IRIS P-40E : 7th FS, 49th FG, Darwin, Australia, 1942

[Matt Wynn]

Heres a little sneak peek of what i've been up to recently, still work in progress but nearing the finish line, gotta put it on the no-spec model yet, add rank and kill markings and finish the wings and markings and re-do a prop disk.... but i'll show you the images, this aircraft is 'White 34' flown by Lt. Don Lee Jr. based out of Darwin, Australia. According to my research Lee, in his aircraft 'Pistoff' scored 3 Aerial Kills... oh and guys don't let me catch you putting the vent on the nose for the 'E' model, the vent didn't appear until the 'M' Model ;)

[Wild Bill Kelso]

Good to see the tank filler cap added, mate!

I still wonder where the stock paints (and my "Wairarapa Wildcats" as well...) got their fuel filled into... :d

Cheers,
Markus.

[Wild Bill Kelso]

One more note on the demarcation line between the upper green and the lower gray area on the nose:

http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt112/wildbillkelso_berlin/Kittyhawk/curtissplant.jpg

This pic of a P-40E-1-CU is said to be taken at the Curtiss plant, showing the factory paint.
Seems like the colour border goes "straight". You might want to take this into account, Smoothie!

Also note the huge ferry tanks, turning an agile fighter into a flying brick...

[Matt Wynn]

http://modelingmadness.com/scotts/decals/aero/am48308a.jpg

most aussie based ones i see have the curved demarc. Line... and source dependant that height of curve changes, working on it as i see it in this book i have....

[Matt Wynn]

just a history of 'Pistoff':

Aircraft History
Assigned to the 49th Fighter Group, 7th Fighter Squadron. Nicknamed "Pistoff". On March 5, 1943 Lee was also piloting this P-40 and claimed a Ki-43 Oscar over Malahang near Lae.

Mission History
Took off from Dobodura on a mission over Lae. Over the target, Lee shot down a D3A Val, his forth victory. Afterwards, this P-40's cooling system was damaged, likely by the Val's rear gunner and his engine seized. Lee bailed out over Huon Gulf near Lasanga Island off of Lake Salus.

Rescue
Floating in the sea for only 30 minutes, he was rescued by PT-150.

Boat rescued 7th FS Pilot Lee off of Lake Salus

[Matt Wynn]

ok i believe that should do it.... just getting her prepped for upload... more images to follow afterwards...

[Matt Wynn]

final 2 images... hope you enjoy... :ernae:

[Duckie]

Looking good, Matt. :applause::applause:

Guys, one thing I've learned over the many years of research and modelling, you can NEVER say never or always when it comes to paint and markings of ANY combat aircraft unless you have an actual photograph of THE subject you are attempting to depict! Colors (shades), demarkation lines, insignia etc were subject to touch up and re-do not to mention replacement parts from aircraft painted entirely different from their new home aircraft!

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/8280/p40020903o9999b063.jpg

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/3279/curtissp4003.jpg

[Matt Wynn]

plenty of images there to showcase her, rivets just about visible on the wing shot but they are there as are paint chips that have had a quick coat of OD paint...

[Wild Bill Kelso]

Good point on the reference pics, Duckie!
Interesting to see those two USAAF birds wearing the white ID stripes, known from RNZAF and RAAF Kittyhawks.

Talking about touch-up and re-do:

http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt112/wildbillkelso_berlin/Kittyhawk/210664.jpg

(P-40L of 324FG/316FS, Foggia)

Tempting, isn't it? :d

[Matt Wynn]

just uploading 'PISTOFF', Markus you notice that as i said the M was the first variant with the inlet vent? not on the L there ;) and that is mighty tempting...

Edit: White 34 uploaded, onto a few fictional racers....
Edit2: just noticed i uploaded it as your Wairarupa Wildcat Markus, you'll need to change the texture name, or i'll sort it... the latter would be better....

[Cazzie]

Ickie must be playing with the board! SOH is slow here. Looks great smoothie. BTW Markus, did you ever upload your matte model file? Smoothie's P-40 looks matte, is that yours Smoothie or Markus's? I have two N model repaints done, but haven't uploaded. I keep hoping to find a way about that antenna! Caz

[Matt Wynn]

Markus did upload the de-shined Caz....

ok file refined, all good now. downloadable when you see it :salute:

[Duckie]

Good point on the reference pics, Duckie!
Interesting to see those two USAAF birds wearing the white ID stripes, known from RNZAF and RAAF Kittyhawks.

Talking about touch-up and re-do:

Tempting, isn't it? :d

:icon_lol: GREAT pic Markus! Excellent example. :icon_lol:

And NO! that machine would have me seeing spots and splotches in my sleep! :icon_lol:

Although, I do enjoy seeing mismatched paint caused by replacement parts (control surfaces or inspection panels, etc) from other aircraft or parts like different tire tread patterns. Small differences like that just give great character to vet.

BTW - "Hopefully" my stretched P-40 paintkit will be done by this weekend and I'll clean it up for posting for by, say, the first of next week.

Cheers

[Matt Wynn]

ok guys i had a go at the prop disk how does this look to you.... low RPM Left, Hi-RPM right... in fact i'll add it as an attachment see what you all think....

[Matt Wynn]

heres the propblur texture for you to try, report back if you find anything, or if you just like it :salute:

[Cazzie]

Good point on the reference pics, Duckie!
Interesting to see those two USAAF birds wearing the white ID stripes, known from RNZAF and RAAF Kittyhawks.

Talking about touch-up and re-do:

http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt112/wildbillkelso_berlin/Kittyhawk/210664.jpg

(P-40L of 324FG/316FS, Foggia)

Tempting, isn't it? :d

Got a starboard view? :d


Odd looking bird, has British SWPA camo with patches painted over in US OD.

