VMF-213 F4U-1A

[Greebo]

This VMF-213 F4U-1A was a request from Gary26. Like my previous F4U-1 skin it is the aircraft of Lt. George DeFabio. You can just see what looks like his dice noseart on the cowling of the last aircraft in the photo below, which was found by Megadolon. This aircraft has the three tone scheme but with a white nose and spinner. I've interpreted the painted-over tactical numbers to mean these were older aircraft transferred from another squadron, so I've given the skin a fairly well worn appearance.

[EskimoJoe]

I can't escape the feeling that the white ring around the front of the nose goes back a little further.

Maybe the angles you presented were the cause. Just an observation.

[TwinBoom]

 

[JOACH1M]

Keep them coming greebo!!!! 

[Gary26]

Greebo I cant thank you enough. They look amazing. As a gift, I would like to send you the finest box of whine money can buy!

[lyric1]

I can't escape the feeling that the white ring around the front of the nose goes back a little further.

Maybe the angles you presented were the cause. Just an observation.

He has it right. 

[lyric1]

Nice job. 

[Greebo]

Thanks guys.

The white nose band on the skin ends at the leading edge of the engine access panels, which seems the logical place for it to do so. It is possible they painted part of the side panels white too, but I don't think so looking at the photo. I reckon it is just that the screenshots I took show the aircraft from a rear aspect whereas the photo is a frontal aspect shot.

I've got one more Corsair skin to do, an F4U-4.

[Citabria]

I'm a sucker for three toned corsairs so this is probably my favorite of your latest f4u series of skins.

beautiful job Greebo!

[Krusty]

Your texture work is really great. The only thing I would like to see (personal opinion only) is some shine. Just a bit. Even "matt" paint reflects light at certain points. It doesn't have to be shiny, but there will be hotspots and reflection areas.

I don't see that on the skin but I see part of it on the photo. I suspect you've turned the materials.txt file "off" (i.e. zeroed out the values?) but would it be possible to add just a bit? A subtle lighting effect.

Just a subtle diffusion pattern, like:

http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/uploads/monthly_01_2010/post-2449-1262913960.jpg

About 2/3 up the cowling for example, right behind the prop. Just a quick reference from google to show what I mean.

[Greebo]

This skin and my other matt painted Corsairs have a specularity of 0.12, the later glossier dark blue Corsairs are 0.28. I'll have a look at upping the specularity on this one a bit, but too much and the glare tends to wash out the detail and it loses some of its dirty appearance.

[dhyran]

its absolutly perfect greebo! 

[Krusty]

This skin and my other matt painted Corsairs have a specularity of 0.12, the later glossier dark blue Corsairs are 0.28. I'll have a look at upping the specularity on this one a bit, but too much and the glare tends to wash out the detail and it loses some of its dirty appearance.

It's really a fine fine balance between washing out the colors and upping the specularity. I ran into the same problem with my B-17. When I redo it I have to redo it totally from scratch because the colors are all jacked up to compensate for the materials file changing the end result.

I think there is a sweet spot where you can tweak the glare without losing much of the colors.

[Mitsu.]

Awesome. 

Thank you for beatiful skins.

[Saxman]

It's really a fine fine balance between washing out the colors and upping the specularity. I ran into the same problem with my B-17. When I redo it I have to redo it totally from scratch because the colors are all jacked up to compensate for the materials file changing the end result.

I think there is a sweet spot where you can tweak the glare without losing much of the colors.

This is really where having a separate specular map rather than a generic "shininess" setting would be beneficial. Worn/weathered bits, dirt and grime could be left with a matte finish, while still giving the paint a little more shine.