Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Custom Skins => Topic started by: Gianlupo on February 09, 2008, 05:43:01 AM
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Hello there, fellow AHers.
I'm here for a request: we don't have many Italian planes (and I'm afraid we won't for a while), but can we have more Italian skins?
Well, you'll say, we just have a couple of planes and they already have enough skins.... to which I reply: Italians didn't fly only their own planes, but even foreigner ones...
Indeed, you can skin Bf 109s, Stukas and even Spitfires and P-39!
Here you have some skins you could do:
(http://images.stage6.com/user_images/g/gianchi/47ad8e8096468.jpg)
(http://images.stage6.com/user_images/g/gianchi/47ad8e5355d4d.jpg)
(http://images.stage6.com/user_images/g/gianchi/47ad8e2954756.jpg)
(http://images.stage6.com/user_images/g/gianchi/47ad890e2bc31.jpg)
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And:
(http://images.stage6.com/user_images/g/gianchi/47ad8d277ca67.jpg)
(http://images.stage6.com/user_images/g/gianchi/47ad8d8e64692.jpg)
(http://images.stage6.com/user_images/g/gianchi/47ad8c0401f5d.jpg)
(http://images.stage6.com/user_images/g/gianchi/47ad8afeb0f5d.jpg)
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(http://images.stage6.com/user_images/g/gianchi/47ad89cbd2897.jpg)
(http://images.stage6.com/user_images/g/gianchi/47ad88228a938.jpg)
Note: the images I uploaded were in higher res... can't understand what happened to them... if you're interested, I can send you the originals.
I have others, before posting them I want to see if you're interested. :)
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White 5 is really neat. The high water mark goes really well with the plane's lines.
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Yellow 8 is not bad, too. The group insignia is very cool, IMHO:
(http://images.stage6.com/user_images/g/gianchi/47ad87269d5bd.jpg) (or this way) (http://images.stage6.com/user_images/g/gianchi/47ad873e6469e.jpg)
Unfortunately, Stage6 has cropped the pictures, I think I'll re-upload them at PH...
There are other nice skins (pre- and post- Armistice) that could be added.... Anyone wants to make them? :)
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I think the thread subject is horribly misleading....
:)
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Do you have any photos of Italian planes from other angles? Im curious as to what kind of pattern there would be on the upper wing. And, did they use German colors?
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I can skin one of the Spits if you like Gianlupo. Won't be able to do it for two or three weeks though.
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It would be great, Greebo! :) Don't worry, I'm not in a hurry, I've waited for so much time, I can wait the canonical 2 weeks! ;)
Motherland, I'll post as many picture as I can... meanwhile, this site is good start:
Regia Aeronautica Italiana (http://www.finn.it/regia/index.htm)
Unfortunately it's only in Italian for now. Scroll down the page, click on the link with the C.202 (left column) and you'll find the page about WWII... in the upper right, clicking on "Stranieri" you'll find picture of foreign planes flown by Italy and Italian plane in foreign service. Unfortunately, most of the pictures are b/w.
The camo of the 109s use the same colours of the Germans.
Soulyss.... errr... misleading in what way? :p
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Some pictures I have. (http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/8840/scan7sm1.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)(http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3897/scan6uk2.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
(http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3897/scan6uk2.6432895fae.jpg) (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=514&i=scan6uk2.jpg)
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A couple hours of work on Yellow 8....
(http://images.stage6.com/user_images/g/gianchi/47ad8e2954756.jpg)
(http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t5/AK_Comrade/ahss63-1.jpg)
(http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t5/AK_Comrade/ahss62.jpg)
(http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t5/AK_Comrade/ahss61.jpg)
(http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t5/AK_Comrade/ahss60.jpg)
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Fixed up the nose a bit...
(http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t5/AK_Comrade/ahss72.jpg)
(http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t5/AK_Comrade/ahss73.jpg)
Why is it that in no shot can I get the white band on the spinner that was such a PITA to map?
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Hers my Model G.55:
(http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh198/mniezelski/DSC_0178CROPPED.jpg)
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I've been debating with myself of giving skinning a try, who knows mabey Ill try the Black Ju 87 unknown.
