Flight Deck 1/48 DIY Part 2

Flight Deck Construction – USS Wasp Section

To replicate the wooden flight deck of the USS Wasp, I started by gluing 5x2mm balsa wood strips onto a 400x200mm base using CA glue. Referring to period photos of carrier decks, I counted 12 planks before each row of tie-downs, creating a realistic and historically accurate layout.

The tie-down rows themselves are 3mm wide, and to match the height of the balsa planks (almost 2mm), I glued in spacers beneath them. This ensured a level surface across the deck and preserved the slight visual separation between the planks and tie-downs.

Once all components were securely in place, I trimmed the balsa flush with the edges of the base, giving a clean, crisp outline ready for painting and further detailing.