity about the shape of the starboard bower anchor though. I thought that the majority of that class had Byer's type. GK[/QUOTE] Curious detail to highlight GK as they are not all visible on the only picture submitted :confused: My recollection was that this class carried Bowers Anchors of the Byers stockless type [160cwt] with 412 1/2 fathoms of cable 2 carried port and one starboard Along with a "Sheet" [again Byers stockless 160cwt ] carried on the starboard side until March 1944 and a" Stream " [Hall stockless] carried stowed on a rail above quarter deck and a Admiralty pattern Kedge stowed starboard midships lower gallery deck until 1950 . And your point being ?

Morning Sandy , Hope the build is going to plan , Missy has the Canteen duties sorted , but don't tell her that or she will want additional crew to help her [ have sent some of our cap tallies to confuse her for a while :rolleyes:] Not quite sure what works you are undertaking , or is it a spruce up you are doing please ;)

Good afternoon Ivor, thanks for your constructive posts.;) The idea of the refit is [U]primarily[/U] cosmetic. However, knowing Bodgitt and Bodgitt as I do, it will also be "progressive". Todays effort was to remove all protrusions from the starboard side of the hull, but retain the sponsons (integral in the mould) and bilge keels (also integral in the mould of twenty years ago). Inner protrusions were removed as well, for instance all of the accommodation spaces, boat recesses etc. The starboard side of the hull was then rubbed down, and whilst doing that, we noticed that each successive coat of paint was still strongly adhered to the hull; a credit to Robbie's skill in painting ship. The accommodation spaces etc will be reconstructed with the emphasis on watertight integrity where they meet the inside of the moulded hull. Previously, where the water was likely to seep inboard, Robbie had sheets of perspex guarding against leaks. These detracted from the look of the model. This time each inner weather deck will be made in box section, detailed, decked and tailor fitted as watertight entities. (Departure immediately from "cosmetic").:rolleyes: Understandably, when Robbie and Jon Clapham produced the mould twenty years ago, it took two years to create the mould alone. Once this was completed, it was quite understandable to rush the rest of progress in order to come up with something that floated, steered and answered the helm. The mould is still in commercial use in East Anglia and has produced excellent results even to this day.:rolleyes: Now that trials are complete:D:D:D:D, she can go back in the 'yard for final fitting-out.:D It must be remembered that this model (as with HMS RODNEY and HMS RENOWN before her) is being fitted out with another twenty years sevice on the water (salt and fresh), in mind, taking part in sailing 50 weeks of the year and NOT being stuffed into a glass case like an original shipbuilder's model. Many people get great enjoyment watching these models on the water every Sunday throughout the year. If, for instance, an anchor gets dislodged as a result of a collision, it is replaced from spare stock and not necessarily by the correct NATO part number.:cool: So, although we set out to achieve a cosmetic refit, to satisfy our own standards, we expect it to stray into the realms of a progressive exercise. It's worth it.;) And yes, we intend fitting sound sources etc in the model, all "home made" of course, with the help of another colleague. (We are already ripping sounds of the ocean and dockyards in preparation). Today's achievements,............... the rubbing down of the starboard side. Sandy and Robbie (paint slapper-onner extraordinaire).:D
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[QUOTE=BCRenown;10054782]"Ocean" looks gorgeous guys. In the redoux, could I trouble (rather immensely) the Barclay and Robertson yard for an angled flightdeck, ala HMS Warrior, --- OR, have I just landed myself in the brig? :D[/QUOTE] Hi Monty, thanks for your suggestion.;) I'm afraid no-can-do.:o HMS OCEAN never, (to our knowledge) had any form of angled deck. Post her days as a fixed wing carrier during the Korean War, she was then converted to a Commando Carrier, so there was no reason to convert the flight deck to greater launch/recovery capacity. The only feature resembling any sort of rapidity on deck was the slightly offset single steam catapult. Robbie hopes to recreate the fit as in her first tour of duty at Korea, circa 1950-51. The (already made) aircraft on deck recreate this period so that's really the way it has got to be.;) Robbie also served on a fully angled flight decked carrier, namely HMS VICTORIOUS (two commissions I believe), so he's had the thick and the thin of it. And no, you haven't landed yourself in the brig for your suggestion; rather I served your brig time for you in 1959.:o;):D:rolleyes: Sandy and Robbie. (Fourteen years on Carriers between us).:o:)

