Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Custom Skins => Topic started by: oboe on September 15, 2017, 10:09:34 AM

Title: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: oboe on September 15, 2017, 10:09:34 AM
I've been modifying the pilot details in the skins I'm working on and thought I'd share a WIP for the P-38 pilot.

Before:
(https://i.imgur.com/wokvxuL.jpg)

After:
(https://i.imgur.com/2vcqHZp.jpg)
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: Arlo on September 15, 2017, 10:15:38 AM
Complete with Howard Hughs mustache. Good job. :)
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: Devil 505 on September 15, 2017, 10:17:40 AM
Most Excellent
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: nrshida on September 15, 2017, 11:05:23 AM
 :rofl  That's awesome. Can you do some other pilots?  :rock

Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: Arlo on September 15, 2017, 11:24:34 AM
I think Dale and co would have to remodel several pilot options for this to go much farther - each pilot is part of the plane model. Oboe is surely able to add facial hair, shades and change the skin of the upper flight suit on lots of plane skins (he submits). What I want is just one thing (and that'll take an actual Hitech change). Give that pilot something other than a Micheal Jackson nose.
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: Arlo on September 15, 2017, 11:31:33 AM
(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/d7/45/8a/d7458ac024ce0f99013cefce565c6d4f--aviators-parachutes.jpg)

(https://portraitsofwar.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/watrous-fran-01.jpg)

(https://i.pinimg.com/236x/28/fa/5a/28fa5a6ce13767d7fdc7cd46cdd3f460--luftwaffe-military-history.jpg)

(https://navypilotoverseas.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/webmedia-21.jpg)

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/Sakai_Cockpit_A5M.jpg)

(https://navypilotoverseas.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/ens-morris-c-ward-24-usnr-vf-6-usshancock-1945.jpg)
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: oboe on September 15, 2017, 11:41:50 AM
The new 3D planes pilots are superb - especially the Japanese ones - look closely at the D3A or B5N or Ki.61 pilots and/or gunners.  Just fantastic.

I just thought it would be fun to add extra detail to skins.   I was going to try to make a different pilot in each aircraft skin.  Arlo is right, you can't change the basic 3D shape - basically just re-skinning the pilot figure.

Here is the original P-51D pilot:
(https://i.imgur.com/wmLdTKt.jpg)

I thought without goggles, he looked to much like a 1930s-era American football player so I redid his flight helmet and added Polaroid
M1944 googles when I skinned "Jersey Jerk":
(https://i.imgur.com/txr73rC.jpg)

The P-51B pilot is the same as the P-38 pilot figure, but again I went with the Polaroid goggles for Beantown Banshee's pilot:
(https://i.imgur.com/myC7XLm.jpg)
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: Arlo on September 15, 2017, 12:56:51 PM
 :)
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: bustr on September 15, 2017, 01:05:54 PM
The heck with the pilot, that is some excellent aluminum work.
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: nrshida on September 15, 2017, 01:06:07 PM
Actually on reflection Oboe could you just make the P-38 pilot slightly cross-eyed, then AKAK would miss sometimes  :old:

Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: hgtonyvi on September 15, 2017, 08:40:23 PM
 :aok :aok :rofl :rofl
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: donna43 on September 16, 2017, 07:18:49 AM
The pilot redo's look a heck alot better.   :aok

Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: Arlo on September 16, 2017, 10:02:49 AM
The pilot redo's look a heck alot better.   :aok

Could use eyebrows, though. (There's always a critic.)
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: oboe on September 16, 2017, 10:54:55 AM
Could use eyebrows, though. (There's always a critic.)

I think you're right, Arlo.  These are WIPs and I'll put it on my list.

So who are the guys in the portraits you posted?   The P-38 pilot re-do was supposed to be reminiscent of Tommy McGuire (pencil mustache any way) but you didn't post his pic...I would also recognize Dick Bong anywhere. 
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: Arlo on September 16, 2017, 12:39:15 PM
Random internet selections. I'll have to research. Some seem 'familiar.' (Hangs head in shame.) Wife's on me to catch up with math homework.  :eek:
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: FTJR on September 17, 2017, 12:58:29 AM
Nice job Oboe
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: Mister Fork on September 20, 2017, 01:16:03 PM
Nice job Oboe
Agreed. Nice work Oboe!
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: lyric1 on September 21, 2017, 02:16:38 AM
 :aok
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: Vraciu on September 21, 2017, 09:09:23 AM
I've been modifying the pilot details in the skins I'm working on and thought I'd share a WIP for the P-38 pilot.

Before:
(https://i.imgur.com/wokvxuL.jpg)

After:
(https://i.imgur.com/2vcqHZp.jpg)

Hey, look!   It's Arlo!  :rofl
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: Arlo on September 21, 2017, 09:23:32 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/MwbYvkv.png)
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: oboe on September 21, 2017, 10:14:11 AM
Here's another one, based on the pilot in the first photo (from LIFE) Arlo posted.  This guy looks a little old to be a fighter pilot, but then aren't we all.  Not sure I like it, at this closeup distance its seems so photorealistic it strikes me as almost creepy in a way?

(https://i.imgur.com/D4GSpC6.jpg)

Here's another view, with the original P-51B pilot below:

(https://i.imgur.com/aWTJ2eZ.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/I38DJtc.jpg)

It's tedious work but I feel like it adds alot to the skin...
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: Arlo on September 21, 2017, 01:05:16 PM
 :aok
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: Vraciu on September 21, 2017, 01:24:50 PM
Like it!
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: Arlo on September 21, 2017, 01:37:20 PM
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Neel_E_Kearby_Col_USAAF_c1943 .jpg

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Neel_E_Kearby_Col_USAAF_c1943.jpg/450px-Neel_E_Kearby_Col_USAAF_c1943.jpg)
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: Arlo on September 21, 2017, 01:41:50 PM
You're doing fabulous work, sir.