Prop appears green? No yellow tip? Is that my eyes? Who was the pilot? Need to be able to color the antenna? So many questions?

Caz

[Matt Wynn]

it's so odd i might throw it on an 'E' model just 4sh it's and giggles, but first, fictional USN gloss sea blue bird :jump:

[Cazzie]

Markus did upload the de-shined Caz....

ok file refined, all good now. downloadable when you see it :salute:

Is it attached in a post Smoothie? I searched the download section and can't find it.

Caz

[Matt Wynn]

for my paint....

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/local_links.php?action=jump&catid=7&id=2160

for Markus' MDL Tweaks...

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/local_links.php?action=jump&catid=7&id=2121

and my prop blur in an attachment a few posts above...

[Cazzie]

for my paint....

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/local_links.php?action=jump&catid=7&id=2160

for Markus' MDL Tweaks...

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/local_links.php?action=jump&catid=7&id=2121

and my prop blur in an attachment a few posts above...

Many thanks Smoothie (and Markus), I got your prop blur also, but I prefer using the one I made, nuttin' personal, mind ya. :ernae:

Caz, gotta go to bed, have an early wake up and 10K Run to work tomorrow morning.

[NAMBUS]

Thanks Smoothie, great looking paint.
What scenery are you flying over in your screen shots?
Looks very realistic.
Thanks to all the great painters here at SON who are really bringing out the best in this model.
You can't have too many P-40's!:ernae:

[Matt Wynn]

Scenery is NL2000 V3 SE, 24Gb download size, i love it, makes flying around Nl much more fun...

[WarHorse47]

Thanks, Smoothie... Great repaint.

Your link works well. Wonder why its not showing up in the Library downloads??

--WH

[Matt Wynn]

Thanks, Smoothie... Great repaint.

Your link works well. Wonder why its not showing up in the Library downloads??

--WH

who knows why, it does it from time to time, i go into the skings library and change one of the dropdows to 'Date Created (Descending)' usually puts the most recent at the top...

anyone tested my prop-blur yet? and if so any comments, i was thinking of making the blades a bit more visible but would like to know what you all think :salute:

[WarHorse47]

Smoothie, I just noticed something on PISTOFF you might want to look at.

The textures for the external tank, gear and wheel covers appear unpainted. Were they meant to be grey or am I missing a texture?

Thanks

--WH

[Matt Wynn]

can you get an image so i can see what you mean?

[WarHorse47]

can you get an image so i can see what you mean?Sure, plus two others for comparison - one weathered, one not.

I think that because your grey is a darker shade, the tank and gear seems to seems to stand out more.

Thanks for looking at this.

--WH

[NAMBUS]

Scenery is NL2000 V3 SE, 24Gb download size, i love it, makes flying around Nl much more fun...

Thanks Smoothie.
Will check it out now.

Cheers.

[Wild Bill Kelso]

I have two N model repaints done, but haven't uploaded. I keep hoping to find a way about that antenna! Caz

Caz, I made the whip antenna disappear on the E model:
http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?t=38069&p=430445&viewfull=1#post430445
but as you can see, some other vital parts are gone too!

What about the other versions, gents?
Should I deshine and upload them?
N model first?
And do we need all variants (belly tank, bombs)?

@ Smoothie:
In order to not confusing the L with the M, I'd first too a look at the upper air intake:
No scoop - no M! :d

Cheers,
Markus.

[smilo]

One more note on the demarcation line between the upper green and the lower gray area on the nose:

http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt112/wildbillkelso_berlin/Kittyhawk/curtissplant.jpg

This pic of a P-40E-1-CU is said to be taken at the Curtiss plant, showing the factory paint.
Seems like the colour border goes "straight". You might want to take this into account, Smoothie!

Also note the huge ferry tanks, turning an agile fighter into a flying brick...

..and I don't mean Mansfield.

I love this picture,
it represents the P-40 I have been looking for,
minus the tanks.
no personal markings,
no name, no victories.
just a work a day aircraft
for a work a day pilot.
the oil leaks bleeding through
are an extra added touch
that greatly enhances the character.

would someone, please, do this repaint?

my humble apologies
for changing the subject of this thread.
I mean no offense

[Cazzie]

Caz, I made the whip antenna disappear on the E model:
http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?t=38069&p=430445&viewfull=1#post430445
but as you can see, some other vital parts are gone too!

What about the other versions, gents?
Should I deshine and upload them?
N model first?
And do we need all variants (belly tank, bombs)?

@ Smoothie:
In order to not confusing the L with the M, I'd first too a look at the upper air intake:
No scoop - no M! :d

Cheers,
Markus.

By all means Markus, the matte model is much better. I have more of a problem not being able to paint the antenna than eliminating the static charge whip wire. It makes doing any F, L, or N model impossible to get all right.

Caz

[Wild Bill Kelso]

Sorry - my bad:
What I meant was the bottomside static discharge whip wire. No antenna!
As I illiustrated, it can be eliminated, but parts assigned to the same material (cockpit dashboard, gun cartridge eject holes) would vanish too.

Until nobody else could find a smart way to cut that whip, I'm starting now to deshine&upload the F, L and N model (including tank and bombs variants). I'll tell you when it's done.

Cheers,
Markus.

[Wild Bill Kelso]

With the help of tons of steel wool, the P-40F, L and N variants in all four model versions lost their specular shine.
Just uploaded.

@ smilo:
I'll take a deeper look at my reference material about the P-40, trying to find an unmarked 'plain' USAAF P-40. Just need a valid serial-number...

Cheers,
Markus.