[QUOTE=Destroyerman;10055097]Good afternoon Ivor, thanks for your constructive posts.;) The idea of the refit is [U]primarily[/U] cosmetic. However, knowing Bodgitt and Bodgitt as I do, it will also be "progressive". Todays effort was to remove all protrusions from the starboard side of the hull, but retain the sponsons (integral in the mould) and bilge keels (also integral in the mould of twenty years ago). Inner protrusions were removed as well, for instance all of the accommodation spaces, boat recesses etc. The starboard side of the hull was then rubbed down, and whilst doing that, we noticed that each successive coat of paint was still strongly adhered to the hull; a credit to Robbie's skill in painting ship. The accommodation spaces etc will be reconstructed with the emphasis on watertight integrity where they meet the inside of the moulded hull. Previously, where the water was likely to seep inboard, Robbie had sheets of perspex guarding against leaks. These detracted from the look of the model. This time each inner weather deck will be made in box section, detailed, decked and tailor fitted as watertight entities. (Departure immediately from "cosmetic").:rolleyes: Understandably, when Robbie and Jon Clapham produced the mould twenty years ago, it took two years to create the mould alone. Once this was completed, it was quite understandable to rush the rest of progress in order to come up with something that floated, steered and answered the helm. The mould is still in commercial use in East Anglia and has produced excellent results even to this day.:rolleyes: Now that trials are complete:D:D:D:D, she can go back in the 'yard for final fitting-out.:D It must be remembered that this model (as with HMS RODNEY and HMS RENOWN before her) is being fitted out with another twenty years sevice on the water (salt and fresh), in mind, taking part in sailing 50 weeks of the year and NOT being stuffed into a glass case like an original shipbuilder's model. Many people get great enjoyment watching these models on the water every Sunday throughout the year. If, for instance, an anchor gets dislodged as a result of a collision, it is replaced from spare stock and not necessarily by the correct NATO part number.:cool: So, although we set out to achieve a cosmetic refit, to satisfy our own standards, we expect it to stray into the realms of a progressive exercise. It's worth it.;) And yes, we intend fitting sound sources etc in the model, all "home made" of course, with the help of another colleague. (We are already ripping sounds of the ocean and dockyards in preparation). Today's achievements,............... the rubbing down of the starboard side. Sandy and Robbie (paint slapper-onner extraordinaire).:D[/QUOTE] Bringing back memories of the "Vic" build here Sandy ;) When I was faced with the problem you describe after cutting out the apertures on the hulls side's I constructed the inserts to form "boxes" to overlap the opening and fitted ducts , pipe runs within which were fitted to the back of the box so that any one sneaking down on all fours [ not advisable with us Stokers around] could see them along with stowed reels , cleats , watertight doors , gangways at boarding points etc. Once painted and glued in place I sealed the abutting edges inside [ and out of sight] with sealant piped around the joint and then with a wet finger smooth out to form a waterproof seal . Hm..... just been announced that our Duke and Duchess are expecting an heir to the throne :D Yes know what you mean Sandy , I try to buy a few spares for just such a loss as you can never anticipate losses like that whilst going back and forth I recall making and fitting gangway sponsons on the side of the hull so that it looked right with the stowed gangways were fitted to embark / disembark ...and took it out to show a friend at Wickstead Park boat display only to find to my horror that as I glided alongside the edge of the lake it tore them off as they hit the higher concrete edge of the pool :mad::mad:

That whole group of RN CVL's was an interesting design that has always appealed to me. Look forward to the "overhaul"! Mine could use overhauls, too, from to many moves around the USA. In my tiny JFS scale I built most of them in their various configurations and Navies, but my whole "Fleet" would easily fit on your Ocean's flight deck....with room for a Seafire or 3! Have fun! DFO :D
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Hi DFO, welcome aboard.;) Glad your excellent comment is now part of our thread. Do my eyes deceive me, or do I spot both HMS HERMES and HMS ARK ROYAL in your photograph? (Two of my "fixed wing" drafts).;) Sandy (and spokesperson for Robbie, non geek).:D

Not in that photo: all are various versions of the 2 CVL classes. However, my several times modified (to keep up with her refits..) Ark Royal, plus last Hermes before that hideous BULGE was nailed to her flight deck. Note, too: the dust is not to scale...man the brooms! Both models a bit worse for wear from all of our moves over the years. Just to give a sense of scale of how tiny these models are; a standard size paperclip in front of the BBs and CBs........DFO ;)
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I admire and appreciate the differing flight deck green in the first image.;) At most times, these decks were never painted/patched in the appropriate colourway. Flightdecks were like granny's quilts, a variety of only closely matching colours and overlapping patches. (The time to notice this detail is on the pre flying stations FOD sweeps along the deck, or by the usual Sunday morning recreational "promenades").:D However, as Robbie is once again "da owner" of the object of this refit, I will have to seek his permission to paint the flight deck in this fashion.:cool: So any of you grannies out there, get stitchin' grey and green.:D Dust: Having sanded the forward section of the hull yesterday, my garage now had a layer of grey and antifouling red all over it.:rolleyes: This is when I sometimes wish we modelled in 1:700 scale. But we do enjoy, somewhere beneath that carpet of dust I have a 1:72 scale Escort Carrier, HMS PRETORIA CASTLE. Do I notice HMS VANGUARD and HMS Warspite in the third image? Kind regards, Sandy.

