Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Custom Skins => Topic started by: Greebo on November 03, 2010, 12:00:42 PM

Title: Kozhedub's La-5F
Post by: Greebo on November 03, 2010, 12:00:42 PM
This is my skin of Ivan Kozhedub's La-5F, skinned on the La-5FN. Many profiles actually show this aircraft as an La-5FN but photos indicate it was definitely an F. Some also show it with a monotone grey camo scheme. However I think I can make out darker areas on the photos that correspond to where the darker grey would be, it is ambiguous though.

Kozhedub finished flight training in 1941 but was considered such a good pilot he was retained at the flight school to train other pilots. In 1943 his requests to join a combat unit were finally granted. He joined 240 IAP, flying La-5s in combat for the first time during the battle of Kursk. Narrowly escaping death on his first sortie he soon began racking up kills. Like many aces he had a natural ability to judge deflection shots and his extra years as an instructor in flight school had honed his flying abilities.

By May 1944 Kozhedub had shot down 37 enemy planes, been promoted to Captain and made CO of the squadron. At this time he upgraded his La-5 for the La-5F shown here. This aircraft was paid for by a farmer, Mr Konev. The slogans on the sides of the aircraft read  "From the collective farmer V. Konev" and "Named in honour of the Hero of the Soviet Union Lieutenant Colonel G. Konev". This was the farmer's nephew, killed in action during the early days of the war. He scored a further 8 kills with this aircraft including three FW190s in one day.

In July 1944 he was posted as vice commander to the 176th Guards Fighter Regiment flying La-7s. He shot down a further 18 aircraft including an Me 262 and ended the war as the Allies' leading ace of WW2 with 62 kills.

Naturally Kozhedub was one of the Soviet Union's most decorated combatants, earning Hero of the Soviet Union three times and numerous otherawards. Post war he had a long career in the VVS, ending as Marshal of Aviation.

(http://www.gfg06.dial.pipex.com/screenshots/240_IAP_La-5F_SC1.jpg)

(http://www.gfg06.dial.pipex.com/screenshots/240_IAP_La-5F_SC2.jpg)
Title: Re: Kozhedub's La-5F
Post by: kilo2 on November 03, 2010, 12:17:28 PM
looks good :aok
Title: Re: Kozhedub's La-5F
Post by: lyric1 on November 03, 2010, 01:01:06 PM
 :aok
Title: Re: Kozhedub's La-5F
Post by: Imowface on November 03, 2010, 01:13:48 PM
Marvelous Greebo just marvelous  :x when this gets added I shall fly it with pride, an excellent representation of one of my country's greatest hero's   :salute
Title: Re: Kozhedub's La-5F
Post by: cooldued on November 03, 2010, 03:13:23 PM
wow nice job
Title: Re: Kozhedub's La-5F
Post by: Slash27 on November 04, 2010, 01:23:52 AM
Thank you :salute
Title: Re: Kozhedub's La-5F
Post by: Imowface on November 04, 2010, 02:23:13 AM
I also like the exhaust detail greebo, I didn't notice you skinned in the bulges for the single exhausts of the M-82F
again man, beautiful work
Title: Re: Kozhedub's La-5F
Post by: oboe on November 07, 2010, 07:40:07 AM
Gorgeous a always, Greebo!
Title: Re: Kozhedub's La-5F
Post by: Wmaker on November 08, 2010, 01:25:47 PM
Top quality as always!
Title: Re: Kozhedub's La-5F
Post by: Tilt on November 08, 2010, 02:46:38 PM
Nice one Greebo It would be nice to think thta one da we get an La5F...after all its just a nose job fixing the rear gear and reducing power
Title: Re: Kozhedub's La-5F
Post by: Liberator on November 08, 2010, 04:50:59 PM
Looks awesome! :aok
Title: Re: Kozhedub's La-5F
Post by: Greebo on November 08, 2010, 05:12:26 PM
Thanks guys, glad you like the skin.

I doubt we will see an La-5F in AH, otherwise HTC wouldn't have let me skin La-5Fs on the La-5FN shape. It isn't really different enough to the FN in shape or performance to justify it anyway IMO. We may well see an La-5 or a Lagg 3 at some point, though I think the early Yaks would be more useful from a scenario POV.
Title: Re: Kozhedub's La-5F
Post by: Imowface on November 08, 2010, 05:33:41 PM
to be honest you fooled me into thinking it was an La-5F If it wernt for the supercharger air intake I would have been none the wiser :)
Title: Re: Kozhedub's La-5F
Post by: BMathis on November 09, 2010, 12:43:47 PM
That's a great looking skinning Job Greebo  :aok :aok  Love the screen shot too!
Title: Re: Kozhedub's La-5F
Post by: Imowface on November 12, 2010, 07:56:25 PM
greeeeebo, how much longer untill I can roll this skin???? the wait is killing me! haha  :)
Title: Re: Kozhedub's La-5F
Post by: Plazus on November 12, 2010, 08:15:12 PM
Good work, Greebo. The story behind this pilot certainly is a interesting one. :aok
Title: Re: Kozhedub's La-5F
Post by: Greebo on November 13, 2010, 02:18:24 AM
greeeeebo, how much longer untill I can roll this skin???? the wait is killing me! haha  :)

I've submitted it, so its just a question of when HTC get time to look at the current batch of skins. I don't know, but would guess shortly after the next major version release.
Title: Re: Kozhedub's La-5F
Post by: B4Buster on November 16, 2010, 07:54:23 PM
 :aok