A-7 Paint kit and repaints...

[Duckie]

...been countin' rivets but still got a lot more to count! Whew! from a distance I didn't think there'd be that many to count! Got to get it clean before I can get it dirty!

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/-2014-nov-19-014_zpsfa8869ff.jpg

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/-2014-nov-19-016_zps6e6874b2.jpg

[delta_lima]

Another one gets the bug!

Awesome. Steve. You and Eric, together with the FDE work of Henk, really given us a Corsair revival.

Any thoughts on what unit you're thinking about? I'd love to see an early A/B from VA-147 (line) - but if you only have the E/pack 1, then it's no go ...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/A-7A_VA-174_CVA-61_1968.jpg

http://rlv.zcache.com/a_7_corsair_ii_va_147_argonauts_postcard-r73401d2017cc4cb7ab8511e8f1c1e85b_vgbaq_8byvr_512. jpg

Someone did one for the E years back, but this scheme is to the A/B, what the VF-1 Wolfpack is to the Tomcat ... the first unit of the first model!
cheers,

dl

[Duckie]

Hey DL, I've always liked the Hi-Viz VA-47 birds with the cutlass(?) tail. However, I don't have the A/B. But if someone can tell me if the paint kit and mapping is the same, I think I can make it work, realizing the major external visual differences are the gun nose and inertial nav pods on the belly. I could probably talk someone into being a beta tester?

Still have a way to go to clean up the paint kit. It is extremely well cone to start with, but I'm a rivet counter and nit picker regarding such things. So I'm countin' and pickin'!

The first one I've decided on is VA-12, both line and CAG.

[delta_lima]

Hey Steve,

VA-12 - aha ... that explains the black extended glareshield pattern - very distinctive indeed! Looking good.

VA-147 - Yeah the sword is an Arabic "Saif" or scimitar ... Now, on the Hornets, they use a Greek style "Makhaira" - reflecting the sign of the times, no doubt ....

Now the Argonauts, being the first in the A, were as I recall the first to trade up from the A to the E, so an E in that scheme would not be inaccurate ...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/A-7E_VA-147_taking_off_from_USS_Constellation_(CVA-64)_1974.jpg

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/0/5/9/1257950.jpg

I've played with repaints from model to model - but that can wait until you're further along. Happy to see any unit you take on, let me know if you need any help. Have a few A-7 resources I can consult if needed ...

cheers,

dl

[ejoiner]

...been countin' rivets but still got a lot more to count! Whew! from a distance I didn't think there'd be that many to count! Got to get it clean before I can get it dirty!

(Awesome shots removed..)



Steve you building your own paint kit? Thats tremendous. I started to, but then realized the default one was pretty good. Here's the next one I am working on. Just doing preliminary artwork now. And I am thinking of going and buying the A/B version from Razbam.

15391

[Duckie]

Hi Eric, not making a new one. Like you say, the Razbam kit is really good. I'm just doing what I call "clean up", taking care of some errant panel line bits, some incomplete/missing panel line/rivet applications, etc, making a layered PSD for the "parts" texture and will probably fiddle with the landing gear texture some.

But it's fun and I'm learning my way around these textures pretty well. Lots of good subjects to choose from from a long period of time.

[delta_lima]

The drive to the office:

15428


On the radio, the talk is all about this guy ...

15430

... so you change stations, and fittingly, hear this song, from this guy ...

15429

... which puts you in a good frame of mind as you pull up to the office ...

15431

Tell me that ain't a hot coat of paint!

:)

dl

[Duckie]

Oh yeah! Definitely gonna do some of the early attempts and variations of "Low Viz". :mixed-smiley-010:

[delta_lima]

Oh yeah! Definitely gonna do some of the early attempts and variations of "Low Viz". :mixed-smiley-010:

Awesome - looking forward to it.

While the E, and to a lesser degree the A/B has gotten lots of high vis paints, and the E has gotten a few low-vis paints, it wasn't 'till Eric's -205 paint that anything transitional was done. So this is very cool news indeed.

Here's a line bird from VA-83. Much better lighting in this shot, really shows off the paint much more nicely than in the first shot ...

http://rickmorganbooks.com/uploads/3/1/8/9/3189414/8582222.jpg?634

Meanwhile, g ood luck with the VA-12 paint, and here's to the great Corsair II revival! :very_drunk:

Cue another great hit from '79 ...

15466


:ernaehrung004:

dl

[ejoiner]

Awesome - looking forward to it.

