Aces High

Due to the relative time difference I suffer by being Europe I tend to get lots of free time when the rest of you guys aren't around. In an effort to keep myself occupied, (And out of my wife's hair!) I lock myself away and skin aircraft.

For the most part I try and make the aircraft as accurate as possible while still giving them my personal feel and lots of wear and tear.

Here's some of my latest:

Here's a P-40 Field Mod that I created for the Stalingrad Battle.

(http://www.aceshigh.ws/screenshots/P40_USSR.jpg)

One aircraft that we hardly operate but I believe is one of the best looking aircraft of WWII is the Fw-190.

(http://www.aceshigh.ws/screenshots/FW_Grey.jpg)

(http://www.aceshigh.ws/screenshots/FW_Red.jpg)

Another aircraft that I really like for its looks has to be the Tempest. So far I've done up 3 different skins for the type; Standard RAF style scheme that most of you have already seen and the two examples below.

Post War Metal Finish:

(http://www.aceshigh.ws/screenshots/Temp_Met.jpg)

(http://www.aceshigh.ws/screenshots/Temp_Met_I.jpg)

Special winter scheme with white paint crudely sprayed over the standard RAF scheme.

(http://www.aceshigh.ws/screenshots/Temp_Winter.jpg)

Here's a Mk.Vb Spitfire in the colour scheme used when the type operated from Malta in 1943.

(http://www.aceshigh.ws/screenshots/Malta_Spit.jpg)

Another Mk.V Spit in standard RAF markings with checkered nose and advertising the best online squadron to fly the virtual skies. ;)

(http://www.aceshigh.ws/screenshots/Spit_Green.jpg)

(http://www.aceshigh.ws/screenshots/Spit_Green_I.jpg)

Now a Mk.VIII in the standard RAF camo of the day. This is still a work in progress. While the over all scheme is complete, I still need to add personalized markings.

(http://www.aceshigh.ws/screenshots/MkVIII_Spit.jpg)

One of the easiest aircraft to skin in IL2 has to be the Bf-109. Here's one that I painted up for the Battle of the Bulge. This scheme is based on Italian 109's during 1944.

(http://www.aceshigh.ws/screenshots/BotB_109.jpg)

The same skin again but with black and white tiger skin over its camo.

(http://www.aceshigh.ws/screenshots/BotB_109_Tiger.jpg)

Something that I think looks great on WWII aircraft is modern style camo patterns. Here's a P-51 in a modern day F-16 style pain scheme.

(http://www.aceshigh.ws/screenshots/P-51_Mod.jpg)

For the up coming Kursk battle I've been studying some of the Russian units that operated in the theatre and have tried to recreate some of the schemes they employed.

Here's a La-5 and La-5FN.

(http://www.aceshigh.ws/screenshots/La_5.jpg)

(http://www.aceshigh.ws/screenshots/La5_FN.jpg)

Here's a Yak-9T.

(http://www.aceshigh.ws/screenshots/Yak9T.jpg)

(http://www.aceshigh.ws/screenshots/Yak9T_I.jpg)

(http://www.aceshigh.ws/screenshots/Yak9T_II.jpg)

One project that I have yet to complete is the Mossie. Here's how it's looking so far. Hopefully with a little time I'll be able to complete all of the finishing touches on it.

(http://www.aceshigh.ws/screenshots/Mossie.jpg)

Thanks for the viewing...they look great

 I don't do much skinning, I prefer to choose from a variety of historical skins I've downloaded. But these are the few I've done.

My Aussie Heroes campaign skins. I kinda like variety so I have basically the same markings over 3 different camo patterns. The camo patterns were taken from blanks of |450|vex's skins.

(http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/5015/p40str8.jpg)


This aircraft is a 442 squadron RCAF bird. I used the yellow cowl and wing markings from one of jocko417's skins from the same squadron. jocko417 has done alot of cool RCAF stuff, including a snotload of skins for the Mk.VIII spit.

(http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/628/y2ceu2.jpg)

There is an airworthy mustang in Ottawa that is painted with these markings.

(http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/7975/ottee3.jpg)

And of course I could'nt resist making a personalized skin in this scheme.

(http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/5710/dwgtk7.jpg)

This last one is a cut and paste job of various elements from several of RONNCO's skins. I think RONNCO is pretty much the king of USN skins, his latest works are fantastic.

(http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/9172/f6fcc5.jpg)

DW

  This is my latest creation, named in honor of the clown himself of course!

(http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/3139/sbrbtl4.jpg)

DW

 ::-

I love it!!!

For some reason I o not see the last skins that were posted even after I refreshed the page.

I finished up work on my Hurri IIcs,

(http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/4941/hurrispe7.jpg)

and messed about with some Mk.VIII spits.

(http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/71/viiista7.jpg)

DW

Well when you use layered templates Spar, the work is done for you as far as the rivets etc. Basically they are files with layers and layers of images in them. Think of it like those clear transparencies you would use on an overhead projector. One transparency has the panel lines, one has the rivets, one has the exhaust staining, one has paint chipping etc etc. On the bottom are things like the basic paint scheme or camo pattern, national insignia and markings etc. When the other layers are on top, they superimpose the detail on textures beneath them.

Let me try and illustrate :

Here we have the camo pattern and most of the markings by themselves with no detail layers on top

(http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/1251/spitbarecp5.jpg)

Where as here we have all the the detail and weathering layers on top as well as the mechanical bits and peices of the internal structure. You can see how the panel lines and rivets and weathering etc have been superimposed over the plain markings giving them the look of being painted on the panels of the aircraft.

(http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/1865/spitdetailvp5.jpg)

It's all a matter of adding your markings and manipulating the layers. Then you export a copy and use a program to convert the image into a 256 color file the game can read.

Some aircraft are harder than others to skin. Some actually distort the skin when they apply it to the 3D model, so parts of the skin itself have to be a little warped to look right on the aircraft. Others apply the textures in funny ways, forcing you to add the markings upsidedown and backwards on the skin to make them show the right way on the aircraft. It also depends on the quality of the template, some are a total cinch to use and require little manipulation. Others can seem like a nightmare to try and make sense of.

DW

Great little walk through on what Templates are and how to use them DW!

Great skins by the way too bud! I love the Pacific Hurricane and Spitfire.

Modifying existing skins can be tough. Very hard to remove something without destroying detail or shading, and equally hard to apply the proper detail and shading to anything new you add. Thats what makes the templates so great, you add whatever you want and drag the layer to the right point and it's all done for you. And if you want to change things later on, it's as simple as removing the previous marking and adding the new one in the template.

DW

hey Spar,
i have psp 7 and if you want to do a walk-thru in skinning we can hit comms and i can show you a few tricks
im not great at skinning but i think i can teach you want your wanting to do

as long as you dont want to do the millions of rivits and such

QuoteAs an aside, as I waddled out of the hospital a shapely gal said to me, "That looks like it hurts."  I replied that the doc said the shark bite wound would heal over time.  I was lying of course -- no shark was ever close to me on the golf course -- but, what the heck, I may have gotten some "sympathy."

LMAO!!!

Spar, if I can be of any help in getting you skinning I'd be more than happy also. Should we meet up in Hyper Lobby during a quiet moment, I'll try and give you some tips.

I was working on some seafires the other day. I think the pacific camo with the european roundels looks pretty cool.

(http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/2542/seafireshg8.jpg)

DW

After noticing the Spit Mk.VIII and Seafire skins have essentially the same layout as the Spit Vc, I started thinking maybe I could do something with that. I had to copy some exaust stubs over from another skin and create side panels for the big air filter myself, one for each of the underside camos, but it works. The roundels I use are colored to be close to jocko417's work and for many of these skins I sampled the hues from his malta Spit Vcs to color the camo. I used his skins as a guide for markings on some of them too, so in the end they look very similar to his work. I hope he does'nt mind...

The top one is a north africa scheme and the others are based on malta style schemes.

(http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/8608/spitvcsig0.jpg)

DW

Great stuff DW!

I like DW-S with the replaced rudder.

DW*S is my favorite among the MkVcs too. I like dark blues.

Speaking of the MkVcs, has anyone noticed the perspective from the cockpit seems to be screwed up on them? Your view of the wing is totally different compared to the Seafires, MkVIIIs, MkIXs and MkVbs. Odd.

If anyone wants a version of one of the skins I've done with their own noseart, code letters, serial number etc, just PM me on the site and I'd be glad to help.

DW

I've been working with Leadspitter's P-40 template and made some different historically themed skins. I don't really know much about P-40s, just went by some pictures and other skins.

