Will pay $150 for skin of Witchcraft

[Serenity]

Looks like the Q2s are too big, and there should not be the stencil space on them.

Also the white stripes on the tails are not wide enough.

Any of those engines or other areas leak oil? 

I don't see any fuel caps.  Where they red as usual or painted OD?

The over all Olive Drab seems a bit dark for a plane that has set outside for as long as that one had by the time you are depicting.  Not alot of wear/tear or stains on the paint either and I don't mean chipping.  Don't see alot of dirt either.

Do you have any suggestions as to how to depic this wear without it becoming pixelated? When ive tried adding small details to a skin for BUFFs, it looks very pixelated in the end. Same goes for fuel caps, details like that come out pretty badly pixelated. How much wider should the white lines on the tail be? They match the ones in both profiles in that they encompas three-and-about-a-half panels on the leading edge of the tail, and three ribs on the trailing edge.

(Dont read the above as a harsh comeback. its not intended as one, but rather honest questions.)

[Brooke]

I've been silent in this topic for a while as I have been doing a bunch of research on the colors of Witchcraft.

I'll comment on other things and put up more information in a bit, but here is what I've been working on.

Here is a page that is partially completed talking about some of the finer points of coloration of Witchcraft.  My conclusion is that the general modern depictions of Witchcraft (all cowlings red or alternating red and white cowlings) are incorrect, especially for Witchcraft before about 120 missions.

http://electraforge.com/brooke/flightsims/b24_flights/witchcraftColor.html

Here is a page with all decent historical photographs of Witchcraft that I could find, arranged in chronological order as best I can determine.  It shows the evolution of cowl and cowl-flap colors over time.

http://electraforge.com/brooke/flightsims/b24_flights/witchcraftHistorical.html

[Serenity]

I've been silent in this topic for a while as I have been doing a bunch of research on the colors of Witchcraft.

I'll comment on other things and put up more information in a bit, but here is what I've been working on.

Here is a page that is partially completed talking about some of the finer points of coloration of Witchcraft.  My conclusion is that the general modern depictions of Witchcraft (all cowlings red or alternating red and white cowlings) are incorrect, especially for Witchcraft before about 120 missions.

http://electraforge.com/brooke/flightsims/b24_flights/witchcraftColor.html

Here is a page with all decent historical photographs of Witchcraft that I could find, arranged in chronological order as best I can determine.  It shows the evolution of cowl and cowl-flap colors over time.

http://electraforge.com/brooke/flightsims/b24_flights/witchcraftHistorical.html

Well, Fencer was right then! Bare alluminum. So, the question is, which Witchraft am I doing for you? I have been doing the one from the original black and white image you posted, which would match the bomb count done by RedHawk. Would you like me to do something else?

[Brooke]

I think I'd pick a bomb count of 100 and thus use the olive-drab/gray-underside cowlings.  It looks like, for most of Witchcraft's life, that was the look, as opposed to a short time in the 120-130 mission range where it had the assortment of red (if indeed it was red -- hard to tell from black and white) and aluminum.

Before you do a lot of work on cowlings, though, I will talk to some of the guys in the 790th BS.

Also, there are some other touches that I will get to in my "Color of Witchcraft" document that can be worked on in the meantime.

[Brooke]

Man I wish I was here when this thread was started I could use that $150. Hell $20 is enough, its not that hard once you get your system down.

Serenity send a PM my way when you get a chance.

By the way, I'm happy to contribute some money to folks who contribute artwork for this, including folks who take others' files and improve on them (such as with touchups for wear-and-tear).  Redhawk, for example, has already contributed artwork, and I'll make sure some $ flow his way, too.

Guys from the 790th (such as Fred Holdrege, CO of the 790th) have been very helpful and supportive of Witchcraft making it into Aces High.  These guys flew this plane and others like it in danger, and in tribute to them, I'd really like (1) to get the skin into Aces High and (2) for it to be a top-notch skin.  I can't do it myself, as I don't have the knowledge, the skills, or the software -- but I can chip in some money to help make it happen.

I am fine with it being an effort on the part of several folks -- whatever will result in the end in the best skin.

So, as this project moves along, if anyone sees aspects that you can contribute, please feel free to jump in.  I will reward those whose artwork contributions are in the skin.

[Brooke]

Here are the next steps that I'll do:

1.  Finish my document on fine points of coloration of Witchcraft.
2.  Suggest any modifications to the current skin (which is shaping up nicely, Serenity) based on that information.
3.  Start getting into aspects of wear and tear.

Once this skin is done and in Aces High (assuming HTC lets it in), then I plan to coordinate a small special event to gather films that can be edited into a movie to give to the 790th folks who have been so helpful with information.

[Serenity]

I think I'd pick a bomb count of 100 and thus use the olive-drab/gray-underside cowlings.  It looks like, for most of Witchcraft's life, that was the look, as opposed to a short time in the 120-130 mission range where it had the assortment of red (if indeed it was red -- hard to tell from black and white) and aluminum.