While the E, and to a lesser degree the A/B has gotten lots of high vis paints, and the E has gotten a few low-vis paints, it wasn't 'till Eric's -205 paint that anything transitional was done. So this is very cool news indeed...

...here's to the great Corsair II revival! :very_drunk:


dl

Just uploaded to the SOH library. I consider this a transitional scheme as it still has the dark roundels and squadron art on the tail. 1990 VA-46 Clansmen ala Gulf War 1.

15473

15474

[delta_lima]

Nice screens Eric! There's a sense of tension and action that I like in them ...

Russ or Merida (can't remember who of the two) did this one a few years ago - a great subject for sure!. Will grab it tomorrow night when I'm back at my home pc.

dl

[ejoiner]

Nice screens Eric! There's a sense of tension and action that I like in them ...

Russ or Merida (can't remember who of the two) did this one a few years ago - a great subject for sure!. Will grab it tomorrow night when I'm back at my home pc.

dl

Oops didnt know that. In any case, I hope you will find mine a little different.

E

[delta_lima]

Oops didnt know that. In any case, I hope you will find mine a little different.

E

No worries - different BuNo, I'm guessing, plus every artist brings his/her own "special something" into their work, so it's all appreciated...:ernaehrung004:

dl

[ejoiner]

... every artist brings his/her own "special something" into their work, so it's all appreciated...:ernaehrung004:

dl

True. True indeed.

[Navy Chief]

Awesome - looking forward to it.

While the E, and to a lesser degree the A/B has gotten lots of high vis paints, and the E has gotten a few low-vis paints, it wasn't 'till Eric's -205 paint that anything transitional was done. So this is very cool news indeed.

Here's a line bird from VA-83. Much better lighting in this shot, really shows off the paint much more nicely than in the first shot ...

http://rickmorganbooks.com/uploads/3/1/8/9/3189414/8582222.jpg?634

Meanwhile, g ood luck with the VA-12 paint, and here's to the great Corsair II revival! :very_drunk:



dl

Do you know when this picture was taken? I was with VA-83 during their last months, flying the SLUF. I don't recall their tail "Rammie" looking like that. NC

[delta_lima]

Do you know when this picture was taken? I was with VA-83 during their last months, flying the SLUF. I don't recall their tail "Rammie" looking like that. NC

Hi NC,

It was tricky, but I think I have it pinned. 1979.

What threw me for a loop was that the photos of the grey top+belly scheme I had were dated 1979, but most photos of VA-83 A-7s, right up to 1982, have high-vis (grey top, white belly) - so that was counterintuitive, suggesting a reversal of the transitional schemes ... so I did some digging ...


So, my hunch was 1979, since that's when other units were flying that scheme - take VF-74's F-4, for example ....

http://www.cloud9photography.us/US-Aircraft-Carriers/USS-FORRESTAL-airplane-photos/14776963_jT9NVW/2627056668_Fstsfcp#!i=2627056668&k=Fstsfcp

But to really double-check, I vetted the 1979 Forrestal cruise book photos ... not many there, but bingo - there was that one-colour, all-grey fuselage ... you have to look closely, but you see no white belly ...

http://navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv59-80/256.htm
http://navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv59-80/257.htm



And then, I see the cruise book images of their 1981 Forrestal cruise, and their A-7Es are now sporting white undersides ... a reversal indeed, back to full high-vis

http://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv59-82/398.htm
http://navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv59-81/308.htm

The 1982 cruise book shows they continued with high vis (grey top, white belly) then too ...

http://navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv59-82/393.htm
http://navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv59-82/398.htm

So there's the scoop on the lovely, but short-lived 1979 era VA-83/Forrestal cruise livery. Maybe Steve can help it come back to life for us in the sim?

Now back to NC's question: if you were in during the last full year of VA-83's A-7E period (1987), then the ram emblem you'd have seen was this, right?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/A-7E_VA-83_CV-60_1986.jpeg

Photo was taken in 1986, but assuming the scheme was the still the same or very close the next year ...

Anyway, a fun research project to spend lunch at ... hope it helps our paint teams ....

dl

[Navy Chief]

Thanks, DL, for all that research!

I was with 83 from 1987-1990, and yes, I remember that tail paint with the full ram. During my stint with them, the squadron had a contest to choose a new ram head for the tail.

A young AMS2 (can't remember his name right now) won the contest. I do not have a picture of the design, but as I recall the ram head was moderniized. By that, I mean think "early" computer-generated?

The design was kind of a joke within the squadron. One of the Maintenance Control Senior Chiefs nicknamed it the "Disco Goat".

