Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Custom Skins => Topic started by: whiteman on October 04, 2020, 09:52:01 PM

Title: WIP FG-1A BuNo 14056 VMF-121 "Mary" What Color???
Post by: whiteman on October 04, 2020, 09:52:01 PM
This is USMC Ace Major Francis Pierce plane named after his wife. I've wasted much of the weekend changing colors on this and may still have it wrong. The color profile i have shows it looks a total Intermediate blue or a faded sea blue with little difference between. Only thing I'm sure of are the yellow lettering and numbers along with the Sea blue backing "Mary"

This is what i have with only dirt layers, panel line and rivet blurs and some other color variations thrown in. Long way to go but want to get the main color set before going any further.

(https://www.worldwarphotos.info/wp-content/gallery/usa/aircrafts/f4u/USMC_Ace_Major_Francis_Pierce_VMF-121_FG-1A_Peleliu_1944.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50420518371_d1d56f7722_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jPukug)mary2 (https://flic.kr/p/2jPukug) by whitemanLS1 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/94381131@N04/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50419827773_f294d1d046_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jPqNcp)mary1 (https://flic.kr/p/2jPqNcp) by whitemanLS1 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/94381131@N04/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50420518391_d071c9369b_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jPukuB)mary3 (https://flic.kr/p/2jPukuB) by whitemanLS1 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/94381131@N04/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50419827753_9590219531_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jPqNc4)mary4 (https://flic.kr/p/2jPqNc4) by whitemanLS1 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/94381131@N04/), on Flickr
Title: Re: WIP FG-1A BuNo 14056 VMF-121 "Mary" What Color???
Post by: Devil 505 on October 04, 2020, 10:54:30 PM
That looks real good. I think the faded Sea Blue looks just fine. Just extend the Sea Blue lower on the leading edge to match the photo and you should be good go go.
Title: Re: WIP FG-1A BuNo 14056 VMF-121 "Mary" What Color???
Post by: lyric1 on October 04, 2020, 11:55:56 PM
 :aok
Title: Re: WIP FG-1A BuNo 14056 VMF-121 "Mary" What Color???
Post by: Vraciu on October 05, 2020, 05:45:34 AM
I like the blue a lot. 

Can't comment on the rest as I'm not a Hog scheme expert.    Are the numbers yellow?
Title: Re: WIP FG-1A BuNo 14056 VMF-121 "Mary" What Color???
Post by: whiteman on October 05, 2020, 07:52:07 AM
That looks real good. I think the faded Sea Blue looks just fine. Just extend the Sea Blue lower on the leading edge to match the photo and you should be good go go.
I usually find I have to go back add the white to the leading edge, thanks!

I like the blue a lot. 

Can't comment on the rest as I'm not a Hog scheme expert.    Are the numbers yellow?

The only common thing between profiles, modelers and books is the yellow. It seems to be believed that it was used by other Marine squads as well but translated as a worn white from pictures. Some even using green on edges but mistaken for as a blue. VF-17 original first tour planes even had the first 18 inches of the propeller painted, looking at pictures I’d never be able to tell.
Title: Re: WIP FG-1A BuNo 14056 VMF-121 "Mary" What Color???
Post by: Greebo on October 05, 2020, 10:04:47 AM
I think it might actually be a really dirty, faded and patched three colour scheme. There is what could be Sea Blue/Intermediate Blue division above the white on the leading edge of the wing where it bends. Also a hint of one on the centre line of the fuselage going horizontally back from the cowl and curling down onto the wing. I admit these are very faint though and a two colour scheme is also a possibility.
Title: Re: WIP FG-1A BuNo 14056 VMF-121 "Mary" What Color???
Post by: Mister Fork on October 05, 2020, 10:38:04 AM
Does this image help?

I don't actually think it's faded blue but just dusty and quite dark.

(https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=401342.0;attach=33341)
Title: Re: WIP FG-1A BuNo 14056 VMF-121 "Mary" What Color???
Post by: Vraciu on October 05, 2020, 07:36:44 PM
That's definitely dusty.

In Nigeria our jets get like that sometimes.   Sand is sand.   It gets on EVERYTHING.
Title: Re: WIP FG-1A BuNo 14056 VMF-121 "Mary" What Color???
Post by: whiteman on October 06, 2020, 01:38:08 PM
Damn you dirt!!!! The way the lower cowling looks I'm wondering if it is a 2 color scheme and they used stippling to blend down to the white.
Title: Re: WIP FG-1A BuNo 14056 VMF-121 "Mary" What Color???
Post by: Mister Fork on October 06, 2020, 02:09:34 PM
Damn you dirt!!!! The way the lower cowling looks I'm wondering if it is a 2 color scheme and they used stippling to blend down to the white.

