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General Forums => Custom Skins => Topic started by: Vraciu on January 19, 2025, 06:25:33 PM

Title: Lt. John C. Donnell, Jr. - P-51D "PIN UP GIRL" (L2*V) - 479th FG, 434th FS Rev 2
Post by: Vraciu on January 19, 2025, 06:25:33 PM: New version of this aircraft with a full redraw. A lot of work went into it that probably isn't particularly obvious since I'm working along the margins for improvements at this stage.

Original: https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,393832.0.html

Rev 1: https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,394476.msg5233939.html#msg5233939

P-51D-15-NA, s/n 44-14651
"PIN UP GIRL" - L2*V
Lt. John C. Donnell Jr. (Previous Pilot: Lt. Berkley E. Hollister)
479th Fighter Group, 434th Fighter Squadron
Wattisham, November 1944

This is P-51D "Pin Up Girl" of the 434th Fighter Squadron, 479th Fighter Group, flown by Lieutenant John C. Donnell, Jr. Originally painted for then-Lieutenant Berkley E. Hollister (four victories) by Sergeant Fred Hayner, the nose art initially included only the name. Hollister scored two victories with this airplane in August 1944.

After Lt. Hollister's tour ended the aircraft was assigned to Lt. John C. Donnell, Jr. at which time the female figure was added by SSGT Fredrick C. Hayner, Squadron Painter, to the nose art on the left cowling along with "Muriel of Troy" on the right (in honor of Hayner's wife and home town in New York). Lt. Donnell was shot down and killed by flak near Dreiskau on 14th February 1945. Captain Hollister died in December 2015 at the age of 95.

(https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=410403.0;attach=37893)

(https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=410403.0;attach=37895)

(https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=410403.0;attach=37897)

(https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=410403.0;attach=37899)

(https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=410403.0;attach=37909)
Title: Re: Lt. John C. Donnell, Jr. - P-51D "PIN UP GIRL" (L2*V) - 479th FG, 434th FS Rev 2
Post by: Vraciu on January 19, 2025, 06:29:46 PM: Comparisons are fun.

Revision 2 (Current Version):

(https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=410403.0;attach=37893)

Revision 1:

(https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=394476.0;attach=34867)

Original:

(http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=393832.0;attach=30341) (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=393832.0;attach=30361)

This painting is the work of famous dragster painter (the late) Nat Quick. I really like it even though it has a discrepancy or two with the markings. The only copy I'm aware of is at the San Diego Air and Space Museum. I don't know how many were released commercially but I sure wish I could find it. Seeing it again was the motivation to update this skin finally.

(https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=410403.0;attach=37903)

(https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=410403.0;attach=37907)
Title: Re: Lt. John C. Donnell, Jr. - P-51D "PIN UP GIRL" (L2*V) - 479th FG, 434th FS Rev 2
Post by: Devil 505 on January 19, 2025, 07:04:33 PM: Nice.
Title: Re: Lt. John C. Donnell, Jr. - P-51D "PIN UP GIRL" (L2*V) - 479th FG, 434th FS Rev 2
Post by: lyric1 on January 19, 2025, 07:36:03 PM: :aok
Title: Re: Lt. John C. Donnell, Jr. - P-51D "PIN UP GIRL" (L2*V) - 479th FG, 434th FS Rev 2
Post by: Greebo on January 20, 2025, 01:44:42 AM: Nice update Vraciu.
Title: Re: Lt. John C. Donnell, Jr. - P-51D "PIN UP GIRL" (L2*V) - 479th FG, 434th FS Rev 2
Post by: Vraciu on January 20, 2025, 09:46:05 AM: Thank you guys.

Did some research on Hollister's victory credits. The USAF shows two on 8/25/1944. I haven't found any others. So he may have two confirmed instead of four.
Title: Re: Lt. John C. Donnell, Jr. - P-51D "PIN UP GIRL" (L2*V) - 479th FG, 434th FS Rev 2
Post by: JimmyD3 on January 20, 2025, 11:13:14 AM: Very nice V!!! :salute

BTW missing you in the game.......
Title: Re: Lt. John C. Donnell, Jr. - P-51D "PIN UP GIRL" (L2*V) - 479th FG, 434th FS Rev 2
Post by: Vraciu on January 20, 2025, 11:51:41 AM: Quote from: JimmyD3 on January 20, 2025, 11:13:14 AM
Very nice V!!! :salute

BTW missing you in the game.......

