Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Custom Skins => Topic started by: Saxman on December 02, 2006, 09:55:36 PM
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Ok, like I did on my Birdcage skins, thought I'd start a new one for all the Hogs I'm working on.
First off, Vargas Cowgirl (White 8)
(http://vmf251-buccaneers.netprism.net/images/Skins/Vargas/Cowgirl4.png)
Side view, final fading/weathering.
(http://vmf251-buccaneers.netprism.net/images/Skins/Vargas/CowgirlTop2.png)
Top view. Still need to fix the guns, but otherwise done.
(http://vmf251-buccaneers.netprism.net/images/Skins/Vargas/CowgirlBottom2.png)
Bottom, showing off the Zinc Chromate Yellow landing gear wells. If anyone wants to use it let me know. I have it as a separate layer that can be easily cut-and-pasted in to any skin.
And a first look at Ike Kepford's White 29, c.1944:
(http://vmf251-buccaneers.netprism.net/images/Skins/Kepford/Kepford1.png)
Obviously I haven't started weathering on this bird yet. The roundels also need work and the prop spinner is still the wrong color. However the markings are all in place (excluding tail number).
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VF-17 guys gonna be in heaven of you and Fencer get your birds in to go with the default :)
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Maybe we shouldn't submitt them, we wouldn't want to populate a specific plane type with a specific fighter group's aircraft (cough 38s) would we Guppy ... :rolleyes: :rofl :aok
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Lol.
And now, the shot from the photo:
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Vargas/Wreck.png)
I couldn't get the angle quite right as the aircraft appears to be tilted up on its side (one wheel landing? Starboard gear collapsed?) But I think the black-and-white shows that I got the coloring and general weathering pretty close.
Cowgirl is now complete. Fixed the gunports, and added more shadow to the area behind the cowl flaps--I THOUGHT I had that done already, but for some reason it didn't keep on the last update.
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Some more of Kepford. Wings and horizontal stabs weathered.
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Kepford/Top.png)
The paint on Kepford's bird is in a MUCH better state than Vargas. The paint is faded but nowhere near as heavily, with little chipping on the wings except for the upper surfaces of the oil cooler.
Do need to tone down the smoke/powder streaks along the left wing. The roundel also needs to be faded some.
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Kepford/Bottom.png)
As above, the roundel is too bright and needs fading. The exhaust stains on the horizontal stab need evening out, and the smoke staining for the shell eject ports needs to be lightened up on the left wing.
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Ike Kepford, provisional final version:
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Kepford/Kepford2.png)
Fixed the spinner color (finally). This aircraft, as mentioned above, has paint in surprisingly good repair. This may be because VF-17 DID have individually assigned aircraft, so they may have had better maintenance opportunities. The killboard IS repeated on the starboard side, as well (there's a photo that shows it quite clearly)
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Kepford/Front.png)
The propeller blades, on the other hand, DID experience heavy wear, both on the leading and trailing surfaces (so the worn blades are visible from the interior, as well).
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Kepford/Top2.png)
Top view, showing the fading on the roundel
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Kepford/Bottom2.png)
Underneath, showing the heavy exhaust staining this aircraft experienced.
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Next up...
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Marines_Dream/MarinesDream.png)
VERY early. look.
Much like Vargas Cowgirl, Marine's Dream has a large, heavy "mystery stain" stretching along the fuselage (in this case the port side).
It's very light in color, to the point that many color plates mistakenly interpret this as part of the camouflage pattern!
Marine's Dream was also the prototypical grungy and banged-up South Pacific Corsair, so expect a lot of HEAVY weathering on this one.
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Got a question about this one. This is for an F4U-2 night-fighter, however we technically don't HAVE the F4U-2. On the other hand, the only difference between the F4U-2 and the standard F4U-1 birdcage was the addition of the radome.
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/VFN-101/VFN_101_n_.jpg)
What exactly are the rules on substitution in regards to skins? Some cases it seems "close enough" is allowed, while others are rejected. What's the story?
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Updates on Marine's Dream!
