Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Custom Skins => Topic started by: Vraciu on September 09, 2020, 04:13:15 PM

Title: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Vraciu on September 09, 2020, 04:13:15 PM

Special thanks to Lyric1, Waltz41, and Mister Fork (among others) for the countless hours digging for info on my behalf.   Also to Devil505 for his analysis on the colors and metal panels. This one was a true group effort.   I have far too many people to thank so I'll just point you to this thread lest I forget anyone:

https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,400442.0.html



Lt. Charles Gustav Pfost
P-51D-20-NA "The Deacon" (300)
S/N 44-63985
21st FG, 531st FS
Iwo Jima, July 1945

This is Lt. Charles Pfost's P-51D-20-NA "The Deacon" (s/n 44-63985) of the 531st FS, 21st FG, based on Iwo Jima in the Summer of 1945.   Among the most widely seen Mustangs due to a well-known color film segment of it taxiing (used in numerous films, newsreels, documentaries, and television shows--including "The Hawk Flies on Sunday" from "Black Sheep Squadron"), there is not much known about the airplane or its pilot.    It was lost on 27 July 1945 in a mid-air collision with Lt. Robert A Worton's 44-63403 of the 47th FS, 15th FG.  That airplane crashed 10 miles from Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima while 44-63985 crashed eight miles northwest of the Island.    Both pilots were killed.

The 21st FG was one of the Very-Long Range (VLR) Mustang groups used in the Pacific Theater for B-29 escort over the Japanese home islands in the final months of the war.  Their first elements deployed to Iwo Jima in February 1945 with the final segment arriving on 25 March.  The next morning they were attacked in their encampment by Japanese commandos.  With the help of U.S. Marines they counter-attacked and killed 250 of the enemy at the cost of fourteen airmen of the group killed and fifty wounded.   The first VLR B-29 escort mission took place on 7 April 1945 and these would continue until 14 August.

The elements, weather, enemy opposition, mechanical irregularities, logistics, and vast expanses of open ocean were just some of the challenges faced by these fighter pilots.   Though they did not have the opportunity to chalk up the victory totals of their European counterparts these brave young men established decisive air superiority over the Japanese home islands in the last months of the war.

(https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=401118.0;attach=33207)

(https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=401118.0;attach=33215)

(https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=401118.0;attach=33211)




This is the fourth in my series of VLR Mustangs.   The other three can be found here:

* Pete Nowick's #599 of the 506th FG, 458th FS
https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,400576.0.html

* Harold Marx's "Tiny Gay Baba" #234 of the 21st FG, 46th FS
https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,400632.0.html

* Capt. Stanley C. Zagorsky's / Lt. Charles Frank Seale's "Shawnee Princess" / "Empire Commuter" #640 of the 506th FG, 462nd FS
https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,400847.0.html




(https://i.postimg.cc/m1Bd69Zz/MODahss49.png) (https://postimg.cc/m1Bd69Zz) (https://i.postimg.cc/64cHsQTH/MODahss56.png) (https://postimg.cc/64cHsQTH)

(https://i.postimg.cc/Sj4kptJ8/MODahss59.png) (https://postimg.cc/Sj4kptJ8) (https://i.postimg.cc/ykQHc1nX/MODahss63.png) (https://postimg.cc/ykQHc1nX)

(https://i.postimg.cc/nCcxXjKh/MODahss68.png) (https://postimg.cc/nCcxXjKh) (https://i.postimg.cc/bdR8YHt5/MODahss69.png) (https://postimg.cc/bdR8YHt5)

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Devil 505 on September 09, 2020, 04:21:09 PM

Nicely done.

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Vraciu on September 09, 2020, 04:23:55 PM

Thank you, sir.    :salute

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Mister Fork on September 09, 2020, 04:38:07 PM

Looks amazing V.  I now have another favourite to fly!

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Vraciu on September 09, 2020, 04:39:59 PM

Thanks, bro.  Appreciate all your help.

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: oboe on September 09, 2020, 04:48:22 PM

Great-looking bird, Vraciu.   Nice metal sheen to it, and I like the white and black trim.  Real sharp.

Great job on the nose art too.  Working from such limited information, what you've shown is completely believable.

