44th fighter squadron P40s

[roger-wilco-66]

Hi,

I wonder if one of the many talented repainters could do a repaint on the A2A P-40 of the follwing aircraft based on Munda, New Georgia in the fall of 1943.
Background is that I research a bit about the units stationed on Munda and stumbled upon the 44th FS stationed with P40s there and some amazing stories.
I found some nice images in books and on the net of the paint scheme like this:

https://dl.dropbox.com/sh/x0skkam7xu8zz8r/mR4De9NXVp/Solomon-Original-Images/New%20Georgia%20-%20Munda/Joe-Lesickas-P-40M-125-44th-FS-7-43.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/sh/x0skkam7xu8zz8r/8OXBloBg41/Solomon-Original-Images/New%20Georgia%20-%20Munda/munda-12%20%288%29.jpg



https://dl.dropbox.com/sh/x0skkam7xu8zz8r/8GPxicKqMd/Solomon-Original-Images/New%20Georgia%20-%20Munda/munda-p40.jpg


https://dl.dropbox.com/sh/x0skkam7xu8zz8r/kB_pnGKuFS/Solomon-Original-Images/New%20Georgia%20-%20Munda/munda-12%20%286%29.jpg


Sorry for the big size, but it's rare to get good photos with a quality that good, so I left them as they were. More photos are in my Munda collection at

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/x0skkam7xu8zz8r/H2D4JpFVIo/Solomon-Original-Images/New%20Georgia%20-%20Munda#/

I found some images of the aircraft in one of my books and made scans of the paint schemes:

https://dl.dropbox.com/sh/x0skkam7xu8zz8r/WO6Ophe5bN/MISC/img004.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/sh/x0skkam7xu8zz8r/lyNdx1z97C/MISC/img005.jpg




Would be great if the A2A P40 could get a nice battle weary repaint with one of these schemes! Gipsy Rose Lee was flown by an ace, by the way, Capt. Joseph L. Lesicka. A bit of his story is here (http://books.google.de/books?id=Nc9M65d7qXQC&pg=PA4&lpg=PA4&dq=joseph+j+lesicka+munda&source=bl&ots=_bRseO85mR&sig=nIRF_ZVzrfGseOn5h3vXovrypTc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=S2D8UN_VLdDa4QStkoCgCQ&sqi=2&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=joseph%20j%20lesicka%20munda&f=false) (bold text).


Thanks!
Mark

[FentiFlier1]

Thank you very much for those high res pics and the link to your collection!

As for repaints it would be tempting to wait for Flight Replica's P-40N, especially if it comes with with a P-40N-1 variant.

This variant has an extremely similar appearance to the P-40M type that was used in the Solomons alongside the P-40L, and would suit the scenery better than the P-40B/C.


Owen

PS: desperately looking forward to the Solomons scenery. Can't wait to land on a coral strip... :icon_lol:

[roger-wilco-66]

Owen, thanks for your thoughts on that. I also thought about the difference in the variants and come to the conclusion that the A2A might be better, because the N version is really different from all others in section behind the cockpit.

Oh well! Can't have it all.

The Solomons are well on the way. Beta is out soon. I had / have a few road blocks with some technical issues to solve.
Also made this since I didn't have a decent model:

https://dl.dropbox.com/sh/x0skkam7xu8zz8r/GTeWyFQxQ-/Scenery-Objects/ms-lcm3-16.JPG




Cheers,
Mark

[mike_cyul]

Just to let you know, Mark, the P-40N-1 had the birdcage canopy and earlier behind-the-cockpit fuselage. However, I'm not sure yet if this will be in the FR package, and so you may as well go with the A2A aircraft.

Mike

[Bomber_12th]

Continuing off from what Mike states, the rear section of the cockpit/fuselage is just as different (if not more) between the P-40B/C and the P-40M and F, than it is between a mid-late model P-40N and the P-40M and F. The cowlings, fuselage and wings are the same, from what I can recall, between the P-40N to the P-40M, where as the P-40B/C cowls, fuselage, and wings are different. While one late-model P-40 paint scheme will look just as great on another late-model P-40 type, I can't say that the same goes for a late-model scheme on the P-40B/C - to me, it just always looks wrong (especially when it comes to any sharks mouths or nose-art - just as it will look wrong if you try applying a P-40B/C shark mouth to a late model P-40 - the surface areas and contours of the cowlings are just too different).

