General Forums => Custom Skins => Topic started by: oboe on February 22, 2023, 10:53:00 PM
Title: Bare metal Thunderbolt work-in-progress
Post by: oboe on February 22, 2023, 10:53:00 PM
I've been working hard on this one but still have a lot to do. Lots of details to add yet and I'm using the default N-map so it doesn't quite match my rivet and panel lines. I've been through quite a few iterations and alterations, but this one gives a pretty good idea of how my bare metal texture is coming along on the Thunderbolt. I think the bubbletop P-47 is a fine-looking aircraft, with strong, clean and graceful lines. And actually prettier as a bare aluminum bird than in olive drab I think.
Click for full-size image (https://i.imgur.com/w4Vh4Ra.jpg)
I have a few ideas of some schemes I'm planning to work up but I'm also open to suggestions.
February is a short month and I still have so much to do; I'm not sure if I can get one done by the next skin batch review. The 1st is next week already.
Title: Re: Bare metal Thunderbolt work-in-progress
Post by: Devil 505 on February 22, 2023, 11:50:14 PM
Damn, that's looking amazing already.
Title: Re: Bare metal Thunderbolt work-in-progress
Post by: lyric1 on February 23, 2023, 02:03:38 AM
:aok
Title: Re: Bare metal Thunderbolt work-in-progress
Post by: Greebo on February 23, 2023, 02:04:13 AM
Looking really good so far Oboe.
Title: Re: Bare metal Thunderbolt work-in-progress
Post by: Vraciu on February 23, 2023, 11:21:51 AM
Very very very nice.
Title: Re: Bare metal Thunderbolt work-in-progress
Post by: Hajo on February 23, 2023, 02:36:49 PM
Oboe.........a lot of people in game know that I am a proponent of the Jug. Big fan I may say and have done a lot of research on the and the 56th and 78th.
Looks great..............I'll be following closely on this one. A bare metal finished Razorback I love.
Just sayin'n :rock
Title: Re: Bare metal Thunderbolt work-in-progress
Post by: oboe on February 23, 2023, 03:04:28 PM
Thanks, guys.
Hajo,
Thank you, I thought of you nearly every time I placed a row of rivets :lol. I will adapt this metal skin base to the Razorback, D-40 and N models, so if you have a particular favorite P-47 that hasn't been done yet, please post a suggestion here.
It was this video the triggered my interested in skinning the Jug:
:salute
Title: Re: Bare metal Thunderbolt work-in-progress
Post by: Hajo on February 23, 2023, 06:40:09 PM
Thank you, I thought of you nearly every time I placed a row of rivets :lol. I will adapt this metal skin base to the Razorback, D-40 and N models, so if you have a particular favorite P-47 that hasn't been done yet, please post a suggestion here.
It was this video the triggered my interested in skinning the Jug:
:salute
The unmistakable sound of an R-2800 is fantastic! Thanks for posting! Fencer sent me a clip of this on our BBS awhile ago. Thanks for reminding me how awesome the R2800 sounds!
There are two I really like. There are color plates of two that I really like as Razorbacks. I don't know if you are familiar with the Osprey Aircraft of the Aces series. In that book there are 42 color plates of the P47. The title of the book is P47 Thunderbolt Aces of the Eighth Air Force. I don't know how accurate they are though. First is tail number 225512 a D21 flown by Capt. Robert Johnson of the 62nd FS/56th FG. It's the famous Penrod and Sam named after Johnson' ground crew.The other is a 78th FG a 47 flown by Quince Brown, also a D21 with tail number 225698. It has the checkerboard black and white cowling of that famed FG, 84th FS/78th FG.
Again I don't know how accurate they are, both planes and tail number. It would be nice to see either in game if they aren't already there. There are two Razorbacks unfinished in the inventory. One is a 78th and one a 56th but not of the aircraft I mentioned.
Thanks! Hajo
Title: Re: Bare metal Thunderbolt work-in-progress
Post by: oboe on February 23, 2023, 08:48:49 PM
I'm not at my gaming computer right now but I'm sure Penrod and Sam is in game, and I want to say there is a bare metal Razorback fro the 78th already - I think Greebo may have done it, so its top hole. Coded MX-G if I recall correctly...
Title: Re: Bare metal Thunderbolt work-in-progress
Post by: Devil 505 on February 23, 2023, 09:09:44 PM
Here's my request for a bare metal D-25: "Mister Lucky" from the 86th FS / 79th FG.
I did some research and could not find any color profiles of this aircraft. Not sure what color the canopy frame is, or the namne lettering. Typical 79th FG tail is painted True Blue with Yellow lightning bolts, but this one looks to have an un-painted tail, with maybe blue bolts?
The 79th FG has a fantastic websire btw. Absolutely first rate.
I did some research and could not find any color profiles of this aircraft. Not sure what color the canopy frame is, or the namne lettering. Typical 79th FG tail is painted True Blue with Yellow lightning bolts, but this one looks to have an un-painted tail, with maybe blue bolts?
The 79th FG has a fantastic websire btw. Absolutely first rate.
As far as the colors, I believe the tail and canopy frame are True Blue with the lighting bolts and lettering are yellow. Maybe the frame is red?
