VF-124 Skin Request

[Backdraft]

Hey Tomcat Gurus'

 

I was wondering if Anyone out there would like to do a F-14 of my Childhood favorite squadron Growing Up. VF-124 Gunfighters. I was Sea Cadet and we were assigned to them. I would love to dress my Cat in 452/453 and a line bird. I would be grateful...

[Strut]

[Strut]

As far as I can find no one has done these skins, so Il do them Backdraft.

[Backdraft]

STRUT

 

Once Again you are Clutch. Thank you Brother.

[Strut]

STRUT

 

Once Again you are Clutch. Thank you Brother.

 

No probs your welcome mate !:thumbup:

[Strut]

Just so you know ive started Backdraft, ive redone this from scratch still needs a few tweaks :

 

[Strut]

Just a quik post, Im setting up the tail art, plenty to do, change the fonts, align the stripes, but its lookin nice, I really like this skin, it will be a gooden.

 

[Strut]

Here a progress shot of the bird, so far, Ive been a little bit confused with the colouring of the Black tail and cockpit surround, in my research Ive found that they also had a dark blue alternative to the black or visa versa. Anyway Il probably prodce both. I also havnt been able to get any good detail pics of the canopy surround, I can just make out a whitish or washed out surround around the black, and also how far behind the canopy the black/blue continues for. Any info is welcomed.

 

[Backdraft]

STRUT

 

Aww Man Shes looking Great Incredible work, Both the Color Jets were awesome and they had the 2 distinct tails That skin, just like when I saw them in Person.. The color was actually a Dark Navy Blue. On 451 I belive it went back to a point behind first aerial and was filled in but it changed later. but 452 and 453 were the Show Birds. it was like you have it but just further back along that groove and the back frame of canopy a little more, to where it seats with Fuselage

. But ooh does that look Great, but the tails and strakes were a glossy dark navy blue 100%, here is some old pics from NAS Miramar AIrshow. and 452 had the alternate Tail.

Edited August 20, 2019 by Backdraft

[DmanGIV]

What’s the secret to getting the rudder lined up with the verTical tail?

[Strut]

Hi Dman, theres no secret, this is my way basically follow these steps:

 

 

1. Texture/ Draw in the tail graphics you want onto the template, it will look normal on the template.

 

2. Look at it in Model Viewer and using rivets or obvious points of reference guestimate where you have to move the Rudder portion to align with the tail.

 

3. Cut the Rudder portion and paste onto another layer and then you are ready to go.

 

4. Basically you are moving/ sliding the Rudder portion of the tail up and down, left and right until you get alignment. The process can be frustrating , but just be patient.

 

5. So do a "bold" adjustment and then look on Model Viewer and then start fine adjustments.

 

6. Rinse and repeat until your happy with it.

 

7. I try and line up the edges to the pixel, so you need to zoom in and out continuously.

 

Thats it, no secret, just patience and technique. There are other ways but this is my way.

 

A lot of planes in DCS are similar but have their different quirks, you just have to find them and solve them. Some planes dont have any offset distortion at all.

 

Happy skinning.

Edited August 21, 2019 by Strut

[DmanGIV]

Thank you!

[Strut]

The Navy Blue tail was a pain to pin down, a couple more pics to show some progress. Also playing with the RoughMet on this one.

 

 

Edited August 22, 2019 by Strut

[Strut]

More progress, the lines around the cockpit are white as they should be, the pilots names are on, the pilots helmets and flying suits are partially done, need to do the Normal maps and RMs for those,to give better textures. So far so good.

 

 

 

Edited August 26, 2019 by Strut

[Bananimal]

Looking good! Dealing with dark blue colors in DCS is quite the challenge. You paint it and view it in Model viewer and it looks correct. Then you get it into the sim and it looks black.

[Strut]

Thanks Bananimal, your absolutely right about working with , in my case , Navy Blue. I have found that the trick is to stick within the limits of the materials values ( for this I used a "Painted metals" ) and "seemingly" the method is to use a colour a few shades lighter than what you trying to achieve. You go lighter till you find the right fit.

Edited August 23, 2019 by Strut

[Backdraft]

Strut #1 Looks Amazing Brother!! I know it's still WIP, but the dark grey wasnt used on the 3 show birds, gloss gull gray was and the dark grey was the line birds.The Blue is perfect.I'm glad my pics helped you. Great to see something I grew up with and had my hands on come to life. Cannot wait to see your other Gunfighters.

Edited August 24, 2019 by Backdraft

[Strut]

Thanks Backdraft, thanks for confirming the colours, ive been making layers of grey to fit the colour patterns they had, you will see what ive come up with next pic that I post, Glad you like the Blue, it was hard to make. Looking forward to handing them off to you.

[Strut]

Backdraft - Using Federal Standard 595c Light Gull Gray FS 16440 I have given the VF-124 No 453 a good coat which resulted with the following, compared with two pictures I have posted and referenced from that great book "Colours and Markings of US Navy F-14 Tomcats by Bert Kinzey" I reckon I have got pretty close. Anyway, just a bit of tidying up stuff, center the "Gunfighters" name on the tail, darken the yellow numbers a bit, paint the tanks and launch rails etc and some smoothing etc, and she will be ready soon.

 

 

 

 

It looks good in game so far, will get onto the tanks and rails etc asap

 

And the helmets are done.

Edited August 24, 2019 by Strut

[PorcoRosso86]

Excellent job dude as always!

I know that is it a WIP, but I suggest to looking the stencil in the left side: some stickers doesn't exist on original picture and also the positions of the others same a bit different. But the skin is absolutely amazing!

I've the same books ( Atlantic and pacific) and are a absolutely precious source! Well done and keep on

[Strut]

Hi PorcoRosso86, thanks mate, Il get onto those points you brought up, and yes those books are terrific and a must have if you like the Tomcat. Thanks again mate for your support and critical eye.

[Strut]

This is about it, I dont think theres much else to do for 453, anyway let me know if theres anything glaring. Il get onto the other two.

 

 

[PorcoRosso86]

Seem excellent

I found some pics on net, unfortunately I'm away from home, but seem that black cover is pretty gloss

But look that, seem really close, so for me is perfect now

[Strut]

Thanks PorcoRosso, I wouldnt take to much notice of the lighting in the ME, I dont seem to find the right setting for it, but I will, heres a couple of shots in-game , its looks a hell of alot better.

 

 

 

[Backdraft]

STRUT!!!!!!!

 

Beautiful Work. Just Like how it was when I was Sea Cadet. Ooh man. I cant wait to have these for My Cat. and PM Received.

 

@ Porco yes you are correct the real Jet was Gloss, along with almost all CO Birds. with 100% 124,51,111 were Gloss as they were in same Hangar, VF-2, VF-213 and VF-114 were Gloss Also.

VF-24,211, 31, and 11. were gone and a farther Hangar. So I never saw.

Edited August 27, 2019 by Backdraft