[FentiFlier1]

Well I've been looking through your screenshots and your skills amaze me. It's going to be fantastic all those black&white photos of airstrips like Munda coming to life, so to speak.

The first 400 P-40N, the P-40N-1-CU, had the same canopy as the later P-40F & L and the P-40M. From what I've read, it was also the best P-40 to fly.

All further variants (P-40N-5-CU onwards) then received the redesigned canopy we recognise the "N" model by.

I remember that Mike was thinking of doing the N-1 variant. If he does we'll be able to be very naughty and repaint it as a Pacific theatre P-40M (just like "Gypsy Rose Lee" featured on the Osprey book cover in the thread) and no-one will know!

:redface:

And thanks for the update!

[FentiFlier1]

John's right, the only major external difference between the P-40M and the P-40N is the redesigned canopy.
Whereas the P-40B/C is basically a different plane compared to those two.

But I suppose only purists will care, so maybe a PTO repaint of the A2A bird would prove popular... In fact Thomas Weiss has already done Richard Johnson's bare metal P-40 (in reality an N) which operated over New Guinea.

BTW, I am absolutely not campaigning for an N-1 model in any way.

[Butcherbird17]

Iris has the X-payware P-40E, and its an FSX model. I know its not an F or M model, but would look better in these paints than the A2A B/C model.

Joe

[warchild]

Welllllll, If you folks want to use the iris model, i'll be happy to rework the flight model for it..

[FentiFlier1]

Good idea, Butcherbird. And on Simviation there is an Iris FS9 P-40 pack which includes models L and F. It is ported over to FSX.

http://simviation.com/1/search?submit=1&keywords=p-40&categoryId=&page=2&filename=

"IRIS Classics P-40 Warhawk Package"

[gradyhappyg]

This what you had in mind?

795457954679547

[roger-wilco-66]

Ahhh GHG... drool....

:ernae:

@ Pam, FF1 and BB17: Never tried the Iris version, off to download that now!

Cheers,
and muchas gracias,
Mark

[FentiFlier1]

That was quick! :guinness:

This is from the old Iris pack:

[gradyhappyg]

Final version faded out the paint some more not sure about the color of the stars and GRL lettering so went with yellow.
If I get time uploading later today.

796027960379604

[Butcherbird17]

Started playing with the Iris P-40F paintkit. Still a ways to go, and I need to find some stencils and markings for the 44th FG.
Anyone know a good spot to look? Here is what she looks like as of now.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b210/Butcherbird17/2013-1-23_20-45-0-448_zps4680ef14.jpg

Joe

[gradyhappyg]

What type of stencils are you looking for?
I found some here: http://regshanger.com/Groundcrew/homepage/Garage/Decals/Wings%20and%20Coffee%20Decals.php
And here: http://www.simmerspaintshop.com/
Good place to find all types of fonts: http://www.dafont.com/theme.php?cat=118&page=2&fpp=50&text=6

Couldn't find anything specific to the 44th FG.

[warchild]

Ahhh GHG... drool....

:ernae:

@ Pam, FF1 and BB17: Never tried the Iris version, off to download that now!

Cheers,
and muchas gracias,
Mark

Ihad located an enormous amount of information including maintenance manuals, pilot manuals, field modification data, tons, and misinterpreted about 70% of it. The flight model was further modified by someone at Iris and the result was far from what was intended. Thats why i wouldnt mind reworking it now..

[Butcherbird17]

gradyhappyg,
I had Groundcrew and simmerspaintshop bookmarked already, and use the latter alot for info. Thanks for the link to the Fonts.(one I didn't have)
I did find a couple Decal sheets with 44th FG markings that i can use, but i'm still looking for more.

warchild,
Would luv to have any FM you could do for the Iris P-40F.

Joe

[warchild]

I'mon it joe.. ;)

Christ.. I'd forgotten i made this plane for fs9.. bear with me.. gonna bring it up to date ...

[gradyhappyg]

Decided to throw this one out there as well since I was already halfway there.
Lil More work on the wings stripes uploading soon.

796687967079669

[warchild]

Which model is that??A2A or Iris??

[gradyhappyg]

Which model is that??A2A or Iris??

Sorry forgot to say. It's A2A's P40 WOP3.
If someone can point me to the Iris paint kit I'll give that one a go.