Top to bottom are an RAF North Africa scheme (Not the right style shark mouth, but all I could find), a US North Africa scheme, US scheme operating from Sicily, RAAF scheme from Italy, of course the ole aussie green scheme and a later war US New Guinea scheme.

(http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/9791/p40eskf7.jpg)

DW

I was working on a Beaufighter skin and like other aircraft, one scheme leads to another :

(http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/114/beaufightersgq1.jpg)

And also a Tempest with and without invasion stripes :

(http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/4195/tempestsnc7.jpg)

DW

Here's a New Guinea theatre P-39 I've been messing with. Hard to find examples of many different schemes that don't require a mouth of some sort..

(http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/7479/dw39yf2.jpg)

DW

Hey they look great DW!!  Better then I could do! :blue-loves-coffee:

Here's a couple Tomahawks I made. The top one is of course in a north african scheme. The bottom one is based on a No.400 squadron RCAF aircraft operating in england in early 1942. Strange the way the fighter command band and codes are sky blue, on the real aircraft the spinner was sky blue as well.

(http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/8061/tomahawkslg2.jpg)

DW

Heres another early P-40, this time in a Flying Tigers kinda scheme.

(http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/49/dwavgbj3.jpg)

DW

Here's my first attemp at a russian skin. Just loosely historically based from various examples I've seen.

(http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/4295/dwm105ta6.png)

DW

Wow.  Looks damn good, DW.  Now, if you could only put that kind of lipstick on a *real* Russian plane, rather than on a pig...

(3 guesses as to which type would work)

Moggy

Nice Paint looking good  (kooky)

Moggy, I'll have you know I would never stoop to painting a russian made plane. Especially not that pug-fugly hunk of junk you are so bloody fond of.

Nope, not in a million years.

Oh wait, I can make fun of people in russian on the side of the plane? Well why did'nt someone tell me before?!?!

(http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/5838/il2rn6.png)

DW

LOL...I'm almost afraid to ask what it says :surprised-041:

Whats funny is the first slogan I thought of was "For the glory of Aces High!". So I ran that through this online translator and got the russian version. Just for the heck of it I thought I'd run the russian translation back through the translator using russian to english to make sure it was right. It came back as "For the glory of @$$ high!" 

:lol-034:

DW

 :lol-034: TOO FUNNY!  :hahaha-024:

Another russianie paintscheme. The script above the exaust reads (I hope) "The Dark Wolf".

(http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/8794/p39et1.png)

DW

I like!

Quote from: _AH_Spardog on November 24, 2007, 04:07:02 PM
S~N

At anger management rehab last week, inmates were tasked to research topics of military significance that would help us get out of our crummy moods.  During my research project I found out that star emblems painted on Russian fighter aircraft fuselages identified the following:

red-stars = number of enemy planes pilot shot down
yellow-stars = number of times pilot caused a restart

Gonzo:  Job opportunity!

Quote from: _AH_Spardog on November 24, 2007, 04:07:02 PM
red-stars = number of enemy planes pilot shot down
yellow-stars = number of times pilot caused a restart

I preferred Spar when he was on leave.

DW

This is a skin I've had in the works for months. It started as an olive drab/neutral grey scheme, but then I copied this bare metal layer I thought looked ok from another template. Liking the color blue the way I do, I've always liked the 352nd FG markings.  :cool:

(http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/5739/meanietu4.png)

DW

Quotered-stars = number of enemy planes pilot shot down
yellow-stars = number of times pilot caused a restart

LMAO

-----------------------------------------

Great P-51 skin DW. THe metal looks great and the amount of wear and tear on the the aircraft looks perfect for a combat aircraft. Good stuff!

well it the star thing goes i lead the pack suckers i think i caused more restarts in the past 5 years then anyone else i am the restart master lol i 5000 yellow stars lol

Another bluenoser mustang, this time a C model, with and without invasion stripes.

(http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/4043/ponycrm9.png)

DW

One more! This one a B model in natural metal, with and without invasion stripes.

(http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/4277/ponybhe2.png)

DW

Again DW... I like. I like how the "X" on the B model with the invasions stripes is covered partially.

In invasions stripes were painted onto the aircraft during the night preceeding the invasion and ther was no time for any fancy masking to protect the aircraft ID's.

Yeah Gonzo, I looked at alot of pictures and color plates of 352nd FG aircraft and alot of them even had half the squadron code painted over. Some did'nt, but I suspect those a/c might have been received later and had the codes painted farther forward from the start.

DW

Drooling here. Those are awesome. A little biased of course as I do love me da Stang. Nice job DW.
I would like to see a nice olive drab B model Yeager GG!

You mean this a/c Fox?

(http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/936/ggor2.png)

It's pretty plain, would'nt be too hard to re-create it. Or I could create one with personalized codes, serials etc if you want. Just let me know.

DW

Yep, thats the one. I know, she is a bit plain. But I'll bet she can really cook!

LOL yep Spar it was shot down and landed at a farm somewhere.

I'm just trying to figure out what "Wheel hubs painted red" means. Does that mean the whole wheel or just the very center where the spokes meet? Otherwise I think I've got everything. I'll pm you a link once I'm done Fox.

(http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/5819/ggcl0.png)

DW

Oh, and before SKAT smacks me upside the head, the misspelling of glamourous is intentional and historical!

Spar, forgive me, for I am an idiot.

Answer this simple question : In the following image, which constitutes a "red hub". The left wheel, or the right.

(http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/7795/hugbugdu1.png)

DW

Ok you skin'in nuts, I got a mission for you...

I have Christmas wish.

A P-38 painted in the 357th fighter scheme

http://www.franka.plus.com/plane_picture_company.htm 
Will give some good pics of the spinner and cowling. my ultimate wish is to have a pacific(olive/Grey), European(aluminum W/and without stripes) and desert(khaki). And if possible the rudder would match the cowling.

Boy, I ask for allot don't I  ?

P.S  9 Jap/Luft kill flags.

OK I'll stop now........S!!   

I figured the left one as well. Thats what I'll go with for now then.

I just could'nt understand your initial post Spar, was'nt sure if you were answering my question or not you sarcastic bastage.

Hogan, thats a hell of a request. I messed around a little with a P-38 template some time ago, it was tough to work with due to all the mirroring. I long since deleted it so I don't have anything to work with myself.

DW

QuoteI have Christmas wish.

A P-38 painted in the 357th fighter scheme

Hogan, just to make sure I have this right. You want a P-38 painted up like a 357th P-51?

While it is sort of "Doable" you're going to need to specify where you want the checks and the aircraft codes. The nose of and tail sections of the P-38 are a real problem to paint due to the mirroring as DW stated.

I would suggest, red and orange checked engine cowls, and no unit ID with just the tail letter but it will still be reversed on one of the tail booms.

I still have a P-38 template and could try to work on it for you if you want. Oh yeah, I still have the P-51 skin of yours from ages ago based on the P-51 in your link but without the name on the nose. Get with me on coms some night and I'll send it over if you still want it.

This is a redo of my tempest skins using a newly released template. It's a really well done template.

(http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/5250/tempestsyt7.png)

DW

I like the weathering DW. Who's template did you use for the skin?

Oh yeah, the nose art name is pretty funny too.

Yes, it's certainly a dirty bird is'nt it? All that weathering came with the template. It's by a guy called Alex Voicu. The templates are available on simmerspaintshop, he's made like 3 different ones.

DW

Here are some olive drab P-38s I've been working on. The top one is based on the markings of a 55th fighter group squadron, with and without invasion stripes. The bottom is based on a squadron in New Guinea. The P-38 is a cool aircraft and this 3D model is nice, but it's a texture mapping nightmare.

(http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/4374/od38sxs6.jpg)

DW

DW:  I like the New Guinea one (white "29").  Any chance of getting  it from you?

Moggy

Well, I could send it to you but thats my own a/c so it has the maple leaf badge and such on it. If you'd like, it would be simple to create one for you with whatever number, colors and noseart if you have one you want. Just remember anything on the booms or the tail will be mirrored on the other side. ie I chose a single M for those european skins so it looks the same backwards, the 29 on the bottom skin is backwards on the other side.

DW

I've started working with some bare metal finish P-38s too.

(http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/4615/9thp38cd1.png)

DW

Another OD one based on an odd 9th AF a/c.

(http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/1184/dw9thkt0.png)

DW

Achtung spitfire! I finally bit the bullet and put some work into a Mk.IX template I'd been messing with for awhile.

(http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/1929/spitixsbx5.png)

I've also been making some 9th AF P-47s.

