RAF for D/H pack (WIP)

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Skycat
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RAF for D/H pack (WIP)

Post by Skycat »

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I put about four hours into aligning the camouflage on the fuselage tonight. The WoP P-51D/H model is more of a challenge to paint than I anticipated. The wings are next. I'm still figuring all this out.

The spray pattern is based on two profiles:
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Last edited by Skycat on 18 Apr 2015, 18:43, edited 1 time in total.

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Lewis - A2A
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Re: RAF for D/H pack (WIP)

Post by Lewis - A2A »

Wow attention for an old model indeed.Great job cheers Lewis


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Skycat
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Re: RAF for D/H pack (WIP)

Post by Skycat »

Thank you, Lewis. :)

It's funny to think that the paint kit is dated February 2005. I suppose this is my Ten Year Anniversary tribute to Wings of Power. I'm probably only amusing myself with this project though... Is TomLovesMustangs still checking in here at the forums?

More progress:
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My reference for the topside pattern is a sample of a decals sheet for scale models. The detail of my source isn't very good, as you can see in the inset, but I think I captured the essence of the pattern as it was interpreted by the decals company.

Some of the green spray is where it is to make areas mate up. Sometimes the pattern is to work around inconvenient polygon anomalies on the model. You can see what I mean if you open up the default 'Moon Mullins' texture and look at the nose art on the fuselage.

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Skycat
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Re: RAF for D/H pack (WIP)

Post by Skycat »

Hmmm... The colors of the camo pattern are inverted on this reference.
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Skycat
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Re: RAF for D/H pack (WIP)

Post by Skycat »

After reviewing convincing evidence that YT-E was painted using 'loop' scheme camouflage, I set aside my earlier paint and reworked the upper surfaces. I'm now focusing on completing a YT-E paint, which is appropriate since I noticed that today is the 70th anniversary of Flight Lt. Pearson's crash landing in Sweden.

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The red spinner in the screenshot is a coincidence. That said, I practically have a 249 Squadron RAF repaint in the bag.

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Skycat
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Re: RAF for D/H pack (WIP)

Post by Skycat »

I'm nearly done with my YT-E repaint. I need to add the yellow on leading edges of the wings, plus some grime and grit, but otherwise it is flyable:

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I redid the camouflage yet again, based on a snapshot I found at a review of a model kit. I don't know how informed or accurate the model kit's painting guide is--in fact, the photograph from 1945 suggests YT-E's flaps were painted similar to the 'loop' scheme above and not like the 'typical day fighter pattern' that the model company provides. I also used the profile on the artwork that is overlayed (and much reduced) on the painting guide below for my decision on the spinner and other details:
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Skycat
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Re: RAF for D/H pack (WIP)

Post by Skycat »

YT-E is now finished. (Perhaps I'll tweak a few things tomorrow though...)

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Lewis - A2A
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Re: RAF for D/H pack (WIP)

Post by Lewis - A2A »

Very nice skycat, a nice anniversary paint as you say :)

cheers,
Lewis
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TomLovesMustangs
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Re: RAF for D/H pack (WIP)

Post by TomLovesMustangs »

Very nice want them all especially 655.
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Skycat
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Re: RAF for D/H pack (WIP)

Post by Skycat »

Tom, I ended up changing YT-E back to the Loop scheme--the photographic evidence was just too strong to ignore, and other photos of Mk.IVs suggest it was a common pattern. I can finish up the red-nosed 249 Squadron pretty quickly.
Pax Orbis Per Arma Aeria

TomLovesMustangs
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Re: RAF for D/H pack (WIP)

Post by TomLovesMustangs »

ok no problem.
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Skycat
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Re: RAF for D/H pack (WIP)

Post by Skycat »

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Done with YT-E. I mean it. No more tweaking or second guessing, honest! The thickness of the fuselage code letters in my earlier version bothered me, so I trimmed them down to look like the photographs from 1945. I added a few details, and of course changed the camouflage on the wing. I could keep nipping at this forever I'm afraid, so it's time to stop.

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Here is more evidence that there was a standard (or at least typical) camouflage for Mustang IVs when they were painted. I don't know if this was North American Aviation's factory paint for RAF-designated aircraft, or if it was applied after delivery.

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This isn't a Mk IV, but the camouflage pattern is so similar to the those in the photo above that I think it supports the idea of a 'typical' pattern for Mustangs.

Anyhow, the textures are ready to send out, and I have Aircraft.cfgs prepared for both the combat and the long range models.

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mgr
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Re: RAF for D/H pack (WIP)

Post by mgr »

Looking good, btw good description of the "T.O.", "loop" and "firewall" scheme's can be found here:

T.O.: http://www.3squadron.org.au/subpages/Mu ... K%20P3.htm

Firewall: http://www.3squadron.org.au/subpages/Mu ... K%20P4.htm

Loop: http://www.3squadron.org.au/subpages/Mu ... K%20P6.htm

Marcel

PS
Myselve did a RAAF repaint of the "firewall" scheme:
http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?Ca ... LID=168638
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Skycat
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Re: RAF for D/H pack (WIP)

Post by Skycat »

Thanks, Marcel. I like that paint!

I found some great resources last night and now a Sharkmouth w/firewall scheme is on my 'to do' list--I might piggyback an RAAF scheme like yours onto that. My immediate plan is to cheat a little and alter YT-E to a No. 249 Squadron RAF scheme; I just read that unit preferred earth brown and green so they painted over the gray, possibly with captured Italian paint. Accurate or not, I can accomplish that in only a few seconds and create a 'same but different' unique skin.

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Skycat
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Re: RAF for D/H pack (WIP)

Post by Skycat »

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My 'brown and green' rendition of GN-B from No. 249 Squadron.

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Here's the original.

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