I will see if there is a picture in my cruise book. NC

[ejoiner]

15483

The VA-113 Stingers transitional scheme is a MUST do. Very cool.

http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/a7,usn/Timeline

Link above has some great A-7 pics including some interesting transitional schemes.

This all gray one is a VA-205 A-7E I havent seen before! The weathering on this one would be a real challenge.


15482

[Navy Chief]

Thanks, DL, for all that research!

I was with 83 from 1987-1990, and yes, I remember that tail paint with the full ram. During my stint with them, the squadron had a contest to choose a new ram head for the tail.

A young AMS2 (can't remember his name right now) won the contest. I do not have a picture of the design, but as I recall the ram head was moderniized. By that, I mean think "early" computer-generated?

The design was kind of a joke within the squadron. One of the Maintenance Control Senior Chiefs nicknamed it the "Disco Goat".

I will see if there is a picture in my cruise book. NC

Update: No picture of it in my cruise book. Then I realized that is because that was the first deployment with Hornets for 83.

But! Never fear.....I just posted on the VA-83/VFA-83 Facebook page. Am sure I will get a picture to post here, eventually.

Second update:

I think perhaps I am mistaken about the ram head redesign on the SLUF. Am waiting for confirmation on Facebook, but I think the design was on 83's Hornets, right after we transitioned. NC

[Navy Chief]

15483

The VA-113 Stingers transitional scheme is a MUST do. Very cool.

http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/a7,usn/Timeline

Link above has some great A-7 pics including some interesting transitional schemes.

This all gray one is a VA-205 A-7E I havent seen before! The weathering on this one would be a real challenge.


15482

Looks like maybe the aircraft was transferred to 205 from another squadron, and they painted the squadron symbol on it until they had time to do a entire aircraft paint. NC

[ejoiner]

Looks like maybe the aircraft was transferred to 205 from another squadron, and they painted the squadron symbol on it until they had time to do a entire aircraft paint. NC


Thats probably right. I just looked at some other photos I have of bird no. 511 and its a different BuNo.

You never know how aircraft move around between active duty and reserve units. I recall a few years ago that the marine reserve squadron at NAS Atlanta (VMFA-142 Flying Gators), had an FA-18A taken from them by the Blue Angels. Dont know about now, but the Blues flew A model FA-18's because they were not needed as combat ready aircraft and the USMCR aircraft was relatively low hours for an A model.

[skyhawka4m]

Hi NC,

It was tricky, but I think I have it pinned. 1979.

What threw me for a loop was that the photos of the grey top+belly scheme I had were dated 1979, but most photos of VA-83 A-7s, right up to 1982, have high-vis (grey top, white belly) - so that was counterintuitive, suggesting a reversal of the transitional schemes ... so I did some digging ...


So, my hunch was 1979, since that's when other units were flying that scheme - take VF-74's F-4, for example ....

http://www.cloud9photography.us/US-Aircraft-Carriers/USS-FORRESTAL-airplane-photos/14776963_jT9NVW/2627056668_Fstsfcp#!i=2627056668&k=Fstsfcp

But to really double-check, I vetted the 1979 Forrestal cruise book photos ... not many there, but bingo - there was that one-colour, all-grey fuselage ... you have to look closely, but you see no white belly ...

http://navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv59-80/256.htm
http://navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv59-80/257.htm



And then, I see the cruise book images of their 1981 Forrestal cruise, and their A-7Es are now sporting white undersides ... a reversal indeed, back to full high-vis

http://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv59-82/398.htm
http://navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv59-81/308.htm

The 1982 cruise book shows they continued with high vis (grey top, white belly) then too ...

http://navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv59-82/393.htm
http://navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv59-82/398.htm

So there's the scoop on the lovely, but short-lived 1979 era VA-83/Forrestal cruise livery. Maybe Steve can help it come back to life for us in the sim?

Now back to NC's question: if you were in during the last full year of VA-83's A-7E period (1987), then the ram emblem you'd have seen was this, right?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/A-7E_VA-83_CV-60_1986.jpeg

Photo was taken in 1986, but assuming the scheme was the still the same or very close the next year ...

Anyway, a fun research project to spend lunch at ... hope it helps our paint teams ....

dl

I remember just as 83 was winding down 3 of them came into Willow Grove. Well one did and broke...two others flew up with parts for the fix, and they were in this paint.

[Duckie]

Gettin' there! Still tweaking and got to do the tanks.