Before you do a lot of work on cowlings, though, I will talk to some of the guys in the 790th BS.

Also, there are some other touches that I will get to in my "Color of Witchcraft" document that can be worked on in the meantime.

Just my $.02. This is totally your choice though. I personally think the mixed-cowlings are the most attractive for this skin. They WERE sported in combat, and look very sexy IMHO as well as setting her apart from other B-24s ingame.

[Brooke]

Just my $.02. This is totally your choice though. I personally think the mixed-cowlings are the most attractive for this skin. They WERE sported in combat, and look very sexy IMHO as well as setting her apart from other B-24s ingame.

I like the look of them, too.  It's unusual and colorful.  The problem, though, is that I can only guess that they were red, and that might be a wrong guess.  Some of the guys in the 790th don't remember them being red and are even wondering if red might be incorrect.

Also, for the life of Witchcraft, it had the (assuming it's even correct) red and aluminum cowlings only for a handful of its 130 missions -- perhaps only 10-15 of 130.  Most of its life (maybe as much as 110 of 130) seems like it might have been the olive-drab/gray coloration.

[Serenity]

I like the look of them, too.  It's unusual and colorful.  The problem, though, is that I can only guess that they were red, and that might be a wrong guess.  Some of the guys in the 790th don't remember them being red and are even wondering if red might be incorrect.

Also, for the life of Witchcraft, it had the (assuming it's even correct) red and aluminum cowlings only for a handful of its 130 missions -- perhaps only 10-15 of 130.  Most of its life (maybe as much as 110 of 130) seems like it might have been the olive-drab/gray coloration.

Alright, that makes sense!

[Brooke]

I have completed my research into coloration based on historical photos.  All results are now posted here:

http://www.electraforge.com/brooke/flightsims/b24_flights/witchcraftColor.html

If I have any updates to it (such as from talking to the 790th BS guys), I will post here that there are changes and what they are.

[Serenity]

Alright, so, to sum up, the version I am doing for you has:

All OD cowlings?

white stripes along the bomb bay doors

NO waves along the bomb bay doors

The number '3' on the inside number 3 engine

The number '9' on the inside number 2 engine

Is this all correct?

(Also, a correction, in the two images you posted shoing that there WERE wave boundaries on the bay-doors:

http://www.electraforge.com/brooke/flightsims/b24_flights/witchcraftHistorical/IMAGE_from_perry2.jpg

http://www.electraforge.com/brooke/flightsims/b24_flights/witchcraftHistorical/witch7.jpg

Those lines look perfectly straight to me. Am I looking in the wrong spot?)

[Lord ReDhAwK]

Heya Lord Brooke,

I appreciate the thought sir, but honestly I'm fine   Just happy to do a little part for the ones that really flew her.  I would be happy to take part in the Reel that you make for them after the finished product is in the air (if theres room.)

ReDhAwK

[Brooke]

Alright, so, to sum up, the version I am doing for you has:

All OD cowlings?

white stripes along the bomb bay doors

NO waves along the bomb bay doors

The number '3' on the inside number 3 engine

The number '9' on the inside number 2 engine

Is this all correct?

Yes, assuming engines 3 and 2 are what I think they are (outermost engines).

However, you should wait a little bit before any mods, as I plan to try to talk to Witchcraft's flight engineer/top gunner over the weekend.  He might have corrections.

(Also, a correction, in the two images you posted shoing that there WERE wave boundaries on the bay-doors:

http://www.electraforge.com/brooke/flightsims/b24_flights/witchcraftHistorical/IMAGE_from_perry2.jpg

http://www.electraforge.com/brooke/flightsims/b24_flights/witchcraftHistorical/witch7.jpg

Those lines look perfectly straight to me. Am I looking in the wrong spot?)

See the waviness below the red dots.

[Serenity]

Yes, assuming engines 3 and 2 are what I think they are (outermost engines).

However, you should wait a little bit before any mods, as I plan to try to talk to Witchcraft's flight engineer/top gunner over the weekend.  He might have corrections.

See the waviness below the red dots.

(Image removed from quote.)

Ah! lol. So I was looking at the wrong part.

As for modifying it, dont worry, every mark I make is on its own layer so its all easily switched and changed. I think ive got 4 different versions in one file, lol

[Brooke]

I got this interesting information today from Janice Bates, daughter of Ray Betcher (Witchcraft mechanic):

"Hi, Andy!  I talked to Dad this morning -- he says the Witchcraft cowlings were originally the 'olive drab' color of the plane.  As engines were replaced, they may have gotten ones that were that color or unpainted(silver), but they NEVER had any that were red.  He says he does have a picture of the Witch that has some of each color.  If anyone needs to talk to him, his phone number is . . . Let me know how the flight simulator is going, if you can.  We'd love to see it and/or get a copy if possible."