Abrams P-1 Explorer WIP
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Thread: Abrams P-1 Explorer WIP

  1. #1
    SOH-CM-2020 gman5250's Avatar
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    Abrams P-1 Explorer WIP

    After doing the conversion on Mr. Shupe's F7F Tigercat, I felt the need to do an airplane from the ground up...so to speak. This is my first ever airplane model but I'm enjoying the learning curve.

    I became interested in the Abrams P-1 Explorer after seeing it on another thread, and began doing some research. The model is at a level that I feel comfortable showing the airplane as a WIP. At this point the exterior model still needs some details added and the interior model is a basic place holder. Note that the radial is borrowed from another model I'm working on and will be replaced with the Wright R975 as the model progresses.

    This variant is a representation of the original survey airplane with the three blade propeller that was added to the later models just prior to the project being shelved at the start of WWII. It's a shame that this plane never reached it's potential, as the prototypes made 200 MPH @ FL20. Not bad.

    The model is being developed for FSX, FSX ST and Prepar3D.








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  2. #2
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    Beautiful modeling. Quite an unusual aircraft that I never heard of. Looking forward to this one.

  3. #3
    SOH-CM-2017 DaveB's Avatar
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    Nice to see something completely new too

    ATB
    DaveB

  4. #4
    Fantastic work. Really looking forward to this rare bird.

  5. #5
    Wow, never heard about that before. Amazing looking bird. It reminds me of the bad guys plane from "Rocketeer" comic book.
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  6. #6
    Oddly enough, I'm a bit interested. Probably for the view from the VC.


    P.S:
    Wikipedia says this was the first aircraft to use curved plexiglass for its windows.

  7. #7
    I came across this Youtube clip a while ago and thought then that it would be great to fly it in FSX.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsaAeLaNr60
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  8. #8
    Senior Administrator Roger's Avatar
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  9. #9
    Wow---what an ugly beautiful airplane!
    Can`t wait to fly it.
    Mike




  10. #10
    Member gaucho_59's Avatar
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    Absolutely stunning!!!!

    Carry on... please...
    G.

  11. #11
    What a beautiful model gman. And your textures are superb! I love vintage aircraft and you have found one that sparks the imagination. Looking forward to trying this one out myself.

    Paul "Mechanic" Domingue
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  12. #12

    1st Class

    Your modeling and texturing are absolutely 1st class...!

  13. #13
    Senior Administrator huub vink's Avatar
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    Absolute eye candy. The model is great but the texturing is absolutely stunning!

    Cheers,
    Huub

  14. #14
    That has to be the ugliest thing to take to the sky since the Vickers Wellesley. I want it.

  15. #15
    Quote Originally Posted by huub vink View Post
    Absolute eye candy. The model is great but the texturing is absolutely stunning!

    Cheers,
    Huub
    Great stuff gman! Love how it's coming together.
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  16. #16
    The nose reminds me of the Sikorsky H-5. Looks amazing. Can't wait to fly it

  17. #17
    The model looks very nice, crg! ... but can't resist for this comparison :

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  18. #18
    I really like it, and I think you are knocking it out of the park.

    As far as what it looks like to me? The nose is straight out of early Sikorsky helo. R4? Can't remember the designation.

  19. #19
    That looks awesome! This is going to be a great touring plane. I remember flying one of these back in either FS2002 or 2004 and I enjoyed it, but this looks outstanding. I also remember the same guy who made the old one also made a four engine pusher prop commuter plane, but I can't remember the make.

    You've made a lot of progress since the first pics. Nice work.

  20. #20
    SOH Staff txnetcop's Avatar
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    What Big_Mike said
    Ted
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  21. #21
    Looking forward to this
    Beautiful modeling and textures as everyone has pointed out
    Rick


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    Gman:

    I am beginning to think that you and Milton Shupe are one and the same -- just a Shapeshifter as the situation requires !!!

    Unusual and great choice and looking fine.

  23. #23
    Beautiful!

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  24. #24
    Really cool project Gordon, always a treat in FS to see something rare and unusual brought to life. Such talent you have and we appreciate it ! Mike

  25. #25
    SOH-CM-2020 gman5250's Avatar
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    Thank you all for your very kind comments.

    I'll go out on a limb and speculate that if Mr. Shupe and I are shape shifted...he is by far the better looking of the two.
    I was a bit rushed this AM when I originally posted so I'll expand a bit now that I've got time.

    Like I said, this is my first complete build although I have quite a bit of design experience with scenery, specifically in Prepar3D. I'm also spending quite a bit of design time utilizing Quixel for my scenery models. For this model I'm building the cockpit using a modular approach i.e. the quadrant is a separate model as well as the rudder pedals, overhead panel and controls. Each model will be painted using the real time 3D modeling feature Quixel brings to Photoshop. Being able to paint textures and bump maps in real time and three dimensions is a quantum step forward IMHO.

    The basic airplane model is being developed around a grayscale skin that is tailored to the Prepar3D light rendering engine and DX10+ capability. For example, the cockpit Plexiglas interior reflections use the new Dynamic Reflections feature in P3D to render real time reflections inside the "office". This is a bit of a challenge because the DR cameras are still a bit underdeveloped IMHO, but should come into focus nicely very much like P3D cloud and shadow rendering has improved with each build.

    The exterior model is designed to throw light as realistically as possible before the textures are applied. The textures shown in the screen caps are designed around this modality with some interesting adaptations of alpha and specular values operating in synch with the light engine. The airplane is very dynamic as you pan around in various light conditions.

    The one thing I have come to appreciate about this rare airplane is the absolute brilliance of its designer. The platform was intended to provide an unobstructed view for the pilot and cameras, but most will notice that many features of this airplane found their way into service in WWII in one form or another. The airplane was a real performer once it was fitted with the Wright R-975E-1 radial and three blade prop. I've modeled both the two blade and three blade variants, but have shown the #12 bird as more of a restoration version as it might have appeared with the lovely 3 blade pusher configuration. The final model will offer both variants.

    The real world airplane had an initial climb rate of 1400 FPM and the FM as it stands now produces a climb rate of about 1000 FPM @ 132 knots.

    The nicest aspect of the model as it now stands is the pilots view. When you sit in the seat the view down between the pedals and out the sides creates a sense of flying in a fish bowl. The real world pilot must have felt as if he were suspended in mid air by magic. The dynamic reflections and shadows on the interior plexi create a very realistic sense of immersion when flying over an ORBX or photoreal scenery. I'm really enjoying the beta flying.

    With the large wing area and stability resulting from placing torque at the airplane's C/G, the plane achieves lift off easily and flys off with very little wander, even in moderate cross wind. The power to weight ratio is very high, so climb out feels effortless as the plane just kind of floats up to working altitude.

    All in all, I'm really glad that I stumbled across this absolute gem.









    BTW, I've got another plane on the burner as well...by request. I'm still finishing up the animation and it needs a complete VC, but I'll post more on that a bit later.
    Last edited by gman5250; June 29th, 2016 at 01:19.
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