Bo_Nidle Posted November 14, 2019 Posted November 14, 2019 (edited) What Ho chaps. Now that I'm getting into the swing of skinning for IL2 again, I thought I would post all my efforts, with download links, in one place and keep it updated. I hope you enjoy them and I welcome any constructive criticism/helpful advice. Cheers, Bo. **As of 1st November 2021 all my skins will be available from Mediafire for download.** "Ridge Runner III" 4th Fighter Group, flown by Major Pierce McKennon. https://www.mediafire.com/file/jz2y1abj86bu84b/Ridge_Runner_III.zip/file "Man O' War" 4th Fighter Group, flown by Lt Col Claiborne Kinnard. https://www.mediafire.com/file/uc7oe7qo8ibtxh3/Man_O_War.zip/file **Both have been altered with resized tail codes which were too small. "Ridge Runner III" has also had the national insignia star and bar area resized and now uses the same metal finish as "Man O' War"*** Edited November 1, 2021 by Bo_Nidle 12 3
Pict Posted November 14, 2019 Posted November 14, 2019 Hi, like everyone else who remembers your skins from IL2, I'm really glad to see you get back into it here. The more the merrier Just a little thing I want to mention about the skins so far...the serial numbers (on the tail-fin) appear to be a tad on the small side. As can be seen in this photo of the original WD-A 472308 the serial numbers start just below the leading edge of the access panel and run all the way back under the rudder trim tab. So I humbly suggest they need to be scaled up a bit
Bo_Nidle Posted November 14, 2019 Author Posted November 14, 2019 You're absolutely right. I'll update the skin. Thanks.
Bo_Nidle Posted November 15, 2019 Author Posted November 15, 2019 Both skins updated, thanks for the catch Pict.
Pict Posted November 15, 2019 Posted November 15, 2019 You're most welcome, looking forward to giving them a spin
Bo_Nidle Posted November 17, 2019 Author Posted November 17, 2019 (edited) Thought I'd do one from the MTO. "Spare Parts" was flown by Major Ralph "Doc" Watson of the 52nd Fighter Group out of Madna in Italy during the Summer of 1944. https://www.mediafire.com/file/5ib8ss8csf9o16n/52ndFG_Spare_Parts.zip/file Edited November 1, 2021 by Bo_Nidle 6 1
Bo_Nidle Posted November 20, 2019 Author Posted November 20, 2019 (edited) *** 28 November 21*** I have now updated this skin to correct a couple of errors and to use my latest metal finish. A second Italy based Mustang: "Marie" which was flown by Korean/American Ace Captain Fred Ohr who finished the war with 6 aerial victories. He commanded the 2nd Fighter Squadron of the 52nd Fighter Group. He had his Korean name applied in Chinese characters beneath his English name. It took a LOT of research but I believe I have got them correct. https://www.mediafire.com/file/tcbpliw7b69i7sr/52ndFG_Marie_Updated.zip/file Edited November 28, 2021 by Bo_Nidle 7
Bo_Nidle Posted November 28, 2019 Author Posted November 28, 2019 (edited) "Gabreski's Last Jug" Finally finished my first P-47D for the "new" IL2. The final P-47D that the USAAF;s highest scoring ace in the ETO, Lt Col Francis S Gabreski, flew his final mission of WW2 in. He crash landed this Jug after going in to strafe He-111's oce too often at Bassenheim Aerodrome on the 20th July 1944. On his last pass he got too low and his propeller struck the ground forcing him to crash land and escape and evade for 5 days before being captured and sent to the Stalag Luft III POW camp for the remainder of the war. He had been due to fly back to the USA at the expiration of his tour, but on seeing his Group preparing to to go and conduct a bomber escort, asked to "...fly just more mission". He was also supposed to be getting married on his return to the states! I was surprised no-one had done this very famous P-47, with its equally famous pilot,, before I arrived on the scene. 8 attempts at the camoflage scheme later I understood why! Download link: https://www.mediafire.com/file/f93j1l2o83jkq60/56thFG_Gabreski%27s_Last_Jug.zip/file Edited November 1, 2021 by Bo_Nidle 5 3 3