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/12-2_zpsfab1ddb9.jpg

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/12-1_zps24df263a.jpg

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/12-4_zps58e9edfa.jpg

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/12-3_zps3f38864d.jpg

[skyhawka4m]

Gettin' there! Still tweaking and got to do the tanks.

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/12-2_zpsfab1ddb9.jpg



http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/12-4_zps58e9edfa.jpg

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/12-3_zps3f38864d.jpg


Tank you....thank you.....thank you....one of my favorite squadrons!:applause:

[Duckie]

You are most welcome, sir. Glad you like it. I've always liked VA-12 too! :encouragement:

[ejoiner]

You are most welcome, sir. Glad you like it. I've always liked VA-12 too! :encouragement:

Outstanding!!! Flying Ubangis! I feel like I am getting a complete set of certain squadrons with A-4's and A-7's. Now going to have to think about A-6's. "-)

I must admit I am somewhat distracted by the awesome Metal2Mesh Mirage 2000c I bought the other day. what a sweet ride.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends here. :-)

Eric

[Victory103]

That is one clean SLUF with great colors, reminds me of NADEP Jax and seeing the freshly painted Royal Thai A-7's taxi by on the seawall.

[Duckie]

Thanks very much guys. It is a clean one but still tweaking. For me, it's hard to get it just the way I want. I tend to get it to one of the 2 extremes, to clean or too grungy.

[Navy Chief]

Thanks in advance for the VA-12 paint, Duckie. That squadron's tail symbol is my one of my favorites, along with VA-192's Golden Dragons. The Flying Ubangis "Kiss of Death" design was awesome! NC

[Duckie]

Done tweaking. This is as dirty as this one's gonna get! :mixed-smiley-010:

Got to package it and write it up. Should be uploaded by tomorrow evening.

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/VA-12SLUF2_zps15bfacb1.png

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/VA-12SLUF1_zpse6ca8ba6.png

[delta_lima]

Very snazzy, Steve!

dl

[Duckie]

2 for the price of 1! :biggrin-new: This one and the VA-12 will be uploaded tomorrow (it' too late and I'm tired tonight). Sorry for the delay on the VA-12 but while working on the NATC bird I found some more nits that needed to be picked! Anyway, they'll both be uploaded tomorrow afternoon.

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/NATCA-7_1_zps78406f5a.jpg

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/NATCA-7_3_zpsc75606e6.jpg

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/NATCA-7_2_zps55aac02f.jpg

[delta_lima]

Like that NATC scheme!!

[Duckie]

Like that NATC scheme!!

Thanks DL. It kinda grows on ya! :untroubled:

[ejoiner]

Thanks DL. It kinda grows on ya! :untroubled:


dammit, I am going to wind up with something like 25 paints to choose from in my FSX! Good work Duckie!

[Duckie]

......:wiggle: Glad you like (?) it. :biggrin-new:

[delta_lima]

Thanks DL. It kinda grows on ya! :untroubled:


No "growing" needed. Anything NASA, NACA, DFRC, NATC, NATP, NAWC is an instant hit with me. Nice surprise paint project - much appreciated.

dl

[Duckie]

Thanks DL. :encouragement:

They have both been uploaded to the SOH Library. Now it's up to the Keepers of the Files.

[Duckie]

Here's hoping the Tack pack Edition mapping is the same!




16446

[delta_lima]

http://who-is-awesome.com/who-is-awesome.jpg

dl

[ZsoltB]

Here's hoping the Tack pack Edition mapping is the same!




http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=16446&stc=1

I do not think will change, just get a TacPack integration + menu window

[Duckie]

I do not think will change, just get a TacPack integration + menu window

Thanks "Z". I'll drink to that! :ernaehrung004:

[ZsoltB]

http://i.imgur.com/9sD7oie.jpg

[ZsoltB]

http://i.imgur.com/vSvpyEk.jpg

[expat]

Nice shots. Also, landing with bombs is brave!!

[ZsoltB]

Nice shots. Also, landing with bombs is brave!!

Yes,but inert bombs :wink:

[ZsoltB]

http://i.imgur.com/HCdbPVe.jpg

[Dumonceau]

Nice one Zsolt! Love the weathering!!

[ejoiner]

http://i.imgur.com/HCdbPVe.jpg

Zsolt, awesome as always, but I dont think the blue on the US insignia is dark enough? Mebbe its just the photoshop.

And with all this top quality repainting for the A-7, I think I am going to go in and start deleting some from my FSX down to just what I fly...and that might include some of my own repaints!!!