[Butcherbird17]

Still a WIP (I'm slow:icon_lol:)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b210/Butcherbird17/2013-1-25_0-24-41-589_zps29806c59.jpg

gradyhappyg, the paintkit is within the download for the Iris P-40E.

Joe

[warchild]

they both look frikkin outstanding.. glad i got both birds..
I've made progress on the flight model btw. I discovered i still had my original dev versions and simply went back to them.. I'm having to use an E model to get the general characteristics down till someone can get me a version of the F liveries where i can see out the glass.. Had real trouble with that the first day..

[Butcherbird17]

Looking forward to the FM update. And I must be getting old as I keep calling it an F model when it is an E:isadizzy: Anyways this is the one i'm using....

http://www.irissimulations.com/product-classics-p40kitty.php

Joe

[roger-wilco-66]

Thanks everybody for these beautiful paintjobs, looks outstanding!

I downloaded the Iris P40s and tried them and I'm glad I did that. Looking forward the alternative FM now!
You guys / gals are an awesome mob here. :ernae:


Cheers,
Mark

[warchild]

Looking forward to the FM update. And I must be getting old as I keep calling it an F model when it is an E:isadizzy: Anyways this is the one i'm using....

http://www.irissimulations.com/product-classics-p40kitty.php

Joe
::LOL:: No worries then. We are heading in the right direction.. Actually, except for the config file its kinda hard to mess the plane up as all the iris planes use the same airfile, except perhaps for the twin engine prototype of which one was actually built and then abandoned.. ::LOL::.. I should have an update in no time at all then..

[warchild]

Thanks everybody for these beautiful paintjobs, looks outstanding!

I downloaded the Iris P40s and tried them and I'm glad I did that. Looking forward the alternative FM now!
You guys / gals are an awesome mob here. :ernae:


Cheers,
Mark
I do hope your counting yourself in with that awesomeness ;).. Youve been an inspirational force behind a lot of things here and its greatly appreciated.

[gradyhappyg]

Here is the Iris freeware Kittyhawk. Still have a little tweaking to do.
Thanks for the HU on the paint kit Butcherbird had it the whole time and didn't know it, that one and a few others. :isadizzy:


7968279683

[Butcherbird17]

Hows this look for weathering compared to my pic above? Still a few things I can't seem to find in the paintkit. (Pitot) :isadizzy:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b210/Butcherbird17/2013-1-25_14-18-56-137_zpsa27666c7.jpg

Joe

[roger-wilco-66]

I do hope your counting yourself in with that awesomeness ;).. Youve been an inspirational force behind a lot of things here and its greatly appreciated.


Aw shucks, as you guys say :-)

@BB17 and GHG: the weathering looks great. I think this is a vital element on that paint scheme, from looking at the original photos. These aircraft were incredibly dirty. From reading books on the subject and viewing all that photographic evidence I am really in awe what the men and the machines had to endure in that environment.

Cheers,
Mark

[warchild]

If they were in the islands, like the P-61, it wasnt so much they were dirty ( though that is certainly an undeniable reality ) but more that they were sandblasted and drenched during storms, and sun baked during the "nice" weather..

In Vietnam, where it got over a hundred degrees we had to wear long sleeved shirts. The guys on these islands ( japanese and american both ) were allowed to run around shirtless in shorts and skivvies. The heat and humidity had to be horrible.. That would cause any paint job to whither bake fade peel and give up the ghost..
I dont know where this was taken, and compared to others ive seen the damage is mild, but this gives a bit of an indicator as to the weathering that happens to the paintjobs..

79717

PS. the original color of this plane was olive drab which bleaches out to be khaki green ( tan )..

[gradyhappyg]

Hows this look for weathering compared to my pic above? Still a few things I can't seem to find in the paintkit. (Pitot) :isadizzy:



Joe

It's looking pretty doggone good.

The Pitot tube is coded to a swatch in the main texture folder called chrome_t unfortunately so is the main gear.
Made a copy and dropped it into the aircraft folder but my attempts at changing it have left small OD squares on the landing gear but since the pitot shows all the time and the gear mostly when down may leave it. Oh yea it's got shine no matter what.

7971679715


http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by roger-wilco-66 http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/images/buttons/viewpost-right.png (http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?p=778047#post778047)

These planes were filthy used in conditions of mud,dust,grit,tropical sun and salt air.Only time they got cleaned was when it rained and then there was the mud again.Had to be hard on both men and machines.