Bo_Nidle Posted December 4, 2019 Author Posted December 4, 2019 (edited) Following a request from fellow IL2 Forum member 420bong, who was also a great research asset, I have had a go at a PTO P-51D: "Margaret-IV" of the 78thFS of the 15thFG, flown by Major James Tapp, the operations officer for the 78thFS. Operating out of Iwo Jima they conducted VERY long range missions primarily escorting the B-29's on their raids against the Japanese Home Islands. During one of these missions on the 7th April 1945 tapp shot down 4 Japanese fighters, an action for which he received the Distinguished Service Cross. Tapp ended the war with 8 aerial victories. Available now at https://www.mediafire.com/file/n8j1d8jg0ldi6ct/15thFG_78thFS_Margaret_IV.zip/file Edited November 1, 2021 by Bo_Nidle 6 2
Bo_Nidle Posted December 10, 2019 Author Posted December 10, 2019 (edited) "Five By Five" flown by Colonel Joe Laughlin when he was C.O. of the 362nd Fighter Group of the 9th USAAF. I did this skin during my heyday skinning for "IL2*46" and it proved quite popular. It was easier on that template as I recall!!! A nightmare to line up all the squares as the 3d model cowling parts distort the skin especially where the starboard cowling meets the underside! So its pretty far from perfect. (If someone knows a good technique to overcome this issue (other than using bigger but fewer squares) like Laughlins noseart, I'm all ears!) Download link: https://www.mediafire.com/file/r45emdugosohmsk/362ndFG_5x5.zip/file P.s. I know the swastika's on the kills are backwards, for some reason thats how they were painted on the original aircraft(?) Edited November 1, 2021 by Bo_Nidle 7 2
Bo_Nidle Posted December 16, 2019 Author Posted December 16, 2019 (edited) "Happy Jack's Go Buggy" 79thFS 20thFG, flown by Maj Jack Ilfrey. New version. Just updated to version 1.0.2 Version 1.0.2 changes: 1/ Natural metal finish updated. 2/ The OD camouflage has been adjusted in terms of colour and demarcation around the fuselage/canopy areas and the rudder. 3/ Tail markings colour adjusted and rudder trim actuator fairing correctly painted 4/ The crew name panel has been corrected. It aready had the armourers name on it but I forgot to adjust it for the template so it got cut out on the model. All the names now show correctly. 5/ Weathering added and/or adjusted: Exhaust stain, flare gun tube smoke stain, starboard nose oil stain, leading edge paint wear, chipped paint on the cowling screws and a few minor odds and ends. Up now at https://www.mediafire.com/file/lpq4yz7htwcp7pm/20thFG_79thFS_Happy_Jacks_Go_Buggy_V1.0.2.zip/file Edited October 31, 2021 by Bo_Nidle Update information. 7 1 1
Bo_Nidle Posted December 24, 2019 Author Posted December 24, 2019 (edited) "Scat VI" 479th Fighter Group, flown by the legendary fighter leader Robin Olds. There is a thread elsewhere in the forum that this is not an accurate depiction of "Scat VI" as it has too many victory symbols which do not match Olds actual kill credits. This conclusion fails to take into account that the kill symbols on 8th USAAF fighters also records strafing kills. Earlier in the war the 8th only recorded aerial victoris on their fighters in accordance with official 8th USAAF policy. However the 9th USAAF recorded both and this did not sit well with 8th pilots. Thus later in the war the 8th policy was changed to allow both types of kills to be shown. There is also the fact that overclaiming was prevalent amongst fighter pilots of all nations and the official totals credited to pilots that we see today were arrived at by a thorough study carried out after the war, so there may be some overclaimed symbols shown. But as can be seen from the period photo below this does match the actual aircraft at the time the photo was taken. **New version 1.1 uses my latest natural metal finish, has the black ETO IFF wing and tail stripes removed as they were not applied to "Scat VI", and the rudder trim actuator fairing has now been painted red as I missed it first time. Download: https://www.mediafire.com/file/30yafcwkjzye9w1/479thFg_Scat_VI_1.1.zip/file Edited August 10, 2022 by Bo_Nidle 10