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Vraciu on September 09, 2020, 05:31:07 PM

Thanks, bro. 

Wish I could get screenshots like you do it, but these will have to do for now.   :salute

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Shuffler on September 09, 2020, 07:17:20 PM

That is a clean looking bird

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Vraciu on September 09, 2020, 08:01:52 PM

Quote from: Shuffler on September 09, 2020, 07:17:20 PM

That is a clean looking bird

I tried to go where the movie showed it.   It was not too beat up yet.

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: whiteman on September 09, 2020, 10:55:39 PM

Think it turned out great!

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Vraciu on September 09, 2020, 10:59:14 PM

Quote from: whiteman on September 09, 2020, 10:55:39 PM

Think it turned out great!

Thank you.  Your help was also valuable.   Kudos.

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: lyric1 on September 09, 2020, 11:56:49 PM

 :aok

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Vraciu on September 10, 2020, 09:21:32 AM

Quote from: lyric1 on September 09, 2020, 11:56:49 PM

:aok

Thanks for all the help, sir. 

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Greebo on September 10, 2020, 12:59:14 PM

Great skin Vraciu, sad it was lost so near the war's end.

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Hajo on September 10, 2020, 01:02:12 PM

Nice job V!

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Vraciu on September 10, 2020, 02:12:37 PM

Thanks, gents.

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: guncrasher on September 15, 2020, 02:26:53 PM

nice, will be a bit hard to see at low altitude. can't wait to fly it.

got a question, the lines on the wing, are those maintenance or part of the skin?

semp

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Vraciu on September 15, 2020, 02:59:33 PM

Quote from: guncrasher on September 15, 2020, 02:26:53 PM

nice, will be a bit hard to see at low altitude. can't wait to fly it.

got a question, the lines on the wing, are those maintenance or part of the skin?

semp

Thanks, man.  Much appreciated. 

My understanding is these are dive angle markings.    Flying parallel to the target you dive at the angle corresponding to the line the target crosses.   

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: guncrasher on September 15, 2020, 04:31:04 PM

Quote from: Vraciu on September 15, 2020, 02:59:33 PM

Thanks, man.  Much appreciated. 

My understanding is these are dive angle markings.    Flying parallel to the target you dive at the angle corresponding to the line the target crosses.

that is awesome, have a squadie that is learning to dive bomb. those will come in handy.    :aok

semp

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: FTJR on September 16, 2020, 03:50:57 AM

Nice skin V, very nice.

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Vraciu on September 16, 2020, 04:31:31 AM

Thanks, FTJR.   

Quote from: guncrasher on September 15, 2020, 04:31:04 PM

that is awesome, have a squadie that is learning to dive bomb. those will come in handy.    :aok

semp

Well, I hope my lines are in the correct spots!  Lol

If I dig up any info on the technique I'll post it.

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Vraciu on September 16, 2020, 07:37:12 AM

Attack Angle Lines:


https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,334014.msg5045327.html#msg5045327

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Waltz41 on September 17, 2020, 07:08:29 PM

Great work Vraciu!  That was a lot of fun, you guys really picked that apart and I commend your passion for getting right! 

Excellent job !!

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Spikes on September 17, 2020, 08:20:33 PM

Such an interesting scheme. Very nice V. :salute

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Vraciu on September 18, 2020, 11:15:54 AM

Thanks you guys.  Yeah, it was a lot of fun working as a group on it.

Waltz, thanks for the images you provided.  They helped a ton in plugging most of the gaps Lyric and I were looking at.

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Palace Cobra on October 23, 2020, 03:39:55 PM

The research you guys did on this one is impressive - and it is a great looking skin to boot. 

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Vraciu on October 23, 2020, 04:50:35 PM

Thanks.  This one was truly a group effort. 

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: lyric1 on November 30, 2020, 12:34:56 PM

Its Brer rabbit holding an umbrella in his right hand and a walking stick in his left.

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

(https://i.imgur.com/Xdawu0qh.jpg)

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: whiteman on November 30, 2020, 12:39:01 PM

Great find Lyric!

I just want to say I saw a rabbit in the original thread. :D

Quote from: whiteman on August 18, 2020, 03:46:29 PM

If i look long enough i see this Houston liquor store mascot, but wearing pants. I think the pixelation is a blessing in this case.