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Motherland: it's great, thank you! :) Just one little error: the fasces. Those are the one used before September 1943, after that, the ANR used this insignia, over and under the wings (sorry, the picture I posted isn't clear about that):
(http://www.samoloty.ow.pl/zr/zr059.gif)
as you can see in this model:
(http://www.stormomagazine.com/ModelArticles/Me109G14AS/DSCF0016.JPG)
Lyric, thanks for the profiles, I don't have that Osprey volume. :)
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Originally posted by Gianlupo
Motherland: it's great, thank you! :) Just one little error: the fasces. Those are the one used before September 1943, after that, the ANR used this insignia, over and under the wings (sorry, the picture I posted isn't clear about that):
(http://www.samoloty.ow.pl/zr/zr059.gif)
as you can see in this model:
(http://www.stormomagazine.com/ModelArticles/Me109G14AS/DSCF0016.JPG)
Lyric, thanks for the profiles, I don't have that Osprey volume. :)
Ok, thanks. They looked a bit 'square' in the profile but I wasnt sure, and I couldnt find one like that.
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Gianlupo, do you have any photos of the 51 Gruppo Spits?
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Greebo, I have only B/W photos, and not close ups... I don't know if they can be of any use. But tell me if you want me to post them.
Btw, here's a close up of the Spits' Stormo insignia:
(http://images.stage6.com/user_images/g/gianchi/47b041de0465c.jpg)
And, for ANR planes, Motherland, a better view of their insignias:
(http://images.stage6.com/user_images/g/gianchi/47b04232a0462.jpg)
Yellow 8 has Type C variation fasces.
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Please do Gianlupo, it might help with the position and size of wing roundels etc. Also it gives me another source I can show to HTC when I send it in.
BTW are the colours the same as the RAF desert scheme? The underneath colour on the paintings looks too pale to be Azure blue, but it could just be artistic license.
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Ok, here they are:
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/gianlupo/Italian_SpitVb1.jpg)
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/gianlupo/Italian_SpitVb2.jpg)
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/gianlupo/Italian_SpitVb3.jpg)
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/gianlupo/Italian_SpitVb4.jpg)
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/gianlupo/Italian_SpitVb5.jpg)
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/gianlupo/Italian_SpitVb6.jpg)
As for the colours, I'm not sure. I guess they're RAF standard ones, but I can't be sure. For sure, I can tell you those Spits were in service with RAF and then Yugoslavian Air Force, before being shipped in Italy.
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Funny. I was just looking at an Italian spitfire profile in a book the other day. Then I see this! Motherland, PM inbound.
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Thanks Gianlupo, those photos were way better than I was hoping for.
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Thank YOU, gents! I didn't hope for such a quick response to my request. :)
Btw, I made a Photobucket account, they don't shrink res of pictures like Stage6 does, if you want me to re-post some of the profile at their full res, tell me, I'll do it.
Krusty, you're one of the first who did Italian skins, want to give us some more? ;)
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I wanted to do some Italian markings on LW craft, but lately I don't have much skinning time. I've had to drop a lot of skinning projects I wanted to do (including some P-47s). I've got 2 skins partially done, and once I'm done with those I might do something else.
Let's not forget the B-25 and P-39 skins I'll be drooling over, as well!
Let's just say "I'll think about it" but if anybody else wants to do 'em don't wait for me!
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Gianlupo, your PM box is full.
I agree with Husky on the black Stuka.
I have been thinking about trying this skining stuff, but could not find anything that I wanted to do. Just this morning I decided that I needed to find a Stuka, since a JU-87G was the first model that I ever built. An then, mere hours later, I see your post. I think it is fate.
I doubt that I would ever get finished, or that I have anywhere near the skill to do something worthy of submission, but it might be a fun way to waste a bunch of time. So don't let this stop anyone else from doing it, becasue I want to take out a Tiger in my black Stuka as soon as possible!
Clear out your PM box and I'll give you my e-mail so you can send whatever you have on the black Stuka.
Nice Avatar, btw :aok
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PM box has room, now. :)
But I'm afraid I have to disappoint you, the Stuka is not black, it's a the standard dark green of Italian planes based on national soil, similar to the one you see in Lyric's profiles. My scans are a bit too dark, I'm afraid.
Anyway, if you still feel like doing it, PM me, I'll mail you what I have.
P.S. The avatar gratefully thanks you. :D
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The dark green disappoints me, but I have a couple of Stuka books on the way to help. I have also already started on my panel lines, so if I am going to make the backbone of the skin anyway, I might as well start with the Italian one.