[gradyhappyg]

Repaint White 111 for Iris's freewars Kittyhawk uploaded. The one for A2A's WOP3 P-40 B/C will follow shortly.

Couple more shots of the Iris Hawk.

797767977579774

[warchild]

that looks awesome Grady, but i dont see them in the downloads yet.. will keep checking..

[mal998]

Never could figure out where Iris got that pilot's helmet from? It ruined the whole affect for me.

[jankees]

if I remember correctly, there is a WW2 helmet with the Iris P-40 too. Not sure how that worked though.
Nice work so far!

[roger-wilco-66]

Never could figure out where Iris got that pilot's helmet from? It ruined the whole affect for me.

Zoltsquack seems to have made a ww2 type helmet, but the link in the thread is dead:

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?69343-IRIS-Classics-P-40-Kittyhawk-Aces-of-the-Commonwealth-repaints


Cheers,
Mark

[edit] anyone tried shift+3 ? This seems to open a window where one can switch from modern to classic mode!

[Butcherbird17]

You can change the modern pilot and VC with the shift+3 toggel pop-up.

Joe

(edit) Mark beat me to it. :salute:

[roger-wilco-66]

Hmm don't work here. Shift+3 opens a GPS windows, this is also stated in the manual.
Maybe there are different versions out there ? My free IRIS P40 also defaults upon loading the plane into the classic mode, so there's no problem anyhow.


Cheers,
Mark

@BB17: the weathering looks great! Did you do something to the glass alphachannels? The glass looks much brighter than in the stock version I have.

@ Grady: been flying around Munda :-) ???

[Butcherbird17]

Hmm don't work here. Shift+3 opens a GPS windows, this is also stated in the manual.
Maybe there are different versions out there ? My free IRIS P40 also defaults upon loading the plane into the classic mode, so there's no problem anyhow.


Cheers,
Mark

@BB17: the weathering looks great! Did you do something to the glass alphachannels? The glass looks much brighter than in the stock version I have.



Do you have this version http://www.irissimulations.com/product-classics-p40kitty.php
This is the FSX version. You might have the fs9 version, thats why the alphas look brighter.

Joe

[gradyhappyg]

Zoltsquack seems to have made a ww2 type helmet, but the link in the thread is dead:



Cheers,
Mark

[edit] anyone tried shift+3 ? This seems to open a window where one can switch from modern to classic mode!

Tried it a while back and it didn't work since the cockpit gauges were there and it was free didn't really worry or check into it. Today did a little checking and noticed the gauge file for the P-40 was missing [pit gauges must be built into model]did a reinstall a now the shift-e helmet swap works.Thanks for pointing that out[it's what I get for never reading a manual].

And yes burning Munda up. The Solomons is one of my favorite places to fly.Thanks!
Looking forward to the new version

[warchild]

OK, I THINK we've got the flight model updated. There was a lot i didnt know back when we made this originally. I "think" I've corrected those areas as well as others. Base speed remains the same, roll rate remains the same.Pitch rate was heavily tamed. Propwash, yaw and everything else missed during the original creation was corrected.. If Paul doesnt have the model still, i'll upload this afternoon and post in this thread..

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k171/urushira/2013-1-27_15-21-25-429_zps6dcfcd3f.png

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k171/urushira/2013-1-27_14-30-26-264_zps72d80222.png

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k171/urushira/2013-1-27_13-39-26-555_zps0baa80d2.png

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k171/urushira/2013-1-27_15-24-55-801_zps316f6499.png

[roger-wilco-66]

Do you have this version http://www.irissimulations.com/product-classics-p40kitty.php
This is the FSX version. You might have the fs9 version, thats why the alphas look brighter.

Joe

Hmm, I have the FS9 version "P-40 Warhawk" then.
According to the Iris website the FSX version is the P-40 Kittyhawk package, but the download links are dead.
Anyone knows where to find the Iris FSX P-40 Kittyhawk package? I only seem to find dead ends here.

Cheers,
Mark

[edit] found them all : http://simviation.com/1/search?submit=1&keywords=iris+p-40+&categoryId=54

[mal998]

OK, shift 3 works! It opens up a little window that allows you to click on "Classic". When clicked, it switches the pilot. Thanks for the help!