Something Different (RAAF Mustang A68-1)

[Bomber_12th]

This is only a repaint for Warbirdsim's "Little Friends" product, which I hope to have finished up/uploaded here tomorrow. The base textures are almost completely new/different than those used in "Little Friends", and are of the same type developed for Warbirdsim's up-coming P-51D-5-NA set, "Little Friends II".

If interested, I'll let you know when it has been uploaded. If you drag the images into a new tab, you can view them at sometimes more than double the resolution displayed here, in order to get a better sense of/look at the details.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image1-2.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image2-2.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image3-1.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image8-3.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image5-1.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image6-1.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image7-8.jpg

[Bomber_12th]

One more screenshot...it definitely is a fun ride, and fun to 'show off' in - it looks all business.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image12.jpg

[jeansy]

thanks mate

[Bomber_12th]

Matt, I think I am definitely starting to get into a "Aussie-Mustang" sort of groove/interest - there will certainly be a few more RAAF repaints made this week. ; )

[jeansy]

Matt, I think I am definitely starting to get into a "Aussie-Mustang" sort of groove/interest - there will certainly be a few more RAAF repaints made this week. ; )

great news

heres something that might help http://www.adf-serials.com/2a68.shtml

[Bomber_12th]

Thank you Matt, that is an excellent site!

My interest in A68-1 goes back to when I saw this documentary for the first time earlier this year, about the story of the "Emu Mustangs". Really interesting viewing if anyone has yet to see this (and worth watching again if you have).

"Mustangs at Emu"
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8_xQcfls3A
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA1wvAiuj2o (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA1wvAiuj2o&feature=related)
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Snhrqd5RT-A

[ColoKent]

....here's a good link with a few Aussie P-51s-- to include a few post war schemes:

http://grubbyfingersshop.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=5_8

Kent

[ZsoltB]

Very Great repaint!

[calypsos]

Will it work with either of the other Mustang packs?? I drew the line at purchasing yet another (re-paint, mainly) pack at a high price.

[jankees]

Thank you Matt, that is an excellent site!

My interest in A68-1 goes back to when I saw this documentary for the first time earlier this year, about the story of the "Emu Mustangs". Really interesting viewing if anyone has yet to see this (and worth watching again if you have).



Thank you for that link, John!
It's fun, 'cos it starts with an interview with Len Beadell, an old hero of mine. I must have read all his books on outback roads at least twice, and I've driven quite of few of them too!
That certainly brought back memories!

[Bomber_12th]

Will it work with either of the other Mustang packs??

I'm sorry Calypsos, but this repaint was made to specifically be applied to one of the models in "Little Friends".


I drew the line at purchasing yet another (re-paint, mainly) pack at a high price.

Do you really believe that? If that was the case I could have put "Little Friends" together in two weeks or less. When I read comments like this, I regret the 2-3 years I invested working on these aircraft in all of their different forms, so that there wouldn't be just another single generalized hodge-podge of a P-51D. I've definitely learned my lesson - never again.

It's all just repaints, right?

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Little Friends II/Image1.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/compa_5.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/p51k_raf7.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/no_gunsight.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Moose_12.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image6-5.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image5-7.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image14-5.jpg

[Bomber_12th]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/405_mustang.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/naca_51.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image24-3.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image28-5.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/raaf_2.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/FF704_1-1.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/BC_7.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/f6d_3.jpg

[Bomber_12th]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image10-4.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image7-6.jpg

[Milton Shupe]

John,

I think these are the most awesome products I have seen to-date. So much detail and realism just boggles my developer mind. Excellence throughout. :medals: :applause:

[DaveQ]

There are lots of us out here who really do appreciate your work John. Don't give up on us all just yet.....:salute:!!

From what you're saying the new -D5 will have a new paint kit. Will it map to the existing 'Little Friends'?

DaveQ

[calypsos]

Do you really believe that? If that was the case I could have put "Little Friends" together in two weeks or less. When I read comments like this, I regret the 2-3 years I invested working on these aircraft in all of their different forms, so that there wouldn't be just another single generalized hodge-podge of a P-51D. I've definitely learned my lesson - never again.

It's all just repaints, right?


I believed that because that was the impression I got (from a thread here, I think) when it was released, the first two packs are indeed works of art, I (not being a total P-51 addict) decided that those two packs gave me all the Mustangs I need. I am just a sucker for an RAF 'D' type roundle on bare metal! Now if there was an F-82 pack, that would get my credit card flexing.

[skyhawka4m]

Actually John you know as well as I do there are more variants you "could" do if you wanted to and frankly...I'm happy as hell to have all the ones you have done. The level of realism you have given me with these mustangs without taking the fun away by making it over complex works for me. Accusim or not....these in my eyes blow evverything else on the market away.....just my two cents...and thanks again.......oh wait....Can you do a P-51D with a DF loop?? :applause::salute:

[ColoKent]

...with the two packages I bought. And I agree with Calypso-- I'd LOVE an F-82 package and would instantly buy it!

