Author Topic: Doing P-51B as A-36A (Read 946 times)

Bullethead · « **on:** July 24, 2005, 02:25:19 PM »

In a break with my usual custom of working in a vaccum, I'm calling dibs on a skin. FWIW, because my previous dibs calls have always been ignored.

HOWEVER....

I'm doing up the P-51B as the A-36A "Dorothy Helen", SN 283901, code A-A, of the 524th FBS, 27 FBG. This is shown in the "Allison-Engined Mustangs Walkaround" book #13 in many contemporary color photos and a profile.

It's interesting in that it began with circular stars in 6 positions as per the old-school markings. When the markings changed to having wings with red borders, it kept all 6, so is unusual in having winged stars on all wings. Plus it's pretty clapped-out and has other anomolies. I don't care if HTC doesn't take it, I'm doing it because it's cool

.

Some might recall I made this skin back in AH1 as my 1st ever. Now I'm gonna do it right.

I'd post a pic but I'm too lazy.

Greebo · « **Reply #1 on:** July 24, 2005, 02:44:25 PM »

It would be a good idea to check with Skuzzy first before you do a lot of work on it. HTC generally don't allow plane substitutions if the outline of the skinned plane is significantly different from the original aircraft.

Bullethead · « **Reply #2 on:** July 24, 2005, 03:40:38 PM »

The only real difference is the A36 had a scoop on top of the cowling, and of course didn't have the Malcolm hood we now have on the Bony. Some of the panel lines are in different places, due to different motors, but no biggy IMHO. Plus it had dive flaps. But from a distance, you couldn't tell them apart.

I'm just thinking this would be a nice thing to have for MTO scenarios or the CT. I don't care if it ends up in the MA or not.

oboe · « **Reply #3 on:** July 24, 2005, 06:32:35 PM »

I think there may be a significant performance difference between the Allison-engined A-36A and the Merlin P-51B, esp. at altitude.

Physical differences include the top-mounted air scoop, the old greenhouse-style canopy, plus I believe the A-36 had two .50s mounted in the lower nose, for a total of six .50s.

I'd definitely recommend checking with HTC before spending alot of time on it. Would love to see the A-36A make AH sometime, though - operational dive flaps and all.

Widewing · « **Reply #4 on:** July 24, 2005, 08:44:34 PM »

You can see the obvious differences in this photo, including the redesigned radiator scoop. P-51B on left, A-36 on right.

My regards,

Widewing

oboe · « **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2005, 07:50:48 AM »

Wow, pretty big difference there in the under fuselage scoop too.

Guppy35 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2005, 11:14:27 AM »

Yep, definately not the same bird. It would be a bit like using a Spit I paint job on a Spitfire XIV.

Dan/CorkyJr

Bullethead · « **Reply #7 on:** July 26, 2005, 04:44:48 PM »

oboe said (and others had to toss their $0.02 in as well):

Quote

I think there may be a significant performance difference between the Allison-engined A-36A and the Merlin P-51B, esp. at altitude.

Physical differences include the top-mounted air scoop, the old greenhouse-style canopy, plus I believe the A-36 had two .50s mounted in the lower nose, for a total of six .50s.

Like I said, I'm fully aware that the Bony ain't an A-36, and I repeat that I don't care if HTC wants it or not. I'm doing it so it'll be useful for scenarios, where things are different than in the MA. Geez.

Greebo · « **Reply #8 on:** July 26, 2005, 05:12:56 PM »

I look forward to seeing it Bullethead. Shame HTC didn't do a P-51A of some kind this time round. It would be an interesting ride in the MA, I think.

oboe · « **Reply #9 on:** July 26, 2005, 07:29:44 PM »

Sorry, BH. Your work is very good and I look forward to seeing it. Was just trying to clear up any misconception tho - you mentioned only the Malcolm hood and the top air scoop as "real" differences, but there are more than that.

FWIW, I'm not sure HTC has the ability to restrict skins by arena.
Your notion of enabling a particular skin just for scenarios might not be possible?

Bullethead · « **Reply #10 on:** July 27, 2005, 08:44:04 AM »

oboe said:

Quote

you mentioned only the Malcolm hood and the top air scoop as "real" differences, but there are more than that.

Well, yeah, there are some other minor appearance differences, but the biggie is the nose scoop being above rather than below. As for armament, most A36s had the nose guns removed because they just didn't work well. Synchronizing the 50cal cost it so much ROF that they eventually decided it wasn't worth the weight of lugging them around. So most A36s, including the one I'm working on, had 4x50s just like the Bony.

The really important difference in game terms (besides alt performance, fo course) between the A36 and the Bony is that it had dive brakes. I can draw them on the skin, but of course they won't work.

Quote

FWIW, I'm not sure HTC has the ability to restrict skins by arena.
Your notion of enabling a particular skin just for scenarios might not be possible?

I'm not sure, but I think the old AH1 method still works in AH2. By that I mean that you incorporate the skin (as a .bmp) into the actual map like any other custom texture. That would make it the default skin for that plane on that map, regardless of whether or not HTC had issued it for general use. Then any Bony skins HTC has approved would be available as well.

Bullethead · « **Reply #11 on:** July 27, 2005, 08:59:39 AM »

Greebo said:

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I look forward to seeing it Bullethead.

Well, here's what the

AH1 version looked like.

This was my very 1st attempt at making a skin and it ain't very good. I did this with just MS Paint, before I had PSP, so it was all 1 layer with all anti-aliasing done by hand, with color gradiations judged by eye, 1 pixel at a time. Basically I just changed the markings on the stock skin, along with some of the panel lines, but left the stock paint showing in most places. But I enjoyed doing this so much I bought PSP shortly thereafter

.

Quote

Shame HTC didn't do a P-51A of some kind this time round. It would be an interesting ride in the MA, I think.

I agree. I was hoping they were gonna surprise us with it, kinda like they did this new web format.