[B]HMS Malaya[/B] in late war fit prior to layup, Vanguard yes, as well as Maryland with 16-5"38s, Seydlitz and Princess Royal. My little Fleet ended up at 444 models. Smallest was a SOV PA-6 mtb: .6" long, 13 parts! Broke 2 hulls prior to managing the third one...............DFO ;)

[QUOTE=designeraccd;10055247].............[B]HMS Malaya[/B] in late war fit prior to layup, Vanguard yes, as well as Maryland with 16-5"38s, Seydlitz and Princess Royal. QUOTE] Aha! Glad to have at least got the Class correct.;):D The grey matter still churns ......... :D Sandy.

Update for today. No real progress, C-in-C (Home) broke dentures this morning so a mad dash universally to get a repair job done.:eek: It took nearly three hours to set up the scaffolding for the repair job, but it was completed painlessly.;) Which is more than can be said for me if she gets to read this.:rolleyes::eek: Hope to begin tomorrow what I intended doing today. Sandy (on behalf of Robbie too).

Couple week's of work and all you've got is the support blocks laid out in the drydock and the longshores standing by? The DNC will be looking over the top of his glasses at this report! However, medical emergencies have to be accounted for, I guess! :)

[QUOTE=Don Boyer;10055264]Couple week's of work and all you've got is the support blocks laid out in the drydock and the longshores standing by? The DNC will be looking over the top of his glasses at this report! However, medical emergencies have to be accounted for, I guess! :)[/QUOTE] But when one considers the alternative to today's dental catastrophe Don, perhaps "loafing on the job" was the more prudent option.:rolleyes:;):D I don't think I could manage fettling a 10' Aircraft carrier within the confines of a casket.:cool: Sandy (and an understanding Robbie).

HOWEVER .................................. ;) Some progress has been made.:D The forward section of the hull is completely devoid of clutter and protrusions. This enables us to sand the hull down to a fairly smooth finish. A spray primer has been used to show the effects of (a), how the hull looks and to reveal imperfections; and (b), to see whether or not the primer (which will be the top coat as well) reacts with any of the previous coats of paint. Thankfully, all is in order and we can now attack the port side in a similar fashion. It is also not necessary to apply copious amounts of paint stripper.:cool: The imperfections (on a well used hull) can be corrected with grey model filler on the less defined dents, or the heavier indentations filled with car body filler. As will be noted from the images, some remedial work is required on the sponsons, particularly where the side screens fit. No problem though.;) Furthermore, we have retained the level of where the boot topping should be and this runs parallel with the keel. Once the bare hull is properly prepared, then work will commence with each weather deck, accommodation space and boat recess. Once these (and the glazed scuttles) are fitted, no further ships side spraying can be contemplated. So far, so good. Thanks for looking-in guys and thanks for your support. Sandy and Robbie. (da owner).
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Just glad you're not on the binnacle list, Sandy -- ships can wait!

Good luck mate, hope all goes well for you :D

[QUOTE=ivorthediver;10055331]Good luck mate, hope all goes well for you :D[/QUOTE] ...................... and may I reciprocate that sentiment one hundred times over Ivor, following news of your hospitalisation ...............;) Get well soon my friend.;) Sandy and Robbie.

HI Robbie and sandy I have the colour code for Oceans colour paint of that time of the Korean war if you want to get some made up into spray cans and pots it's BS676 Grey, any paint shop will make this up for you. if i can be of any more help please feel free to pm me. looking good boys.!! all the best Richard

Hi Richard, welcome to the thread. Very many thanks for that information, we shall certainly bear it in mind.;) Do you, by any chance, have copy of the actual comouflage scheme? We know that there is a half example at RNAS Yeovilton. Sandy and Robbie (da owner).;)