Kent

[Bomber_12th]

I'm sorry to have had a little bit of a "flip out" earlier - I'm not really looking for any additional praise, I just wish there would be more understanding at times about all that has gone into each individual product, but even after writing the pages and pages I have about the differences, I find it hard to get across all that there is (without also sounding like I am repeating myself).

If interested, I have finished and uploaded the repaint of A68-1 to here and also to Flightsim.com. When it becomes available, this link should take you to it in the SOH libary: http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/local_links.php?catid=3&linkid=4898

My initial decision to make this repaint for "Little Friends" is simply because it is the most advanced/detailed Warbirdsim product released to date, but for Calypso and anyone else with the "Restored Part 2" product, I'll also start working on producing this repaint and release it for that product as well. There are several changes that will have to be made in order to support one of the models in the "Restored Part 2" product, but it shouldn't take too long, and the texture work will also display just the same on it as it does on "Little Friends" - i.e. the same reflective/specular effects.

It is a big file, as I have also made changes for the landing gear leg, door, wheel, and tire textures, new bump/normal maps (depending on what you call them), unique/specific specular maps just for this scheme, and all of these texture files are included in the aircraft's texture folder.

Here are a few more screenshots of the final work:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/A68-1_A.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/A68-1_B.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/A68-1_C.jpg

[Bomber_12th]

From what you're saying the new -D5 will have a new paint kit. Will it map to the existing 'Little Friends'?

DaveQ

Dave, yes it will! The difference of course is that the panel lines, rivets, and fasteners around the tail, nose, and other select regions of the aircraft, as well as the various differences in holes/ports around the aircraft, are different between early and late examples, so these layers as well as all of the levels/detail layers that go with those are quite different. The D-5 paint kit also has fabric elevators instead of the metal type, etc. With the D-5's, I also created all new specular maps/specular map alpha channels and new bump/normal maps, and I have adjusted these too, with all of the layers as mentioned above, to work with the later-models of "Little Friends". I'm still working on finishing up the extensive paintkit for the up-coming P-51D-5-NA set, and then I will focus some time on updating the older "Little Friends" paintkit set with the new textures, and send out new links for it to those who are interested.

[skyhawka4m]

Dave, yes it will! The difference of course is that the panel lines, rivets, and fasteners around the tail, nose, and other select regions of the aircraft, as well as the various differences in holes/ports around the aircraft, are different between early and late examples, so these layers as well as all of the levels/detail layers that go with those are quite different. The D-5 paint kit also has fabric elevators instead of the metal type, etc. With the D-5's, I also created all new specular maps/specular map alpha channels and new bump/normal maps, and I have adjusted these too, with all of the layers as mentioned above, to work with the later-models of "Little Friends". I'm still working on finishing up the extensive paintkit for the up-coming P-51D-5-NA set, and then I will focus some time on updating the older "Little Friends" paintkit set with the new textures, and send out new links for it to those who are interested.


:salute:

[Bomber_12th]

For those who do not own Warbirdsim's "Little Friends" product, here is an alternative version for use with Warbirdsim's P-51D "Restored Part 2" product. For the time being you can download it from here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?78nrv4ws7mwfhfn

And some screenshots of this version. It uses the "Little Rebel" model included in the "Restored Part 2" product, as I think it is the closest match.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image1-3.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image2-3.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image3-2.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image4-2.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image5-9.jpg

[Naki]

Beautiful!...any chance of a RNZAF scheme which is very similar?

I have Jankees very nice ZK-TAF repaint in Canterbury 3 sqn colours but would love to see one or more of Otago, Auckland or Wellington TAF sqn (1,2 & 4 sqn) repaints.

[ColoKent]

....just took a spin in A68-1 Point Cook to Essendon (with aerobatics in between) using ORBX's AU...Wonderful....simply wonderful!

Thanks, John!!!!

Kent

[AussieMan]

I'm sorry Calypsos, but this repaint was made to specifically be applied to one of the models in "Little Friends".



Do you really believe that? If that was the case I could have put "Little Friends" together in two weeks or less. When I read comments like this, I regret the 2-3 years I invested working on these aircraft in all of their different forms, so that there wouldn't be just another single generalized hodge-podge of a P-51D. I've definitely learned my lesson - never again.

It's all just repaints, right?