(http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/2954/9th47smu0.png)
(http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/457/9th47s2br2.png)

DW

"Man" you do good work can you paint my car? ........... I need a beer :drinking-42:

Hmm, do you want D-day stripes in your car? That would be cool for June 6th...

DW

Great skins DW! Some parts of the Jug and the Lightning are a real pain in the  :censored-015:  to skin.

In honor of the grievous wounds suffered by AB_Moby in the line of duty and to recognize his continuing invaluable service to his community, I hereby present him with this commemorative P-47 paint scheme.

May it serve him better than his judgement did that fatefull night.

(http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/9372/moby47hh6.png)

http://www.4shared.com/file/37358631/c9b571ce/MobyP47.html (http://www.4shared.com/file/37358631/c9b571ce/MobyP47.html)

DW

DarkWolf,

I love you to death you argumentative, sarcastic, grumpy, impatient, nervy, bastard!!!!

I will fly this skin with honour and a smile on my face knowing that I am loved sooooo much!!!!

Seriously, thank you DW, I will enjoy it very much and fly it as much as I can!!!

Cheers!!!

Moby

S~. lmao.. well done, DW.   :lol-053:

3 cheers for DW.......S!    S!    S!

Jeepers Moby, why did they put you on estrogen for a broken wrist?  :thinking-008:

DW

Ok, I heard alot of complaints last night during the P-47 escort mission about skins. Yes, certain people did not follow my instructions. Let me make clear how they work. Bubble ones are for the P-47D-27 and P-47D, the Razor ones are for the P-47D-22 and P47D-10.

Good :

(http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/8533/skat1za6.png)

Bad :

(http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/7812/skat2dq5.png)

Good :

(http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/3060/spar1dj4.png)

Bad :

(http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/1368/spar2aj8.png)


THAT'S the nose art the last version of your skin should have SKAT.

AND DON'T LET ME CATCH ANYONE SPORTING INVASION STRIPES TONIGHT!(cept the AI) IT IS NOT D-DAY YET!

DW

A couple of italian theatre jugs...

(http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/939/iti1vn6.png)
(http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/668/iti2th5.png)

DW

~S~ OK. I DLd a zip file "AHGenericEuroSkins" into a holding folder on my desk top.  Now, how do I get thoes skins to where they should be?

                                                                      :idiot-0011:

I responded to your question in the other thread where you asked TD.

http://www.aceshigh.ws/forum/index.php?topic=364.0 (http://www.aceshigh.ws/forum/index.php?topic=364.0)

DW

~S~ DW. Yep that you did. I went there and got 'er done. Sorry about the double post. Just another senior moment. That is begining to happen a lot lately.

Couple late war 56th FG schemes. Mmmmm, bluuueeee.

(http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/9192/56thlateaf9.png)

DW

Here's a couple of 8th AF P-51s :

(http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/4840/4thps6.png)

The first is a 4th Fighter Group scheme, based on the a/c of James A. Goodson.

(http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/7888/357thqj0.png)

The second is based on a 357th Fighter Group scheme. I like the combination of the bare metal and olive drab.

DW

Your skins are always great DW

S!

S! Dee Dubb, will you come over to mt house and teach me how to do that?

I'll rub your feet.....

i like the bluuuuueeee ones the best.   can you make me a bluuueee one for each plane in the game please? 

S! Dee Dubb,

Could you make me an AH H on that 357th P51, if possible a Daffy Duck nose art and some kill flags?

I'll wash your hair for you.....

S! 

A couple more 8th AF schemes. The first is a 55th Fighter Group a/c. Always thought these a/c looked cool, despite the kinda ugly green\yellow nose.

(http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/8100/55thtd2.png)

The second is based on 353rd Fighter Group markings.

(http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/2021/353rdxw8.png)

DW

Wow, he's good........

I have a 1:48 P-51D that I built about 20 years or so ago from the 55th FG ("Miss Marilyn II; CY-M").  It currently still has the longest shelf-life of any model here at my house.

Sounds like the ole Revell-Monogram kit eh? I made one years ago, but I used the 78th FG markings. Came out nice at the time given my skill level, but I used brush on dullcote over the checkerboard pattern and it's yellowed considerably over time. Thats why I just replaced it on my shelf with a Tamiya 51D with 352nd FG colors. The new boxing of the Revell-Monogram 51D is dirt cheap, like 11 bucks!.

DW

Crikey, it's been so long since I finished that kit that I don't even recall which one it was :thinking-008:

This is what happens if she goes in sideways....

   http://picasaweb.google.com/Col.Hogan1910/IL202/photo#5240705956963381250

And after the new install this is what all the Zekes look like....

   http://picasaweb.google.com/Col.Hogan1910/IL202/photo#5240705965758310610

S!

That zeke looks like it's just been shot up, but has'nt? I've noticed some anomalies with the holes in a/c from damage. In one of the euro missions I had holes in my A-20s tail, but they just showed black, the sky and terrain would not show through them. Only parts of the plane would.

DW

It was just after mission start that I noticed it, and only on the Zeros,(all of 'em).

Gonna go look and see if it happens in 408....

Damn guys NICE WORK!  All those skins are nice....anyone have any F6F or F4U skins? I am particularly interested in finding a F6F skin or my heros plane D McCampbells Minsi III!

S! Homicide. If you have any pics of Minsi III I'm sure some one will be able to skin a version of it up for you.

Rgr I do ...tons lol
I think Badger over at AAA is going to skin it...Harpia Mafra did a skin on it and Ubisoft used about 25 screens shots of it on a promo page!
Heres a pic of the Minsi III but again I "think" someone is already skining her.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/USN_Homicide/DSC_7702F6F-5N1078ZMinsiIIIrightsid.jpg)

Yeah Harpia_Mafra55 has a skin of that a/c on Flying Legends, there is also one made by RONNCO there as well. It's on the 6th F6F page.

http://www.flying-legends.net/php/downloads/photos_original/minsi8x6.jpg (http://www.flying-legends.net/php/downloads/photos_original/minsi8x6.jpg)

DW

Thanks DW! You Rawk man!! Thanks for the help all I now have the skin! :happy-112:

Moggy requested a custom Fleet Air Arm Corsair skin and here's the result:

Here's the first version using the FAA Corsair skin that comes with the game. I modified the wear and tear, shadowing, and detailing of the skin.

(http://aceshigh.ws/screenshots/FAA_Corsairs.jpg)

The colours looked a bit dull and a little off so I remade the skin using the FS colour date from Simmer Paint Shop. Here's the result. I think that while it's a little brighter the colours look much more realistic.

(http://aceshigh.ws/screenshots/FAA_Corsairs_II.jpg)

(http://aceshigh.ws/screenshots/FAA_Corsairs_III.jpg)

(http://aceshigh.ws/screenshots/FAA_Corsairs_IV.jpg)

(http://aceshigh.ws/screenshots/FAA_Corsairs_V.jpg)

God save the King!  :cool:

(http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/7282/civea8.png)

DW

Nice DW. What font are you using for the side numbers? They look a lot better than the RAF font that I'm using.

It looks like you used the USAAF_Stencil font? I used RAF_WW2_851ATH for the numbers, bold. I usually use RAF_WW2_641ATH for letters. Both are at SimmersPaintShop.

Here's some 8th AF heavy bombers schemes I've been working on lately.

The first is an early B-17 scheme based on a/c of the 324th BS of the 91st BG, I really like the green blotches. This one is based alot on the Memphis Belle.

(http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/1076/cnzx3.png)

This one is a later war scheme with 100th BG markings.

(http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/2388/bbwm2.png)

This one is a G model with 381st BG markings.

(http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/6287/14273951rx4.png)

This one is very similar, but with 91st BG markings.(Or the 918th if you like 12 O'Clock High)

(http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/594/lbne1.png)

This B-24 has the early style group markings, in this case the 487th BG.

(http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/452/hwcsc4.png)

Last is another B-24 with the later high vis group markings of the 467th BG. Alot of you guys have no doubt seen the Collings Foundation B-24 painted like Witchcraft. I really liked the look of that a/c and based it on that.

(http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/24/bfbmb3.png)

DW

~S~ Did you notice that all the bombers have de-iceing boots but the fighters that fly top cover for them do not. Ever wonder why that is??  In fact, did you ever see de-iceing boots on any WWII fighters?

  TD

   

Hmm....were they fast enough that friction created enough heat to stop ice from forming? Thats a wild guess on my part...

Tell us o kindly sage!

DW

S~.

i can answer all three questions .. no , no and no.   woo hoo!  what do i win?  :drinking61:


o yea.. nice looking planes, DW.  can i have a blueee one, please?

Awesome skins DW!!

S! I love the Witchcraft skin. I had the thrill of seeing that aircraft here in TX last spring.
Its currently painted like that but its a darker green and is glossy. I looked it over up close and was very impressed at how well its been maintained. Its like new. I talked to some of the crew while there and was blown away by how much money it takes to keep her flying. They were charging 400 bucks for a ride and even if they got 10 people to ride that day they still couldn't cover the fuel cost. Its going to be tuff to keep these awesome pieces of history flying in the years to come.

I've been working on corsair skins a bunch lately and made an F4U-1A with VF-17 markings. It's the squadron who's exploits Dave's wednesday night missions have been following.

(http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/3083/vf171xs5.png)
(http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/60/vf172zp4.png)

If anyone would like their own I can crank one out for ya. Just PM or e-mail me the details like side #, # of kill flags if any, red prop hub or no and regular blue and white national insignia or the ones with the red surround.

DW

S~..  they look really nice from here...

    Dave should have one of those.. i think the color would really bring out the bloodshot in his eyes..  :surprised-041:

This week I did some work on a couple versions of the Hurricane. The first is a Battle of Britain Mk.I. I don't know why but I like the gynormous fuselage roundels and that eye catching black\sky underside.

(http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/6971/hurrii.png)
(http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/4672/hurrii2.png)

The other is a Hurricane IID in a north african scheme.

(http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/2227/hurriiid.png)

DW

I've always loved that two toned underside. I think I heard somewhere that it was a Polish squad that flew that scheme??

S!

Nice skins as usual DW. The two tone underside side colours were used early in the war as an aircraft identification aid for AAA gunners. The scheme was dropped about mid way through the battle of Britain.

Have'nt posted here for awhile, here's some stuff I've been messing around with recently.

A P-47 in another of the 56th FGs late war camo schemes, I always liked this one.

(http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/9285/56thjug.png)

Another F4U-1A done in kind of a marine scheme for the solomons. I used RONNCO's F4U skins as a guide for markings on F4Us. His stuff rocks.

(http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/6988/f4u1a.png)

Also some navy F4U-1Ds with various G markings. Top to bottom are Bunker Hill, Yorktown, Essex and Intrepid.

(http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/1150/81120252.png)

(http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/9271/98880103.png)

(http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/659/21140619.png)

(http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/3647/51211906.png)

Another Malta spitfire Vc based on profiles in Malta Spitfire Aces.

(http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/3808/88163804.png)

Speaking of spitfires, I made a couple skins for the new Mk.XVIs just for the heck of it.

(http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/2615/mkxivesmall.png)

DW

~S~ DW,  That is really cool dude. I notice all the Hogs have #29. Is there a reason? Why I ask is that that is my number. Go figure.

Actually if you look close, every a/c I've made for myself has 29 on them somewhere. Either on the fuselage or in the serial #. I like 29 too.

DW

Another mustang, this one is based on a few profiles of 332nd FG a/c I've seen. The 332nd were the "Tuskegee Airmen". Never seen an a/c with the gear doors painted like that.

(http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/1276/332nd1.png)

(http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/9134/332nd2.png)

DW

~S~ The reason I like #29. That is Cdr. McWhorter III,  the first Hellcat Ace of WW II in the Pacific with ol' TD with #29 presented to me at Pencicola.

(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h176/taldrg/meandCdrMcWhorter.jpg)

Nice Skins DW!

TD umm that doesn't look like a hellcat. I swear that looks like an F4U  (tongue)

Nice Tuskegee skin, Gimmie!

S!

Here's a couple more MTO mustangs, both of the 325th FG.

(http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/684/325thd.png)

(http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/5614/325thb.png)

And a P-47 based on some 348th FG a/c in New Guinea.

(http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/3696/348th47.png)

DW

S! DW, are you making these skins availible in the download section in marking and no marking versions by any chance??

Not as such, I made a couple packs back in the days of the euro campaign with the AH code on them and stuff. Maybe I should compile all those into a single pack and re-upload them..

Other than that if people want their own version of one of them it's just a matter of sending me the details and I can crank em out pretty easily.

DW

Here's another P-51D, the 356th FG had arguably the gaudiest pug fugly group markings in the 8th AF. Still a damn sight better than an IL-2 though, can I get an amen to that Mogly!

(http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/6186/356th.png)

DW

Awesome as always DW!

This is a re-work of an old skin with more accurate markings for the 86th FG. I also took metal layers from 3 different templates and messed around with them to create a bare metal layer that looks better than what I had before.

(http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/2195/p47.png)

This is another 325th FG a/c, this time a P-40. Can't but like that checker pattern.

(http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/4523/325th.png)

This is a Sea Hurricane from one of HMS Indomitable's squadrons during the Pedestal convoy.

(http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/7366/77555161.png)

DW

S~. Yep.. the bare metal looks really nice.  not that it didn't before.. :surprised-027:

Sweet Skins DW !!!

Here's a P-38 in the markings of the 95th FS, 82nd FG which was part of the 12th AF in italy.

(http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/9563/82nd.png)

DW

Ohhh droool, that beaut needs to be Hoganized!

S!

That looks awesome DW!

Any chance I could get a copy of that template so that I could change the tail colour?

Yeah I could do that Gonzo. I'm also working on the other two squadrons in the group that had black and yellow tails with slight variations. The black of the 97th FS is easy :

(http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/7383/97th.png)

But I'm trying to do the 96th FS's markings :

(http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/9192/82ndq.jpg)

The sticking point is the checkers wrapping around the nose. The way the texture is mapped to the model it's doing all kinds of wierd things at the top and bottom. I'm experimenting to try and minimize the screwiness.

DW

Hey that one already has an H on it.

S!

QuoteThe sticking point is the checkers wrapping around the nose. The way the texture is mapped to the model it's doing all kinds of weird things at the top and bottom. I'm experimenting to try and minimize the screwiness.

~S~ DW

I had a play for a couple of hours this morning with the checkering The majority turn out sweet. Clear and like they are supposed to.

What is happening from what I can see is since the way the panels merge it is a true 3D cone, while the skin panel is a 2D arc. Thus you get the pulling and stretching on the top and bottom seems. This is also causing the colors to be pulled and blend. I honestly don't think there is much you can do to to make the checkering come out as a square or even rectangle shape. I tried angles, going down to single pixel, blends and even warp yet it still pulls and mishapes the final square to the seem.

About the only thing I can suggest is using either a off white/ dirty stripe top and bottom on the join seem or an anti-glare top with a single strip bottom. This way when it pulls it, it is pulling a single color.

You can't make up for poor modeling physics on how a 2D panel is applied in a 3D application.

~S~

PS. I found 5 other P-38's with checkering on the nose and all had the same fault so no one has figured it out yet either.

Yeah Twist, I messed with it a bunch and came to the same conclusions. It's like the texture is mapped to be viewed from a certain angle independant of the angle of the surface it's covering, very strange. I was hoping maybe it could be compensated for, but I don't think it can. Major bummer.

This is the best I could come up with. From the side it looks perfect, but top and bottom it looks messy.

(http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/1303/siden.png)

There is a similar problem where the insignia is on the right boom. If you look at it square on, the top and bottom tips of the star are curved to the right. But if you view it from an angle farther aft it looks fine.

(http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/7444/insig.png)

DW

Yep I wound up with basically the same checkering on the top and bottom seems. Only mine was probably worse due to trying to keep the sizes similar to the side checkering.

Yes it is real P.I.T.A. and bummer. Have you thought about or tried to put the anti-glare down the nose to hide it, at least on the top? I know it looks somewhat funky but at least in looks better than the messed up checkering when viewed from the side and top. When viewed straight down or from head-on or rear it doesn't look too bad actually. You can make it flow from the front of the fuselage.

Other than that DW awesome skins !

I found a profile for this a/c in "P-47 Thunderbolt Aces of the Ninth and Fifteenth Air Forces".

(http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/9691/362nd.jpg)

At first I thought how gaudy. Then I realized, how JACK!

(http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/5307/jackt.png)

DW

Nice aluminum finish.  Is that one you built?

No, thats just one of the only images of the a/c I could find online.

DW

Nicely done on that Jack skin.

S!

Here's a late war PTO P-47. Has kind of a mixture of various 35th FG markings.

(http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/3209/35th.png)

DW

Yet another P-47, this time kind of a late '43 european theatre scheme you might see on a late P-47C or early P-47D.

(http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/5908/56th.png)

I don't have a jug problem you do.

DW

Thanks for the new jugs, they look great

S!

This is a cool one from burma, based on some No.258 squadron a/c.

