ebo?

[wilz]

Ebo, how about I submit this skin. I haven't figured out why the oil stains on the underside disappear. And the small block of white on the left wing. Otherwise I think I've done about as good as I can do for someone with my limited skills and age.

I would like to submit the VF10 F6F also, but something is really screwy with my computer and stuff keeps migrating all over the place. I know that Iart7 has a working copy, maybe he can place a picture of it for you to see.

Anyway, have a look and let me know if I should send the tga files.

[iart7]

wilz,

i might be able to help with the oil stain. but give me a few days. what happens, is that some areas of the skin template are used for some other location on the plane.

this is what happens with the F6F too, and other planes probably.

it takes some inventive painting to fix it. i have been putting about 20 or more hours on the F6F and getting it finished will probably take 10 or 20 more hours. I want to submit the F6F to PDC with you and me as co-artists. what do you think? tomorrow night i will have a photo of the Hellcat on my website -- gallery3.

stay tuned.

art

[wilz]

Go for it. I would just love to see some F6F skins available, and I don't care who takes credit. Can't wait to see your results.

[e-b-o-]

the apperance at all is much better now (imho) :)

[iart7]

Your F4U is looking great. I can update you on my progress on the Hellcat. I have put in about 10 hours or more. It is 1024x1024 and I'm about halfway done.

Have a look:

http://www.iart7.com/WARBIRDS/gallery photos/Hellcat Menu.jpg (http://www.iart7.com/WARBIRDS/gallery photos/Hellcat 113.jpg)

*** comments are welcome ***

I'm working right now on taking off the "redball" and leaving Moe on the fuse, like yours on the Corsair. I recommend you take your time... I'd like the blue cats to be available to all players (via PDC website), but they have very high standards and they are very BUSY. I have my fingers crossed, but I'm not gonna hold my breath. Anyway, when I finish the Hellcat you can have the .tga files to give to your squad or buddies.

Look for the new "Moe" on my gallery4 page.

art

[Neusch]

Looks Great Fellas!!!

I cant wait to get on your six in my Zeke:veg::veg::veg:

[iart7]

WILZ,

Here is the finished Hellcat (http://www.iart7.com/WARBIRDS/gallery photos/HC28.jpg) for "Grim Reapers" VF10. Hope you like it.
If you have any historical data, such as the PILOT NAME, I can put it on the side.
If you need a blank plane, without the 20, let me know.

See more pics here:
http://www.iart7.com/WARBIRDS/gallery4.html
The "RedBall" (http://www.iart7.com/WARBIRDS/gallery photos/HC94.jpg) (almost finished) version is my favorite.

http://www.iart7.com/WARBIRDS/gallery photos/HC14.jpg

I hope they re-do the F6F plane (http://www.iart7.com/WARBIRDS/gallery photos/HC41.jpg).
Here's an idea... next time, add just a little movable detail: the canopy can open!
Just a few more facets and you can have a highly detailed PILOT FACE (http://www.iart7.com/WARBIRDS/gallery photos/hellcat 157.jpg).

:o e-b-o, any help you can give WILZ to get this plane ONLINE, will be much appreciated.
I'm not a member of PDC and can't make any posts on the IEN Total Sims forum.

Thanks,

:o hey WILZ, I can lighten the blue a bit more, but not too much. I have a question about the
gun barrels and the cockpit frame. The barrels I made dark, and since the cockpit frame uses
the same paint section, this also became dark. But I think I should lighten them up to the
same color as the plane. Dark barrels would be nice, but not if it messes up some other area,
right? Oh, also, I thought of doing the underside in a light skyblue, but the underside of the
tailwing is the same as the topside... oh well.


iArt7

[wilz]

Arthur, that's awesome..............WTG/!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I personally think it's better to not have a name attached to the plane since it's for use in the game. If the PDC doesn't jump at this one, since there is only one other Hell Cat skin, they are missing the boat. If the PDC wants a name I'll give them one.

Your gamma settings must be different than mine since the blue color looks darder........but it's great just the way it is. Can't wait to get the files and look at it closer.

[wilz]

The United States Navy fighter squadron VF-101, the Grim Reapers, began life as VF-10 in June of 1942. The new F4F Wildcat squadron was formed by Lieutenant Commander Jimmy Flatley in San Diego, California and evolved into the famous "Mowing Machine" that was the only fighter squadron in World War II to fly the F4FWildcat, the F6F Hellcat, and the F4U Corsair. The squadron motto of "Mow 'em down!" served VF-10 well as they fought out the war in the Pacific Theater flying from bases in the Solomons and from various aircraft carriers. When VF-10 was formed, LtCmdr Flatley had just returned from the Battle of Coral Sea with two kills and the Navy Cross. LtCmdr Flatley, along with LtCmdr Jimmy Thach, was considered a master of fighter tactics. On his way to San Diego, Flatley wrote a comprehensive fighter doctrine for his new squadron. That new doctrine and Flatley's superb leadership were a highly successful combination against the much more maneuverable Japanese Zeros.

The Reapers' first combat deployment saw them flying F4F Wildcats from the USS Enterprise in October 1942. VF-10 arrived in time for the Battle of Santa Cruz, a carrier vs. carrier fight to protect US forces in Guadalcanal. Shortly after, Flatley was promoted to Commander, Air Group 10. When Commander Flatley left the Reapers he reminded them to never forget their lost brothers and told them that when they engaged the enemy to "rip 'em up and down, but do it smartly." VF-10 finished their first deployment in 1942.

VF-10 returned to combat in 1944 aboard the USS Enterprise as part of Task Force 58; a nine aircraft carrier force. The Reapers were now led by LtCmdr William "Killer" Kane and flew the F6F Hellcat while flying missions over the Japanese stronghold of Truk. During VF-10's first mission over Truk on 16 February 1945, the Reapers shot down fourteen aircraft and destroyed another seventeen on the ground. "Killer" and his wingman accounted for five of the kills themselves. In the period between February and April, VF-10 helped reduce the number of Japanese warplanes on Truk from over 350 to less than a dozen. Task Force 58 and the Reapers continued to sail deeper into Japanese held waters and right into the Marianas Turkey Shoot. The squadron finished it's second cruise shortly thereafter.

The Reapers rejoined the fight in March 1945 and flew F4U Corsairs from the USS Intrepid as part of Task Force 58 again. The squadron flew missions over Japan and Okinawa but spent April and May defending the fleet from the swarms of kamikaze attacks. The Reapers had their best day ever on 16 April when they downed thirty-two planes. LtJG Phil Kirkwood's division shot down twenty aircraft in one mission. The Ace of Kirkwood's division, Ensign Alfred Lerch, splashed six Ki-27 Nates and one D3A Val in one sortie. In a span of thirty-four days, VF-10 racked up eighty-five kills to one Reaper lost.