II.JG1_Vonrd

After working on the B-17G Livery Competition I noticed that several of the other WWII AI aircraft were very lacking in regards to liveries. I decided to work on the A-20G first. The Ju-88 also needs some love but Warlord64 (keefyboy) has already done a few and also has a template posted: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3313581/. If anyone want's my template for the A-20G (it's a bit of a Dog's Breakfast but functions) please post in this thread and I'll provide a link. Anyway, Here's "Little Joe": *UPDATE* 26 Sep, 23: Moved underwing Star and Bar rondelle to correct position on Right wing. Added a generic skin with Bort letter enabled (I kept the skull over the guns since several other planes used it in the Pacific theater. Skin title: USAF_389th BS Pacific Generic Presentation Livery represents Douglas A-20G Havoc “Little Joe”, bureau number 43-21475 from the 389th Bomber Squadron, 312th Bombardment Group United States Army Air Force,1945.US A-20Gs were used on low-level sorties in the New Guinea theatre. An A-20G 43-22200 , bureau number is displayed at the USAF Museum painted in the markings of "Little Joe". This aircraft is in much too clean a state however. I would imagine that the original "Little Joe" would show much more wear and this skin is representational of that. I also altered the normal map to represent what appears to be black rubber (leather) coaming around the gun turret. Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Constructors Number 21122. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as A-20G-40-DO Havoc serial number 43-21475. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Wartime History Assigned to the 312th Bombardment Group (312th BG) "Roarin' 20s", 389th Bombardment Squadron (389th BS) at Gusap Airfield. Assigned to pilot 1st Lt. Leonard W. Happ with crew chief SSgt Thomas Dobrowski. Nicknamed "Little Joe" with the name painted in white in a cursive style on both sides of the nose. The front of th nose cone had the skull and cross bones motif. On the left side of the nose was a scoreboard with bomb markings indicating missions flown. Tail letter T was painted in white on both sides of the tail. On April 16, 1944 took off from Gusap Airfield piloted by 1st Lt. Leonard W. Happ with gunner Sgt Nathan B. Adler on a strike mission against Hollandia. Returning, the formation experienced a severe weather front including severe thunderstorms and clouds. This aircraft managed to spot a hole in the clouds revealing the Ramu Valley and was able to land safely at Gusap Airfield but ran out of fuel on the runway. During June 1944 operated from Hollandia. During November 1944 operated from Tanauan Airfield on Leyte. On January 7, 1945 took off from Tanauan Airfield piloted by 2nd Lt. Thomas H. Jones on a low level strike against Clark Field on Luzon. Inbound to the target, the formation flew near the U.S. Navy invasion fleet off Mindoro. In late January 1945 operated from McGuire Airfield (San Jose) on Mindoro. During February 1945 operated from Mangaldan Airfield (Honey) on Luzon. In April 1945 operated from Floridablanca Airfield on Luzon. In August 1945 operated from Yontan Airfield on Okinawa until the end of the Pacific War. Fate On September 30, 1945 this A-20 condemned as obsolete and scrapped. Uploaded to User Files. Link: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3333030/

No.1: This is a submission for the B-17G Livery Competition. It includes two skins, one a detailed 'Irish Lassie' and a second one plain and without the distinguishing markings of 'Irish Lassie" and named "322nd BS - 91st BG_Bare Metal_Plain". 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 44-8475, a B-17G-65-VE, code: LG-C, nicknamed "Irish Lassie". The plane flew with the 322nd Bombardment Squadron of the 91st Bombardment Group and is depicted with 18 combat missions. I could find only black and white photos so the colors are my best guess. DCS: World War II Assets Pack is required. 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 Never Forget... Irish Lassie (44-8475) Falkenmayer Crew, 324th BS, 91st S/Sgt. Walter S/Sgt. Walter Walker, Ball Turret Gunner; S/Sgt. James Wyant, Waist Gunner; S/Sgt. Lawrence Spanbauer, Waist Gunner; S/Sgt. Edward Shea, Radio/Gunner; S/Sgt. Ralph Burke, Top Turret Gunner, 1st Lt. Monty Armando Grosa, Co-pilot; 1st Lt. Charlie Falkenmayer, Pilot; 2nd Lt. Bob Lyle, Navigator Link: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3332762/ No.2: This is a submission for the B-17G Livery Competition. It includes two skins, one a detailed "Lassie Come Home" and a second one plain and without the distinguishing markings of "Lassie Come Home" and named "322nd BS - 91st BG_LG Plain". 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 42-31673, a B-17G-25-BO, code: LG-C, nicknamed "Lassie Come Home". The plane flew with the 322nd Bombardment Squadron of the 91st Bombardment Group and is depicted with 69 combat missions. I could find only balck and white photos so the colors are my best guess. DCS: World War II Assets Pack is required. 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 Never Forget... B-17G-25-BO, Lassie Come Home (42-31673) Lt. LaHood's Crew, 322nd Squadron, 91st BG BACK ROW - LEFT TO RIGHT: Homer Glass, Navigator; 1st Lt. Louis LaHood, Pilot; Joe Stolber, Co-pilot; Manuel Canter, Bombardier FRONT ROW - LEFT TO RIGHT: Gail Garner, Ball Turret; Ernest Ellington, Waist Gunner; John Anding, Engineer; Bob Megchelsen, Tail Gunner; Bob Hettinger, Waist Gunner; Norman Mansfield, Radio Operator Link: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3332763/

