DH114 Heron Upgrade WIP

[gman5250]

I picked up the Flight Replicas DH114 Heron on sale a few days ago.

The model was really nice, but in need of some TLC. First, the sound was fairly limited with no start up sounds and other bits, but I found a really nice sound set over at CBFS. Problem solved.
http://www.cbfsim.co.uk/cbfs_lib/thu...s.php?album=51


The skins were good, but a bit dated so I decided to give the old girl some much needed love. The paint kit was super comprehensive, so I had the tools to really do the work. The .dds files will easily convert to PS layers if you want to add them to your own PK.

The PK comes 2048 x 2048, but I took it to 4096. The skins pictured are 4096 x 4096 32 bit.dds files, but DXT5 looks good if you want to save memory.

I'm updating the bumps, spec and alphas and creating a blank metal and two tone skin pak ready for skinners to go to work. The new bumps and spec files will be a drop in to any existing folder to bring your skins up to a more technically beautiful rendering.

If you got this little beauty on sale you'll probably be happy to see this one come your way.

It's a WIP so give me a bit of time. Below are some screens of the preliminary work.

P.S. I know the Kendall Heron is actually running Lycoming IO-540's, but I couldn't resist. Rivet counters, tug my leg at your own risk.
I'd love to see a model with the mods.


Enjoy,

[IMG]http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab202/********/DH-114_002_zpszgx4tu9d.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab202/********/DH-114_003_zpswo8rltwo.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab202/********/DH-114_004_zpsykflvkpy.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab202/********/DH-114_008_zpsxn8ihwnr.jpg[/IMG]

[mjrhealth]

Looking good, what sound sets, do ou have a link?

[gman5250]

Looking good, what sound sets, do ou have a link?

I added the link above.....

[Ian Warren]

I don't have Mikes Heron, when I first heard Derek Palmer,s Devon the sound set using the default FS2004 DH Comet could not have been more smack on the nose .. growing up only earshot away from Wigram, after your incredible texture effort with Manfred J DC-3 and course Mike off Flight Replicas coming on board to do the gauge coding for that model I think I may have to look at this Heron for myself.

[gman5250]

I don't have Mikes Heron, when I first heard Derek Palmer,s Devon the sound set using the default FS2004 DH Comet could not have been more smack on the nose .. growing up only earshot away from Wigram, after your incredible texture effort with Manfred J DC-3 and course Mike off Flight Replicas coming on board to do the gauge coding for that model I think I may have to look at this Heron for myself.

Once I get the skins tuned up, I may have a look at the interior textures too. This model has great potential.

The flight model feels very accurate...kind of like flying a VW Bus. I've been waiting for the Dove, but with this model tuned up there will be two very comfy old girls to hang out with.

I loaded the plane directly into P3D 2.5 without a hitch. The night lighting out on the wing with those big windows is really something. Definitely a two thumbs up.

I'll put some time into this upgrade...the model deserves it.

[AussieMan]

Being a true blue Aussie anything with a VH registration is on my list. Looking forward to this one.

[greenie]

THANK YOU !!..love this old bird and a bit of TLC will go a long way . I do like this model as with most/all Flight Replicas models but I do find their textures a bit ...bland ? ...dull ? ...something.
Again thanks

[DaveB]

The Dove at CBFS was released back in the days when filesize was an issue so it used the Comet sounds to keep the size down. Gary Jones did a lovely soundset for it which was uploaded to the now defunct Classic British Files/Britsim. When we shoved Derek's WIP Heron out of the hangar.. filesize was no longer an issue so I had Gary Jones do a soundset for it and this is the one included in the link above
Sadly.. Gary lost a lot of his files in a HD crash and with him only uploading to Britsim.. he no longer has copies but I still have a copy for the Dove should anyone want it

Those new textures look great btw. Greenies comments above hit the nail on the head.

ATB
DaveB

[nio]

Thank you G man

This is a really nice aircraft and takes me back to when I used to see at least one regularly.

Any TLC you can find time to apply will be much appreciated here.

Of course the Dove will be a must also when AH get to releasing it.


best

nio

[Alan_A]

Gman - really glad to see you taking this on. I've been a Heron fan ever since a Prinair San Juan-St. Thomas round trip in '73 - my first-ever low-altitude, "real flying" experience. Picked up the FR version but, perhaps like others here, found it a little lacking in character. I'd put that down to my own maybe over-romanticized memories. Still, I haven't spent as much time in it as I'd meant to. If you can bring out some more of its personality, I'll be glad to jump back in. Another great example of SOH volunteerism - for which, many thanks!

[gman5250]

Alan, Dave and everyone...thanks for the confirmation and support on this.

This is a good, solid model that is worth a real look. There are a lot of loose ends, like the landing gear that are basic 50% gray in the texture map, etc. Same with the interior. I'd say that with some work, this plane could be brought up to a high level of finish.