(https://specsfinewine.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/specsbunny1.jpg)

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: oboe on November 30, 2020, 01:01:34 PM

Dang Lyric, you are good!

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Mister Fork on November 30, 2020, 02:58:53 PM

It makes absolutely 100% sense that it's a rabbit! Great find Lyric!  Maybe a 40's version of Bugs Bunny?

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: lyric1 on December 01, 2020, 10:37:36 PM

Quote from: Mister Fork on November 30, 2020, 02:58:53 PM

It makes absolutely 100% sense that it's a rabbit! Great find Lyric!  Maybe a 40's version of Bugs Bunny?

Pretty certain its Brer rabbit prior to Disney doing a movie.

Found this post war edition cover art that has me thinking on a couple of points the face design and head position is very close to the nose art.  :headscratch: Outside of the ears of course.

(https://i.imgur.com/5XL18nmh.jpg)

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

(https://i.imgur.com/Xdawu0qh.jpg)

The hand holding the umbrella never quite made sense however if it was a bowler hat like the book cover it would be Brer holding the rim of the hat and not a umbrella handle.

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Mister Fork on December 03, 2020, 01:16:21 PM

Here is a re-worked image... looks more like a helmet?

(https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=401118.0;attach=33481)

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Waltz41 on December 26, 2020, 08:27:37 PM

Quote from: lyric1 on December 01, 2020, 10:37:36 PM

Pretty certain its Brer rabbit prior to Disney doing a movie.

Found this post war edition cover art that has me thinking on a couple of points the face design and head position is very close to the nose art.  :headscratch: Outside of the ears of course.


The hand holding the umbrella never quite made sense however if it was a bowler hat like the book cover it would be Brer holding the rim of the hat and not a umbrella handle.

Wow, fantastic find!  Looks like a print book?  I have never ever seen this one before, this is awesome.  Just goes to show still so much out there to still be found!

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Volron on December 26, 2020, 11:26:56 PM

Quote from: Mister Fork on December 03, 2020, 01:16:21 PM

Here is a re-worked image... looks more like a helmet?

(https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=401118.0;attach=33481)

Yeah.  Looks like a helmet.  Looks like he's "spinning" the helmet with two fingers.

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: lyric1 on December 27, 2020, 04:13:04 PM

Quote from: Waltz41 on December 26, 2020, 08:27:37 PM

Wow, fantastic find!  Looks like a print book?  I have never ever seen this one before, this is awesome.  Just goes to show still so much out there to still be found!

Yes from a book. Thinking about contacting the author to see if he has an original photo.

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Vraciu on December 28, 2020, 02:41:17 PM

Good stuff, Lyric.  I'll work on this update at some point, hopefully sooner rather than later.    :salute

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Palace Cobra on January 03, 2021, 09:46:30 PM

Your research is relentless, Lyric and company. Totally amazed.

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Vraciu on June 21, 2023, 01:15:49 AM

Slightly updated nose art to make it more obviously a Rabbit twirling a helmet.  I'll do some further updating later but at least this gets it out there.  I dare say we on this forum are just about the only people who know what this plane's nose art actually is.   Thanks again everyone for all the help on this one.



(https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=401118.0;attach=36532)

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: lyric1 on June 21, 2023, 01:46:39 AM

 :aok

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Vraciu on June 21, 2023, 02:19:45 AM

Here's one in flight.

(https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=401118.0;attach=36534)

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: JimmyD3 on June 21, 2023, 11:26:10 AM

 :aok

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Vraciu on June 21, 2023, 12:17:54 PM

Thank you, Ken.

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Vraciu on June 24, 2023, 11:16:10 PM

I didn't like that last screenshot.  Tweaked the S map some.  Still not happy with it but it is better.

(https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=401118.0;attach=36562)

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Mister Fork on July 04, 2023, 05:17:30 PM

Wow - great work V.

Title: Re: Lt. Charles Pfost - P-51D "The Deacon" (300) - 21st FG, 531st FS
Post by: Vraciu on July 04, 2023, 10:32:09 PM

Thanks buddy.  I appreciate all your help on this one.