[ZsoltB]

http://i.imgur.com/iMm1V5v.jpg

[ZsoltB]

Zsolt, awesome as always, but I dont think the blue on the US insignia is dark enough? Mebbe its just the photoshop.

And with all this top quality repainting for the A-7, I think I am going to go in and start deleting some from my FSX down to just what I fly...and that might include some of my own repaints!!!

Yes, as if the old system roundel Star vivid would have been more

http://www.1zoom.net/big2/172/321201-alexfas01.jpg?m=1

:encouragement:

[delta_lima]

Amazing updates Zsolt!

Yes, I agree with Eric that the VA-147 national insignia looks too bright/light ...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/A-7A_VA-174_CVA-61_1968.jpg

... but in every other respect - looks awesome!

And the VA-83 ... stuff of dreams.

Between you, Eric, and Duckie, we've been incredibly blessed. Thanks so much!

dl

ps - and Russ Smith - your VA-37 Bulls is one of my favourite TPS/low vis schemes - haven't forgotten about your earlier work! Bruce, RobH, and Merida - all have done superb paints for this family of planes. I might have missed another repainter in there - sorry if I did - but thanks to all!

[ZsoltB]

http://i.imgur.com/qjiuJ1X.jpg

[ejoiner]

http://i.imgur.com/qjiuJ1X.jpg

Looks great Zsolt!

Heres the US national insignia I use.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/10/Roundel_of_the_USAF.svg

[delta_lima]

Much better Zsolt - spectacular, actually.

dl

[ZsoltB]

http://i.imgur.com/dRL3f5p.jpg

[Navy Chief]

Rammies!!! NC

[Duckie]

...........
16488

16489

16490

16491

[delta_lima]

Looking awesome, Duckie!

dl

[Navy Chief]

All these paints! GREAT! NC

[ZsoltB]

http://i.imgur.com/BxE5Nlh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/0vY4D9k.jpg

[ejoiner]

Zsolt, now you are showing off!!!! :)

So much to choose from. awesome stuff.

Eric

[delta_lima]

Splendidly done, Zsolt.

Duckie - looking forward to the E Argonauts ... it's looking very, very good. I particularly like how the black glareshield trim is - on most of the hi-vis schemes, there a funny bit of black/white area right between the top of the radome and the front of the windscreen that is a bit off-putting. Going to black resolves it quite nicely. Well done!

dl

[Duckie]

Thanks DL. Almost done with this Argonaut.

16527

[Duckie]

Just Uploaded.

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/VA-147-2_zpsa129dd28.jpg


BTW - Does anyone know if either of these VA-195 birds have been painted and freely available to the public? I know the Hi-Viz CAG bird is has been done.

16556

16557

[delta_lima]

Just Uploaded.




BTW - Does anyone know if either of these VA-195 birds have been painted and freely available to the public? I know the Hi-Viz CAG bird is has been done.


http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=16557&stc=1

Looks awesome Duckie - can't wait to get that E Argo.

I've not seen the TPS VA-195 anywhere - am 99% sure it's not been done. That funky "shadowed" area underneath the wings and horizontal stabilisers was (as I understand) not very common. Would be a very worthy choice of scheme. If a bit ratty/grimy, like the one in your screenshot, then even better! :encouragement:

dl

[ejoiner]

Just Uploaded.




BTW - Does anyone know if either of these VA-195 birds have been painted and freely available to the public? I know the Hi-Viz CAG bird is has been done.

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=16556&stc=1

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=16557&stc=1

Yes the CAG bird was well done previously, but I have not seen either a high or low viz fleet bird done of VA-195. Would make a nice compliment to the CAG paint IMHO.

Eric

[Duckie]

Looks awesome Duckie - can't wait to get that E Argo.

I've not seen the TPS VA-195 anywhere - am 99% sure it's not been done. That funky "shadowed" area underneath the wings and horizontal stabilisers was (as I understand) not very common. Would be a very worthy choice of scheme. If a bit ratty/grimy, like the one in your screenshot, then even better! :encouragement:

dl


Yes the CAG bird was well done previously, but I have not seen either a high or low viz fleet bird done of VA-195. Would make a nice compliment to the CAG paint IMHO.

Eric


Thanks guys. Then these two will be my next projects.

[trucker17]

The drive to the office:

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=15428&stc=1
dl

I bet you can count the rivets on that......:biggrin-new:

[ejoiner]

Just Uploaded.




BTW - Does anyone know if either of these VA-195 birds have been painted and freely available to the public? I know the Hi-Viz CAG bird is has been done.

