SOH Team Project - Grumman Tracker, Trader, Tracer

[Matt Wynn]

ok paintkit is done for my liking, currently it's 2048*2048 Milton.... will need reducing to 50% scale for FS9 if you want me to do that for you let me know

[Milton Shupe]

At least that. Its pretty distinct. Which is the TF-1? We used a number of TS-2A's. The airframe was identical to the S-2A/CS2F-1 except that all the DeHavilland built birds had the early style fastback aft nacelles, where as Grumman built machines used the flat top fastback nacelles on the very early production block,then switched to the 'Hawksbill' high to nacelles- more room for larger tube and a few kts faster in cruise.

Yes, I have this 3-view as well. Aside from the labeling error, you might also pay attention to the bottom view that shows 2 bomb bay doors. :-/

There are lots of errors in any 3-view, not the least of them is the left and right sides rarely mirror each other, and the opposing views, say top versus bottom, or left versus right views do not match each other in shape, height, or width. It's just something we developers have to live with and adjust to accordingly.
Then when scaling up the 3-views to real world dimensions, the lines drawn are about 4" wide. So a 4" error on both sides can yield quite the spectacle if not careful. We usually model one side then mirror it for the other side so that at least we have symmetry. And although we can model to the 1/1000th of a meter, those lines are still 4" wide. There is just no substitute for having the aircraft in your back yard.

In all fairness to the craft of doing the 3-views, I believe we have better tools for modeling than they have for converting their raw drawings to 3-views.

EDIT: adding another 3_view I thought you might like pouring over. You might note that this drawing also shows 2 bomb doors. That's why I ended up doing the doors 3 times before I got them right, with only one set on the port side. All the other drawings also show 2 sets of doors.

EDIT2: Now note the S2F-1 drawing that shows that nice rounded bottom. Fiddle sticks!

EDIT3: Now note the nice flat bottom of the CS2F-2 from this excellent web site: http://jproc.ca/rrp/rrp3/tracker_exterior_features.html

My error in producing the S2F-3 was not from the 3-views however. I modified the E-1B to create it, and although I flattened the bottom (side view), I did not "un-round" it. So, I will correct the bottom and the forward top bulge.

[Milton Shupe]

ok paintkit is done for my liking, currently it's 2048*2048 Milton.... will need reducing to 50% scale for FS9 if you want me to do that for you let me know

Well thank you sir

Actually, I do not use the paint kit so it is not an issue for me. I suspect that texture artists will have no trouble modifying them for their work however.

[Willy]

On what few paints I do, I prefer to paint in oversize, then adjust down to fit.

[stansdds]

On what few paints I do, I prefer to paint in oversize, then adjust down to fit.

That's exactly what I did when making skins for F4U Corsairs in Il-2: Pacific Fighters and Il-2: 1946. It's an extra step, but I though it made making detailed skins a little easier as I wasn't working with blurry stencils or textures until finished and scaled down to 1024 x 1024.

[Milton Shupe]

Last night I started rebuilding the S2F-3 fuselage by eliminating the doors and overhead windows and fleshing out the mesh. Now I can reshape the the bottom and the "bulge".

I proceeded to handcraft the flatter bottom and bulge. I think I am getting close to the needed shape now. The bulge represents a "push-out of about 5" or so.

[Matt Wynn]

ok you lot..... go nuts! E-1B paintkit (FS9'ers will need to resize to 50% once paint finished):

HERE

[hawkeye52]

Last night I started rebuilding the S2F-3 fuselage by eliminating the doors and overhead windows and fleshing out the mesh. Now I can reshape the the bottom and the "bulge".

I proceeded to handcraft the flatter bottom and bulge. I think I am getting close to the needed shape now. The bulge represents a "push-out of about 5" or so.

Milton, do you have adequate photos to help you visualize the upper fuselage bulge?

- H52

[hawkeye52]

For anyone having trouble obtaining a COMPLETE D/L of the Stoof profiles ZiP file (on p.37 of this thread)....

I paused the D/L just as it reached the point where it cut off (6 MB in my case). Restarted it and it went the full 10MB.

- H52

[Milton Shupe]

Milton, do you have adequate photos to help you visualize the upper fuselage bulge?

- H52

I think so H52. After about 8 hours work, I now have the fuselage reconstructed with a flatter bottom, the bulge, new pilot window, new crew window, a less rounded nose shape, and general mesh improvements.

I am ready to rebuild the windshield, cut in the access door, cut in the bomb bay doors, and rebuild the flare launcher.

[hawkeye52]

The bulge is certainly noticeable. Looks good.

[p3aewguy]

I think so H52. After about 8 hours work, I now have the fuselage reconstructed with a flatter bottom, the bulge, new pilot window, new crew window, a less rounded nose shape, and general mesh improvements.

I am ready to rebuild the windshield, cut in the access door, cut in the bomb bay doors, and rebuild the flare launcher.

Milton,

Looks like you're right on!

Dave

[Milton Shupe]

Milton,

Looks like you're right on!

Dave

Thanks Dave.

I have just about finished teh exterior; still have the eyebrow windows to do.

Then, I move to the interior to redo the cockpit walls and ceiling, windows, and mapping.

[hawkeye52]

Milton, the first pic (the 3/4 front view) that shows the bulge..... please hold off for a few minutes. I'm scanning and will upload some pix I want you to see.

- H52

[hawkeye52]

Regarding the bulge, note that it starts as a horizontal line at the cockpit side-window and then, at the prop line, angles upward, also as a straight line.

I raise this point because in your 3/4 front view, the line appears to angle up directly from the side window. It may be an optical illusion. If so, disregard. - H52

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