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Marines_Dream/Marines_Dream.png)
This aircraft was epitomizes the South Pacific land-based Corsair. She was a really quite heavily banged up. The photo I have indicates heavy oil/exhaust staining along the upper fuselage on the port side. In addition, a VERY heavy, light-colored "mystery stain" along the fuselage on that side has been mistakenly interpreted by many decal manufacturers as a high demarcation line in the camouflage.
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Marines_Dream/Marines_Dream3.png)
Starboard side. Note the "natural" demarcation between the two camo colors. Once again, heavy weathering is readily visible on all areas.
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Marines_Dream/Marines_Dream_Top.png)
Many areas of this aircraft have been over painted in colors OTHER than the original non-specular blue-gray. Other than the original modex number, it's known that the upper wing surfaces had at one point been over-sprayed by a darker color. My reference indicates either in intermediate blue or non-specular sea blue. I went with the latter. The canopy frame also appears to have been repainted in darker colors, and intermediate blue was used throughout for touch-up areas.
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Marines_Dream/Marines_Dream_Rear.png)
Another view of the port side, showing the long oil/smoke stain extending back along the fuselage.
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Marines_Dream/Bottom.png)
The color of the vertical is a point of some contention. Even though my primary reference indicates the aircraft was well-documented, I've found photos of the ACTUAL bird surprisingly difficult to come by. Most searches turn up the completely incorrect restored F4U-1D (not only the wrong model Hog, but they attribute her to WALSH, who never flew those markings!)
Secondary sources (color plates, decal sheets, etc) are split. Some give her the light gray tail, others the standard blue-gray. The vertical stab is missing in the photo I have, however close study of the remaining root appears to indicate that the vertical stab was a lighter color than the rest of the upper fuselage. So, either it was INDEED in the light gray, or the entire upper fuselage may have been over-sprayed in a darker color blue than the stab.
So unless someone can turn up inviolate proof that Marine's Dream had the blue-gray tail it's staying as is (for now. Obviously pending HTC's position).
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I might tone down the white tape used to tape the fuel tanks. Looks awfully bright. Same thing with the numbers on the fuselage and the fuselage insignia. Don't need to be dirty, but maybe a little faded?
Some very interesting looking paint variations, especially on the upper surface of the wings.
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I'll take a look at dirtying up the tape. Unfortunately, it's pretty hard to fade white.
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Just turn down the opacity if its on its own layer. Fades nicely that way. Or, try a more off-white or cream color. Personally, I just turn down the opacity.
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I like a slightly yellow/cream tinted grey. Very pale, but it makes a subtle difference.
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Will take a look. Somewhat more difficult to fix since sometime back in December I accidentally saved it with all the layers combined. :p
Incidentally, Stoney, it's not so much a paint variation in the case of the upper wing surfaces. Rather, it's a part of the extensive over spraying and touching up the aircraft was subjected to due to weathering. At the time the upper wing surfaces were over sprayed they were likely out of non-specular blue-gray so used whatever they had available. This was near the end of 1943, when the USN/MC began changing over to tricolor, so they probably only had stocks of intermediate and non-specular sea blue to work with. Even though the intermediate blue would have been closer, they may have gone to sea blue instead since that part of the plane was due to be repainted that color, anyway.
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Originally posted by Saxman
Somewhat more difficult to fix since sometime back in December I accidentally saved it with all the layers combined.
Same thing for the gradients used on my B17. Very hard to work on it after the fact.
Best suggestion would be a magic wand selection and a "Variations..." applied.
EDIT: By the way, is Marine's Dream a -1 or a -1A?
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Pretty low BuNo (02576) so my guess would be a -1. That, and it's the usual designation given in sources.
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Marines_Dream/Marines_Dream2.png)
Updated, trying to tone down the white of the modex numbers and fuel tank tape.
I need to fix the fuselage immediately aft of the cockpit.
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Originally posted by Krusty
EDIT: By the way, is Marine's Dream a -1 or a -1A?
I've got a picture of it balled up and its got a bird cage canopy. I'm pretty sure it was a -1.
