Updated P51s, Bloody Rebel 385FS 364FG / VF-B 335FS 4FG / Sizzlin' Liz 334FS 4FG

[Fencer51]

First batch of updated P-51Ds are complete. 

"Bloody Rebel" of the 385th FS of the 364th FG. 

Lt. Jack O Eubanks' P-51D but was being flown by Lt Glenn Loucks on 28 September 1944 when it was lost over Germany.  Lt Loucks was killed in action only 9 days after joining the Squadron.


 

[Fencer51]

Next up is Major James Goodson's VF-B of the 336th GS of the 4th FG.  This is possibly my favorite Mustang ever.    Major Goodson had 30 credited kills, 15 in air to air and 15 strafed on the ground.  He was known as the "King of the Strafers".  This plane was shortly after he got it on June 20, 1944 when he took a flak him while strafing an airfield.  He survived the ditching and was captured.  "Tumult in the Clouds" by James Goodson (get it!)

[Fencer51]

Last is "Sizzlin' Liz" of the 334th FS of the 4th FG.  Flown my Major Gerald Montgomery in the Spring of 1945.  Major Montgomery was listed as MIA after disappearing over North Korea during the Korean War.

[Vraciu]

I like them.  I would desaturate the red and the purple a tad--or maybe add noise(?).

That's my initial impression.

Looks like you got that Normal Map figured out!

[Fencer51]

VF-B might be getting a modification to the Aluminum, I like what I did with Bloody Rebel.

[Vraciu]

VF-B might be getting a modification to the Aluminum, I like what I did with Bloody Rebel.

The purple on my end looks like a flat square.   And it sorta' pops out like a 3D movie.   I don't know if that makes sense to you as I describe it...

[Skuzzy]

I love the mottling in that first skin.  Nice touch.

The red does seem a tad hot, but not by much.

General question:  Did the P51D never get exhaust smoke on the fuselage?  Curious really.

The gun port streaks seem too symmetrical to each other.

Overall, dang nice work.

[Vraciu]

I love the mottling in that first skin.  Nice touch.

Yeah, that's pretty cool looking.

[Fencer51]

I love the mottling in that first skin.  Nice touch.

The red does seem a tad hot, but not by much.

General question:  Did the P51D never get exhaust smoke on the fuselage?  Curious really.

The gun port streaks seem too symmetrical to each other.

Overall, dang nice work.

I will redo the gun smoke and take a look at the red.

See the photo for the smoke! 

"On August 6, he was scheduled to lead the entire group on an escort mission. The mission was scrubbed due to forecast bad weather, and -- with a free day ahead -- a big party was inevitable. Shortly after midnight, the mission was on again. At briefing, the group commander judged that Preddy was not in shape to lead, but Meyer assured him that George would be ready by takeoff time.

A few hours later, from an altitude of 30,000 feet, Preddy spotted more than 30 Bf-109s coming in on the third box of B-17s. He led his flight into the midst of the Bf-109s, shooting down three in rapid succession. At that point, four other P-51s joined the fight. Preddy shot down two more Bf-109s, then followed the formation down to 5,000 feet, where he found himself alone with the enemy. One of them broke to the left, followed by Preddy in his "Cripes A' Mighty." After a hot duel, George shot down his sixth of the day. On landing, a slightly green Preddy vowed never again to fly with a hangover. He commented, "I just kept shooting, and they just kept falling." That mission earned him the Distinguished Service Cross."

[Skuzzy]

So there was a faint, long path of smoke on the fuselage which appears to follow the upper curve of the wing root as the smoke passes the leading edge of the wing.

[Devil 505]

The metal on Bloody Rebel is fantastic. That should be your go-to standard for all bare metal schemes.

Your reds and blues are far too bold - especially the blue/purple on the nose of Bloody Rebel. Also the white on the nose and insignias seem over saturated as well.

What is the rust color on the exhaust fairing on VF-B? If it is indeed rust you should add more color variation and some texture to it. Look at some of Greebo's tank skins to see how he does rust.

[Fencer51]

Here are some more examples from my photo references.

There was also an oil pop off drain on the starboard side.

[Fencer51]

The metal on Bloody Rebel is fantastic. That should be your go-to standard for all bare metal schemes.

Ya know, I would be lying if I said I was not loving that look. 

I will check the other stuff.

[oboe]

I agree about Bloody Rebel's aluminum- that one is your best of the 3.    Also, I will echo Devil's comment about the bold and saturated scheme colors - the blue especially on Bloody Rebel seems almost violet/indigo to me, much more toward purplish than the blue of Cactus' '51D skin from the 364th.   

Best looking wingtip airflow fences I have seen - did you create those with the Normal map?  You nailed those.

Nice to see you back and skinning again, Fencer!

[Devil 505]