Flight Replicas B-24 preview

[jankees]

Mike gave me permission to post a few screenshots of paints I'm working on












I have no idea when it will be available, but as you can see, it's getting closer..

[WarHorse47]

They all look great. I'm anxiously waiting for the release. It can't come soon enough.

[MustangL2W]

I too am anxiously waiting for the release of this awesome looking Liberator. Those repaints are magnificent!

[mike_cyul]

Might have to make a new model for "191", as the real one didn't have guns or the upper turret... make it worthy of Jan Kees work.

Testing is just about done. If all goes well, just a couple more weeks or so to go.

Mike

[Sundog]

Thanks for the previews Jan and the update Mike. It's progressing nicely.

Ken

[AussieMan]

Will "Lady B Good" be in the package or will it be for a talented painter?

[jankees]

Will "Lady B Good" be in the package or will it be for a talented painter?

Jeansy is looking at it..

Meanwhile:
jk5931

jk5929

jk5910

jk5680

jk5584

jk5792

[rohan]

Just like the Halifax - this is an absolutely must-have !!!

[jim]

Will it run on FSX & P3D???

[Paul K]

Is "Suzy Q" a possibility ? She was with the 44th BG at Shipdam, not far from here. In fact, anything from the 44th would be welcome, or from the 492nd up the road at North Pickenham. Also, if and when Norwich library reopens, I can take photos of their collection of model Liberator assembly ships, if anyone is unsure of the paint scheme for them.

EDIT: oops, sorry, missed the 44th's Pistol Packin' Mama at the top.

[jeansy]

theres a few more as the both of us are work on paints for Mike

my sim just locked up and I will post a few more down the track when its up and running again

[MustangL2W]

These are like looking at pictures in a book on B-24's. Fabulous!! Can't wait to Fly the thing. How about "Hellsadroppin' II"? I Love Ploesti Raiders... You could even do the 2nd version of it when it became a checkerboard Assembly Ship. Those were awesome too!

[Sundog]

I think this will be the first time all of the repaints were released as soon as the product itself, lol.

Seriously, those textures look great. I think my favorite, so far, is Naughty Angel. That's not a quality reference or anything, I just like it. You guys are doing great work and given how many of these were built, this will probably be the release with the greatest number of add on textures I've ever owned.

[Bomber_12th]

Wow, you guys sure have been busy with the paint brushes! B-24's (and PB4Y's) had some of the best artwork ever applied to any aircraft in WWII. The amount of surface area permitted some of the largest ever undertaken. For instance, one of my all-time favorites has to be "The Dragon and His Tail" (which the Collings Foundation's aircraft was also painted as for a few seasons) - whoever attempts that one, be it the original or the CF representation, just know that the dragon artwork was never on the left side, only on the right. There were some great ones from the "Zodiacs" too. The amount of interesting B-24 paint schemes seems pretty much endless, with easily hundreds that would be great to see depicted.

I've got several repaints planned, including one that is quite personally related, as well as a civilian scheme (or two).

It has been a joy testing the aircraft in both FSX and P3D. It is a marvelous thing just to stare at in awe for the accuracy of the lines/contours/proportions, etc. - it just looks so right, because it is. Having corresponded with an individual who used to fly the Collings Foundation's B-24J, it has also been interesting to compare notes and experiences flying the real thing and flying Mike's sim. Shared handling characteristics like having to lead your turns with the rudder, due to the amount of adverse yaw when rolling the wings over, and having to get "on the step", like a boat, when coming off of climb and into cruise in order to set the right balance of the aircraft to maximize cruise airspeed. There is quite a difference in operating such an aircraft today too, where you usually only need 400-500 gallons max of fuel on board, where as it will take up to 2,794 gallons (if you're really having to cross a lot country or ocean).

These nose art panels, owned by the Commemorative Air Force, are original, as cut off of B-24's (and some B-17's) just prior to them being scrapped around 1946 (not repros, this is all original paint/skins, as removed from the originals):

http://eaaforums.org/showthread.php?...ction-(PART-1)
http://eaaforums.org/showthread.php?...ction-(PART-2)
http://eaaforums.org/showthread.php?...ction-(Part-3)
http://eaaforums.org/showthread.php?...ction-(Part-4)
http://eaaforums.org/showthread.php?...ction-(PART-5)
http://eaaforums.org/showthread.php?...ction-(PART-6)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/zaruka...05584/sizes/l/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/zaruka...59245/sizes/l/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/zaruka...55005/sizes/l/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/314690...05047/sizes/l/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/314690...12300/sizes/l/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/314690...66394/sizes/l/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/314690...66434/sizes/l/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/314690...64784/sizes/l/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/314690...10070/sizes/l/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/314690...10330/sizes/l/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/314690...10750/sizes/l/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/314690...11570/sizes/l/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/314690...11870/sizes/l/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/314690...06947/sizes/l/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/314690...65670/sizes/l/

[b24_witchcraft]

Amazing repaints. Look forward to the release.

Bomber_12th here are some pics of the Collings Foundation's B-24 over the years. "All-American" was on the left side.

https://www.air-and-space.com/Consol...0Liberator.htm

[tgycgijoes]

I found this clip over at Fllickr looking for history about You Speak, I like the artwork but I will have enough repainting just with the 461st. She was in the 454th BG. The comment over at Flickr said that she survived the war and flew home which is why the piece of the nose with the noseart is in the museum. I copied this from that article:

Though losses climbed over Europe, the aircraft could at least be easily replaced, for by the introduction of the B-24H/J series, Liberator production had truly hit its stride. Four factories were producing B-24s, but the most famous and efficient was Ford’s Willow Run plant, which by 1944 was producing one bomber per hour—crews fresh from training would arrive at Willow Run around nightfall, and pick up their new B-24 the next morning. The B-24 would not only become the most produced bomber of World War II, it would be the most produced American combat aircraft in history—no less than 18,482 Liberators would come off the line by the end of the war.

Seems like we need a lot more talented repainters to step up and display their wares here if we are going repaint all 18,482. LOL!.

[jankees]

jk5968

jk5965

[mike_cyul]

There's now a specific model for the Pilot Training version, which will take Jan Kees "191" a little more accurately. This is also an aircraft from the Southeast Air Corps Training Center headquartered at Maxwell Field, Alabama:

[tgycgijoes]

Here are my first four pre-paints for the 461st Bomb Group (Virtual) from the 764th Bomb Squadron. The OD aircraft are part of the original group ferried to Torretta, Italy to join the 15th Airforce in 1944. The Natural Metal is part of the second group of replacement aircraft. Great paint kit Mike thank you.

[jeansy]

[MustangL2W]

Cannot get over the Beauty and Majesty of this B-24! Can't wait to spend my time stuck at home Flying this thing. My Thanks to you painters that resurrect these marvelous machines for us to appreciate and memorialize those who served with them. This certainly keeps their memories alive!!

[jeansy]

[jmfabio]

All I can say is WOW!!! Such great art work for a great looking plane. This will be a definite for me as I love to fly in the Pacific where the B-24 was particularly well suited to fly those long missions. I have a humble request: would it be possible have some 13th AAF representation (307th Long Rangers and 868th Snoopers) and 5th AAF Bomber Barons?

Can't wait for this release. Keep up the great work.

[Bomber_12th]

Some screenshots from some test sorties with Mike's work:

[Bomber_12th]