Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Custom Skins => Topic started by: Fencer51 on March 02, 2008, 10:33:04 AM
-
I was tanking last night, and getting accused of hacking extra armor by some noob, when Gaboon asked me if I would do his Grandpa's P-51. He gave me a name, a plane name, and was emphatic that the paint scheme was colorful. Gordon M. Graham was not just your average fighter pilot.
Lt Colonel Graham was the squadron leader of the 354th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group from October 1944 to June 1945. He had 7 ariel kills and 9.5 ground kills. He was a respected leader and went on to a long career in the Air Force retiring in July 1973.
This is not a final skin, just a mock-up of the paint scheme. I forgot the C on the rudder and will add that. I will also redo my template with anti-aliased lines.
Gaboon, I will get this ready in a few weeks, in time for the next skin update. I have a couple other items ahead of this on the plate. Remember, as I mentioned last night the 51Ds are full up and HTC will replace those in the game at their call.
-
Looks great Fencer I really like it thank you very much
-
Nice looking pony. Well done for just a draft :aok
-
Fencer the space between the back of the propeller cone and front of the oil cooler intake is red so inessence you have a thin red line about 3 inches wide going all the way around the nose behind the spinner cone.
-
Yes that is shown that way in a profile in a book, but see this photo..
(http://www.4thfg.org/Fencer/wr-f.jpg)
You cannot always trust Osprey Book's profiles.
In fact, I need to relocate that big card and blow away the aircraft data text.
-
Go to http://www.liveleak.com and when you get to the site in the search all box type in P-51 Mustang. The films of the P-51 will them come up and in the opening sceans you will see Grandpa's flight and plane.
-
Very cool at many levels.
-
http://www.web-birds.com then on the left under the 8th air force look for the 355th FG then under that click on the 354TH FS Insignia then scroll down and you will find Grand dad standing infront of an early P-51 he flew.
-
Fencer you will notice that grand dads plane has the exauset farings removed as did most all of the P-51's did in WWII. Will you be able to add the rear view mirrors also for looks only.
-
Must be Grandpa?
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/355_1.jpg)
-
Originally posted by Gaboon
Fencer you will notice that grand dads plane has the exauset farings removed as did most all of the P-51's did in WWII. Will you be able to add the rear view mirrors also for looks only.
No 'modifications' can be made to the actual plane. We just change the bitmap that displays on the actual 3D model that was made by HTC (that is non-modifiable). I wish we could make minor adjustments, though. Having an option to remove exhaust farings on P51's and landing gear coverings (as well as choosing the hood) on 109's would be nice.
-
yes that is grand dad that is a blow up of the 4 plane flight
-
Very nice paint scheme! Not too many white nosed planes (not counting white/black checkers, mind you).
I like it! :aok
-
Looks amazing.
-
To have his Grandson here, and to be able to reproduce his aircraft is just outstanding. It's things like this that keep in this hobby year after year.:aok
-
Fencer how is Grand dads skin comming. It has had alot of downloads so far
-
Working on 4 or 5 Spit XIVs ahead of it. I will do it next after these are finished. 3 are completed.
-
If anyone else wants to do this skin, please do so. It will be quite some time if ever before I get to it. With the limits HTC has on skins per plane, and the fact that I already have 4 P-51D Skins in game, I do not see them adding this one unless they replace one of my others and they are all 'spoken for'.
-
I'll jump on it. I'll need pics though, my research time has been cut down but if I can get a profile & 2-3 good original shots it should be enough for me to complete it.
I was actually planning on doing this too after you posted in the other thread Fencer, but I wanted to do some research & see what I could dig up first. I just haven't had time lately to research it properly but I figure Gaboon probably has some good shots, more than likely, better than what I could find on my own.
:salute
I'll post screen shots once I get it under way.
-
www.littlefriends.co.uk
-
Interesting.... :noid
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/gallery.php?Group=355&Style=item&origStyle=list&Item=15&Temp=250&searchString= (http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/gallery.php?Group=355&Style=item&origStyle=list&Item=15&Temp=250&searchString=)
And oh yeah, I'm "working" right now :D
Guess I'll get my research time in when I can.
-
Wrong plane. That was his first one.
-
Wrong plane. That was his first one.
That's what I figured, just thought it was interesting to see the difference. Thanks for the link, work will commence shortly & probably late into the night (I get that way when I start a skin :D )
-
It's a start... played hell trying to get the red stripe correct underneath the wings, thanks to the stretching, but I finally got it. Now to duplicate the other side... :rock
I'm looking for a better photo so I can figure out what was written above the Ace & on the canopy. I'm assuming it was his name on the canopy & maybe the crew chief above the card?
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a313/muddspuffin/wr-fpro.jpg)
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a313/muddspuffin/ahss2.jpg)
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a313/muddspuffin/ahss3.jpg)
-
Getting closer.
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a313/muddspuffin/ahss4.jpg)
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a313/muddspuffin/ahss5.jpg)
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a313/muddspuffin/ahss6.jpg)
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a313/muddspuffin/ahss7.jpg)
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a313/muddspuffin/ahss12.jpg)
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a313/muddspuffin/ahss8.jpg)
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a313/muddspuffin/ahss14.jpg)
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a313/muddspuffin/ahss15.jpg)
-
I think out of all the Americans skins for the p51d this will be my favourite one when it is included.
-
I'm looking for a better photo so I can figure out what was written above the Ace & on the canopy. I'm assuming it was his name on the canopy & maybe the crew chief above the card?
And the answer is.... NOTHING!!! Gotta love it when the answer to your question is in the thread.. duh. I'll also be fixing the size of the kills & Squadron ID lettering. But that will have to wait until tomorrow, my eyes are heavy & arse is asleep.