It definitely does look like that.  I'm wondering if a dark navy blue for a layer, then a very light brown to give it that 'blue-jeans' look?

Bottom - it does look like stippling underneath - especially the cowling.

Here's another dusty F4U + sunbleached
(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/36/cf/df/36cfdf7e3cf8c32607652841aadafd42.jpg)

Pretty good color image of the F4U (carrier - clean)
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B7-TjOvdBDk/Tf376jaltAI/AAAAAAAABR4/cpp8bpQkxgc/s1600/F4U-4+VF-871+Korea+web.jpg)
Title: Re: WIP FG-1A BuNo 14056 VMF-121 "Mary" What Color???
Post by: Vraciu on October 06, 2020, 03:09:14 PM
Navy birds get grimy, too.  Look at how knackered a Marine Hornet looks on the boat...
Title: Re: WIP FG-1A BuNo 14056 VMF-121 "Mary" What Color???
Post by: Mister Fork on October 07, 2020, 09:32:06 AM
Navy birds get grimy, too.  Look at how knackered a Marine Hornet looks on the boat...

Yeah, you can especially see the grime underneath the folded wing - salty water residue for sure. I'm wondering if the oil vapours from the radial engine that would spread south onto the body of the aircraft could cause the dust and grime to stick to the airplane even more?
Title: Re: WIP FG-1A BuNo 14056 VMF-121 "Mary" What Color???
Post by: Vraciu on October 07, 2020, 09:36:15 AM
Yeah, you can especially see the grime underneath the folded wing - salty water residue for sure. I'm wondering if the oil vapours from the radial engine that would spread south onto the body of the aircraft could cause the dust and grime to stick to the airplane even more?

I would say yes.  And all the grease and things the wrenchers get on everything.  Yuck!  LOL
Title: Re: WIP FG-1A BuNo 14056 VMF-121 "Mary" What Color???
Post by: Arlo on October 07, 2020, 09:40:47 AM
A major difference between AH skinners and skinners in other communities: every molecule of dust, every scratch on the paint, every splash of oil in a picture counts. It reflects an attention to detail that makes skins in other games look like toys or (non-experienced built) models by comparison. (And that is appreciated!) Keep up the good work, guys.  :)
Title: Re: WIP FG-1A BuNo 14056 VMF-121 "Mary" What Color???
Post by: Puma44 on October 08, 2020, 11:52:20 AM
The weather faded blue is very realistic!  Nicely done? :aok
Title: Re: WIP FG-1A BuNo 14056 VMF-121 "Mary" What Color???
Post by: whiteman on October 08, 2020, 10:53:07 PM
Went and uglied it up.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50440250942_c901e12cb8_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jReti1)mary5 (https://flic.kr/p/2jReti1) by whitemanLS1 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/94381131@N04/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50439381388_49bbfdf054_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jRa1NG)mary6 (https://flic.kr/p/2jRa1NG) by whitemanLS1 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/94381131@N04/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50440077881_f12288eb9f_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jRdzRc)mary7 (https://flic.kr/p/2jRdzRc) by whitemanLS1 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/94381131@N04/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50440250982_1d73690bbb_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jRetiG)mary8 (https://flic.kr/p/2jRetiG) by whitemanLS1 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/94381131@N04/), on Flickr
Title: Re: WIP FG-1A BuNo 14056 VMF-121 "Mary" What Color???
Post by: Devil 505 on October 08, 2020, 11:21:55 PM
I like it.
Title: Re: WIP FG-1A BuNo 14056 VMF-121 "Mary" What Color???
Post by: Arlo on October 09, 2020, 08:11:39 AM
And then along comes MaryYYyyeeeee,  :D
Title: Re: WIP FG-1A BuNo 14056 VMF-121 "Mary" What Color???
Post by: Greebo on October 09, 2020, 09:17:00 AM
The increased level of dirt are definitely an improvement, nice job.
Title: Re: WIP FG-1A BuNo 14056 VMF-121 "Mary" What Color???
Post by: Nefarious on October 09, 2020, 09:38:28 AM
Amazing work.

Your Corsairs are Outstanding.