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Originally posted by Saxman
Incidentally, Stoney, it's not so much a paint variation in the case of the upper wing surfaces.
Regardless, it has a very nice appearance, especially the fading. Combined with the dirt and grime, the upper wing looks very cool.
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Agreed. I'm definitely looking forward to it.
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Been working on a rough draft of a new skin, J.J. O'Connell's White 042 of VMF-321 "Hell's Angels."
I've got most of the markings done, so went to take a preview screen shot before weathering/fading and such.
This is what it's SUPPOSED to look like, and how it looks in the hangar:
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/OConnell/Correct.png)
However, when I went to take off, this is what it ACTUALLY looks like:
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/OConnell/Ghost.png)
What I don't get, is that it's ONLY the national insignia and base color layers that are doing it. Everything else is fine. It's also done on the same template I made for myself to use on Vargas Cowgirl and Kepford's bird, and obviously neither of those two had a problem. The only changes on the template was the slight variation in camo pattern on this bird, and the markings.
So what gives? WTF happened here?
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Well, obviously you've skinned Wonder Woman's Corsair...
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i have a similar problem
doing a 109 skin and when i spawn it out it is completely invisible except for the **** pit
i think my problem is im not changing the photo type back to indexed before saving so i am still in rgb mode so try that it might work
although i know you know more about skins than i do just figured id give my .02 cents
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Nope, it's in 8-bit color.
The thing is, many parts that ARE still normal (landing gear, engine, etc) on my template are part of the same layer as the fuselage and wing base colors.
So why are the fuselage and wings bathed in ectoplasm, but other parts on the same layer fully corporeal?
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that is really odd i have no answer for you i am just now working on my first skin and i keep running into brick wall after brick wall
but there is a plus to this wierd green glowing thing
submit it as a Halloween skin :p
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You screwed with the materials file. The mat files aren't loaded in the hangar.
Try putting the default back in.
This happens because among other things, the materials file includes color and alpha levels.
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Instructions, please, because I don't even know what the frell I could have done to mess with them in the first place as like I said, the ONLY thing I did was repaint the fuselage and add the aircraft's markings, no different from any other skin I've done.
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Okay, when you started the skin you right-clicked in the hangar and hit "Save default skin..."
Then you went into that default directory (it has no _1, _2, etc) and pulled the bitmaps out, and used them as templates.
Go back to that same default directory, look for a material.txt file. It has 3 or 4 lines in it with some numbers. COPY (don't move) this file to the _1 or _2 or whatever directory you're working in, that has this Wonder Woman plane effect.
That should fix it.
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HERE we go (thanks Krusty. The whole thing is odd 'cause there's no material file in the folder of ANY other skin I've done, and they all work fine). J.J. O'Connell's White 042 of VMF-321 "Hell's Angels." This is a first look with only (most of) the markings in place. No weathering/etc yet.
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/OConnell/OConnell.png)
I don't really have much on this bird, primarily decal references and a BuNo. Any known photos would be appreciated.
This aircraft was stationed aboard the USS Kwajalein in 1944, so don't expect the heavy fading/weathering as on Vargas Cowgirl or Marine's Dream. However rather than being notable for a dilapidated appearance, she instead has some more unusual markings, with the white on leading edge of the vertical stab and the bars on the horizontal stabs. The naked angel squadron insignia is also clearly visible on the forward fuselage. Also unusual for a Marine Corps bird, White 042 appears to have actually been assigned TO a specific pilot (in this case, Lt. O'Connell. Perhaps an advantage to being stationed aboard a carrier rather than a strip of dirt, crushed coral and steel mat barely-recognizable as an airfield.
I've seen decal references for another VMF-321 bird, Heavenly Body, I may do as well.
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I really like the yellow zinc chromate. The second one has a nice looking vertical stabilizer. Good work!
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My next project:
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Boyington/883.jpg)
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Boyington/pappyrealcorsair.jpg)
This was one of a couple aircraft known to have been flown by Boyington in combat. Unlike the more famous "Lucybelle," this bird is typical of the weather-beaten F4Us assigned to Marine squadrons in the South Pacific.
