4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"

[Vraciu]

Done and submitted.  After my eyes uncross from this ordeal I will see if I can improve it.    It looks better in the game than the screenshots show.   I guess my video card is a little lame...

This is Lt. Robert McCampbell's P-51D-5-NA "Jo-Baby" (WD*D) of the 4th FS, 52nd FG, Italy.  Lt. McCampbell was credited with three victories and two probables while flying Spitfires and Mustangs. This is the late-war version of his airplane with the all-yellow tail. Lt. McCampbell earned two DFCs and his unit was twice awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.

MY THANKS TO ALL WHO HELPED WITH THEIR PATIENT ADVICE AND GUIDANCE (including, but not limited to, Grapetang, Greebo, HornetUK, Devil505, Saxman, and many others).

[Vraciu]

Composite...

Link to original thread of the skin in progress:  http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,357987.0.html

[Dragon Tamer]

The panel lines need to be darkened up a bit, they are barely visible except at certain angles. I don't see any rivets at all, so they definitely need to be darkened.

The skin looks too clean, as if it just rolled out of the factory. Throw some grunge in there somewhere, possibly do some paint wear on the markings. Your exhaust stain is barely visible, I would say either make it darker or longer (or both).

It's a good start but it needs some more work before it's submitted.

[Vraciu]

The panel lines need to be darkened up a bit, they are barely visible except at certain angles. I don't see any rivets at all, so they definitely need to be darkened.

The skin looks too clean, as if it just rolled out of the factory. Throw some grunge in there somewhere, possibly do some paint wear on the markings. Your exhaust stain is barely visible, I would say either make it darker or longer (or both).

It's a good start but it needs some more work before it's submitted.

It is clean on purpose, per the photos in the original thread.   The panel lines are the same as the photos (actually, they're more visble on the skin than the actual aircraft) and are visible in-game (not as much in the screenshots though, since my resolution needs help I guess).   I respectfully disagree that the panel lines need to be more visible--in the photos they're barely noticeable.  The skin is over-weathered compared to the actual aircraft.  I took artistic license to dirty it up even this much.   It was a clean airplane.

Not every airplane in WWII looked like a dump truck...   That is a popular misconception and stereotype.   Dirty airplanes robbed performance.  Many pilots and mx teams kept that in mind and treated their aircraft accordingly.  McCampbell's crew certainly did, as did most of the yellow tails.   Other airplanes from the group are similarly clean in photos.


   

[Saxman]

Not every airplane in WWII looked like a dump truck...  

That's the nice thing about Marine birds. Navy regulations didn't allow much variation in the paint jobs, but you've got LOTS of options for scuffing them up. Looking forward to how my skins like Vargas Cowgirl (and that heavily sand-blasted inner wing) whenever I'm able to update them with spec and bump maps.

[lyric1]

 

[Vraciu]

That's the nice thing about Marine birds. Navy regulations didn't allow much variation in the paint jobs, but you've got LOTS of options for scuffing them up. Looking forward to how my skins like Vargas Cowgirl (and that heavily sand-blasted inner wing) whenever I'm able to update them with spec and bump maps.

   

Not to mention the environment Navy and Marine planes operated n was ALWAYS a harsh one.  European Theater planes in some cases had an easier time of it in that regard.

I am definitely an advocate of Spec & Bump mapping now...   It makes a huge difference.

[Banshee7]

Nice Vraciu!  May be my new Pony skin!!

[Vraciu]

Nice Vraciu!  May be my new Pony skin!!

Well thank you, kindly.  If it gets adopted take it for a spin.  I think you will be pleased with it.

[Banshee7]

It's something about the yellow on it! I like big, vibrant colors so everyone can see me 

[Vraciu]

It's something about the yellow on it! I like big, vibrant colors so everyone can see me 

  

[BnZs]

 

[Vraciu]

TY, B!

[ALFAMEGA51]

That looks awesome! 

[Vraciu]

That looks awesome! 

Thanks man!