II.JG1_Vonrd

You are welcome to use my prop files and use as is or modify them any way you want. @Warlord64 showed me the way to make sure they work with the props spinning. Louie the Creep is bare metal: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3332565/ Texas Chubby is black: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3332350/ You can, of course, make them any color that you want.

Hi Keith Fixed the original post. For some reason if I chose "Post as link" it pointed to that Russian language link. I changed it to "Post as plain text". Weird, they are both the same copy / paste.

This is a submission for the B-17G Livery Competition. It includes two skins, one a detailed 'Louie the Creep' and one plain and without the distinguishing markings of 'Louie the Creep" as specified in the competition. Speculars are used but I will change to roughmets if the developers decide to upgrade the B-17 to PBR. The detailed skin depicts Serial number 42-97976, a B-17G-40-VE, code letter D, nicknamed "Louie the Creep". The plane completed 27 combat missions with the 709th Bombardment Squadron of the 447th Bombardment Group at this point and would be renamed "Bit O' Lace" for the remainder of it's combat missions which totaled 83 by the end of the war in Europe. Please Note: This skin will work with the default JSON file included in the game but to see the skin at it's best, use the improved Metallic look MOD by Warlord64 available here :https://forum.dcs.world/topic/319116-specular-reflectivity-from-brushed-to-mirror-effect/#comment-5 DCS: World War II Assets Pack is required. Look for "Bit O' Lace" skinned by Helles Belle. Many thanks to Warlord64 for his JSON Mod and for assistance on the spinning props. I also borrowed his colors for the speculars. The only photos I could find for "Louie the Creep" are nose shots as per the attached photo. I used other, all aircraft, photos of "Bit O' Lace" with the assumption that they would be relevant. Download here: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3332565/

Love the P-3. They were based close to me at Moffett. Awesome sound. I know EWO but what is SS3?

That's what I thought. This is the only 17 I've seen them on.

Does anyone know what the red corner / dash markings are? Maybe emergency rescue areas? I haven't been able to find them on any other photos. Nothing in the plastic modelers sites either.

RGR. Looking forward to them!

I don't see how to download the skins from tumblr. I've made an account.

Yeah, but I doubt that I could improve on yours Sir! However, 42-97976 did start out as "Louie the Creep" so I think I'll do an "origin story" ... "Dawn of the Jedi"?

I've decided to do a bare metal skin. "Bit O Lace" doesn't seem to have been done and has the right amount of wear and tear for some good weathering.

Thanks Keith, I'm going to leave the current skins as the Main Skin and a No Codes skin unless we hear from @NineLine. It's easy enough to add the squadron codes if necessary. Rick

Another update: American B-17s, code letters removed from the plain skins. Here are the links: Wee Willie: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3332471/ Thunderbird: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3332180/ Texas Chubby: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3332350/ @NineLine, please note for judging purposes.

Ugh... Looks like I need to update my plain skins again. @NineLine , is Warlord64 correct with his "No Codes" example?

FYI I have updated my B-17s (prior to Wee Willie) to new specular files that work with @Warlord64s JSON Mod (The skins will work with the default JSON file included in the game but to see the skin at it's best, use the improved Metallic look MOD by Warlord64 available here : I also changed the undersurfaces of the American planes to the correct Gray No. 42 as opposed to the Sky Blue. Here are the links: Israelis: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3332179/ Thunderbird: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3332180/ Texas Chubby: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3332350/ @NineLine, please note for judging purposes.

