A2A P-51D Louisiana Heatwave, 369th FS, 359th FG (WIP).

[bentwing]

This is one of multiple aircraft flown by WWII ace Claude Crenshaw. At least two P-51D models bore the "Heatwave" name during WWII, and at least one P-51H model while Crenshaw flew with the 82nd FG after the war. I appears the "Heatwave" scheme may be one of the few, if not only, paint schemes originally on a P-51D to follow the pilot and carry over to the P-51H.

For more info check out the Mustang Restoration Project at http://p51h.home.comcast.net/~p51h/cc.htm.

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj518/bentwing/A2A%20P-51D%20Louisiana%20Heatwave/2012-6-27_22-53-34-241.jpg

[Thunderbolt]

looks nice :mixedsmi:

[bentwing]

Thanks!

[jankees]

I like it, but if I were you, I'd make the layer 'baked shadows' a bit more transparant.
I don't like those dark shadows above the wings all that much...

[bentwing]

Thanks Jankees.

I agree. That's one of the things I'm working on. Its also too shiny for my taste. So. . . more work yet to do.

[bentwing]

I'm just about done. . . I think.

I lightened up the shadowing, came down on the shine, reworked the serial number, redrew the Louisiana lettering, and tried to add a little bit of weathering.

Hopefully this is a little better. Happy 4th of July!:USA-flag:

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj518/bentwing/A2A%20P-51D%20Louisiana%20Heatwave/2012-7-3_22-20-21-934.jpghttp://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj518/bentwing/A2A%20P-51D%20Louisiana%20Heatwave/2012-7-3_22-13-6-409.jpghttp://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj518/bentwing/A2A%20P-51D%20Louisiana%20Heatwave/2012-7-3_22-20-43-464.jpg

[jim]

When will it be available for download?

[Lewis-A2A]

When will it be available for download?

+1 :salute:

[bentwing]

Thanks for your interest!

I have a hard time knowing when to quit tinkering, but I'll try to have it out in a day or two.

[bentwing]

Finally calling it done!:isadizzy:

Uploaded here and Flightsim.com.

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj518/bentwing/A2A%20P-51D%20Louisiana%20Heatwave/2012-7-8_9-20-52-811.jpg

[Lewis-A2A]

Thanks Bentwing. Mega busy tonight with non flying stuff but ill get her downloaded ready for a flight later in the week :icon29:

[bentwing]

Thanks, Lewis. Hope you like it!

[Lewis-A2A]

Found some flight time this evening as the Mrs cancelled my DIY store shopping. Mate, I love it. Great repaint it really is. Love the way you have managed to do something very few painters do and that is to pull off the war time sheen. Not 100% warbird shiney, not 100% compeletly grey dull but rather both at the same time depending on lighting conditions. Great job! :salute:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/Madaboutsims/heatwave1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/Madaboutsims/heatwave2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/Madaboutsims/heatwave3.jpg

[bentwing]

Thanks, Lewis! I'm glad you like it. I think it turned about pretty well considering all the rookie mistakes I kept making throughout the process.:isadizzy:

[Lewis-A2A]

Its great to see people develop through each project bentwing, we tend to take the same approach at A2A, each release tends to have an added extra or new technique over the last. Afterall, those that stand still tend to get left behind before they realise it.

Rookie mistakes or not, the work you did on the shine with spec/alphas alone makes it a stand out repaint :applause: