Lt. Hjalmar Johnsen - P-51D "The Brat III" (9D*J) - 370th FG, 401st FS

[Vraciu]

Thanks guys.   I'm glad to do it.   You're most welcome.

One thing I really enjoy about the Custom Skins forum is all the support, praise, constructive criticism, research, cooperation, etc. from everyone be they skinners (active or inactive) or players.   It's a neat dynamic that brings out the best in everyone here--even you, Shuffler.

 

[perdue3]

Is there a war time photo of this airplane?

[Vraciu]

Is there a war time photo of this airplane?

There are three.  Two show an OD anti-glare panel the third doesn't show the panel at all since it is taken from head-on.

Cavanaugh restored it in black (they also did not paint the cowling side grills black, which they were).  When it was in Swiss service it had a black anti-glare panel so it acquired one eventually, however, the only actual wartime photos I have of it are OD so that's how I drew it.   Another plane in the squadron from the same time frame also has OD anti-glare.

By the end of the war the squadron itself had quite a variety of paneling from black to blue to OD.

At some point it looked like this Mustang so that's what I went with.   If a wartime photo showing black anti-glare is found I'll update it.

[perdue3]

The two yellow colors on the propeller and spinner look the same (insignia yellow). The tail color is impossible to determine in that picture. I think your spinner yellow is a shade too light and/or bright. Perhaps making it match the blades would be good?

[Vraciu]

The two yellow colors on the propeller and spinner look the same (insignia yellow). The tail color is impossible to determine in that picture. I think your spinner yellow is a shade too light and/or bright. Perhaps making it match the blades would be good?

It's already been submitted.

Yellow is the hardest color in the game to get right other than black.  You'll just have to fly it and see.

Oboe seemed to like it and he has a good eye so let's just see...   I think the yellow rings true, personally.

[Vraciu]

(And thanks for the feedback, as always.)   

[perdue3]

It certainly matches the restored version.




But, I think they got the color wrong, too.

[Vraciu]

It's the best yellow I've ever managed in this game...

Lighting is dynamic.    What looks good at 1200 looks weird at 1600 and vice versa.  It's the nature of the beast.

Like anything, it is a series of compromises.  Sometimes you have no perfect option.

The photos show a deep/dark yellow.    I think I came in right on the money.

[perdue3]

It's the best yellow I've ever managed in this game...

Lighting is dynamic.    What looks good at 1200 looks weird at 1600 and vice versa.  It's the nature of the beast.

Like anything, it is a series of compromises.  Sometimes you have no perfect option.

The photos show a deep/dark yellow.    I think I came in right on the money.

Maybe. In the shadow it looks like the right color and in light it looks way too light a shade. I suppose that is the game.

[Vraciu]

Maybe. In the shadow it looks like the right color and in light it looks way too light a shade. I suppose that is the game.

You have to hit the color that looks right the most often.

Ask the other guys.  They'll tell you how hard this is.

[perdue3]

You have to hit the color that looks right the most often.

Ask the other guys.  They'll tell you how hard this is.

I don't doubt it. Just calling it like I see it.

[Vraciu]

I don't doubt it. Just calling it like I see it.

I disagree here.

You can't tell a color from a fixed shot.  You have to fly it around offline and maneuver it in every possible way at all different times of day to get an idea of what it is doing.

The graphics engine limits what you can do by its very nature.   You work within the parameters of the environment provided.

[lyric1]

Here is a 21st fighter group P-51 WWII colour image forget what squadron at the moment.

Edit: 72ND fighter squadron.

[Vraciu]

Here is a 21st fighter group P-51 WWII colour image forget what squadron at the moment.

(Image removed from quote.)

You are something else, bro.   

[Vraciu]

Perd, here's a sneak preview for you.   May as well give you a head start on all your complaints so I'll have a chance to maybe fix them.   

Should have it finished in time for the next release.  It's about 85% complete here...   None of the spec maps are done so ignore that aspect for sure.


    WORK IN PROGRESS 



    

   

https://postimg.cc/gallery/Ktjy189

This could wind up as my best B yet.  I've really thrown a lot of things into it that I've learned from all these skins lately...