Krusty,
Exterior textures are separate from the 3D models. We have 1024 skins on the C.205 that is a 3D model from AH v1.00. First generation models do have a lot of mirroring and stretching on their textures though. There have only really been two distinct generations of 3D models, the ones released during AH v1.xx and the ones released or updated during AH 2.xx. Within those time frames there were distinct increases in 3D detail, look at a Hurri or Bf110 compared to a B-26 or an A6M or Mosquito compared to the B-24 or Ki-84, but the 3D generations are only at two.
The fact that some aircraft had two or even three first generation models doesn't equate to a new generation.
The one texture that does seem to be tied to a generation is the 2048 cockpit textures introduced with the Mosquito Mk XVI. If we are to list a third generation of models it would be the Mosquito Mk XVI and later aircraft.
No, there's a difference at work here. The textures are tied to the 3D object. For example, you can make any old first-gen cockpit in the game look a lot better if you totally redo it (I did this on the old P-40E) but it's still not going to have a stick. The Geometry is still going to be what it is. The bitmaps and the 3D are tied to each other, and I consider them both when talking about the generation of plane "visuals".
Why? Well the 3D model is going to show whether a plane has wheel wells and gear doors or not -- look at some of the first gens, they don't even have gear wells! You can up the resolutions on those old 256x256 for custom skins but that doesn't change their shape, or the mapping of that bitmap. It does look better, but the graphics are still visibly dated.
I'm not really talking about skins. I'm talking about the defaults. Adding 1024x1024 skins to a plane whose default is 256x256 isn't comparable to upgrading the cockpit graphics or the 3D shape of the nose, etc.
Again, my $0.02.
