P-51B Mustang E9-V 361FG, 376th FS

[Vraciu]

One specific thing I notice in the colour shots in the research thread you posted is the exhaust staining. In the photos the aircraft have a pale brown stain running the length of the fuselage, curving up a little over the wing and then down towards the tail.

Is this from the exhaust or from dirt?   I have been playing around with some staining but the photo almost makes the stain look white--like sand or something.

Also, should the specularity be flatter or the same as the background the staining is on?

[Devil 505]

The tuning of the engine will have an effect on the color of the smoke emitted from the exhaust, and thus the staining on the aircraft.  Alison engines in particular usually have light colored stains. Merlin engines are more variable. The underlying surface also plays a part on the visible staining. In your case I would not only study the reference pic of this aircraft, but also other Merlin P-51s and determine the colors and patterns for exhaust staining.

[Greebo]

I did some research on this when I was skinning the Lancaster. Apparently light coloured stains are a result of running the engine rich for extended periods of time. The stains are deposits of lead used as an anti-knock additive in the fuel. I suspect light exhaust stains like this may have been fairly common on Allied aircraft, but wouldn't always show up well on B&W photos.

[Vraciu]

I did some research on this when I was skinning the Lancaster. Apparently light coloured stains are a result of running the engine rich for extended periods of time. The stains are deposits of lead used as an anti-knock additive in the fuel. I suspect light exhaust stains like this may have been fairly common on Allied aircraft, but wouldn't always show up well on B&W photos.

Well, in this case am I seeing exhaust or dust?

Also, does the stain start narrow and fan out?

I can't seem to quite get it right.   The blur looks good but the color is off. 

[pipz]

Well done Vraciu!!!!    

[Vraciu]

Well done Vraciu!!!!    

Thanks, bud.   

[Vraciu]

Updated the cowling so it aligns with the exhaust properly.

I have one other B and two Ds to convert.   Thanks for pointing out the error, guys.