This is a submission for the B-17G Livery Competition. It includes two skins, one a detailed 'Wee Willie' and one plain and without the distinguishing markings of 'Wee Willie" as specified in the competition. Speculars are used but I will change to roughmets if the developers decide to upgrade the B-17 to PBR. The detailed skin depicts Serial number 42-31333, a B-17G-15-BO, code: LG-W, nicknamed "Wee Willie". The plane completed 128 combat missions with the 322nd Bombardment Squadron of the 91st Bombardment Group. DCS: World War II Assets Pack is required. Many thanks to SOLIDKREATE for providing his research and advise and to Warlord64 for his JSON Mod and for assistance on the spinning props. Please Note: This skin will work with the default JSON file included in the game but to see the skin at it's best, use the improved Metallic look MOD by Warlord64 available here : https://forum.dcs.world/topic/319116-specular-reflectivity-from-brushed-to-mirror-effect/#comment-5150016 On 3 February over Wilhelmshaven "Willie" took some serious flak damage just above the ball turret. The repair is depicted on the skin. Wee Willie was part of a mission on 8 April 1945 The 322nd Bombardment Squadron was tasked to an attack against the locomotive repair facilities at the railroad marshaling yards in Stendal, Saxony-Anhalt Germany and was on it's 129th combat mission. Wee Willie was the oldest B-17G still in service with the 91st Bomb Group, and the next to last B-17 lost to enemy action by the group before cessation of hostilities. The War in Europe came to an end with the unconditional surrender of Germany just 30 days later, 7 May 1945. It's demise was captured on a series of dramatic and heartbreaking photographs. Never Forget... B-17 42-31333 / Wee Willie Crew Position Rank Name Status Note P 1LT Robert E. Fuller POW - CP 2LT Woodrow A. Lien KIA - NAV T/SGT Francis J. McCarthy KIA - ENG/TT S/SGT Wylie McNatt, Jr. KIA - RO S/SGT Ralph J. Leffelman KIA - BT S/SGT William H. Cassiday KIA - WG S/SGT James D. Houtchens KIA - TG SGT Le Moyne Miller KIA - TOG S/SGT Richard D. Proudfit KIA - Download link: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3332471/

@SOLIDKREATE has said that he won't be entering Wee Willie and has graciously provided me with his reference material. Just an FYI that I will be working on it. Of course, I don't own the rights and anyone else is welcome to give it a go as well. Thank you Sir!

Thanks @Warlord64 for sending me an example of how to make the specs work with the JSON MOD. I'm going to edit the already submitted files and also incorporate them in a couple of new skins that are currently in work.

I'm sure that the Devs are well aware of the shine issue and am also sure that they will be looking at the submitted skins IN GAME when evaluating for voting. @Warlord64's posting of pictures won't affect the voting but just show what is actually possible. Individuals can then decide how they want to view that skin. However, the modded JSON makes painted skins way too shiny. It's an either / or until / if ED decides to make it PBR.

This is a submission for the B-17G Livery Competition. It includes two skins, one a detailed 'Texas Chubby' and one plain and without the distinguishing markings of 'Texas Chubby". It is a generic B-17G of the 322nd BG, 91st BS as specified in the competition rules. Speculars are used but I will change to roughmets if the developers decide to upgrade the B-17 to PBR. The detailed skin depicts Serial number 42-31634, a B-17G-25-DL, code: LG-O, nicknamed "Texas Chubby - The J'Ville Jolter". The plane flew 50 combat missions with the 322nd Bombardment Squadron of the 91st Bombardment Group. Attacked by German fighters on 16-Aug-44 while on a mission to bomb aircraft factories at Halle, Germany and blew up in mid-air. Crashed in the Forest of Mollenfelde at Eichenberg/Thurlingen, Germany with 5KIA and 4POW. Fate of the crew: Pilot 1Lt Halstead Sherrill (KIA) CoPpilot 2Lt Frank J. Gilligan (POW) Navigator 2Lt William M. Porter (POW) Bombardier 2Lt Nicholas J. Weber (KIA) Engineer/TTG Sgt Vernon E. Bauerline (KIA) Radio Operator SSgt Richard J. Munkwitz (POW) Ball Turret Enrique T. Perez (KIA) Waist SSgt Joseph R. Morrison (KIA) Tail Gun SSgt Chester W. Mis (POW). Submitted to User Files and awaiting approval.

If they ever change their minds, I have roughmets versions saved in my files.

Yes, disappointing although that was my expectation as well and why I kept to painted aircraft. At least the bare aluminum on Thunderbird would have been dull and is not as affected by the ancient rendering currently in place.

Per Chuck's Guide: If you happen to run into a GENERATOR FAILURE of your own doing, how do you fix this ? • In case of a Main Rotor underspeed (rotor droop), lower collective to unload the rotor . The RPM will then increase again . Generators will re -engage automatically again by themselves . • When generators are re -engaged after an electrical power loss , the MAIN 115 VAC XMFR OFF and MAIN 36 VAC XMFR OFF lights will still remain illuminated . You will need to manually set both Transformer switches to OFF, then back to MAIN . The MAIN 115 VAC XMFR OFF and MAIN 36 VAC XMFR OFF lights should then extinguish . Also , the autopilot channels will need to be restarted manually . • In general , fly smoothly and avoid sudden RPM drops/rotor drooping in the first place . • Monitor power usage carefully on the relevant gauges (i . e . EPR Gauge, NR Gauge, N 1 Gauge, and PTIT Gauge) whenever flying at high altitudes in the mountains or with heavy cargo, when rotor overload and RPM drop is more likely to happen . I'm not sure if this works with a failure due to battle damage. I would think that shutting down the damaged Gen and resetting the Transformers and autopilot might keep you flying for an Emerg landing or (hopefully) RTB. I haven't had the wits about me to try it while I'm being shot to burger.