(http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/5069/burmajug.png)

DW

Here are some SBD-3s I've been tinkering with for awhile. The first is in early war markings.

(http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/9546/89258186.png)

The second is based on some a/c at the Battle of Midway.

(http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/3205/71739572.png)

The last is based on a/c from the Ranger during Operation Torch.

(http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/5479/29668443.png)

DW

GIMMIE!

pretty cool lookin', DW.. 

Awesome as always DW!

This is a P-51 from the 31st FG in the MTO.

(http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/4682/31stp.jpg)

(http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/5731/31st.png)

This is a cool picture with a mustang from each P-51 group in the 15th AF.

(http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/5739/3ac.jpg)

Three DarkWolfs in one place, this is SO much like SKAT's dreams it's not funny....

(http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/2522/dwsc.png)

DW

If three DW's in one place was a dream, then it would be a nightmare.  Oh wait they already made a movie likie that..something to do with Elm street and a guy named Kruger.(Names were probably changed to protect other Canadians)

Me thinks thou doth protest too much SKAT.

Here's another 51 in later war 4th FG markings with the red nose enlarged and curving back.

(http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/1447/4thr.png)

And a later war 361st FG 51.

(http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/7044/361st.png)

DW

I would love to have a "Hoganized"  308th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, Twelfth Air Force P-51.

http://www.acepilots.com/usaaf_goebel.html (http://www.acepilots.com/usaaf_goebel.html)

S!

Here's another 8th AF bird, this one from the 79th FS of the 20th FG. Kinda strange "piano key" group marking. The 20th previously used P-38s and retained bomber style tail markings from their 38s on their 51s.

(http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/2462/20thfg.png)

DW

After looking at all the late war 8th AF P-51D group markings and how many I'd done, I thought it would be cool to do them all. Some of em are kinda plain and not much to em, some of em are gaudy as hell but alot of em are pretty cool lookin. There were always some variations amongst the squadrons within a group like the shapes on the tail and the color of rudders and other bits. I've also been getting into putting accurate squadron codes on planes instead of DW.

(http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/751/75350999.png)
(http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/9739/86679330.png)
(http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/8219/99113557.png)
(http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/6034/73177179.png)

DW

The man is an artist.

Wicked DW!! At first glance I thought you'd found pics of Pony's operated during WWII and were planning to make one of each... Then I had a close look. Wow dude!!!

Here's a couple more pacific jugs based on aircraft of the 348th and 35th FGs in the Philippines in late 44, early 45.

(http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/4283/onen.png)

(http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/8545/twou.png)

DW

And a bare metal P-38 based on one from the 475th FG in New Guinea.

(http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/1820/oneg.png)

DW

DW may i have a copy of the P38

Thanks

Arch


CKReineking@att.net

Well that particular one has my own markings and noseart and what not. Do you have like a favorite number and/or noseart? I could create one with your preffered elements.

DW

Number 11 and i will fly what ever else you put on that beauty.

Arch


None of those silly red leaves on the side tho!!!   :lol-029:

Now THATS funny...

Quote from: _AH_Archie on August 03, 2010, 01:18:13 AM
None of those silly red leaves on the side tho!!!   :lol-029:

Archie, you disappoint me. I would of thought by now you know me well enough to never, ever, make a request like that.

FINISHED!!

(http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/460/28593258.png)

(http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/9625/95396180.png)

DW

Oh , that's ****ing AWESOME!

OMG!!!!  DW, you know I would love one of those skins!!!!!   LOVE THE LEAF!!!!  ~S~!
(323 and 06 for numbers as usual if you can incorperate them...)

Thanks DarkWolf!!!!

Mobes.

I feel so dirty

Why?, Cause of Moby's boobs??

Now, now guys. Moby is a little sensitive about his man-boobs.

Here's a Spitfire VIII based on one from 452 Squadron RAAF.

(http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/5522/452o.png)

DW

Man boobs?!?,,,,,,RUN AWAY, RUN AWAY!!!!!

Here is a Liberator painted up like one from No. 223 squadron, 100 group. 100 group was kind of a composite group, they had squadrons of heavies of various types and mosquitoes and flew alot of missions in support of bomber command doing feints, radio and radar jamming, nightfighter support etc.

(http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/240/b24t.png)

I saw Moby using a seafire skin like this during the fly-in, so I created one of my own. It's based on an aircraft of No. 807 squadron from HMS Hunter operating in the indian ocean in '45.

(http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/8035/seafire.png)

DW

Another 807 squadron seafire

(http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/811/seafire2.png)

DW

As always DW....Nice work!

  This is a Corsair Mk.II like one of 1834 Squadron operating from HMS Victorious is early 1945.

(http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/1932/testbb.png)

DW

     Here is another Corsair II meant to be one from 1836 squadron on Victorious from later on in '45 in the pacific.

(http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/4764/vicv.png)

DW

This is a Gladiator I based on one from 112 squadron in North Africa during 1940.

(http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/4250/glad.png)

DW

323, and or 06 with AH-M on the side....what are my chances?  and the Canadian roundel under the pit of course...   

:happy-112:

~S~!

Mobes.

What aircraft are you talking about you waterlooian twit?

DW

water,,? waterloo,loo,,ian, hmpht! waterloooo,looo,lo... grr :unhappy-059:.... WATERlooooo,lo,lo WATERLO,Loo,loooo.
Ahh, nevermind.

Quote from: _AH_DarkWolf on October 16, 2010, 11:48:16 PM
What aircraft are you talking about you waterlooian twit?

DW

The Glad man, the Glad!!!!!

~S~!

 :surprised-041:
1.6 times per sec,
96 per min,
5760 per hr.
138240 per day
50457600 per year
woooooooooooow, I love your avitar Moby....S!

I think that they are the only pair that can actually stand the test of time, LOL!!!!  Too bad they all can't stay that way forever......  :(

~S~!

   Hows aboot this eh?

(http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/5622/testyzn.png)

DW

Wicked DW!!!!  Love it for sure.......  send that one to me too????

Your talent for skinning is beyond a mastery of the craft!

~S~!

Mobes.

Wow, that is nice. S! DW

Here is a P-38 with 459th FS markings. They called themselves the "Twin-tailed Dragons" and some of they're P-38Js had variations of this gaudy "dragon" motif on them. Looks more like a snake to me....they operated in Burma.

(http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/5273/75764428.png)

(http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/6951/83867988.png)

(http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/2056/13507418.png)

This one was a real pain in the arse, making all those bits line up as best I could. Still some issues cause of the funky texture mapping on the P-38.  Grr.

DW

Cute.

  I've been messing around with Mk.IX Spitfires for a few months re-working alot of things.

  Here's a Mk.IXc of 401 squadron

(http://img861.imageshack.us/img861/7733/401.png)

  A clipped wing Mk.IXe of 443 squadron

(http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/3764/443r.png)

  And a Mk.IXe of 411 squadron

(http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/4988/411x.png)

  These were all canadian squadrons.

DW

Nice work DW!

Great skins DW as always!

Here's kind of an odd one, a bare metal spitfire of 601 Squadron in the MTO.

(http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/2301/nmf.png)

This is one of the new Mk.XVIes from UP 3.0. Basically a Mk.IX with a Packard Merlin. In this case a bubble-topped verision of 421 Squadron.

(http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/6343/421b.png)

DW

  Here's a USAAF Mk.IX in marking of the 309th FS, 31st FG.

(http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/1347/usspit.png)

  And another UP 3.0 bird, a Mustang Mk.I of No.414 squadron.

(http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/8655/414a.png)

DW

nice paint there DW

   I combined a bunch of stuff from another P-39 template with the one that I had and reworked it a bunch.

   Here's a P-400 in 67th FS markings from Guadalcanal in '42.

(http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/6618/400jm.png)

   A P-39 from New Guinea

(http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/6167/59226628.png)

  A couple of North African P-39s

(http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/683/na1j.png)

(http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3785/na2o.png)

  A ruskie one

(http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/5812/rusf.png)

  Last but not least an RAF one of 601 squadron

(http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/1020/rafl.png)

DW

Great looking skins as always DW!! I especially like the New Guinea and North African schemes.

The Skinner Stryks again!

S!

well done DW!!  are theyin our skin locker??? I likes em

Another earlier scheme from New Guinea.

(http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/2694/testwhl.png)

DW

I recognize that duck!

WoW Dw

...you sure have a talent for skinning

S`

 :i-m-with-stupid-0101:

DW, and chance of maybe getting a plain version of the "A P-39 from New Guinea" and the North African P-39 with the Operation Torch markings but with the shark mouth, the respective ID Letter changed to a "G" and no nose art? I'll add the nose art myself.

