Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Custom Skins => Topic started by: Devil 505 on December 22, 2021, 12:09:55 AM

Title: Operation Torch P-400
Post by: Devil 505 on December 22, 2021, 12:09:55 AM
Special thanks to Lyric for finding the reference material used for this skin.

P-400 flown by Capt. James R. Hillin of the 91st Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group in February 1943. On Feb 14, Capt. Hillin led a low level strike against an Afrikacorps position about 40 miles east of the Kasserine Pass. Due to heavy AAA known to be defending this position, Hillin's flight of eight P-400 flew as close to the ground as they dared - which proved to be so low that near the target, the prop of Hillin's aircraft struck a sheep herder. Hillin began to climb in search of a suitable place to ditch his damaged fighter and his flight followed suit. The German AAA then engaged the whole flight of P-400's, setting Hillin's on fire and downing another Airacobra as well. Both pilots became POW's.

Hillin's P-400 was painted in the standard RAF Temperate scheme of Dark Green and Dark Earth over Sky. The prop spinner was likely also painted Sky. The reference photo shows a color much lighter than the red of the American flag emblem on the nose, therefore artwork depicting Hillin's plane with a red spinner are probably incorrect. Hillin painted the state of Texas with the head of the steer inside of it on the doors.

(https://i.postimg.cc/K8YVKFg5/Tex-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7fpXcF9C)

(https://i.postimg.cc/R06DRRd6/Tex-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/NytDGRWB)

(https://i.postimg.cc/FHn63qyX/Tex-3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hXTMq2Z2)
Title: Re: Operation Torch P-400
Post by: lyric1 on December 22, 2021, 01:47:55 AM
 :aok
Title: Re: Operation Torch P-400
Post by: Greebo on December 22, 2021, 02:01:43 AM
That's a great looking skin Devil, nice work.
Title: Re: Operation Torch P-400
Post by: Vraciu on December 22, 2021, 05:32:23 AM
God bless Texas!


Great job.
Title: Re: Operation Torch P-400
Post by: oboe on December 22, 2021, 08:51:16 AM
That is a great-looking scheme!   Reading the story, I was struck by what a dramatic painting that moment would make - 8 low-level Airacobras under heavy AA barrage, one on fire, against the rocky North African desert. 



Title: Re: Operation Torch P-400
Post by: swareiam on December 22, 2021, 12:28:59 PM
Great story!

Chilling account...

Thanks Devil  :aok