Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Custom Skins => Topic started by: FTJR on June 26, 2007, 09:05:53 PM

Title: Question about decals
Post by: FTJR on June 26, 2007, 09:05:53 PM
I noticed that American fighter have some sort of decal regarding the type and serial usually on the left hand side of the plane near the wing root.

Can someone tell me what that is and what it says, or better yet a photo?

Im looking to add it to my eternal chore skin.

Thanks
Title: Question about decals
Post by: Guppy35 on June 27, 2007, 12:32:22 AM
That's the aircraft Data Block looking something like this.

U.S. ARMY P51C-10NT
SERIAL NO. AAF 43-106730
CREW WEIGHT 200 LBS.
SERVICE THIS AIRPLANE WITH
GRADE 100/130 FUEL. IF NOT
AVAILALABLE T.O. 06-5-1 WILL BE
CONSULTED FOR EMERGENCY ACTION
SUITABLE FOR AROMATIC FUEL
Title: Question about decals
Post by: Guppy35 on June 27, 2007, 12:36:52 AM
This is my neverending P51B profile that I keep working on trying to super detail it.

You can see the data block.  The + means it has a fuselage fuel tank installed.

67 referred to the hydraulic fuel it used. etc

I cropped it so I could post it bigger.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/GodfreySilver3.jpg)
Title: Question about decals
Post by: FTJR on June 27, 2007, 06:04:02 AM
As always thanks Dan. Do you know if British Mustangs carried that? or a similar version?

TIA
Title: Question about decals
Post by: Guppy35 on June 27, 2007, 12:21:27 PM
Quote
Originally posted by FTJR
As always thanks Dan. Do you know if British Mustangs carried that? or a similar version?

TIA


I don't believe so,  Spits didn't have a data block.  Hurri's didn't.  Any photos I've seen of RAF Mustangs also didn't show it.

I believe it was just a  USAAF practice as USN birds don't have it either.
Title: Question about decals
Post by: FTJR on June 28, 2007, 04:22:44 AM
Thanks again Dan, I must have imagined it.

:)
Title: Question about decals
Post by: FTJR on July 05, 2007, 12:11:26 PM
Hey Dan,

I was just looking back at a picture of 3 RAAF CV-P you posted for me from one of your books. On the left hand side of the fuselage there appears to be what looks like a Data Block. Would you agree?

TIA
Title: Question about decals
Post by: Guppy35 on July 05, 2007, 12:30:36 PM
Quote
Originally posted by FTJR
Hey Dan,

I was just looking back at a picture of 3 RAAF CV-P you posted for me from one of your books. On the left hand side of the fuselage there appears to be what looks like a Data Block. Would you agree?

TIA


Yep, sure does.  Looking at other silver RAF or RAAF birds I only see one other photo so far that show one as well.  It doesn't appear to be the norm, but you are right it's there.

Interesting catch.  You'd have to figure out what the USAAF serial was when it was built prior to it going to the RAF.

For skinning purposes I'd just suggest copying that Data block info I posted above and chancing it from P51C-10NT to P51D-10NT and the serial from 43-   to 44-
Title: Question about decals
Post by: FTJR on July 06, 2007, 11:05:19 AM
Thanks Will do.
Title: Question about decals
Post by: lyric1 on July 08, 2007, 02:56:29 PM
http://www.picburst.com/uploads/667b0a455b.jpg http://www.picburst.com/uploads/893a6563e5.jpg Here you go this might help the photo of the mustang is not that clear but I think the first image should give you what you want. Oh & thanks for the info on posting pics. http://www.picburst.com/uploads/15e5f95f85.jpg  I just noticed I had these pictures in this book I have. As you can see this 51 from 3 squadron is not the standard bare metal, it say's it is a k model I think that is wrong though.
Title: Question about decals
Post by: lyric1 on July 08, 2007, 05:08:41 PM
Quote
Originally posted by lyric1
I just noticed I had these pictures in this book I have. As you can see this 51 from 3 squadron is not the standard bare metal, it say's it is a k model I think that is wrong though.
 Well I guess the second picture is a K model the first pic looks like D model though. I thought 3 squadron was done before the K model came out?
Title: Question about decals
Post by: FTJR on July 09, 2007, 09:44:22 AM
Thanks, great pictures.

I believe the only difference between a K and D was the propellor. Maybe wrong on that.

I am also curious as to the  Roundels on top of the wing, being Red White and Blue as opposed to the standard Red and Blue of the time.


Hmmmm
Title: Question about decals
Post by: Guppy35 on July 09, 2007, 10:04:45 AM
Those are Dallas built K models with the Aeroproducts prop and the "clear view" canopy that is a bit flatter then the Inglewood P51Ds had.

Much of the RAF/RAAF production Mustangs came out of Dallas.  They actually ran P51B/C production longer then Inglewood due to commitments for RAF production orders.