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=16556&stc=1

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=16557&stc=1

Hi Steve, I happened to find BOTH of these in the SOH library already. Warhawk1130 did these in 2012 I believe. Might not be that exact lo Viz, but one close to it. The high viz fleet bird, he did already exactly.

[Duckie]

Thanks Eric. I've never had any luck with the search engine here and now that the search by submitter doesn't work any more I really cant find anything, even just by scrolling!

Edit: OK. I figured out how to do a basic search again. Anyway, I'm too far along to quit now. We'll just have more Dambusters!

[ZsoltB]

http://i.imgur.com/Wc584xy.jpg

[ZsoltB]

http://i.imgur.com/XsDUpPq.jpg

[delta_lima]

Steve,

I apologize for not finding the TPS paint (I looked again and I still can't find it) - but assuming it indeed was done, I apologize for stating I was quite sure it hadn't been done. I honestly had no knowledge of it. Looking forward to it, nevertheless, for sure!

Zsolt - great paint. The PMTC schemes are really smart, interesting alternatives to the mainstream schemes. The PMTC F-4s and F-14s looked great in it, and the A-7 is no different. Well done.

Thanks to you both.

dl

[ZsoltB]

http://i.imgur.com/0JmYJQF.jpg

[Duckie]

Steve,

I apologize for not finding the TPS paint (I looked again and I still can't find it) - but assuming it indeed was done, I apologize for stating I was quite sure it hadn't been done. I honestly had no knowledge of it. Looking forward to it, nevertheless, for sure!

Zsolt - great paint. The PMTC schemes are really smart, interesting alternatives to the mainstream schemes. The PMTC F-4s and F-14s looked great in it, and the A-7 is no different. Well done.

Thanks to you both.

dl

No worries dl. I searched and couldn't find anything either. I start off choosing subjects I like but I also try not to duplicate something that's already been done. In some cases I may duplicate something because I prefer my own version. Anyway, I do this for the fun of it and it's a bonus that some others may like what I do.

So, thank you for your willingness to help.

===========================

"Z" -- I like that PMTC paint also. Nice job.

[fsafranek]

Just Uploaded.
BTW - Does anyone know if either of these VA-195 birds have been painted and freely available to the public? I know the Hi-Viz CAG bird is has been done.

I've seen the VA-195 birds on the Aerosoft Kitty Hawk deck. Might be nice to match up the repaint with that cruise.
:ernaehrung004:

[Duckie]

I've seen the VA-195 birds on the Aerosoft Kitty Hawk deck. Might be nice to match up the repaint with that cruise.
:ernaehrung004:


Now that's a thought. Where might one get a peek at the paint schemes for these 195 birds?

Speaking of peeks, here's a peek of the TPS fuselage I just finished. Tail, wings and bottom yet to do, as well as the 2-tone bottom demark.

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/-2014-dec-13-043_zpsdf20afc2.jpg

[nigel richards]

Now that's a thought. Where might one get a peek at the paint schemes for these 195 birds?

Speaking of peeks, here's a peek of the TPS fuselage I just finished. Tail, wings and bottom yet to do, as well as the 2-tone bottom demark.

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/-2014-dec-13-043_zpsdf20afc2.jpg

A pure joy to see your wonderful creations, Steve!

Power to your brush, Sir. :applause:

[Navy Chief]

Steve, that looks amazing! Pete

[Duckie]

A pure joy to see your wonderful creations, Steve!

Power to your brush, Sir. :applause:

Hey Nigel, thank you, sir. You are too kind. How ya been? Well I hope. Hopefully your brush hasn't had much rest (translate that "Lockheed!"). ;-))


Steve, that looks amazing! Pete

Thanks very much Pete.

[nigel richards]

Hey Nigel, thank you, sir. You are too kind. How ya been? Well I hope. Hopefully your brush hasn't had much rest (translate that "Lockheed!"). ;-))


LOL. No rest for the wicked, Steve.

Re; Lockheed - Dots and lines nearly done, always the most time cosuming part. Enjoyable though, as you well know - really gets you familiar with the aircraft you're working on.

Great to see ya matey - keep up the good work!

Nigel :encouragement:

[Victory103]

Really great looking paints gents, I'll take them all, pre/post TPS and Air Guard! Also keen on a -195 paint to go with the rest of the air wing on the Kitty for future missions once I figure out how to make them.

[Warhawk1130]

Now that's a thought. Where might one get a peek at the paint schemes for these 195 birds?