If anyone knows of other photos of #883 I would very much appreciate them.
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(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Boyington/Pappy1.png)
Here's a preview of "White 883" of VMF-214. Among his many quirks, Boyington was well-known for picking the worst-looking bird in the lineup so the younger pilots wouldn't feel so bad about the banged-up and jungle-abused aircraft in the base's inventory. White 883 CERTAINLY fits the bill as one nasty-looking bird, and is one of a number of aircraft Boyington was known to have flown in combat (he scored at least one kill flying this aircraft).
The aircraft is HEAVILY faded, and had received touch-up paint in a number of places. It appears that at some point significant parts of the upper fuselage had been oversprayed, however that TOO had heavily faded by the time the picture was taken. In addition, fuel leaking from the main tanks has largely eaten away at the paint around the cockpit on the starboard side (I added similar patches on the other side, and will likely do some on the wing tanks, as well. The ONLY two pictures I have of this bird are from the port side. If ANYONE knows of more that show the other side PLEASE let me know!)
The patterns of old and recent over-spraying give a number of areas a distinctively mottled appearance, which will be magnified once the actual weathering is completed. Near as I can figure this is a VERY dirty bird. The modex numbers on the front landing gear doors appear to be entirely obscured by mud. Oil and smoke staining on the upper fuselage appears light, however the only photo showing the cowl area is heavily shadowed (again, more pics PLEASE!)
To do:
Fade the roundels. While the modex numbers appear to be relatively fresh(ly repainted) the roundels on the sides, and particularly the upper wing, will need to be faded.
The wings and vert/horizontal stabs need to receive the same "overspray" treatment. And as I said, there will be at least some of the same removed paint on the wing fuel tanks.
General weathering. This bird may rival Marine's Dream one the grunge-o-meter.
Panel lines will also be faded.
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Some more of Pappy
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Boyington/PappyLeft.png)
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Boyington/PappyNose.png)
Once again, still haven't gotten to the point of actually WEATHERING this bird yet. Everything here is effects in the paint, specifically varying degrees of fading in old touch-up work.
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I really like what you've got so far.
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Very impressive!
Keep up the good work.
"You too crusty ":aok
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Thank ye, gents.
The F4U skin lineup would just be barren without Boyington. :D
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(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Boyington/Liftoff.png)
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Boyington/PappyLeft2.png)
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Boyington/PappyTop.png)
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Boyington/PappyDirty.png)
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Boyington/PappyFire.png)
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/Boyington/PappySunset.png)
I think the screens speak for themselves. :D
I may still muddy up the underside of the fuselage more, but other than that I think she's done.
Pappy
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Currently working on getting O'Connell's bird (VMF-321) done, and will be finishing up Marine's Dream. however I'm also planning on starting this one:
(http://www.hereontheweb.com/images/Current/VMF214Originalsmall.jpg)
Note that while the underside of the right wing has the later star-and-bar roundel, the lower left wing has the older, barless roundel! I need to see if there's a pic out there showing whether the upper-right wing is similarly marked.
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JJ O'Connell's White 042
This aircraft was embarked aboard the USS Kwajalein in 1944, and SOMEWHERE on the net there's a photograph of this particular bird. The skin was based on a plastic model painted based on that photo, unfortunately the guy who built it no longer has the picture and is unsure of where it is.
In the photo, 042 is in remarkably clean condition for an F4U in the Pacific, likely owing to being aboard a carrier, rather than stationed at a land base at the time. Kwajalein was an Escort Carrier, so it's possible she was ferrying VMF-321 into the warzone, which could account for the cleaner paint job on this aircraft.
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/OConnell/Flattop.png)
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/OConnell/Top.png)
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/OConnell/Bottom.png)
(http://saxman.xwlegacy.net/AcesHigh/OConnell/Landing.png)
VMF-321 launched from the Kwajalein for airstrikes against Rota, after which the squadron relocated to Guam and likely from there developed the more ubiquitous faded and banged-up appearance of USMC land-based Hogs.