Author Topic: 359thFG/370thFS (Read 1330 times)

IMXLR8N · « **on:** August 31, 2007, 01:15:13 AM »

So, with the brilliant idea that we need yet another skin for the P-51D, I decided I'd give a try at my first skin. Maybe not quite up to Fencer's level yet, but let me know what you think. It still needs a bit of tweakin' here and there, but I figured I'd get all your input prior to finalizing the file. Thanks, JeepinAZ

Guppy35 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 31, 2007, 03:16:57 AM »

OK gonna jump on ya

Green is too bright for the 359th nose color

The black wing ID band is too wide. The tail ID bands are too far out and should be same width as the Wing ID band

Go here:

http://www.midwestaero.com/images/daddysgirl/index.html

Look at the Daddy's Girl restoration. These guys take it to the Nth degree in accuracy and did this with the help of Ray Wetmore's family.

Note the green on the nose etc.

Ray Wetmore was the 359ths highest scoring ace as well.

Ray Wetmore's daughters with "Daddy's Girl"

IMXLR8N · « **Reply #2 on:** August 31, 2007, 08:27:30 AM »

Nothing personal, but I'll never use a restoration as a guide. My father is in the WWII aircraft surplus industry and with some of the stuff I've seen (B-25's w/ Sperry Upper turret domes, etc) I don't trust them. Now my question is this, do you mean the bands on the wings are too far out or too wide in width wise? Also, I'm not too sure that the nose color is supposed to be OD. 359thFG
I'm not saying you are wrong, but if you can find a period era photo that proves OD is correct, I'm all ears. Also, I left the default stripes where they were, so if they're wrong, take it up with HTC.

Thanks for the advice, look forward to your response.

JeepinAZ

Guppy35 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 31, 2007, 09:13:39 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by IMXLR8N
Nothing personal, but I'll never use a restoration as a guide. My father is in the WWII aircraft surplus industry and with some of the stuff I've seen (B-25's w/ Sperry Upper turret domes, etc) I don't trust them. Now my question is this, do you mean the bands on the wings are too far out or too wide in width wise? Also, I'm not too sure that the nose color is supposed to be OD. 359thFG
I'm not saying you are wrong, but if you can find a period era photo that proves OD is correct, I'm all ears. Also, I left the default stripes where they were, so if they're wrong, take it up with HTC.

Thanks for the advice, look forward to your response.

JeepinAZ

I wasn't suggesting OD was correct as the nose color, although it was used. Note the photo below. I was suggesting the green was too bright.

As Fencer mentioned, Midwest Aero Restorations set the bar for accurate 51 restorations with Lil Margaret, Cripes A Mighty and Daddy's Girl. The colors are correct on that restored version of the wartime Daddy's Girl. Note it's in the photo below after Wetmore went home.

Not many color shots of the 359th but ask and ye shall recieve

Guppy35 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 31, 2007, 09:46:53 AM »

More wartime color of the 359th.

IMXLR8N · « **Reply #5 on:** August 31, 2007, 07:50:10 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Guppy35
I wasn't suggesting OD was correct as the nose color, although it was used. Note the photo below. I was suggesting the green was too bright.

As Fencer mentioned, Midwest Aero Restorations set the bar for accurate 51 restorations with Lil Margaret, Cripes A Mighty and Daddy's Girl. The colors are correct on that restored version of the wartime Daddy's Girl. Note it's in the photo below after Wetmore went home.

Not many color shots of the 359th but ask and ye shall recieve

Awesome shot man.... I'm actually drooling as I write this. Thanks for the help, I'll make the changes.

MusP51 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 31, 2007, 08:06:43 PM »

Looks good to me!

The Fugitive · « **Reply #7 on:** August 31, 2007, 10:22:02 PM »

one should NEVER doubt Guppy35 ! His library is the envy of many a university when it comes to WWII

IMXLR8N · « **Reply #8 on:** August 31, 2007, 11:19:39 PM »

Well... the only problem I see with those restored birds as far as accuracy is the fact that they look like they are chrome plated. WTF is that? I've never seen a combat bird that was polished out like that. Maybe it's me, but it raises some doubt in my mind as to the accuracy of the resto. IMHO, I'd much rather see one with scratches on the skin, non straight paint lines and dents and dings like real life. The Smithsonian has an un-restored Lightning that looks like it came out of a time machine, I spent more time looking at that in fascination than any other plane there. Polished is just gaudy to me. My two cents though.. take it for what it's worth.

JeepinAZ

Guppy35 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 01, 2007, 01:49:52 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by IMXLR8N
Well... the only problem I see with those restored birds as far as accuracy is the fact that they look like they are chrome plated. WTF is that? I've never seen a combat bird that was polished out like that. Maybe it's me, but it raises some doubt in my mind as to the accuracy of the resto. IMHO, I'd much rather see one with scratches on the skin, non straight paint lines and dents and dings like real life. The Smithsonian has an un-restored Lightning that looks like it came out of a time machine, I spent more time looking at that in fascination than any other plane there. Polished is just gaudy to me. My two cents though.. take it for what it's worth.

JeepinAZ

I'd agree with ya on all of it. But a guy restoring a bird isn't likely to mess it up. All I was pointing out was they had the green on the nose correct

IMXLR8N · « **Reply #10 on:** September 01, 2007, 02:58:26 AM »

It's cool Guppy, I'm with you. I've seen some goofy restorations. Now what I find fascinating is the pic you posted and the variance in shades of green. That's pretty cool. I guess they probably painted them with whatever they had. Now, one other thing, I'm in need of a 2 on the tail number to replace the 3, right now it's the wrong tail number for that ship, and there are a few other things I'm gonna tweak. So for the most part, look alright aside from the few minor tweakings needed?

Also, I think I see what you are saying about the ID stripes on the wings and horizontal slabs. I'll narrow 'em down and move 'em to where they should be. Thanks for the advice, hopefully my next skin will be better.

IMXLR8N · « **Reply #11 on:** September 04, 2007, 09:54:01 PM »

Ok, so how does this look? I've still got a lot of tweaking as far as weathering to do and changing the 3 to a 2 on the tail number to match the correct plane, but what do you think? Maybe a bit darker on the green? I made it 20% darker, and it's real dark in Photoshop, but still a tad light I believe in AH. I also narrowed down the wing stripes and moved them out. Lemme know what you think.

Guppy35 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 05, 2007, 01:37:27 AM »

Looking better. Is there a way to make the nose green flat instead of glossy? Seems like the color shows show it flat.

Also the USAAF in practice kept the two letter codes in front of the star and bar on both sides, unlike the RAF which did it like you have on the right side of your 51?

Is there a photo you are working off of?

Looking through the 359th FG Group history all photos of the right side show the two letter squadron code in front of the star and bar and the single aircraft letter behind it.

IMXLR8N · « **Reply #13 on:** September 05, 2007, 08:06:50 PM »

Well, I didn't know that the single went behind the star on the right side. I've been working off of photos but not one of them had a starboard side shot. I'll see what I can do to get that fixed. Now as for the green, that is a lighting issue with the game. I've got it flat, but the lighting whatever in the game makes everything shine. I've noticed it on tanks too, which weren't glossy. Now if anyone knows how to fix that, I'm all ears. Thanks for the help.

IMXLR8N · « **Reply #14 on:** September 17, 2007, 11:47:15 PM »

SIZE=3]Any better?[/SIZE]