Speaking of peeks, here's a peek of the TPS fuselage I just finished. Tail, wings and bottom yet to do, as well as the 2-tone bottom demark.



I did them already..they should be around here somewhere.

[fsafranek]

Now that's a thought. Where might one get a peek at the paint schemes for these 195 birds?



Can't vouch for accuracy since I didn't do them but here are the A-7E's from VA-195 and VA-192 on board the Aerosoft Kitty Hawk.

16655 16656

[Duckie]

Thanks Frank. Now on the list. :encouragement:

[Duckie]

Should be up within the next couple of days...

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/195-1_zps5a9d6bdb.jpg

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/195-2_zps75e81b23.jpg

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/195-3_zps41aca8e3.jpg

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/195-4_zps44c8fa1c.jpg

[ZsoltB]

:encouragement:

[delta_lima]

Wickedly awesome repaints, lads!

Zsolt, that "Euro One" scheme is very smart - very much "business" - lovely.

Steve, that TPS scheme looks great - looking forward to it.

cheers,

dl

[Navy Chief]

Can't vouch for accuracy since I didn't do them but here are the A-7E's from VA-195 and VA-192 on board the Aerosoft Kitty Hawk.

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=16655&stc=1 http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=16656&stc=1

Just for grins, I checked the BUNO 157492, depicted on those birds. Actually was a A-7E BUNO. NC

[Duckie]

VA-195_TPS "403" has been uploaded.

16862

[Duckie]

VA-195 Hi-Viz almost done...

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/195H-V2_zpsdfd1f780.jpg

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/195H-V_zps21f9dc3d.jpg

[delta_lima]

Looking good there, Steve!

dl

[Duckie]

Looking good there, Steve!

dl

Thanks dl. Working on the fuselage band and that might take me longer than what I've done so far! :dizzy:

[delta_lima]

I wondered if you'd do it - most pics I've seen of that scheme have it.

That said, no one would blame you if you couldn't, though. I understand the Virtavia A-4 has some kind of mapping glitch that prevents those kinds of bands from being done - I believe recall skyhawka4m saying that ... which is sad, since that band is very smart-looking on the A-4 schemes (Clansmen, etc.)

Wonderful work - looking forward to these!

dl

[Duckie]

I wondered if you'd do it - most pics I've seen of that scheme have it.

That said, no one would blame you if you couldn't, though. I understand the Virtavia A-4 has some kind of mapping glitch that prevents those kinds of bands from being done - I believe recall skyhawka4m saying that ... which is sad, since that band is very smart-looking on the A-4 schemes (Clansmen, etc.)

Wonderful work - looking forward to these!

dl

Thanks dl.

The A-4 fuselage top, aft of the cockpit back, is not mapped separately and so a lot of stretching causes huge deformities of any attempt a placing longitudinally shaped graphics anywhere in that area. Anything that varies off the vertical by more that a couple degrees is almost hopeless.

The Razbam A-7 has some deformity along the transition from the vertical to the horizontal but because the fuselage top is mapped separately I think kit can be worked out with patience and time. So fear it looks like it will work.

[ejoiner]

Thanks dl.

The A-4 fuselage top, aft of the cockpit back, is not mapped separately and so a lot of stretching causes huge deformities of any attempt a placing longitudinally shaped graphics anywhere in that area. Anything that varies off the vertical by more that a couple degrees is almost hopeless.

The Razbam A-7 has some deformity along the transition from the vertical to the horizontal but because the fuselage top is mapped separately I think kit can be worked out with patience and time. So fear it looks like it will work.


Steve, this is looking awesome. I always prefer fleet birds to the CAG birds for some reason. Makes it feel "more real" like every day operations. :)

Those warping lines are a pain, but if you can match the warp to the stretch of your artwork, thats where the experts show up! In any case, I will add this one to the hangar as soon as you release it!

Off to fly your most recent lo viz A-7! I am having to remind myself not to forget our A-4's!

E

[delta_lima]

Steve, this is looking awesome. I always prefer fleet birds to the CAG birds for some reason. Makes it feel "more real" like every day operations. :)

E

100% agreed. Nail on the head.

DL

[Duckie]

VA-195_TPS "403" has been uploaded.

16862

OOPS! Guys, I was just informed that I forgot to include my generic set of specular files in the VA-195_TPS upload. Thanks to Eric Joiner for the catch!

EASIEST and QUICKEST FIX is to download any of my previous 3 A-7E repaints (VA-12, NATC, or VA-147) and copy ALL of the specular files from any one of these texture folders and paste them into your VA-195_TPS texture folder. There should be nothing overwritten as these spec files will be new to your VA-195 folder.