Progress update for today. As per the images, the hull has been turned the right way up. This action lasted the duration of three cups of coffee for me and a little exasperation for Robbie.:rolleyes: No, not really.:D The forward section of the hull now has its second coat of grey primer, ready for the final wet 'n dry rub down. The aft section has been very cunningly camouflaged by Robbie, so much so that it is exceedingly difficult to spot its presence.:rolleyes: Nah, only kidding.:rolleyes: Robbie has been hard at work carrying out the same process on the aft section at the subsidiary yard in Southsea.;) So both sections of hull are ready for the final rub-down and top coat (again a proprietry brand of grey primer), which will then receive its final coat of satin varnish. Prior to that, all apertures in the ships side will be tidied up and the "rolled edging" applied around their peripheries. The second and third apertures from the bow need to be increased in height on both sides of the hull. All sponsons need a final tidying-up (above AND below) and their decks smoothed over. The boxed sections that represent the boat decks and weather decks are under construction, but will only be fitted much later in the process. We are contemplating deckhead lighting in these spaces, just to satisfy the curious, (and, as Ivor has mentioned, to catch unwary admirers bending over to get a closer look [B]in front of two ex stokers)[/B].:eek::D The images may suggest a lack of boot topping and antifouling paint at the moment ........ this is in hand. The ships side, with all of its protrusions, downpipes etc must be finalised before masking and applying the antifouling coat(s). Once these grey/red borders have been established, then the boot topping line is masked and hand painted on. So, lots to do, but much further progress than last year when we had to reprofile the bows of RENOWN and create and apply the anti torpedo bulges.:eek: Sandy and Robbie.
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A very important note ............................... We have very graciously been given, by another OCEAN modeller, what we consider to be the [I]piece de resistance[/I] of the project. It is through the kindnesses displayed generally throughout the model making fraternity that a friend and colleague has furnished us with a rare Westland Sikorsky S-51 Dragonfly in 1:72 scale. This aircaft will be the "topping-out" item of the refit. So a million thanks to Albert Blenkinsop Jr III.:D:D:rolleyes: (Who shall remain anonymous). Robbie and Sandy.

Looking good Sandy, and as I said earlier, having walked the length of the flight deck of the original several times, I shall be especially interested in this project. :) Btw, when towing crew in URANIA, we had got almost level with Pompey from Guzz en-route to Rosyth, when we got a signal to enter Portsmouth and secure alongside SHEFFIELD. This was done, and there we stayed, living onboard URANIA but victualed in SHEFFIELD for several weeks whilst our tug (SAMSONIA?) trundled back to Guzz, collected OCEAN and took her on her last voyage. Then came back to continue towing us........meanwhile arguably the best few weeks skive I had in my 12 years service. 1 Officer, 2 PO's and 12 ratings...........get up when we felt like it, only turned to to keep ship and mess (the old Senior Rates Mess) tidy, go ashore any time, come back when we felt like it within reason.........and know something? Nobody abused the system. Weekend leave was from 1200 Thursday - 1200 Monday! Talk about life of Reilly! Nowt to do with your project of course, other than we had OCEAN to thank for the skive!

[QUOTE=Scurs;10056059]...................Nowt to do with your project of course, other than we had OCEAN to thank for the skive![/QUOTE] If it brings back happy memories Scurs, it's worth mentioning here.;) Sandy and Robbie.

Your post got me thinking Scurs ............................... a great achievement on your part thank you.:o It's not a regular event.:o Flight deck colour. I reckon it's only a single colourway, not, as in modern aircraft carriers, two tone. So, by process of elimination, it boils down to either Slate Grey or Brunswick Green. I'm of the opinion that Slate Grey would be the order of the day, that being the carry forward from WWII. I remember the newly commissioned HMS HERMES (1958) having the up to date fixed wing two tone effect. Does anybody out there have any definitive answers?? Answer in words of one syllable please, Bodgitt and Boditt are not the best of wordsmiths.;):D:rolleyes: Sandy.

Hi Sandy , Like you I was under the impression that she had a Slate grey flight deck Look at Dulux Colour Mix NIGHT JEWELS 2 [OONN13000] cost about £4.50 for 250ml which would give 2-3 good coats ...tester pots can be mixed for £2.00 Good Luck mate :)

Very many thanks for that Ivor.;) Glad you're off the binnacle list (as Don would say).;) Don't you go scaring us like that again.:eek: Sandy and Robbie.

Your very kind Sandy thank you , but I didn't plan it and it upset my day as well the daft thing is I felt fine the day it happened but now feel like the sides of the heads after a dodgy curry was served in the Mess :mad: That colour Grey I mentioned is a dark slate in appearance but ask to see a sample in Homebase and its acrylic paint [eggshell I think] but check please should you decide to use it ;)

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