It's easier to get forgiveness than permission... but you might pay for it

@Boosterdog many thanks Sir!

@Boosterdog... this is driving me nuts on the aileron. I can't seem to find the cause of it in my skins. Can you share your findings and how to correct it? Fantastic skin BTW! I think that you are correct in minimizing the paint chipping. It really looks authentic in comparison to the photos.

After reviewing my skins I noticed some errors. The worst was missing Stars and Bars on the wings of the camo planes. Also some minor paint errors on Louie the Creep. Links to the updated skins: Thunderbird: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3332180/ Texas Chubbie: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3332350/ Wee Willie: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3332471/ Louie the Creep: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3332565/ I'm almost done with two more skins... "Irish Lassie" and "Lassie Come Home". After they are uploaded individually I plan to make a single upload with all of my skins for the contest. Hopefully this will make it easier for the Devs...

LOL! BTW, not my words... Copy / paste from that website.

From a plastic modeler's forum: http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?/topic/216495-b-17-de-icer-boots/ Terryt is correct, the boots were applied over the leading edge. They were rubber with a series of bladders inside which allowed them to be inflated and deinflated (is that a word?). The metal under the boot was not painted to allow it to move around some as it cycled. So if they were removed from a camoed aircraft, the area would be natural metal. As for Miami Clipper, I do not know why the leading edge would have been painted yellow. It would not have been painted over the boots, but perhaps they painted the exposed metal with yellow chromate to protect it or maybe it was just painted yellow so the crew chief could ID his bird at a distance (this is reportedly why "Shilaylee" of the 100th BG sported white wall tires). The edge of the boot had holes in it and when the metal fairing strips were screwed down, the boots were held in place. The first picture shows how the boot was attached to the tubes that were used to inflate/deflate and in the area circled, you can just make out the holes for securing it. The second diagram shows the left outboard boot (item 1) and the fairing strips that held it in place (items 3 thru 11). Hope this makes sense! Mark M is also correct, it was a common practice but by all means not all inclusive. I have extensive experience with installation and removable of de-ice boots on modern aircraft. On these they are adhered to the wing leading edge with contact cement (3M 1300L) or are "peel 'n stick" (Fastboots). They are difficult to remove and usually an agressive solvent (naptha or MEK) are used to loosen them and remove glue residue. Modern paint finishes resist these solvents but I'm pretty sure that WW2 vintage paint would be removed by the solvent, thus leaving bare aluminum. However, as noted above, the B-17 boots were held on with edge fairing metal strips (probably held down with PK screws) and they were applied over bare metal. I have seen similar boots on a C-47 / DC3. I suspect that the boots were installed before painting the aircraft. O, once the boots were removed in the field, the leading edges would be bare metal. I assume that the decision would be made (maybe by the squadron commander?, the individual aircraft commander?, the crew chief?) to repaint or leave bare. The holes from the PK screws were probably filled with blank rivets (or maybe with filler). Chipping of the paint may occur along the paint line. I have been unable to find good photographic evidence but most of what we do as skinners is based on assumption and what we think looks authentic. On another note... does anyone know of any official documentation of the required external placards / stencils? In modern aircraft they are listed in Chapter 11 of the Approved Flight Manual (AFM), the Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) and / or the Maintenance Manual. Did the Army Air Corps have something similar? Does anyone have copies?

Since it was based on @Helles Belle research, he would have to approve. Honestly, I'm not sure if they were actually that widespread. I have seen only one photo that confirms them ("Bit O' Lace"). I personally don't want to see them included on any skins without photographic evidence of their actual existence.

Note: I have updated Louie the Creep. Added "CUT HERE FOR EMERGENCY RESCUE" placards with @Helles Belle permission to more closely match his beautiful Bit O' Lace (they are the same airframe, Louie begat Lace ). Thank you Sir!

@Helles Belle super impressive in both quantity and (especially) quality! Just one slight question r.e. Bit O' Lace. Wondering why you have included de-ice boots? I haven't seen any photos with them installed. Regardless, superb work Sir!

That's the most fun of skinning IMHO

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.