Author Topic: Test Skin Lou IV (Read 1774 times)

Cobra412 · « **on:** July 26, 2004, 08:17:53 PM »

Here's the beginning of my next creation. I need recommendations on whether or not to leave the horizontal stabilators metal or paint them green with the black stripe. Historically they were green on top with a black stripe across the bare metal on the lower portion. I will be doing the wings here in a bit. They are green on top and bare metal with invasion stripes on the bottom.

This is "Lou IV" flown by Colonel Thomas J. J. "Jack" Christian. Col. Christian was killed when his plane crashed on August 12th, 1944 over Arras France while on a straffing mission. He left behind a loving wife Mrs. Lou Ellen Wilson Loving and his 7 month old daughter who he'd never met, only seen in photos.

Col. Christians body was never able to be recovered. Col. Christian was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Air Medal, Purple Heart, and in March 1944 prior to his death had been promoted to the rank of Colonel.

Guppy35 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 26, 2004, 08:22:42 PM »

I'd go with the green on top of the horizontal tail since the idea was to camo them for a possible move to the continent while leaving the black ID band underneath.

Glad you didn't get caught by the idea some have that Lou IV had blue camo on top

Dan/Slack
Looks good btw

Cobra412 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 26, 2004, 08:55:05 PM »

Thanks for the reply Guppy. Unfortunately with how the skin layout is designed I can't do the bottom one color and the top another. If I go with green then both the bottom and top will be green with a black band. Kinda like what is depicted in this photo.

I'd like this to be as close to historically accurate as possible. One major issue I have is that the right side of the fuselage is supposed to have another marking on it other than Lou IV. It is said that it should say Athelene. I've found some stuff on this. I also found a site that actually had a real WWII picture of it. Now I just gotta find it again.

I also caught the whole debate about the blue camo opposed to the green camo. Considering the photos I'm using to do the skin they show a dark olive drab so thats what I'm gonna use.

AaronM2 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 26, 2004, 09:06:25 PM »

Darn u keep doing all the p-51d skins LMAO guess ill make the Sigh! p-51d hehe nice id leave the Stab green

Guppy35 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 26, 2004, 09:38:30 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Cobra412
Thanks for the reply Guppy. Unfortunately with how the skin layout is designed I can't do the bottom one color and the top another. If I go with green then both the bottom and top will be green with a black band. Kinda like what is depicted in this photo.

I'd like this to be as close to historically accurate as possible. One major issue I have is that the right side of the fuselage is supposed to have another marking on it other than Lou IV. It is said that it should say Athelene. I've found some stuff on this. I also found a site that actually had a real WWII picture of it. Now I just gotta find it again.

I also caught the whole debate about the blue camo opposed to the green camo. Considering the photos I'm using to do the skin they show a dark olive drab so thats what I'm gonna use.

It is Athelene, and it's in red if I remember right. Seems like that was the crew cheif's side of the plane, hence the different name.

I have the 361st History, but it doesn't show that side in any of the many photos of Lou IV, but I've seen a photo of it somewhere as well.

Good luck. I'll keep looking too

Edited to show a link dealing with the right side.

http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/louivcq_1.htm

A bit of info here too.
http://www.361fg.com/

Dan/Slack

Cobra412 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 26, 2004, 11:30:25 PM »

Thanks for the links Guppy. That was actually the site I was looking for again. Here's an updated set of pics for the skin. Still needs a bit of weathering work, specific scheme markings (name and tail number) and I think thats about it for now. Enjoy.

Guppy35 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 27, 2004, 01:02:48 AM »

Very very nice work. Looks right on the money so far.

Wish I had it in me to do that kind of work.

Glad there are folks out there like yourself who can make it happen

Dan/Slack

Cobra412 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 27, 2004, 01:07:22 AM »

Thanks Guppy. Seems I found another issue. The C wants to mirror backwards on the right side. Unfortunately I'll either have to leave it out, deal with it being backwards or maybe use another letter there. I really don't wanna do any of those options.

Once I get the tail numbers on I'll probably be adjusting the rear vertical stabilizers camo a little near the fillet. I also know from past experience that I doubt I'll be able to make the tail numbers as large as they should be. That goes for the side markings also. I'll post another quick shot of what it looks like with the lettering the correct way.

Cobra412 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 27, 2004, 01:13:29 AM »

Here they are. Just test phase. They are normally a bit taller and cover a bit more space but they look alright.

Kevin14 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 27, 2004, 02:49:59 PM »

Very good, the panel lines are perfect and the colors seem to fit "just right". Awesome job

Cobra412 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 27, 2004, 08:26:05 PM »

Thanks for the reply Kevin.

I'm actually wondering now if HT will even accept a skin like this considering the fillet wasn't actually on Lou IV. I guess I'll keep pressing and hope they will accept it either way.

Cobra412 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 27, 2004, 09:24:56 PM »

Okay all I've got a huge dilema here with this skin. Now my eyes must be playing tricks on me. Yesterday the skin seemed a medium shade of Olive Drab. Today when I look at the original it seems to be more Dark Olive Drab. Here's the original with my two screen shots afterwards. I really need an opinion on this. Thanks in advance.

Original photo with auto levels, auto contrast and auto color enhancements from Photoshop 7. Oh and I also despeckled it and did a single sharpen image.

Original color, Medium Olive Drab.

Adjusted color, Dark Olive Drab.

Also is it me or is the nose more pastel orange yellow than just orange yellow. Seems to me it's got a peach color in it or something.

XtrmeJ · « **Reply #12 on:** July 28, 2004, 05:59:49 AM »

Cobra you are producing some great skins man, and all of them have been excellent. Great job yet again!

Cobra412 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 28, 2004, 07:48:58 AM »

Thank you for the compliments XJ. After looking again I just found 2 more details that need to be fixed. Around the US insignia there needs to be atleast a 3 to 4 inch boarder around it. Also the camo going from the invasion stripes to the horizontal stabs is off. It goes at more of an angle up then levels off right before the stab then goes straight vertical with clearly a straight line of paint. Oh and there is a T cutout area near the main fuselage invasion stripes. I'm gonna have to do research to find out what exactly that is in that area. The jacking point should be about 2 main panel lengths back so that shouldn't be what I think it is. I'll be working on those tonight. Thanks again for the reply

Cobra412 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 29, 2004, 10:45:59 PM »

Well here's a new update and frankly it isn't a good one. I have some basic chipping to do, smoke and grime on the lower wings, one more dirt layer for the main fuselage and horizontal green areas and then the actual name Lou IV and Athelene.

Reason this is a bad update is the skin can't be completed as usual. The area inwhich the names Lou IV and Athelene are suppose to go can't support the actual historic dimensions and area inwhich it's suppose to be placed. Also the letter C on the fuselage can't be properly done due to mirroring issues. Unfortunately I'm going to have to abandon this skin also. Well here's the some what completed shots. The main fuselage and the horizontals are to light due to it's missing a dirty layer. I'll probably finish that part up anyway but that'll be it for me.