That blotchey and dark default skin is a beast to decipher. I made another background with inverted colors, and between that and screenshots of the other skins in close-up, I think I can make it work. I can already see that the conversion back to 8 bit BMP is going to be an issue, but maybe I'll get there. It is already kind of neat to fly my test changes offline and see what it looks like.
PM sent
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Hi!
My new skin (WIP)
I need more reference....
(http://images30.fotosik.pl/158/580d157ac297d176.jpg) (http://www.fotosik.pl)
(http://images23.fotosik.pl/157/5caf9fabcdbfcbee.jpg) (http://www.fotosik.pl)
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What are you basing that off of?
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Originally posted by Krusty
What are you basing that off of?
www.aircraftresourcecenter.com
The model depicts K-4 3a Sq./I Gruppo Caccia, 3-17, W. Nr. 330209 present at Lonate Pozzolo on March 1945. The plane sports the RLM 81/83/76 camouflage scheme with 75/82 rudder and a white spiral on a black spinner.
(http://images24.fotosik.pl/158/934dd348b2e88d09.jpg) (http://www.fotosik.pl)
(http://images24.fotosik.pl/158/c7be9e7cf6972219.jpg) (http://www.fotosik.pl)
or look there:
http://www.stormomagazine.com/ModelArticles/Me109K4/Bf109K4_1a.html
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Nice work Kazan.. You should include some close shots of the skins you make too.
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Hello, Kazan, nice work there!
Unfortunately, I'm afraid I can't be of much help with that skin... as for the Spits, I have some B/W pictures of Italian G10s, but I think they're worse than the Spits' ones. Anyway, if you want me to post them, just tell me.
As for the work you've done, comparing it with that model, I'd say you have to use a lighter tone of green (but I'm not an expert skinner, so take my advice with a grain of salt!), and the white crosses on the wings should be done with the same azure-gray of the fuselage, with white outlines and with the Type C variant fasces (see the picture I linked above). Other than this, really nice skin, thanks for taking the time to do an Italian one. :)
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As a general note, be wary of using built models as references. Sometimes they are not accurate. Sometimes they mix 1 paint scheme with other decals (I've seen this on several 109s). If you can find, say, a decal scan showing the same paint scheme that would also be helpful, or some other reference to it. Just using one model is kind of shaky ground (if you had to prove that this skin really existed).
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I've skinned the 51 Stormo Spit and uploaded it to The AH Skin Department (http://www.ah-skins.com/).
(http://www.ah-skins.com/skins/screenshot471.jpg)
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Nice Greebo.
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Originally posted by Greebo
I've skinned the 51 Stormo Spit and uploaded it to The AH Skin Department (http://www.ah-skins.com/).
(http://www.ah-skins.com/skins/screenshot471.jpg)
ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!
Thank you, Greebo! :)
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I flew it, today, Greebo, it's so sweet! :) Great job, again! I really hope it will make it in the next skin update!
Motherland, Kazan, any word on your skins?
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small update :)
(http://images23.fotosik.pl/167/9f6c602574503be8.jpg) (http://www.fotosik.pl)
(http://images33.fotosik.pl/162/9760892dc3cecdf5.jpg) (http://www.fotosik.pl)
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Woot! :)
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Well, Im better late than never. Im finally posting in this thread per our conversation earlier Gian. Man this is WAY overdue! I am glad to see some Regia Aeronautica skins, since the powers that be deem the addition of their planes a non factor. Let me know if or when one gets approved and is usable in game.
BTW maby next time Gian I will be able to fly with you longer, I had to leave my wife and kid were calling for me.
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Np, Daddy, I'm sure we'll find another horde to defeat! ;)
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Wow, that is one very unique 109 paint job.
Keep it up.
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Kazan, just one think I've noticed. You should use the broken-square type fasces, the ones here labeled as Type C Variation... check the pictures of that model again, they look like I'm saying.
(http://images.stage6.com/user_images/g/gianchi/47b04232a0462.jpg)
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Any new status reports for the Italian skins?
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I am still piddling with the Italian Stuka, but my progress is very poor.
I have completed the raw LH fuselage panel lines. I feel that they are an improvement from the original, but I am still not happy with them. I am, however, content that they are as good as I can do within the limits of my skill and the game model. I never thought that I would complain that a pixel is too big. After 2-3 hours of work, I keep deciding that a certain line is 1 pixel off, and therefore all of the previous lines are 1 pixel off, and they all must be re-drawn. The raw panel lines are probably the easiest part to complete, so if you extrapolate my progress to completion…
I doubt the eventual result will be worthy of submission. So if anyone wants to do it, please feel free.