The paint kit is one of the best I've seen, with the UV mesh file included for easy reference. It responds well to contemporary texturing techniques, so IMHO it should seek it's potential.

I'll put together a basic set of textures like I did for the DAK with the four usual elements...aluminum dull and polished, and a matching set of two tones. From that foundation anyone can build a good set of skins.

I can't work on it full time, I'm in the home stretch to launch my product line, but I can have a set of skins for the Heron together fairly quickly. The interior may run a bit behind the externals.

I've got the bumps close to being dialed in, now I'm concentrating on the aluminum and basic painted skins with their respective alphas and spec files.

With the DAK cockpit, Rick's F9F skin, Manfred's KC97, the Milviz P-38 and Milton's "Bounty" running concurrent, things are looking really interesting lately.
I wish I had the time to model the Lycoming converted wing...maybe down the road.


[IMG]http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab202/********/DH-114_006_zpsbn3ffqif.jpg[/IMG]

[gman5250]

Basic metal skin with un-painted fabric and fiberglass. I've detailed in the contours on the fab panels and started adding leading edge contours to aileron, flap, horizontal and vertical stabs. Other details like the gear and counterweights are coming into focus.
At this point the skin is a basic. I haven't added deep stress to the panels yet...no dings or scratches either. I've been working with the skin in different lighting conditions to find a good alpha and spec balance. I think the old girl is beginning to come into focus.

Have a look and hit me back with your thoughts or suggestions.


[IMG]http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab202/********/DH-114_012_zpsiriq5lqe.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab202/********/DH-114_022_zpsqcbdgdyy.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab202/********/DH-114_021_zpsve52ekor.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab202/********/DH-114_017_zps0qmsd3tj.jpg[/IMG]

[KevinJH]

Simply stunning, Gman

[dvj]

Basic metal skin with un-painted fabric and fiberglass. I've detailed in the contours on the fab panels and started adding leading edge contours to aileron, flap, horizontal and vertical stabs. Other details like the gear and counterweights are coming into focus.
At this point the skin is a basic. I haven't added deep stress to the panels yet...no dings or scratches either. I've been working with the skin in different lighting conditions to find a good alpha and spec balance. I think the old girl is beginning to come into focus.

Have a look and hit me back with your thoughts or suggestions.


[IMG]http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab202/********/DH-114_012_zpsiriq5lqe.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab202/********/DH-114_022_zpsqcbdgdyy.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab202/********/DH-114_021_zpsve52ekor.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab202/********/DH-114_017_zps0qmsd3tj.jpg[/IMG]

This is like a completely different aircraft. Well done!

[Mach3DS]

Stunning is the definitely the beginning and not the final word on this. Great job. Your specs are always so crisp. I need to pick your brain for about an hour, and I bet I could increase my knowledge 10 fold!

[DaveB]

I need to pick your brain for about an hour, and I bet I could increase my knowledge 10 fold!

Is that all??

Yup.. that ally looks great. Looking forward to seeing a lot more
ATB
DaveB

[gman5250]

Wellllll......

If we took an hour to pick my brain...thoroughly...completely, we'd still have about 59 minutes left over.

lol

[Daube]

As a simple "spectator", I have to say that I really enjoy this kind of topics, in which some texture artist makes a direct and brutal rework of a well-known model to literally transform it into almost a new thing.
This is, for a texture-ignorant like myself, quite enjoyable to say the least.
Thanks a lot (to you and, for example, Rick or John or any other texture artist) for what you do.

[Mach3DS]

ha! I wouldn't call myself an texture artist! I'd call Jankees, Gunnar, gman, John T, joseph, Gary, and the host of others here...I'm like the little dog from the Looney Toons cartoons that hops around the big dog all the time (if you remember that cartoon!) :P But thank you nonetheless!

[Roger]

That's great bare metal!

[ce_zeta]

Wow! nice work Gman!

[Portia911]

Stunning work, as always, Gman. Really looking forward to your enhancement of this classic bird.

[greenie]

I'm about to cry ! ..already I'll take it ! ..great work Gman.

...hmm ..er ..they do a good Me109 as well (hint)

[gman5250]

Most of the available photos show aircraft with thousands of service hours logged. The early black and whites indicate that, when new, most commercial aircraft had a more polished look. I've brought the Apache variant up to a factory new look.

The painted aircraft and military variants will retain their appropriate gloss levels or matte finish. I'll post up some shots of those later.

I've intentionally staged all of the screen caps to represent current "state-of-the-art" desktop simulator technology. I'm excited about where we are...and where we are going. Pretty inspiring...

Thank you Roger and everyone for your enthusiastic appraisal of the work.


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[gman5250]

Jersey Airlines with a more moderate, service skin. The update kit will have all the bits necessary to "refresh" your skins to this appearance.

[IMG]http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab202/********/DH-114_32_zpsl8bjzxcw.jpg[/IMG]

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