Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Custom Skins => Topic started by: oboe on May 08, 2024, 12:00:32 PM

Title: W.I.P. P-47D-26-RA, Lt. James R. Hopkins, 405thFG, 509thFS, Ophoven, Belgium
Post by: oboe on May 08, 2024, 12:00:32 PM

My first overall green drab Thunderbolt.  Underside is bare metal and carries the extra large star-and-bar insignia under both wings.  Still finalizing layer opacities and have some work on the spec and power maps left. 

Click images for full-size versions
(https://i.imgur.com/8XNlPnl.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/O7ZkTmZ.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/m7wICrz.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/E6AUqGT.jpg)


The 405th FG was commanded by former 133 Eagle Squadron CO Carroll "Mac" McColpin, who authorized the wild personal decorations on the aircraft for morale purposes,
since the unit was tasked with ground attack missions and during the course of the battles between D-Day and VE-Day, the Group suffered 180% losses. 

This aircraft originally flew with the 56thFG as "Ole Cock III" but wound up transferred to the 9th AF, probably as the 56th was getting its newer M version Thunderbolts in early 1945.
Joe Baugher's serial number site says she met her end in a crash on 13Apr45 two miles west of Horn, Germany, but doesn't specify the cause, whether due to mechanical failure
or enemy fire.

(https://i.imgur.com/ClV3p3c.jpg)

Title: Re: W.I.P. P-47D-26-RA, Lt. James R. Hopkins, 405thFG, 509thFS, Ophoven, Belgium
Post by: whiteman on May 08, 2024, 01:12:42 PM

That's some awesome work there!

Title: Re: W.I.P. P-47D-26-RA, Lt. James R. Hopkins, 405thFG, 509thFS, Ophoven, Belgium
Post by: Devil 505 on May 08, 2024, 01:53:42 PM

Fantastic!

Title: Re: W.I.P. P-47D-26-RA, Lt. James R. Hopkins, 405thFG, 509thFS, Ophoven, Belgium
Post by: Vraciu on May 08, 2024, 03:15:56 PM

Great work on the nose art especially.  Wow.

Title: Re: W.I.P. P-47D-26-RA, Lt. James R. Hopkins, 405thFG, 509thFS, Ophoven, Belgium
Post by: SIK1 on May 08, 2024, 08:32:17 PM

Beautiful work.  :aok

 :cheers:

Title: Re: W.I.P. P-47D-26-RA, Lt. James R. Hopkins, 405thFG, 509thFS, Ophoven, Belgium
Post by: lyric1 on May 09, 2024, 03:03:54 AM

 :aok

Title: Re: W.I.P. P-47D-26-RA, Lt. James R. Hopkins, 405thFG, 509thFS, Ophoven, Belgium
Post by: Greebo on May 09, 2024, 04:27:30 AM

Fantastic! Love the nose art.

Title: Re: W.I.P. P-47D-26-RA, Lt. James R. Hopkins, 405thFG, 509thFS, Ophoven, Belgium
Post by: oboe on May 09, 2024, 07:39:29 AM

Thank you very much, guys.   I've had that Thunderbolt in the back of my mind since I first saw the nose art.   

I will see if a can get it finished up and submitted today.  I think we are overdue for the May skin release; perhaps I can get it in under the wire?

Title: Re: W.I.P. P-47D-26-RA, Lt. James R. Hopkins, 405thFG, 509thFS, Ophoven, Belgium
Post by: Greebo on May 09, 2024, 09:29:06 AM

If Hitech hasn't done the release today I'll do a mini-review tomorrow morning. I don't like to do a review during HTC office hours as the last time I did that Hitech was doing the release at the same time and it screwed things up.

Title: Re: W.I.P. P-47D-26-RA, Lt. James R. Hopkins, 405thFG, 509thFS, Ophoven, Belgium
Post by: Devil 505 on May 09, 2024, 10:10:10 AM

I called Hitech yesterday to remind him about the skin batch. Had to leave a message.

Title: Re: W.I.P. P-47D-26-RA, Lt. James R. Hopkins, 405thFG, 509thFS, Ophoven, Belgium
Post by: oboe on May 10, 2024, 08:17:38 AM

I finished up and submitted it yesterday.   Thanks to Greebo for his quick response in the review/approval process.

Title: Re: W.I.P. P-47D-26-RA, Lt. James R. Hopkins, 405thFG, 509thFS, Ophoven, Belgium
Post by: JimmyD3 on May 10, 2024, 05:45:45 PM

Very nice Oboe! :aok