If it's too much of a hassle, totally blank skins of those schemes would be fine too.

Thanks!

PS: I love the way you manage to get the number 29 into your personal skins in one way or another!

It's no hassle at all but I'm not 100% on what you want.

You want the mouth noseart from the 67th FS a/c on both the New Guinea and Desert ones?

And you want G on the New Guinea one and Q-G on the desert?

Do you want me to leave the OD rectangle on the tail of the New Guinea a/c and you can put in a serial # or make it all white?

DW

Lol, yeah reading my request is complicated....

I'd like this shark mouth

(http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/6618/400jm.png)

On the following paint schemes with the following markings mods...

(http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/6167/59226628.png)

With the "D" replaced by "G" and the "29" replaced by "13". No other markings except the roundels and the aircraft serial number box on the tail left blank. I'll add the tail number and nose art later.

And this scheme

(http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/683/na1j.png)

with the "Q" replaced with "G", yellow spinner, no nose art, and no tail number. I'll add that stuff in myself.

Hope that makes it a bit clearer. Again, if it's too much of hassle, blanks of those schemes would be just as great.

Thanks DarkWolf.

   Behold the ultimate power in the universe, the Sea Gladiator! ( I could use some more meds btw, Arch) Painted like one from HMS Eagle early in the war.

(http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/1238/seaglad.png)

  And a Gladiator Mk.II of No. 615 squadron in France in the spring of '40. I'm sure that went well, right? Kinda wierd scheme, like they could'nt decide on one. 2 shades of green, 2 shades of brown...

(http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/2583/gladii.png)

DW

 :drinking-43:

lovely work dw.

I want one candy apple red pls :drinking-29:

   Here's a late war 56th FG scheme that the 61st FS used on their P-47Ms.

(http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/1372/61st.png)

DW

Gee... I wish i knew how to skin...... nice DW... u do good work :happy-112:

 :banned:  Here DW catch this.!

(http://img857.imageshack.us/img857/9249/il2fb20111216200313119.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/857/il2fb20111216200313119.jpg/)


(http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/913/il2fb20111216200041665.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/141/il2fb20111216200041665.jpg/)


(http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8593/il2fb20111216200228011.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/204/il2fb20111216200228011.jpg/)

sure wish i could skin.... :lol-034:

Here's a couple of early P-51s of the 4th FG.

(http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/238/4th1.png)

(http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/7739/4th2.png)

DW

I found a couple of templates for the new Typhoon 3D model that is in HSFX. Neither were super great, so I kinda mashed layers from both together as well as some bits and peices from other templates.

No. 143 Wing of 2nd Tactical Air Force was made up of three RCAF squadrons, 438, 439 and 440.

This one I did in some 440 squadron markings.

(http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/333/440.png)

(http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/9193/4402y.png)

This one is from 439 squadron with later war insignia.

(http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/3218/439s.png)

This new Typhoon model is really nice, a vast improvement from the frankenplane we had. Could still use some texture mapping fixes and a really ace template but nice nonetheless.

DW

Like!!

I'll be hitting you for a version of that skin if I ever manage to get HSFX installed.

Can do Gonzo.

Here is a scheme for the earlier Typhoon. Unfortunately the canopy frame is not paintable aft of the front section.  :unhappy-059: One of the little texture issues they will hopefully tweak. This one is in 438 squadron markings.

(http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/9358/438s.png)

Before I found this picture I had no idea Aces High existed in WWII!

(http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/7113/2007normandy839202zpsc2.jpg)

DW

good lord....look at the size of those cannons would ya???....whew... no wonder the guns are so good

Well the 20mm barrels have big shrouds around them, I think for aerodynamics.

Here's an early car door typhoon with 609 squadron markings.

(http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/7028/609o.png)

Early typhoons sported these ID stripes on the underside.

(http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/3977/45029441.png)

And last but not least a rather colorful bird in 198 squadron markings.

(http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/4666/198qw.png)

DW

in the photograph below.... I dont think Id want to be around that fella with the hammer.....   .....    .... :bomb-034:  ,,,,,,,,, er... ahh .... ya dont think thats archie do ya???????   by the way,,, great skins sir!!

Quote from: _AH_DarkWolf on November 18, 2012, 12:03:03 AM
I found a couple of templates for the new Typhoon 3D model that is in HSFX. Neither were super great, so I kinda mashed layers from both together as well as some bits and peices from other templates.

I really want to make some skins for my new Typhoon missions but I could not find a single template. Do you think you could post the links to the ones you found? Thanks in advance.

Aviar

i get all my templates from this guy, he hasn't made every plane... but he has them set up in PSD format for rivets, weathering, panel lines, markings, colors, exhaust... you name it.
http://www.asisbiz.com/il2/IL2-Patches-Fixes/IL2-Patches-Fixes.html

Quote from: _AH_Autorotate on February 08, 2013, 03:49:32 AM
i get all my templates from this guy, he hasn't made every plane... but he has them set up in PSD format for rivets, weathering, panel lines, markings, colors, exhaust... you name it.
http://www.asisbiz.com/il2/IL2-Patches-Fixes/IL2-Patches-Fixes.html

That's a cool site but I don't see any Typhoon template there. Also, it says the last time the webpage was updated was October 2010, so the Typhoon probably wouldn't be in there anyway. Do you have any other site that may have a Typhoon template? I've looked everywhere but just can't find one.

Aviar

This is one :

http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Downloads3&file=details&id=1341 (http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Downloads3&file=details&id=1341)

The other I got from here :

http://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php?topic=26690.0 (http://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php?topic=26690.0)

The link is in the first post, look for the big blue "Template will be posted soon for anyone to finish it".

DW

Darkwolf,

Thank you so much...you're a lifesaver. The download on the sas site is now set to 'Private', but I did manage to download the one on M4T, so at least I have something to work with. Thanks again!

Aviar

Been trying to work on some Hellcats lately. Unfortunately there are only two templates out there that I could find so I don't have alot to work with. As usual with navy stuff I used RONNCO's skins as a guide for markings and colors. So far I've only attempted an overall blue F6F-5 and it's a work in progress.

This is a VF-84 bird off the Bunker Hill.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img837/6500/vf84.png)

And one of 1844 squadron of HMS Formidable of the British Pacific Fleet in 45.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img46/8208/1844faa.png)

DW

~S~
Looks great,would like to have the Bunker Hill,#155 and WENDY G on the nose. gatlingun on left side of cockpit. All in white.

I'm not at the point of taking requests just yet, early days for that. I'm sure I'll be finding little issues and making little tweaks for awhile. Gimme a few weeks and I'll see what I can do.

DW

~S~

No problem DW.  I meant to ask you this last night but never did,what is the best way to be certain we are landing on the correct carrier when returning to base in Task Force 58? I may know the ans.but am not sure.

~S~
   Just give me a plane with a good engine and paint it ... Blue.

Quote from: _AH_gatlingun on June 12, 2013, 09:20:26 PM
~S~

No problem DW.  I meant to ask you this last night but never did,what is the best way to be certain we are landing on the correct carrier when returning to base in Task Force 58? I may know the ans.but am not sure.

Zoom in on your map and look where your waypoints go. They should have you landing back on the same carrier, same as any COOP.

DW

I'm getting there, as usual I used RONNCO's skins as a guide for the carrier air group markings.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img32/5940/9jo.png)

They have the markings repeated on the starboard upper wing at least, sometimes more.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img19/2137/jqy.png)

And group photo with the corsairs in the blanks pack for good measure.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img811/6523/x4a.png)

Yes TD, blue, all blue. Not say....olive drab for example. I'm looking at you Dandy!

DW

Oh for pete sake, I will wear the standard blue skin Skipper for campaign.  :thinking-008:

Working on an F6F-3 template now, trying to make them RONNCOish as usual. Early days yet but it's getting there.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img221/7672/cuwr.png)

DW

These are a few more kites I made for myself, takes alot of work to try and get the numbers to look right, they varied so much unit to unit.

This one is from VF/VBF-12 of the Randolph. The chaps who invite us to their campaigns play as this squadron.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img845/9775/wwm.png)

This is a bird from VF/VBF-17 from the Hornet. Note the skull and crossbones logo under the cockpit, this was the next incarnation of the "Jolly Rogers", the previous squadron made their name flying corsairs from land bases in the solomons.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img823/9876/fqg.png)

This one is from VF-83 on the Essex.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img822/1023/qsqe.png)

And one from VF-9 off the Yorktown.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img849/1320/ptp9.png)


I've also done a couple F6F-3s. This one has markings of VF-31 "Meataxers" from the CVL Cabot.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img543/2519/9tkk.png)

And one from VF-1 "Tophatters" of the Yorktown.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img5/6131/xj5x.png)

And yes, I see white 29s on a blue background in my sleep now. Thank you for asking.