If you're not sure about X27 then Maybe you would rather tackle X35? All I really want is a D-25 from the 85th with the flying skull emblem on the cowl and the blue tail with lighting bolts.
Greebo and I had this same debate on this very aircraft X27. A person made a comment on a Facebook page that caught my eye.
(https://i.imgur.com/F746U0wh.jpg)
Its the type of film used that causes that image. To verify I found another plane X70 taken with two different types of film. If you didn't know the film was different you would just assume two different paint jobs on the same plane.
(https://i.imgur.com/MbvhUyyh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ITs4Lskh.jpg)
Title: Re: Bare metal Thunderbolt work-in-progress
Post by: lyric1 on February 25, 2023, 07:16:52 PM
If you're not sure about X27 then Maybe you would rather tackle X35?
(https://i.imgur.com/vl58qkfh.jpg)
I do have an image as well as a profile of the other side of X35.
"X Sweet Heart II"
Not real sure of the red colour for X35 text it is a -40 model per the profile :headscratch: most likely just an added part at a later date. (https://i.imgur.com/YJEQbTgh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/8XLwbFLh.jpg)
Title: Re: Bare metal Thunderbolt work-in-progress
Post by: Nefarious on February 26, 2023, 07:34:10 AM
Title: Latest W.I.P. screenshots
Post by: oboe on March 12, 2023, 12:27:12 AM
It's coming along; I've cleaned up the metal texture a bit, added rivet line glare/shadow, more details and grime. Still using some basic Spec, Power and Env maps. At this sun angle (10am) the broad curves of the fuselage seem to show the metal effect nicely but the wings are pretty much meh. They do shine at other angles but its not as impressive as the fuselage.
Click image for original size (https://i.imgur.com/akFROEy.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/DEDjg8s.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/2GQWd4I.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/PCDm1EJ.jpg)
Title: Re: Bare metal Thunderbolt work-in-progress
Post by: lyric1 on March 12, 2023, 12:29:13 AM
:aok
Title: Re: Bare metal Thunderbolt work-in-progress
Post by: Greebo on March 12, 2023, 03:05:34 AM
It's really coming along nicely Oboe, look forward to seeing the end result.
Title: Re: Bare metal Thunderbolt work-in-progress
Post by: Devil 505 on March 12, 2023, 09:26:11 AM
Fantastic looking.
Title: Re: Bare metal Thunderbolt work-in-progress
Post by: Vraciu on March 13, 2023, 05:25:05 PM
Looking good.
Title: Re: Bare metal Thunderbolt work-in-progress
Post by: Devil 505 on November 15, 2023, 05:12:59 PM
X35 would still be my choice from the 85th, though.
Title: Re: Bare metal Thunderbolt work-in-progress
Post by: oboe on January 20, 2024, 12:13:22 PM
OK guys bringing up this old thread as I am taking a break from the late-model '47s and working my way back through the earlier ones.
As I review this thread, these candidates for the 79th FG P-47D-25 stand out as possibilities:
X-27 "Mister Lucky" - however unsure of the color of the name art - possibly green with black outline, i.e. "luck of the Irish". Or it could be yellow; seems to match the center stripe of the rear fuselage band of the photo of X-02. Or red, as it seems close to the shade of the red "NO STEP" block on the inner rear wing. Really seems like just a guess.
X-39 "West By Gawd Virginia" - probably the best in terms of reference material to eliminate guesswork but still relies on an artist's color profile.
X-38 Cowl squad art on on right side suggests all 85thFS bore the squad emblem on both R & L sides. No left side view of this aircraft so any other nose art is an open question
X-35 "Sweetheart" - profile shows it as a D-40; however photos show lack of tail fin suggesting pre-D30. Not sure if X-35 is red, profile show red but that seems unique among 79th FG Jugs and it is only artwork, not photo evidence. The only example of the female figure nose art lacks detail so it would be more of a challenge to do than X-39.
I'm leaning either X-27 or X-39.
Title: Re: Bare metal Thunderbolt work-in-progress
Post by: Devil 505 on January 20, 2024, 12:26:45 PM
I still vote for X35 "Sweetheart"
At the scale of the pinup will be on the skin, you won't be able to add any more detail than can be seen in the photo. Nailing the hair color and the light and shadows should suffice.
Title: Re: Bare metal Thunderbolt work-in-progress
Post by: oboe on January 20, 2024, 01:04:26 PM
At the scale of the pinup will be on the skin, you won't be able to add any more detail than can be seen in the photo. Nailing the hair color and the light and shadows should suffice.
When working with female nudes I prefer as much detail as possible. Greebo says he even hires real models to pose for him. He is SO dedicated to the craft ;)
Do you think the X35 is red? Or black?
Title: Re: Bare metal Thunderbolt work-in-progress
Post by: Devil 505 on January 20, 2024, 01:09:29 PM
When working with female nudes I prefer as much detail as possible. Greebo says he even hires real models to pose for him. He is SO dedicated to the craft ;)
Do you think the X35 is red? Or black?
Had no idea he used models and yes I agree truly dedicated.