Here are the 5 file names you'll need.

Droptanks_t_spec.dds
FuselageA_t_spec.dds
FuselageB_t_spec.dds
parts_01_spec.dds
wings_t_spec.dds

I apologized for the SNAFU. Will try to do better next time! :stupid::rocket:

[ejoiner]

OOPS! Guys, I was just informed that I forgot to include my generic set of specular files in the VA-195_TPS upload. Thanks to Eric Joiner for the catch!

EASIEST and QUICKEST FIX is to download any of my previous 3 A-7E repaints (VA-12, NATC, or VA-147) and copy ALL of the specular files from any one of these texture folders and paste them into your VA-195_TPS texture folder. There should be nothing overwritten as these spec files will be new to your VA-195 folder.

Here are the 5 file names you'll need.

Droptanks_t_spec.dds
FuselageA_t_spec.dds
FuselageB_t_spec.dds
parts_01_spec.dds
wings_t_spec.dds

I apologized for the SNAFU. Will try to do better next time! :stupid::rocket:

Duckie, with payware releases coming out as "beta" that we all pay for happily...I see no problem with a little "beta" correction in an excellent repaint!!! :biggrin-new: :biggrin-new:

The real benefit for me locally is that I will add the generic *_spec files to all my local repaint copies unless they already have some from the author. This improves the whole experience locally for me thanks to you. (BTW, I did the same on my machine with Zsolts excellent pilot repaint with the MPU-5 gray helmet).

I cant wait for the tacpack enabled A-7. I've gotten to where I almost exclusively fly aircraft with tacpack because it makes the whole experience that much better. Now if Virtavia could just tacpack my A-4 I would be in HEAVEN!


E

[bruce448]

VA-105 CAG USS Saratoga
http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=17186&stc=1

VA-105 Line USS Saratoga
http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=17187&stc=1

found here
http://www.mediafire.com/download/tz7guddax4510ez/BM_A-7E_VA-105_Hi_Vis_USS_Saratoga.zip

[delta_lima]

Very nice!

dl

[Navy Chief]

Very nice, just installed it. Thanks. NC

[Duckie]

What they (^) said! :encouragement:

[Duckie]

Just Uploaded...

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/-2014-dec-22-039_zps4d2aceeb.jpg

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/-2014-dec-22-041_zps8df39942.jpg

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/-2014-dec-22-042_zps8c908e58.jpg

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/-2014-dec-22-048_zpsd2c77c15.jpg

Man! I really like Henry's new Lemoore scenery.

[gray eagle]

Thanks, DL, for all that research!

I was with 83 from 79-80, and yes, I remember that tail paint with the full ram. During my stint with them, the squadron had a contest to choose a new ram head for the tail.

A young AMS2 (can't remember his name right now) won the contest. I do not have a picture of the design, but as I recall the ram head was moderniized. By that, I mean think "early" computer-generated?

The design was kind of a joke within the squadron. One of the Maintenance Control Senior Chiefs nicknamed it the "Disco Goat".

I will see if there is a picture in my cruise book. NC


I remember a then AZCS Hughes attached with VA-81/Made E9 and was my supervisor at NAS Memphis (DAC School)

They were with CAG-17 when I was with Forrestal back in 78-81.

CO V-83 then was CDR Rexford E. Wolf

Va-81 was also with us.

[Navy Chief]

Just Uploaded...

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/-2014-dec-22-039_zps4d2aceeb.jpg

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/-2014-dec-22-041_zps8df39942.jpg

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/-2014-dec-22-042_zps8c908e58.jpg

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/-2014-dec-22-048_zpsd2c77c15.jpg

Man! I really like Henry's new Lemoore scenery.

Beautiful!

NC

[Duckie]

Found this ugly Sluffling in the archives back before Christmas and thought...why not? Talk about a mish-mash of colors!

Still have wings to do and they are even different than the fuselage! :dizzy:

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/FIST_zps3d4955c3.jpg

[delta_lima]

Awesome - VA-25, right?

I'd be all over that like the proverbial white on rice.

Thanks, Steve!

dl

[Duckie]

Uploaded to the SOH Library at 14:40 EST. Last one this year!

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/fist2_zps7ae1cbfa.jpg

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/fist1_zps5cadae68.jpg

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/fist3_zps3e6cbf04.jpg

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b586/Duckie1021/fist4_zps2a9e6079.jpg

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!