DW

Nice job skipper, they look outstanding.  :drinking-43:

~S~

  Ol' #29

(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h176/taldrg/meandCdrMcWhorter-1.jpg)

(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h176/taldrg/old29_zpsf7ca12ff.jpg)

One last Hellcat, always wanted to do one of these British Pacific Fleet camo ones. This one is in markings from the carrier Indomitable.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img196/867/p7rs.png)

Humph, some of my pictures are already no longer showing. Imageshack is usually more reliable than this.

DW

Imagine that, green.  :thinking-008:

It's not overall olive drab and it has british markings which makes it not wierd. Unlike some other skins I've seen...  (kooky)

DW

Hey TD - Is that you in the Formation Phot?  I know its you holding the Frames Picture...

Gos

Quote from: _AH_taldrg on July 06, 2013, 05:13:54 PM
~S~

  Ol' #29

(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h176/taldrg/meandCdrMcWhorter-1.jpg)

(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h176/taldrg/old29_zpsf7ca12ff.jpg)

~S~ Gos.
   Well that is me with Lt. Commander McWolton(sp)who was the first F6F Ace in the Pacific. He also made 80 successful CV traps without any damage. As for the airial pic. there is a  l o n g   story befind that and the one with Mac at Pensecola Fl. Too long to post here.

That 29 corsair is Ike Kepford's of VF-17.

(http://www.ig-corsair.de/images/White29%20VF17/kepford(1).jpg)

DW

~S~
   Correct and now you know the rest of the story.

   TD

TD always wondered this what are those white line right in front of the canopy I figure they mark something. Thanks :give-me-beer-0034:

It's white tape sealing the panels around the fuel tank to limit fumes comming out.

DW

I think they used the aluminium battle tape.  Its like sellotape made of alluminium.  We still use it today in battle damage repairs.  but it was to reduce fumes (and oil I think) escaping around that area. 
Gos

~S~

I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer but some F4U,s did have a fuel tank in front of the cockpit. That was the reason for the cockpit being moved back about 30 something inchs.

~S~
  One of the finest men I ever had the pleaser to meet.
"Hamilton "Mac" McWhorter was 7 years old when a barnstorming pilot visited his hometown and he took his first ride in an airplane.
From that moment, he knew he never wanted to do anything else.
The future Navy commander was a naval aviation cadet undergoing training when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Within a couple of years he had become the first American pilot to achieve "Ace" status flying a new airplane, the Hellcat."

CDR McWhorter's memoir is entitled "The First Hellcat Ace"
His son Jon has put up a blog with the same name in his honor.
He flew missions off of the USS Essex.

CDR McWhorter passed away April 12,2008 at his home in El Cajon. He was 81. A memorial service was held Sunday the 4th at First United Methodist Church of El Cajon. His ashes were interred yesterday, May 5 at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.

Salute Mc
   TD

~S~ and too all Vets

One for "Mac",

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC3FJK8sH1M

S!

Doing what I can Hogan, starting with 3 tone a/c. This is a TBF-1C template and I'll have to copy all the changes over to the TBM one since it's a little different.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img407/2428/obn.png)

DW

Nice, I like it.

Do you have a copy of our new Aces High logo for the right side?

S!

I'm sure I could take it from your sig.

DW

why do that...

(http://s22.postimg.org/y45ah4se9/image.gif)

Or I could do that, danke Herr Autohausen.

DW

when it gets scrunched down on the skin you can't see the pretty ladies and it basically turns back into the old one anyway.
sure looks nice on my 2048x2048 skins though!

Damn TBM-3, it's got an annoying bug with the cowl flaps.

While closed they appear in the proper position

(http://imageshack.us/a/img407/8793/t2tk.png)

But if you open them, the starboard ones don't move and the port ones actually swing INTO the fuselage and disapear.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img706/8821/um.png)

(http://imageshack.us/a/img694/3825/zwbi.png)

The Avenger Mk.III which is basically a british TBM-3 seems to work properly.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img818/4913/3emt.png)

Grr.

DW

i noticed that too with the TBM-3, all the other versions look good because they just have lower and upper ports that open, like that -C we've been flying.

the cowl opens as 8 different pieces too so you have these stupid panels you have to match up to the 2-tone instead of just having them as a section on the fuselage as with most other planes...
with my scheme it's quite tough so i didn't bother, they only glitch on the TBM-3.
(http://i.imgur.com/gYJceCP.jpg)

The cowl flap disposition is comme ca :

(http://imageshack.us/a/img203/8667/wd9n.png)

(http://imageshack.us/a/img542/3135/wlz.png)

You could probobly use a RONNCO TBM-3 skin and lay it on top of yours to figure exactly where the cowl flaps would be on the fuselage, then cut and paste those sections to the little cowl flap squares.

DW

i'm using an old TBF-1 ROCCO template, he has got all of the cowl flaps painted the underbelly white...
but this skin i guess was made for the earlier version without the fully opening cowl flaps.
it would take a while to get that wavy line in the 2 tone to match up right, maybe i'll fiddle with it on another day.

Wow DW, LGBT for the win!

S!

Hogan is getting rainbows on all future skins.

DW

LMAO  :lol

Lippy too.

DW

FAAAB YOU LOUUUSS ! ! !

S!

 :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :give-me-beer-0034:

Here's yet another british hellcat, this one in markings of 800 Squadron from the CVE HMS Emperor.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img17/2493/0z52.png)

DW

Oh, I'm working on Hogan and Lippy's as well.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img844/5718/vy0a.png)

:surprised-027:

DW

well I fly that then the pink airplane to qual, I need some moonshine lol :drinking-29:

Actualy you could put on the nose for mine "Rainbow Warrior  :lol  Hey DW I was considering changing my Little Miss to Loud & Proud this would fit my callsign more.   :give-me-beer-0034:

this skin thread is turning into a fancy parade.... :surprised-027:

(http://www.smiley-lol.com/smiley/drague/gay/gaypride.gif) (http://www.dodgeintrepid.net/images/smilies/hay.gif) (https://lh3.ggpht.com/-2Hj31af4z-Y/UbwWZex2QQI/AAAAAAAAFm4/rebkwqpb0iQ/s1600/gay_smiley.gif) (http://www.smiley-lol.com/smiley/drague/gay/gayviolet.gif) (http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t377/mutha_nite/Smiley%20Treasure/Emoticons/gaypride.gif) (http://www.smiley-lol.com/smiley/drague/gay/couplepart.gif) (http://www.smiley-lol.com/smiley/drague/gay/gayflag.gif)

Here's a couple of P-47 skins I made recently in markings of the 65th FS, 57th FG operating in the MTO.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img819/1813/1ubw.png)

(http://imageshack.us/a/img18/644/r6g3.png)

DW

uww, I like Cathy

Love how ur lookin up at the camera ship.

S!

Getting there...

(http://s12.postimg.org/5ifrp107h/image.png)

Tighten up that formation, Gatlin!

DW

Looking very good DarkWolf,can't get much tighter,you would have a wingtip in the cockpit with you!!!!

I applied the improvements I made with the AVG template to my other tomahawks.

This one is in No. 250 Squadron markings

(http://s28.postimg.org/97ckox1y5/One.png)

And this is a No. 112 Squadron bird, it was pictures of this squadron's aircraft that inspired the AVG shark mouths.

(http://s9.postimg.org/nhqp2cj33/Two.png)

DW

Looks like at some point during the latter part of the Flying Tigers campaign we will start using Kittyhawks/P-40Es. So I started looking into what those kites looked like, oddly enough it's quite hard to find information on them. They appear to have been a little more bland than the Tomahawks in that they lacked the squadron mascot artwork. 

(http://s29.postimg.org/m6qm0q1k7/One.png)

Seems a small number of the P-40Es they got were in olive drab over neutral grey too.

(http://s11.postimg.org/cu6acukrn/Two.png)

So I'll put together a pack of P-40Es with the same numbers and squadron bands for the guys with Tomahawk skins in the future.

DW

I have 4 to 5 P40E skins you made for me already DW for some earlier campaigns. Save you some art work if those can be used.

You've got a Checkertail one and a New Guinea one, wrong theatres.

DW

~S~

I believe the flying tigers actually disbanded just as they received the P40E and most of the pilots where assimilated back into the army air force. They did continue to fly as flying tigers though. I could be wrong,would need to go back and do some reading.