OK, this is finished! 359th BS_303rd BG_BN-U_Thunderbird This is a submission for the B-17G Livery Competition. It includes two skins, one a detailed 'Thunderbird' and one plain and without the distinguishing markings of 'Thunderbird" as specified in the competition. Speculars are used but I will change to roughmets if the developers decide to upgrade the B-17 to PBR. The detailed skin depicts Serial number 42-38050, a B-17G-25-DL, code: BN U, nicknamed "Thunderbird". The plane flew 112 combat missions with the 359th Bombardment Squadron of the 303rd Bombardment Group. She reputedly was crewed by 538 different airmen, none of whom suffered an injury aboard Thunderbird. Returned to the United States after the war, she was sent to Kingman Army Airfield, Arizona, where she was scrapped. This plane is the subject of a large mural in the World War II Gallery of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., entitled "Fortresses Under Fire", completed 1975–1976. by Keith Ferris and depicts Thunderbird on her 70th mission to Wiesbaden. I spent quite a bit of time working on details and weathering and want to note some of them. 1)Overlay ("Scab") patches are placed as depicted on the original photo. Normal map modified to simulate the thickness of the overlaying patches. A flush patch is on the inboard #2 engine cowling.* Paint was worn, discolored and chipped as per the original photo. 2) Mud spatters added to areas of the landing gear bays and mud stains added to tires. 3) Actual photos of the turbo and exhaust piping overlayed to better simulate those areas. 4) As per the profile by Mark Styling the rudder is shown as re-coverd but in only silver dope. Also, the de-ice boots have been removed showing bare metal (I have real life experience removing boots and the toluene solvent used to loosen them and remove the adhesive would surely dissolve any zinc chromate primer and paint thus leaving bare metal). Special thanks to Warlord64 for showing how to keep the prop domes black with engines running! Submitted to User Files. Link: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3332180/ Israelis finished as well. This is a submission for the B-17G Livery Competition. This includes two skins depicting S/Ns 44-83851 No. '23' and 44-83811 No. 21. Although these are beyond the dates specified in the competition, I thought that they may be useful for missions on the new Sinai map. The history and color schemes noted on the web vary quite a bit. Original photos of what I assume to be the delivery flight show them as being very heavily worn. Some accounts say that they were subsequently re-painted and I have decided to depict them freshly painted as shown on the accompanying profile picture. I did not include 'plain' versions since they both have only the small '21' and '23' individual distinguishing markings. Speculars are used but I will change to roughmets if the developers decide to upgrade the B-17 to PBR. All accounts agree that Israeli acquisition agents managed to purchase 4 surplus U.S. Air Force B-17s. One Fortress was seized on its way in Portugal and so only 3 arrived in Czechoslovakia. On the way home to Israel, one B-17 bombed Cairo and the other two bombed Egyptian forces in Gaza and Rafiah. 1956 saw growing diplomatic tensions in the Middle East, tensions that would soon culminate in the Suez Crisis. The B-17s began flying daylight operations and the squadron supported the Israeli push towards Sharm el Sheikh, on the southern tip of the Sinai. 69 Squadron was finally disbanded on March 1, 1957 and the B-17s placed in storage and were finally scrapped in 1958. No. 69 Squadron was reactivated at Ramat David on November 1, 1969 and is active to the present operating the F-15I Thunder out of Hatzerim. Submitted to User Files. Link: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3332179/

Does anyone else find it disappointing that there has been absolutely no word from ED regarding their plans regarding the json, specs, roughmets (other than the one reply from nineline to my initial question)? We are putting a lot of effort into these skins but have our hands somewhat tied regarding the final look of our skins. Please ED, don't throw an announcement that you've decided to switch to roughmets a couple of days before the end of this contest. If (as it seems) there will be no change and it will remain as it is presently, let us know now.