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a313/muddspuffin/355_1.jpg)
-
Brilliant work, JeepinAZ! I've really got to learn how to do this myself someday! :aok
<S>
Yossarian
-
Grampa was somebody. Sort of puts the pressure on, doesn't it?
-
Grampa was somebody. Sort of puts the pressure on, doesn't it?
Tell me about it. Especially since there is footage of it too. It'd be one thing if I was doing some obscure aircraft, but the pressure to make this as accurate & realistic is up there. I do however feel that every aircraft deserves the utmost attention to detail because the aircraft & men that flew them performed far nobler acts than I will ever hope to achieve in my lifetime. I look at every skin as my little tribute to them.
:salute
-
JEEPNAZ thank you very much its a v ery nice job. You have done my Grandfather prowd I hope HTC will allow this skin if so It will be the only pony D skin I will fly again thank you very much
-
Ok Jeepnaz it goes like this all the letters are in red block letters Pilot this is whats on the canopy.
Lt. Col. G. M. Graham
-
Nice - I'll definetly change to this skin soon as it comes out :aok
:salute to you grandpa
-
Looks very nice Fencer.
I'll fly it aswell :salute
Gaboons Grandad
-
Looks very nice Fencer.
I'll fly it aswell :salute
Gaboons Grandad
:huh
This is the worst insult I've ever received on here. I look (fortunately) nothing like Fencer... :devil
Thanks for the compliment about the skin though. I'll take you calling me Fencer as one two.. I guess. :rofl
-
Ok Jeepnaz it goes like this all the letters are in red block letters Pilot this is whats on the canopy.
Lt. Col. G. M. Graham
I'm assuming you mean that in red block letters Lt. Col. G.M. Graham is on the canopy? From the closeup pic I didn't see any stenciling on the canopy. I assume that you have a pic of your grandpa's ship with this on it? If so, where on the canopy (towards the front or back) was it placed? If you could scan it so I can put it where it belongs I'll make sure it gets included.
-
its on the canopy frame left hand side about 2 inchs back from main bubble frame opening edge. You can see it in the films if you look real close its weathered but you can see it.
-
Jeepenaz How goes the skin I hope your almost finished with it alot of folks are looking forward to using it once its approved and put into the game.
-
I really hate to ask this, but it's been bugging me for a little over a week.
Gaboon are you really his grandson or is this some ploy to get this skin completed and in game?
-
I really hate to ask this, but it's been bugging me for a little over a week.
Gaboon are you really his grandson or is this some ploy to get this skin completed and in game?
you mean you don't believe everything you read on here?????????
-
you mean you don't believe everything you read on here?????????
Read the first post. It is not what I read here, it is what he told me. :)
-
I had a nice chat with Gaboon online a few minutes ago. I guess it truly does not matter one way or another, I was just curious why this had not been shared and didn't want to step on any toes.
Here is why I was asking..
World War II Triple Ace Dies
March 28, 2008
Richmond Times - Dispatch
Lt. Gen. Gordon M. Graham logged more than 9,000 flying hours during his career in the Air Force.
But Graham's first flying experience came while he was working as a teenager at an airport in California in the early 1930s. Told one payday there wasn't enough money to pay him, he accepted an offer of a flying lesson instead, said his wife of 40 years, Vivian Fox Graham of Irvington.
That first experience piloting a plane became a passion for Graham, who destruction of at least 16 enemy planes during World War II made him a triple ace.
"He had a fantastic career. It was far more exciting and interesting than anything else," his wife said.
Graham, who retired from the Air Force in 1973 as commander of the 6th Allied Tactical Air Force in Izmir, Turkey, died Saturday at Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury after suffering a stroke in February. He was 90.
He was born in Ouray, Colo., and grew up in Taft, Calif. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley -- where he was a lightweight Golden Glove champion -- with a bachelor's in petroleum engineering. He joined the military in December 1940 and received his wings in August 1941.
By the end of World War II, he had flown 73 combat missions in P-51 Mustang fighter planes. He also saw combat in Korea and Vietnam, being credited with more than 1,000 combat hours in fighters.
During his career, he held various posts in the Air Force and received 55 decorations and service awards, including the Distinguished Service Medal and Silver Star.
Proud of those honors, Graham displayed them in a framed box on a wall, his wife said.
After leaving the military, Graham worked for McDonnell Douglas Corp., first as president of its Tokyo office and then as corporate vice president in Washington.
Upon retiring in 1983, Graham and his wife moved to the Northern Neck, where he volunteered with the rescue squad, the free health clinic and the Animal Welfare League.
In 1996, he published an autobiography, "Double for Down: Anecdotes of a Fighter Pilot."
In addition to his wife, survivors include two daughters, Eloise Graham Brooks of McLean and Helen Huntingdon Stubbs of Merritt Island, Fla.; a son, Gordon Alexander Elting Graham of Gig Harbor, Wash.; two stepsons, Robert Earl Fairbairn of Williamsburg and Donald Boyce Fairbairn of Darnestown, Md.; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service is scheduled for April 4 at 11 a.m. at Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church, 3712 Weems Road, in Weems. Burial will be July 8 at 1 p.m. at Arlington National Cemetery.
Another of the great men of that generation has joined his comrades. Rest in peace General.
His biography can be found here.. http://www.af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioID=5598
-
World War II Triple Ace Dies
March 28, 2008
Richmond Times - Dispatch
Lt. Gen. Gordon M. Graham
JEEPNAZ thank you very much its a v ery nice job. You have done my Grandfather prowd I hope HTC will allow this skin if so It will be the only pony D skin I will fly again thank you very much
Jeepenaz How goes the skin I hope your almost finished with it alot of folks are looking forward to using it once its approved and put into the game.
Now Fencer's got me :noid
-
You guys are tugging at the line too soon.