That's what I had thought, but Daniel Ford's book indicates they flew quite a few missions with them.

DW

Umm,didn't remember that.

Yeah looks like they started to arrive around April 8th, give or take. April 24th it says they sent out 5 Tomahawks and 6 Kittyhawks on a ground pounding mission. So they were certainly making use of them in some degree well before they disbanded.

DW

Calender Monkey

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lXhR9FR_lmE/SwnzepKiQRI/AAAAAAAAAUY/VoVg2_UX3Zg/s1600/monkey_calendar.jpg)

I was'nt thrilled with the natural metal finish textures I had for P-51s, so I downloaded a whack of templates and got some good layers from one by a fellow named Blaze. After a few more fixes and tweaks I think I'm done.

(http://s30.postimg.org/ycpzahamp/NNMF.png)

(http://s29.postimg.org/3t7lvegtz/NNMF2.png)

Looks more cleaner and metalie than what I had, especially the underside. Now I just need to create 26 copies and copy all the markings from the old templates into each.  (kooky)

If we ever do an 8th Air Force mustang campaign, I'd be all over that for the skins.

DW

And how it looks on a fully marked aircraft.

(http://s30.postimg.org/hnpyo85ch/352nd.png)

DW

~S~
   That is soooo cool boss.

Very nice work!

I always enjoy your skins.  They always come with that handy red bulls eye just in front of the cockpit.

Arch

I always put my maple badge on the left side to better dazzle Archie when I'm in a gentle left hand turn.

DW

I've been reworking my Spitfire Vcs lately :

(http://s22.postimg.org/micrebuqp/417.png)

This one is in 417 markings, they were only RCAF squadron to operate in the MTO.

(http://s12.postimg.org/51fiy2wml/US54th.png)

This is a reverse lend-lease one of the US 54th FG.

(http://s29.postimg.org/kacvew2ef/Aussie1.png)

This one is in aussie markings, one of the squadrons that defended Darwin in northern australia from the japanese.

(http://s24.postimg.org/7lio6faz9/Aussie2.png)

This is another aussie bird, I think from a squadron that operated in New Guinea later in the war.

(http://s15.postimg.org/hra8mggyz/Malta.png)

And of course I've worked on a plethora of various markings for the squadrons that operated on Malta for the next campaign. They were very distinct with the blue camo they adopted since they were fighting over the water usually.

DW

love that aussie skin.  :drinking-43:
i miss making skins, i miss the game.  :help-sos-sos-29402:

Finally finished my P-47 redos :

(https://s32.postimg.org/qo2uajc11/47s.png)

It's possible, however unlikely, that I have too many P-47 skins...

DW

So nice.

We need to get that boy a woman

Whats sad is I have even more P-51 skins...

DW

Speaking of P-51s... (left click the images to make them larger)

(https://s9.postimg.io/64i84wzjh/ONE.png)
(https://s10.postimg.io/b9qyurwnb/TWO.png)
(https://s9.postimg.io/z8b1ewd0t/THREE.png)
(https://s22.postimg.io/gudv8ff0f/FOUR.png)

A few of these schemes are for groups in the MTO with a couple PTO ones. The rest are all 8th AF with a couple 9th AF ones.

DW

Nice work. DW

Good Gawd!

And SKAT says I am anal about skins.

Like, what-ever.

DW

Take all those 47 and 51 skins, put daffy and    AH  =@=  H on the fuselage.

I'll give ya a week, say   ...   next Thursday.

S!

They would probobly end up coded FU*H.

Just realized I lied, one of those 51s is a postwar RCAF auxillary squadron.

DW

I like the fact that you say the "F" word in your head. It makes you more human.

(http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs47/f/2009/179/9/c/Motivational_Data_2_by_ChibiMomiji123.jpg)

DW

(https://s11.postimg.org/to4haytxf/357th.jpg)

This is another 357th FG scheme. The 357th had alot of P-51Ds fully painted with the standard olive drab over neutral grey.

(https://s22.postimg.org/ixyn2iv4h/357th4.jpg)

And this is what two me's, a Hogan and an Archie would look like flying in formation, not that that sort of this is even supported in this game...

DW

PS - And yes, anyone viewing this post has indeed been looking at my ding-a-ling, just saying.

LOL SMH.

Looks like I'm a fill in from another squad...

Another 357th FG My-Ding-A-Ling scheme, this one on a P-51C.

(https://s13.postimg.org/f8g9xaeev/357th_C.jpg)

I seem to be posting alot of pictures of my ding-a-ling on the website lately...

DW

This is what happens when I am reading a book about the 357th Fighter Group.

(https://s28.postimg.org/kyjhe5ba5/AH357th.jpg)

DW

"To fly and fight" by Bud Anderson?

No, Osprey's Mustang Aces of the 357th Fighter Group.

DW

Nice work DW


Does Bear have a copy of his P-51 skin?

Yes, he was sporting it tuesday night. He also has some 442 squadron ones.

DW

Working on the SBD-5 for Dave's campaign. Its getting there, went with some 1944 marine markings. Hard to find many profiles or pictures of -5s in the area before then. Once I'm done tweaking I'll put the SBD-3 nosearts on em and zip em up.

(https://s1.postimg.cc/2reylpe1en/SBD5.png)

DW

Sweet!

I was thinking about my '42 skin on Tue.

~S

:)

Ever since I started playing IL-2 I always loved the snarling cat noseart of VF-27. Never could find a template that came with that layer and all my attempts recreate it from modelling decals and such looked crummy. I tried a couple year ago to trace the noseart from one of RONNCO's skins and failed. Gave it another try and achieved a close enough copy.

On an F6F-3 :

(https://i.postimg.cc/d3nK989h/image.png)

And an F6F-5 :

(https://i.postimg.cc/tJJBLWjZ/image.png)

VF-27 was on the light carrier Princeton which was bombed and sunk on October 24, 1944 off the Philippines. A few of VF-27's aircraft were up and landed on other carriers which incorporated the a/c into their own air groups. Unfortunately one of the first things they did was paint out the noseart on them as it was considered non-regulation.  :censored-015:

DW

Ill takem... lol you know what i like..  i hope :lol

~S~

I'll take one #55

I'm all good as it is... with the exception of the PSD layer I asked for ..... XMAS comes in October? Or maybe it's a T-DAY gift on Monday.

I forgot about that. The kill marking I use is actually just cut from a RONNCO skin. Anytime I squished the flag down that much it ended up a blur. You can easily cut one of the flags on your skin and paste it as needed.

DW

Okay Boss

S! DW I don't like the cat nose art can you put a Gator nose art for me plz

This is basically the same skin but in two different games with 13 or 14 years of separation technologically.

(https://i.postimg.cc/52d0njG3/1946.png)

(https://i.postimg.cc/Sx6K5kbp/BoX.png)

DW

I've been playing with my ding-a-ling a bunch lately.

Working it quite a bit, every night for several days straight.

I kept going and going until I was satisfied.

Would you like to see pics of my ding-a-ling?

(https://i.postimg.cc/hcytpVff/ONE.png)

(https://i.postimg.cc/7Hw4xLfF/TWO.png)

(https://i.postimg.cc/8N2P2NmS/THREE.png)

Yes, my ding-a-ling is a skin.

What were you wierdos thinking?

DW

PS - Quit ogling my ding-a-ling.

Thats a fine looking dingaling.. :lol

I love the Churchill and Roosevelt reference!

Beautiful.

S!

Impressive looking ding a ling DW,  :cool:

Is that plane regulation size?  Looks tiny to me

Just sayin

Arch

When I last updated the P-38 skins for BoX I added a 370th fighter group skin for myself. I've been working on that skin more and on markings for the other two squadrons in the group. Aside from my own the only other skin I've ever made for that group was one for Gator and since I had a large enough version of his noseart I remade it with a few tweaks. Its from the 485th sqaudron, the squadron you fly as in the Lightning Strikes scripted campaign.

(https://i.postimg.cc/RvNkrM1y/ME46.png)

(https://i.postimg.cc/mLNq3hRz/MEBoX.png)

DW

Gorgeous looking planes DW.  (wavey)

When I did the above skin I modified the invasion stripes to get that effect of the white being overpainted on the upper surfaces but with the black left intact. There is a painting that wraps around the cover of The 370th Fighter Group in World War II called "Tucker's Anvil" (wish I could find a nice image of the whole painting) that depicts some bare metal aircraft with the same overpainting of the white stripes with olive drab. It looks kind of peculiar but also kind of interesting.

(https://i.postimg.cc/JR0dZsGc/402nd.png)

DW

It kicks major butt DW, your the Picasso of Skinning. :)