Help with my first skin? :)

[BrownBaron]

After using the current JG77 skin available for the 109K4, I have decided to try my hand at creating a skin myself for submission.

So far, the largest problem I have come across is finding documentation and shots of particular schemes from different angles. Could you experienced fellows point me towards a source from which I may draw these necessities?

So far, this scheme appeals to me most:

If I am not mistaken, this would be White 10+.

I am sure I will have many many issues with creating the skin itself, and I am sure you will be swift in your aid. 

Thanks,
      Baron

[VonMessa]

After using the current JG77 skin available for the 109K4, I have decided to try my hand at creating a skin myself for submission.

So far, the largest problem I have come across is finding documentation and shots of particular schemes from different angles. Could you experienced fellows point me towards a source from which I may draw these necessities?

This is going to be your biggest obstacle.  Try to find a good Osprey Book and be prepared to shell out some money for it.  Besides that, keep digging 

So far, this scheme appeals to me most: (Image removed from quote.)

If I am not mistaken, this would be White 10+.

I am sure I will have many many issues with creating the skin itself, and I am sure you will be swift in your aid. 

Thanks,
      Baron

Lack of late war reference photo's aside, I believe the K4 skin slots are full.  IIRC, once full, HTC will not add any more skins.   

[cactuskooler]

My first step would be a barrage of Google searches on anything to do with JG77, White 10, and 109K-4s. You might strike gold and find a site that has all the info you need, or perhaps find a clue that will lead to some useful info. With the lack of late war Luftwaffe photos like Von said, it's likely you may not find anything.

You can look through websites like these for a profile of the plane your looking for.
http://wp.scn.ru/
http://www.michael-reimer.com/CFS2/CFS2_Aircraft_Profiles.html
You need to be careful when using a profile as a reference. So so many of the profiles out there are just plain wrong. They can be useful, but you'll want some pictures to to back it up.

It's a good idea to search through forums  that specialize in Luftwaffe planes. Some very knowledgeable people and authors can be found posting on these forums.
http://www.luftwaffe-experten.org/forums/index.php
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/index.php

If you haven't found anything helpful on the internet you may want to consider a different JG77 K-4.

If you still want the same plane, it's time to hit the books. Your best bet would be to find a book on JG77. The Osprey books are great, but if your looking for a specific plane from a specific unit your probably won't find it, unless it's a JG77 Osprey book of course. I thumbed through my only K-4 book and found a picture of JG77 109K-4 "White 1", "White 2", and a profile for "White 1".

If you find enough info for your plane, these will help with panel lines and other small details you may not know about. They have a bunch of pictures of surviving planes taken at museums and airshows.
http://www.primeportal.net/the_airstrip.htm
http://aircraftresourcecenter.com/ -Click walkarounds at the top.
http://www.cybermodeler.com/resource1.shtml

The thrill of the hunt for info is one of my favorite parts of making a skin. Have fun.

[Mus51]

BrownBaron - if you would succeed in getting a highly detailed and historical correct skin (wich i seem to be having troubles with) you could get my slot (the current JG77 skin) since I'm convinced there are many different JG77 schemes available for the 109K4.


I already like the current skin you showed from the other sim.

[BrownBaron]

Thankyou, Mus 

I went to the bookstore the other day, and was surprised at the small selection of titles they had on aviation...after a few inventory searches, I ordered Messerschmitt Bf 109 F, G, and K Series: An Illustrated Study. Hopefully that will provide information on White 10.

[Mus51]

And how about this one?


Wk-Nr 330204, White 1, Staffelkapitän Hauptmann Menzel, 9./JG77, Neuruppin, December 1944.

[BrownBaron]

I will begin research of this scheme at once, Mus.

Of course, this will still be my fall-back skin if White 10 turns out to be too poorly documented to continue any further..

[Serenity]

You're already starting out ahead with the books!

My only real suggestion would be to take the time to search the forums for tutorials on skinning. They hold a LOT of minor techniques that will really improve your skin you might not have thought of.

[PropHawk]

Hate to burst your bubble, but if it wasn't destroyed it is probably in a private colletion under lock and key or was badly damaged for one reason or another and isnt picture worthy

[The Fugitive]

Hate to burst your bubble, but if it wasn't destroyed it is probably in a private colletion under lock and key or was badly damaged for one reason or another and isnt picture worthy

LOL! They are not talking about recent pictures of it. They are looking for historical pictures from the war.

[PropHawk]

I know I just thought recent pics wouldn't be mainly b@w or nearly as grainy. Sorry for being stupid.

[The Fugitive]

I know I just thought recent pics wouldn't be mainly b@w or nearly as grainy. Sorry for being stupid.

not stupid, just mistaken    New picture would be great, but like you said impossible to come by for a lot of reasons. However, you would be amazed with what some of these guys do with this B+W pictures. ALL of the skins in the game where based off of them 

[PropHawk]

Sorry, I have no say in this because I don't skin. I am still trying to get Mosquito W4090 to look right.
Hey Fugitive, do have a few pictures of Nightfighter Mosquito W4090? I'd like to know what it looks like from other angles other than above left.