Scale: 1/350

Recommended to help build USS Lexington CV-2 as she appeared from 1928-1935 from the Trumpeter 1/350 scale USS Saratoga CV-3 kit.

This model represents the massive funnel of celebrated aircraft carrier USS Lexington CV-2 as she appeared from her commissioning in 1928 through 1935 during which she and her crew participated in extensive training activities laying the foundation for modern carrier warfare.  During this time, Lexington did not have her flight deck widened forward.

Features:
accurately dimensioned from US Navy Booklet of General Plans drawings
accurate elliptical shape, not slab-sided a some plastic kits are, and the 01 level is wider aft
detail shapes and locations confirmed by careful study of photographs of the actual ship
open smoke pipes, accurately sized and properly sloped and compartmented, passing all the way through
properly sized and accurately shaped secondary conning station/aviation control station with open windows
open drying room vents just below the funnel cap
funnel cap roof has the correct complex curve - plastic kit manufacturers get this shape wrong
funnel cap roof access hatches and vents
access hatches on the roof of the fresh water tank (the boxy structure on the 01 level forward of the stack)
accurate aft 8" fire control station "fighting top" on the funnel with open windows
detailed, internal, twin 8" Mount #3 barbette and associated bulkheads with open scuttles which will be visible through:
accurately positioned doors of the correct configuration, most in the open position
steam whistles of the correct configuration for Lexington
open portholes (airports) properly sized and located
delicate exterior electrical cabling, properly positioned and routed
subtle, raised locators for searchlights and directors
heavy structural supports included
light structural supports, railings and ladders omitted, ready for your favorite photoetch
separate boat platform of the correct shape and extents with delicate supporting columns
 
During this time, the Lexington Air Group was equipped with:
August - December 1928:
Fighting Squadron 3B (VF-3B): Boeing FB-5 Hawk and Vought UO-1
Bombing Squadron 1B (VB-1B): Curtiss F6C-2, F6C-3, and Vought UO-1C
Torpedo Squadron 1B (VT-1SB): Martin T3M-2 and T4M-1
 
April - December 1929:
Fighting Squadron 3B (VF-3B): Boeing F3B-1 and Vought FU-2
Bombing Squadron 1B (VB-1B): Curtiss F6C-2, F6C-3, and Vought UO-1C
Torpedo Squadron 1B (VT-1SB): Martin T3M-2 and T4M-1 
 
June - December 1930:
Fighting Squadron 3B (VF-3B): Boeing F3B-1
Fighting Squadron 5B (VF-5B): Boeing F4B-1
Scouting Squadron 3B (VS-3B): Vought O2U-4
Torpedo Squadron 1B (VT-1SB): Martin T4M-1
 
June - December 1931:
Fighting Squadron 2B (VF-2B): Boeing F3B-1 and Vought FU-1
Fighting Squadron 5B (VF-5B): Boeing F4B-1, F4B-2 and Curtiss O2C-2
Scouting Squadron 3B (VS-3B): Vought O2U-2 and O2U-4
Torpedo Squadron 1B (VT-1SB): Martin T4M-1
 
January - March 1932:
Fighting Squadron 2S (VF-2S): Boeing F3B-1 and Vought O2U-1 and SU-2 Corsair
Fighting Squadron 5S (VF-5S): Boeing F4B-2 and Vought SU-2 Corsair
Scouting Squadron 3S (VS-3S): Vought SU-2 and Loening OL-8
Torpedo Squadron 1S (VT-1S): Martin BM-1
Torpedo Squadron 2B (VT-2B):  Great Lakes TG-1
 
June 1933 - December 1933:
Fighting Squadron 2B (VF-2B): Boeing F4B-1 and F4B-2, and Vought SU-2 Corsair
Fighting Squadron 5B (VF-5B): Boeing F4B-2 and Vought SU-2 Corsair
Scouting Squadron 3B (VS-3B): Vought SU-2 and SU-3 Corsair
Torpedo Squadron 1B (VT-1B): Martin BM-1 and BM-2

9 April 1934 - 9 November 1934:
Fighting Squadron 2B (VF-2B): Boeing F4B-2
Fighting Squadron 5B (VF-5B): Grumman FF-1
Scouting Squadron 3B (VS-3B): Vought SU-2 and SU-3 Corsair
Torpedo Squadron 1B (VT-1B): Martin BM-1 and BM-2
Torpedo Squadron 2B (VT-2B), Detachment 2: Great Lakes TG-2
 
9 April 1934 - 9 November 1934:
Fighting Squadron 2B (VF-2B): Boeing F4B-2
Fighting Squadron 5B (VF-5B): Grumman FF-1, Grumman SF-1, and Vought O2U-4
Bombing Squadron 1B (VB-1B): Martin BM-1 and BM-2
Scouting Squadron 3B (VS-3B): Grumman SF-1
 
Lexington Air Group Aircraft Identification Colors and Markings, 1928-1940:
Tail Surfaces: entire fin and rudder painted in "Lemon Yellow" to signify the aircraft belonged to the USS Lexington Air Group.
Wings: The upper surfaces of the top wings were painted "Orange-Yellow" (often called "Chrome Yellow") for high visibility if an aircraft went down at sea.  "Orange-Yellow" was a rich, golden-yellow color with a slight orange tint, often matched to modern FS 13538.  The bottom of wings was typically painted Aluminum Lacquer.
Fuselage: Generally left in Natural Metal (aluminum) or painted with Light Gray or Aluminum Lacquer. 
Squadron Section Markings: individual squadrons and sections were further differentiated by colored bands and cowlings: 
Section 1: Insignia Red (Full cowling)
Section 2: White (Full cowling)
Section 3: True Blue (Full cowling)
Section 4: Black (Full cowling)
Section 5: Willow Green (Full cowling)
Section 6: Lemon Yellow (Full cowling)
 
Section Leaders featured a chevron on the top wing painted in the color of their section.
Identifying Letters and Numbers on Fuselage and Wings: black.

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