Thank you, Kenny! :cheers:

I think I'm retired from it. Two consecutive tours as #1 Fighter Rank seemed an appropriate time to pull the plug. But you never know I guess.

:salute
Title: Re: Lt. John C. Donnell, Jr. - P-51D "PIN UP GIRL" (L2*V) - 479th FG, 434th FS Rev 2
Post by: JimmyD3 on January 20, 2025, 03:08:56 PM: Maybe :devil But the Thrill of victory and the agony of defeat will bring many back. :x

At any rate wishing the best to you and yours..... :salute
Title: Re: Lt. John C. Donnell, Jr. - P-51D "PIN UP GIRL" (L2*V) - 479th FG, 434th FS Rev 2
Post by: Vraciu on January 20, 2025, 04:32:45 PM: True. :rofl

Same to you, bro. :salute
Title: Re: Lt. John C. Donnell, Jr. - P-51D "PIN UP GIRL" (L2*V) - 479th FG, 434th FS Rev 2
Post by: Banshee7 on January 20, 2025, 10:02:36 PM: Excellent work, V.
Title: Re: Lt. John C. Donnell, Jr. - P-51D "PIN UP GIRL" (L2*V) - 479th FG, 434th FS Rev 2
Post by: Vraciu on January 21, 2025, 10:14:23 AM: Thanks, bro. :salute
Title: Re: Lt. John C. Donnell, Jr. - P-51D "PIN UP GIRL" (L2*V) - 479th FG, 434th FS Rev 2
Post by: Lazerr on January 23, 2025, 05:42:53 PM: Quote from: Vraciu on January 20, 2025, 11:51:41 AM
Thank you, Kenny! :cheers:

I think I'm retired from it. Two consecutive tours as #1 Fighter Rank seemed an appropriate time to pull the plug. But you never know I guess.

:salute

:rofl
Title: Re: Lt. John C. Donnell, Jr. - P-51D "PIN UP GIRL" (L2*V) - 479th FG, 434th FS Rev 2
Post by: Vraciu on January 23, 2025, 06:12:08 PM: Quote from: Lazerr on January 23, 2025, 05:42:53 PM
:rofl

Don't make me make a phone call... 🦇
Title: Re: Lt. John C. Donnell, Jr. - P-51D "PIN UP GIRL" (L2*V) - 479th FG, 434th FS Rev 2
Post by: Lazerr on January 23, 2025, 06:42:20 PM: Quote from: Vraciu on January 23, 2025, 06:12:08 PM
Don't make me make a phone call... 🦇

Sorry my bad, not the place for this. Nice skin, nice story too.
Title: Re: Lt. John C. Donnell, Jr. - P-51D "PIN UP GIRL" (L2*V) - 479th FG, 434th FS Rev 2
Post by: Vraciu on January 23, 2025, 06:45:12 PM: Quote from: Lazerr on January 23, 2025, 06:42:20 PM
Sorry my bad, not the place for this. Nice skin, nice story too.

All good. Thanks for the compliment. :salute
Title: Re: Lt. John C. Donnell, Jr. - P-51D "PIN UP GIRL" (L2*V) - 479th FG, 434th FS Rev 2
Post by: xanax on January 23, 2025, 06:46:08 PM: Again, I love the detailed provenance provided with each submission. I think it is important and reverent to do so, so thanks for doing a such a good job with that.
The skin looks amazing and I'm stunned at the detail. It must take a long time for you fellas to knock these out. I could never do it as I can't even draw a straight line with a straight-edge, much less navigate whatever rocket surgery software you are using to do these.

Thanks for doing it.
Title: Re: Lt. John C. Donnell, Jr. - P-51D "PIN UP GIRL" (L2*V) - 479th FG, 434th FS Rev 2
Post by: Vraciu on January 23, 2025, 09:19:50 PM: Glad to do it.

It can be time consuming, but with experience--and a template--the time has gone way down.

It's getting harder and harder to find info on these guys. The sites I originally got the information from are mostly gone now. I guess very few men, no matter how brave, are immune to being lost to history.

:salute
Title: Re: Lt. John C. Donnell, Jr. - P-51D "PIN UP GIRL" (L2*V) - 479th FG, 434th FS Rev 2
Post by: Vraciu on January 24, 2025, 05:32:55 AM: Quote from: xanax on January 23, 2025, 06:46:08 PM
I could never do it as I can't even draw a straight line with a straight-edge, much less navigate whatever rocket surgery software you are using to do these.

🤣

THIS is hilarious, btw.

(You could do if though. It takes time to figure it out, but trust me it is totally doable.)