Research Assistance Requested - P-51D "The Deacon" - 21st FG (Iwo Jima)

[Vraciu]

Awesome.   Here's to hoping it bears fruit.  My thanks.

[Mister Fork]

The first place they go to is the european The Deacon which is a custom-non-comic version of it. So, I'll correct them on this.

[Vraciu]

The first place they go to is the european The Deacon which is a custom-non-comic version of it. So, I'll correct them on this.

Thanks, Fork.

[Vraciu]

Here's a preview.  Is this enough detail to get by with or do I need to switch to "IS THIS TRIP NECESSARY?"  Please note that all the black markings and nose art are currently placeholders.  They are not finalized.

[Devil 505]

It looks ok.

My main issue is the light colored cloud you have drawn around the figure. I don't see that at all in the reference. I see the figure painted on a panel that is entirely made of a light colored aluminium. Even the panel above with the "The Deacon" script is a similarly light color.

[Mister Fork]

"It looks ok"... phppt... it's a GREAT start V.  And I do like Devil's suggestions even though he's a putz ()

[Vraciu]

It looks ok.

My main issue is the light colored cloud you have drawn around the figure. I don't see that at all in the reference. I see the figure painted on a panel that is entirely made of a light colored aluminium. Even the panel above with the "The Deacon" script is a similarly light color.

There is definitely a white cloud.

There may even be white behind the lettering on DEACON.

[Vraciu]

"It looks ok"... phppt... it's a GREAT start V.  And I do like Devil's suggestions even though he's a putz ()

Thanks, Fork.  Yes, he is.  LOL



Look at the image above.  There is definitely a cloud.   I think that was the artist covering up mistakes or using it as a base for the main image. 

[Devil 505]

No, that's the edge of the panel and the distorted metal where the fasteners are located. There's no cloud there.

You can see the panel lines better in these pics:




 

[Vraciu]

No, that's the edge of the panel and the distorted metal where the fasteners are located. There's no cloud there.

You can see the panel lines better in these pics:
(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

EDIT IN: I do see what you are saying about the fastener indentations (very good eye on your part).   The two on the forward part of that panel are pretty obvious in the first picture below.   I'm leaving my original post up though.    Maybe it isn't a cloud*, just a silver paint on the panel to serve as a base for the artwork or to cover up previous mistakes.   



I have never doubted your judgment on photo interpretation (and far be it for me to do so now), but I've stared at ten thousand Mustang panels and lines over the years here...and I just don't see how that's anything other than paint.   It's not just the cloud as it is also sloppily offset behind the black THE DEACON lettering.   Maybe it's more a gray or silver than white though... 

It's too distinct and exact to be random panel waves IMO.   The "cloud" has some very obvious billows* that appear in every picture.

[Devil 505]

You're probably on to something regarding the highlight behind "The Deacon" but I see it like a drop shadow - only lighter than the main text. But it's not the whole panel.

Also, there is this well known color photo of a P-51D where these specific panels (and some others) are significantly lighter than most panels on the airframe.

[Devil 505]

I do see what you are saying about the fastener indentations (very good eye on your part).

I've been making a P-39 template. That plane is at least 50% hatches. So I've become very familiar with distorted panels at the fasteners.

[Vraciu]

Maybe a combination of a dropped shadow and a pair of lighter panels?

[Devil 505]

Maybe a combination of a dropped shadow and a pair of lighter panels?

That's what I see.

[Vraciu]

That's what I see.

Thank gawd.  The "cloud" was driving me nuts.