La5 FN (Popkov) Skin Commission

[Tilt]

My daubings todate have convinced me that I am inadequate to the task of completing a good enough skin for AH2.

I would there fore plead that some one takes up the  challenge of Popkov's La5 FN Yellow 01.

Popkov was one of the few pilots to achieve the status of "Ace" in both the GPW and Korean conflicts. Never the less he was considered a "rebel" during his time with the VVS in 42 to 45. Where he flew first the Lagg3 and then the La5 for the rest of the conflict.

The use of yellow markings is not standard and the double white stripe was his own marking that set his aircraft apart from all others in his regiment.

He was responsible for the 1st defeat and capture of Wilhelm Batz in August 43. Popkov infact met Batz prior to the latters escape.

Popkov's claim of 7 kills during the Stalingrad conflict were struck from his record by special order of General Zhukov (he considered that his regiment [5GIAP]had not performed adequately enough during the campaign). His official GPW tally of 41 do not include these.


Some tips on lavochkins.  

A common error is to show the wing joint line behind the gear bulkhead cap as a panel line. This is incorrect. Lavockins were heavily varnished and this line in particular appears no more than a shadow.

The rear cockpit glass armour re enforce ment on AH's La's is incorrect. What AH shows as metal cross bars and frame was never on this AC. What was there were slightly thicker glass beading which was re enforced with a single wire buried in the armoured glass running centrally top to bottom. I do not know if its possible to remove the AH bars with alpha rendering.........or even if HTC would accept it if it was done.

The above picture misses the diagonal  cockpit side panel line found on all La5 FN's. It should be included.

[mars01]

WOw, nice shot, great write up too.

This would be  great skin!!!!

Too bad even my stick figures look like crap.

[Ghosth]

Second that notion.

Great post, good looking picture.

[technic]

any links of pictures of the wings or any different angles would be helpful. Cant seem to fing any. Here's what i got so far but i need to look at the pattern of the wings <>

[Kweassa]

Commisioned.

 Due in about two~three weeks.

[Kweassa]

A little inquiry, Tilt.

 My reference search has led to about three different variations of this particular La-5FN:







 My guess is the first and second one is the same plane with just different rudder colors according to time-line.

 The second is less famous, but my guess is it is probably the one used before Soviet main colors changed to light-grey.

 Personally, I wish to do the third one. If you have any insight on this matter I would appreciate it.

[Kweassa]

Punt for Tilt

[Kweassa]

If AH2 seems to look like AH1 still, it's only because most of the texture works inside the game is not fully upgraded to new standards.




 Soviet planes are basically fun and easy to skin.. wooden surfaces don't have much rivets, and colors after 1943 are fancy and fun.

 ..

 My only gripe is, I don't understand why about 70% of the fuselage is mirrored, when clearly in the textures the whole right fuselage is placed inside. That led to some problems - such as, having to portray the kill markings on both fuselages instead of one.. and the GIAP insignia is mirroed on the other side of the nose... rats!

[Tilt]

A mucher better result than mine Kweassa.........

Some comments ..............

Infact you should see hardly any rivets at all...........even the thin steel sheet on the cockpit side was bonded/glued to the wooden moncoque under it.

look here

http://www.tilt.clara.net/White77/index.html

I know its an La7 but the construction technique is the same........there are not rows of rivits on this AC even where there are metal panels.

Also  whilst the gear stub boss cover is visible on the wing the (often rendered) wing joint cover plate behind it is barely dicernable as it was laquered (varnished) over after production.

IMO the guards emblem and tail star are too small.

Dont forget the vent slots in the heat shield..

You have the same problem i had where the front engine cover band touches the air intake.

My pathetic attempts revealed that AH's air intake is more like that of an La5F than an la5 FN and rather low to boot.......... I think this is a result of the low GS position used.

Re your previous enquiry....

The model

5GIAP regiment colour was a white tail tip flash not a full yellow rudder.

No insignia should be on the  upper wing.

Guards emblem is just wrong.

The 01 is in a stencil set used after May45.

Tail star should centre on the rudder access (see my sig)

Cockpit side is that of an La7.

Spinner should be white.

Props should be all black.

Your kill stars are much more accurate.

Yellow surround on the fuselage star is an interesting one. I have some black and white pictures that hint that this could have been the case............. but given that the picture I gave below was in a book that had a forword by Popkov i assume that that rendering (white surround) is correct.

[moot]

10$ says La5 is next or nearly next to be remodelled, isn't it .plane 5 or something?

[Kweassa]

Infact you should see hardly any rivets at all...........even the thin steel sheet on the cockpit side was bonded/glued to the wooden moncoque under it.

 No problem! The very visible rivets and panel lines are a result of an unfinished template work. The finished product would look a lot more satisfactory.

 But I need a bit more explanation on some things:

* "Dont forget the vent slots in the heat shield.."

* "You have the same problem i had where the front engine cover band touches the air intake. "

 I don't seem to understand what these two comments mean - can you show me a pic of what you're trying to say?

[Kweassa]

10$ says La5 is next or nearly next to be remodelled, isn't it .plane 5 or something?

 I don't think it's gonna be any time soon.

 They've recently changed the rear cockpit glass - if they had a new 3D model planned soon, I don't think they'd go through the trouble to fix something that is about to be dumped.

[o0Stream140o]

Originally posted by Kweassa
If AH2 seems to look like AH1 still, it's only because most of the texture works inside the game is not fully upgraded to new standards.

Okay I am new to the Skinning world was just wondering how you got the red lines on the plane... is there a program for that?

[Kweassa]

No, stream. It's all scratch-work.

 Find the references, and then paint them in at the textures by hand(.. or in this case, with your mouse).

[Tilt]

Originally posted by Kweassa


* "Dont forget the vent slots in the heat shield.."

* "You have the same problem i had where the front engine cover band touches the air intake. "

The (usually) bare steel heat shield just after the exhaust flap has 3 slots cut into it along its trailing edge to povide some air flow thru the super charger and cannon bay to the rear of the engine............you can see 2 of the three slots on the picture of Popkovs yellow 01.

Look closely at where the front steel band cowl clip joins the super charger intake duct on you 3d model........you will see that the duct renders its colours to make it out of line.