Author Topic: P-38L homework help (Read 1106 times)

Knite · « **on:** March 21, 2005, 09:23:28 AM »

Hi all,

I know this is in an odd forum to be posting this. If it needs to be moved, I understand.

My Final Project for my 3d modelling class is going to be a P-38L. Much simpler than the one in AH obviously, since it's only like my 4th 3d Model ever. hehehe. But... I'm hoping you all could help me with something...

Are there any P-38L paintjobs, that have not been done for AH, still requested? I'm considering doing research on a P-38L skin for my homework project, and then using the skin and information I garnered there to hopefully make an AH P-38L skin. I know very little about WWII squadrons, so even Group/Squadron numbers to look up would be a great help.

Thanks in advance to all of you who read this =)

Guppy35 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2005, 11:29:29 AM »

A few suggestions.

Might consider looking at the 54th FS, 343rd FG, 11th AF based out of the Aleutians. They started in Es and finished in Ls.

Any of the 82nd FG, 15th AF 38Ls would be good.

Any of the 49th FG, 5th AF P38Ls would be good too. Ace Jerry Johnson's is fairly well known but I don't think anyone has done that skin yet.

And if you can find any photos of 474th FG, 9th AF Ls they would be good too.

I have lots of stuff on 38s if you need images or background. Feel free to holler if you get stuck

Dan

oboe · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2005, 01:17:51 PM »

I did a P-38L skin for Gerald Johnson, Deputy CO of the 49th FG.
Its currently in game. Is that the same fellow as Jerry Johnson?

Guppy35 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2005, 02:04:47 PM »

Oops! Yep thats him. Missed that you'd done that one

Dan/CorkyJr

Nefarious · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2005, 02:09:13 PM »

Where do you go to school at Knite?

Knite · « **Reply #5 on:** March 22, 2005, 07:09:29 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Nefarious
Where do you go to school at Knite?

Lehigh Valley College in Pennsylvania. Going for an Associates in Graphic Design while working full time.

I can't wait until I'm done (in like another year). This is exhausting =)

Thanks all for the help. Hopefully this can get me started. Dan, your knowledge is amazing. Yeesh.

TexMurphy · « **Reply #6 on:** March 22, 2005, 07:21:02 AM »

You just have to make sure to have the skins you do count as project work...

Knite · « **Reply #7 on:** March 23, 2005, 08:57:17 PM »

Well gang, on doing some research... the one I'm considering doing is this...

It's a P-38H from the 475th FS / 432nd FG

It doesn't look like anyone's done this one yet, so I'm going to try and use this paint job for both my homework, and later if all goes well, an Aces High skin.
If anyone has more information on this particular Fighter Squadron/Group/Aircraft they'd be willing to share with me, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks to all for always being there to help with my silly questions =)
hehe

Guppy35 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 23, 2005, 10:35:07 PM »

Just to clarify that's the 432nd FS of the 475th FG, 5th AF. They were created in theater by General George Kenny and crew at 5th AF and were considered the top P38 Group in the Pacific, although the 80th FS Headhunters would debate that as much of the original cadre of pilots came from the 80th FS the other 38 squadrons in the area, such as the 9th and 39th FS, in theater.

George Prentice, first CO of the 475th, basically got to pick who he wanted for the group, which lead to a high caliber fighter group right from the start.

Perry Dahl is the pilot of that particular P38H, serial number 42-66504, named "SKIDOO"

Two images from the 475th history of Dahl and his bird and of #162 on the 432nd Flight line. One of the questions raised by the second photo is whether 162 had the dark blue spinner tip to go with the yellow band of the 432nd. There are color photos of other 475th birds that had that dark blue tip, although it's generally connected to the 431st squadron. But the photo sure shows a darker color on the spinner tip. It's not OD, and the profile you posted doesn't really show it.

Can't wait to see the finished product

Dan/CorkyJr

Guppy35 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 23, 2005, 10:44:51 PM »

It occurs to me that you were talking about doing an L model, and the one you posted is a small intake H model.

Here's a 432nd L model just in case

Dan/CorkyJr

TexMurphy · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2005, 03:19:06 AM »

Dan your knowledge of history is amazing.. I love reading your posts...

Tex

Knite · « **Reply #11 on:** March 24, 2005, 07:23:44 AM »

Dan, that's awesome.
As Tex said, your knowledge is remarkable.

You know.... maybe I'll just have to do both. You're right, the 3d model I'm making IS a 38L model for school. I was having trouble finding skins that weren't already taken care of, and the ones I found that weren't, I wasn't finding good source material. I ran across ole "23" and was like.. that's a cool looking bird! At any rate, if I can pull it off, I'm thinking of using that suggestion of yours (the 149.. That's really cool too), Then transfer the panel lines and coloration over to an AH skin.
After that, then 23 Skidoo as an AH 38G. The 23 just looks too cool to pass up =)
The GOOD thing is, I have a small "spring break" coming up. So I'll have the 149 started as "classword" hehehe, and then 2 weeks to try and do as much as the 23 as I can.

I'm just hoping I can figure out fighter skins ;-)

Widewing · « **Reply #12 on:** March 24, 2005, 10:49:34 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Guppy35
Two images from the 475th history of Dahl and his bird and of #162 on the 432nd Flight line. One of the questions raised by the second photo is whether 162 had the dark blue spinner tip to go with the yellow band of the 432nd. There are color photos of other 475th birds that had that dark blue tip, although it's generally connected to the 431st squadron. But the photo sure shows a darker color on the spinner tip. It's not OD, and the profile you posted doesn't really show it.

A color profile in Stanaway's P-38 Lightning Aces of the Pacific and CBI shows Dahl's 162 having OD spinners with a yellow band. A profile of Loisel's P-38H also has OD spinners (he was squadron CO).

My regards,

Widewing

Guppy35 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 24, 2005, 11:15:54 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Widewing
A color profile in Stanaway's P-38 Lightning Aces of the Pacific and CBI shows Dahl's 162 having OD spinners with a yellow band. A profile of Loisel's P-38H also has OD spinners (he was squadron CO).

My regards,

Widewing

You see how much darker they are in the photo though? My first thought was of the color shots of 431st birds with the dark blue spinner in front also taken at "Dobo" like the B&W photo lf 162 above. While it's generally been associated with the 431st, I wonder if it was group wide practice for that short time on Dobo to have the dark blue tips.

The Osprey profiles have missed before, so it's tough to take that artwork as fact. I don't claim to know for sure, but I think it's at least open to speculation as to what the darker colored spinner was

Image is from Stanaway's 475th history "Possum, Clover & Hades", showing a USO troupe in front of one of the 431st 38s. Note the dark spinner front, generally described as dark blue

Dan/CorkyJr

Widewing · « **Reply #14 on:** March 24, 2005, 11:30:56 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Guppy35
Image is from Stanaway's 475th history "Possum, Clover & Hades", showing a USO troupe in front of one of the 431st 38s. Note the dark spinner front, generally described as dark blue

Looks green to me... They could have painted them a gloss green, which would appear darker tha OD in a black and white photo.

Besides, the 433rd used a blue band behind the OD spinner tip. It seems unlikely that both squadrons would have blue on their spinners, one a blue tip and the other a blue band. I'll wager the 432nds were green. Oh, and the 431st used a red band, with an OD spinner tip.

431st Red band
432nd Yellow band
433rd Blue band

My regards,

Widewing