Oh, and how do I get those @#%$@# decals to go away? I have renamed both files, and deleted both files (JU87ART and JU87ART_a), yet the decals persist.
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/1144_1205080582_stukastage01.jpg)
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Paint the fueselage, change the panel lines to black, and then mess with the opacity until they're very light, but you can still see them.... I haven't worked with any of the 256 bmps though. Only the 1024 bmps of 109's and 190's..
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A one pixel panel line would probably be over an inch wide in RL, even at 1024 res. Reducing the panel line layer opacity creates an optical illusion which fools the eye into thinking the lines are much narrower.
One thing I find helps with editing panel lines is to create seperate layers for the vertical lines and horizontal lines. That way, you can move a vertical line one pixel to the right without disturbing the horizontal lines above and below it.
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how in the heck did this great thread get buried soo deep? Any progression on the Italian skins?
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Luckily you're here, Daddy! :) Well, I hope the work is progressing... I can tell you that, maybe, it some of the terrains for SEA, we may have some planes skinned as Italian bombers... nothing set, for now, but it's a possibility. ;)
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BTW, Gian, I submitted 'Yellow 8' last Friday :aok
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Wtg! :rock
Any new picture of it? :)
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Ja... (what is Italian for 'yes'?)
(http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t5/AK_Comrade/ahss28-2.jpg)
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Ja... (what is Italian for 'yes'?)
It's "si" ;) Nice job!
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nice, I like it. Want to fly it. :salute
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Update, maybe finished...
(http://images23.fotosik.pl/196/4b6fdef96e76c826.jpg) (http://www.fotosik.pl)
(http://images30.fotosik.pl/197/43766d8851379c71.jpg) (http://www.fotosik.pl)
(http://images25.fotosik.pl/196/3b8e9894192bcc4d.jpg) (http://www.fotosik.pl)
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I think that RLM 76 looks a little too bright.
Something about your tail splotches doesn't look right either. The contrast is too stark.
Also, you've gone too far forward on the fuselage with the colours.
Look immediately aft of the prop spinner, that small section should be painted the same colour as the spinner as it actually rotated with the prop in-game.
Can you post any larger, higher quality shots of the skins? It's hard to pick the fine details with those images.
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Late RLM 76 had other version (example "yellow" RLM76).
Last update... Thx help Xasthur.
(http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/894/ahss26ka1.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
(http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/5025/ahss27ak0.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
(http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/297/ahss28jn8.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
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I think your rivets are too dark. They were mostly very flush and discrete.
Also, there were no rivets on the upper surface of the horizontal stabilisers.
Your upper wing Italian markings could do with a little bit of weathering.... they look too digital. Try using a colour that is not quite as black or go over it with a bit of dark brown mottling or something. Even if you want a 'fresh' paint look, that will make it look less digital.
Other than that, it's looking great mate. Well done.
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You have rights. No rivets on upper surface of H-stab. And ANR markings too dark.My fault.... :o . Thx You are Great :)
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Your upper wing Italian markings could do with a little bit of weathering.... they look too digital. Try using a colour that is not quite as black or go over it with a bit of dark brown mottling or something. Even if you want a 'fresh' paint look, that will make it look less digital.
Another thing, Kazan: the white outline of the Balken Kreuz (the German cross) are too well outlined, too "digital" as Archaius says. You should "wash them out", as they are in the pictures of the model you posted earlier. Other than that, it's a wonderful skin, can't wait to have them all in the game. :)
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That's one of the nicest schemes I have seen for the 109 Kazan, good job. :aok
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Last update and FINISH! :)
Archaius (help) ,Gianlupo, Borgo ( inspiration) and others THX Guys.
(http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/1607/ahss30hi6.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
(http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/2738/ahss31rg7.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
(http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/9761/ahss32bm4.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
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Excellent job!
That looks much, much better. Thos Italian wing markings look awesome now, so does the verticle stabiliser. I look forward to using it in-game!
Way to go mate.
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As I said, can't wait to have it in the game! :aok
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Me too, Can't wait. Good work :aok
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here we go i found them
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Another Italians 109K? Gianlupo i need information about this plane..Please
(http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/168/bf109k472jh5am0.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
(http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/6621/bf109k472jh2hc7.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)