Another challenge?

(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/7c/d4/4e/7cd44e9c87e0f1014d3e94cf29da498a--ww-planes-aviation-art.jpg)
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: oboe on September 21, 2017, 02:59:32 PM
Good looking kid, Arlo.  Nice find.  And thanks for ID'ing Kearby - I knew he looked familiar.

(https://i.imgur.com/u2xQUz9.jpg)
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: BFOOT1 on September 21, 2017, 03:07:57 PM
Wow, Oboe, that is fantastic work!

If only we had some options in AHIII for what our cartoon self could look like!

Here's my challenge, "Kidd" Hofer

(http://www.starduststudios.com/uploads/1/8/3/4/18340833/6209383_orig.jpg)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KIDD-HOFER-THE-LAST-OF-THE-SCREWBALL-ACES-by-TROY-L-WHITE-AUTOGRAPHED/112572379259?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Just snagged this for a steal!
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: Arlo on September 21, 2017, 04:03:00 PM
Good looking kid, Arlo.  Nice find.  And thanks for ID'ing Kearby - I knew he looked familiar.

(https://i.imgur.com/u2xQUz9.jpg)

That was fast. And good. It'd be nice to put a real WWII ace in the cockpit of every AH plane per appropriate skin. Apparently you (and I) like that kind of stuff. :)
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: oboe on September 21, 2017, 04:11:52 PM
Thanks BFoot1!   Nice snag on the book!

I tried Kidd Hofer but couldn't get it to look right - even after colorizing it, it didn't look quite natural.   Doesn't work for all of 'em!

I better get back to work on the metal textures - only 2 slots left for the '51B; I've already missed my shot at a '51D.   
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: oboe on September 21, 2017, 04:30:52 PM
That was fast. And good. It'd be nice to put a real WWII ace in the cockpit of every AH plane per appropriate skin. Apparently you (and I) like that kind of stuff. :)

Yes, Christensen's face retained the overall look somehow and you can tell its him.  Kearby ended up a bit different than the starting photo - almost Eastern European-like.  Narrow face grafted onto a wider bone structure?  Not sure why.

I'm just going crazy on details for these skins.  I want to raise my bar for skin quality and detail this time.

Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: Devil 505 on September 21, 2017, 05:55:09 PM
I'm just going crazy on details for these skins.  I want to raise my bar for skin quality and detail this time.

It's a hell of an improvement.

How do you go about colorizing a B/W image?
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: oboe on September 21, 2017, 06:41:28 PM
I found this site to colorize B&W photos - its not automatic though - you have to do the painting and adjusting yourself.

http://www.colorizephoto.com/converter (http://www.colorizephoto.com/converter)

Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: Arlo on September 21, 2017, 07:21:27 PM
I think both Christensen and Kearby looked pretty good. Now .... what I'd love to see would be Blackburn in Greebo's VF-17 skin and Kepford in Saxman's VF-17 skin. I'm not sure what the original skinners would have to say about it, though.

(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/73/c1/17/73c117c01969c72eb798bdbe344c3f09--fu-corsair-john-thomas.jpg)

(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/11/84/1c/11841c2ccf5857af6a12d2d3610f7db8.jpg)

The other side of me would be just as happy to see celebrity pilots ....

(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/8c/51/a1/8c51a1bcb1f5be9674ab87dc195a8cff--robert-conrad-baa-baa-black-sheep.jpg)

(https://i.pinimg.com/236x/c2/23/3a/c2233a87eb0f067b9990b12d7b6cee3f--a-flight-jacket-a-jacket.jpg)

(https://i.pinimg.com/236x/ac/ef/80/acef801ec1c6b6daa8a7408c2bd1b5f4--gregory-peck-classic-films.jpg)

(https://nitratediva.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/vlcsnap-2015-02-20-23h20m55s136.png?w=584&h=438)

Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: oboe on September 21, 2017, 07:48:11 PM
LOL Robert Conrad might work - its a nice large image with the right amount of color.   But I'd hafta put him in a '51 or a '38, not a F4U.

Do we have Kearby's "Fiery Ginger" P-47D-11 skin?   That would make a nice spot for him...
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: Arlo on September 21, 2017, 07:55:42 PM
LOL Robert Conrad might work -  But I'd hafta put him in a '51 or a '38, not a F4U.

Blasphemy! Put McQueen in a 38.

(https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1600/1*zjHre0Q4g8XVdc6Wbju0mw.jpeg)

(https://www.picsofcelebrities.com/celebrity/steve-mcqueen/pictures/large/steve-mcqueen-wallpapers.jpg)
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: Arlo on September 21, 2017, 07:59:13 PM
P-51 pilot. ;)

(http://worldwarwings.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/crusie-featured.jpg)
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: Arlo on September 21, 2017, 08:01:32 PM
Historic Spit drivers.

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a9/d3/51/a9d3518f6bf6fa9b262c23a4a7947c41.jpg)
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: Mister Fork on September 22, 2017, 11:21:26 AM
Historic Spit drivers.

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a9/d3/51/a9d3518f6bf6fa9b262c23a4a7947c41.jpg)
+1 on that - the lad in the middle BTW is wearing prosthetic legs. Anyone guess his name? And his two buds? (hint - the lad on the left is a Canadian from Calgary (born in Edmonton) - William Lidstone "Willie" McKnight)
Title: Re: P-38 pilot makeover
Post by: Vraciu on September 22, 2017, 11:23:28 AM
Bader

The guy on our right reminds me of Tuck.