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Little Friends II/Image1.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/compa_5.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/p51k_raf7.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/no_gunsight.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Moose_12.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image6-5.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image5-7.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image14-5.jpg

John do us all a favour and ignore such remarks. You have produced a wonderful model and as a retired person on an age pension I still found enough money to buy these wonderful aircraft. Yes I have all versons from from the P-51B/C through to the P-51D 'Little Friends'.

Cheers
Pat

[AussieMan]

Bewdy John. Downloading both versions. Thanks mate.

Looks like I may have to try my hand at repainting now that I have time on my hands.

Cheers
Pat

[Bomber_12th]

Thank you everyone for the feedback on the repaint! At least in my own opinion, the black nose and black anti-glare panel creates an extra level of appeal - as I mentioned before, it is all business like in looks.

Naki, I think I owe it to you, and others, to put together a few NZ-schemes as well. I've noted the groups you've mentioned, and I'll try and pin-point a couple that catch my attention most. ; )
I'm sort of in-between major projects right now, for about a week, waiting on a number of manuals/drawings to arrive (while also just wanting to take some down-time), so it shouldn't be a problem to produce another Aussie scheme, and a couple of NZ schemes this week, as soon as I get the paintkit finished up for "Little Friends II", which has now become my biggest priority.

[Naki]

Fantastic John..looking forward to it...I'm partial to the Wellington Sqn colours but happy with anything...

http://www.thescale.info/news/publish/RNZAF-Mustangs.shtml

[ColoKent]

I love the NZ TAF P-51s too...This is gonna be GREAT....

Kent

[Bomber_12th]

Fantastic John..looking forward to it...I'm partial to the Wellington Sqn colours but happy with anything...

http://www.thescale.info/news/publish/RNZAF-Mustangs.shtml

Thank you Naki! I love those yellow/black and red/black checker-markings - I'll just have to do one of each. ; )

[calypsos]

John do us all a favour and ignore such remarks. You have produced a wonderful model and as a retired person on an age pension I still found enough money to buy these wonderful aircraft.

John, as I am sure you now know, I was not having a 'dig' at 'Little Freinds' just stating that I could not justify (within my own limited budget) another $30 for more Mustangs, hell, I have lttle time enough for what Mustangs I have already! I have almost no income and get most of my payware 'free' by being a beta tester nowadays for a couple of the larger developers! Thanks a million for making this great paint fit the earlier P-51 D package, it looks superb!

[Bomber_12th]

Thank you Calypso, and I apppologize for the way I responded to your comments, and I appreciate your follow-up posts. Through it all I'm glad you're enjoying the repaint! I'll have to do the same as I did with A68-1, with the other repaints planned.

[huub vink]

Great paintwork again John. I love way you are able to show the difference in surface finish from these bare metal aircraft. A nice gesture to the owners of the other packages too!

If I could only have a tenth of your talent.....

Cheers,
Huub

[AussieMan]

Some suggestions for Aussie repaints:

http://i788.photobucket.com/albums/yy163/Aussieman15/Aussie Mustangs/AC_2A68_118.jpg

http://i788.photobucket.com/albums/yy163/Aussieman15/Aussie Mustangs/RF_2A68_118a.jpg

http://i788.photobucket.com/albums/yy163/Aussieman15/Aussie Mustangs/Mustang_A68_110_September_2010_sized.jpg

http://i788.photobucket.com/albums/yy163/Aussieman15/Aussie Mustangs/Mustang_A68_110_Bundaberg_25Apr07.jpg

Cheers
Pat

[Bomber_12th]

Thank you Pat! "Snifter" will likely be the next RAAF scheme.

Currently I'm working on NZ2406, and then I will do "Snifter" (or another RAAF scheme), before going back and doing another NZAF scheme.

I make all of the nose art by hand on my paint schemes, in order to ensure the highest level of quality/seamless-integration with the rest of the paintwork, so "Snifter", if done, will likely take several days to more than a week, in order to manage other projects and reproduce the nose art.

[AussieMan]

More:

http://i788.photobucket.com/albums/yy163/Aussieman15/Aussie Mustangs/Mustang_A68_107_Schofields_10th_November_1985.jpg



And as a Camo version for 3 Squadron:

http://i788.photobucket.com/albums/yy163/Aussieman15/Aussie Mustangs/Mustang_A68_105_September_2010_1_sized.jpg

http://i788.photobucket.com/albums/yy163/Aussieman15/Aussie Mustangs/Mustang_A68_104_Schofields_26Sep76.jpg

http://i788.photobucket.com/albums/yy163/Aussieman15/Aussie Mustangs/HH_2A68_104a1976.jpg

http://i788.photobucket.com/albums/yy163/Aussieman15/Aussie Mustangs/WNMAN00825981m_CA_18_Mustang_A68_104_VH_BOB_CBR_18 Nov1978_ccY5s.jpg

I have some others I will attempt to do as well.

Cheers
Pat