Bo_Nidle Posted December 29, 2019 Author Posted December 29, 2019 (edited) The last P-51D flown by Lt Col Glenn T Eaglston of the 354th Fighter Group, Ninth Air Force. Up now at https://www.mediafire.com/file/oayqatzfhy03m6u/354thFG_Eagleston.zip/file Edited November 1, 2021 by Bo_Nidle 8 1 2
Bo_Nidle Posted December 31, 2019 Author Posted December 31, 2019 (edited) "Angels' Playmate" flown by Lt Bruce Carr of the 353rdFS, 354thFG, 9th USAAF. Up now at https://www.mediafire.com/file/7i00s1u8sfxxhuh/354thFG_Angel%27s_Playmate.zip/file Carr was a bit of a "rebel" and transfered to the 354thFG from the 363rdFG having become something of a discipline problem after being berated for being "over aggressive" after being the first pilot in his squadron to shoot down an enemy aircraft (a Bf109). He narrowly escaped a court martial for insurbordination! Once with the 354thFG Carr demonstrated that he was an outstanding fighter pilot downing 15 enemy aircraft, including three Fw190's in a single mission. He was shot down in this aircraft over Czechoslavakia on November 2nd 1944 but not only did he evade capture, he actually stole a Fw190 off a German airfield and flew back to his home base which at that time was Orconte in France. Quite a character. More details about Carr can be found here: https://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=289769 Edited November 1, 2021 by Bo_Nidle 10 2 1
Bo_Nidle Posted January 10, 2020 Author Posted January 10, 2020 (edited) "Killer!" flown by Major Bob Stephens. An ace credited with 13 aerial victories, Stephens named all of his Mustangs "Killer!" This one is depicted as it appeared in August of 1944. Up now at https://www.mediafire.com/file/iedxghq1ttg2wsu/354thFg_355thFs_Killer%21.zip/file Edited November 1, 2021 by Bo_Nidle 5 1
Bo_Nidle Posted January 12, 2020 Author Posted January 12, 2020 (edited) "Grim Reaper" flown by Capt Lowell Brueland, 354thFG 355thFs, 7th highest ace of the 354th. Some of the more well versed of you may have noticed that I have given it the code "GQ*V" rather than the more common "GQ*U". This is deliberate as this Mustang was being flown by Brueland as "Speck IV", but for some reason he came back from home leave in September 1944 and changed the name to "Grim Reaper". I have a photo on page 110 of the book "Osprey Aviation Elite 7: 354th Fighter Group" by William Hess, that shows "Speck IV" with the fuselage code "V". I believe people have become confused due to the 354th temporarily being changed to P-47D's in Nov 44 and back to P-51D's in Feb 45 when Brueland managed to get this same mustang (463702) back in his possession and it was repainted in the simplified squadron colours, renamed again as "Wee Speck" and recoded with a "U". However if someone has definitive evidence to the contrary I will stand corrected and change the skin. I have edited the "victory symbols" in the screenshots to abide with forum rules, the skin has the correct markings. Up now at https://www.mediafire.com/file/dutw431fwk73559/354thFG_355thFs_Grim_Reaper.zip/file Edited November 1, 2021 by Bo_Nidle 5 1
BlitzPigVoidcracker Posted January 12, 2020 Posted January 12, 2020 Beautiful work, mate! As are all of them. Thanks! 1
Bo_Nidle Posted January 16, 2020 Author Posted January 16, 2020 (edited) "The Prodigal Son" 354thFG 356thFs, flown by Lt Bart Tenore. Up now at https://www.mediafire.com/file/ytht8nbv6ksp0fy/354thFG_356thFS_The_Prodigal_Son.zip/file (Victory symbols edited to abide with forum rules, they are not edited on the skin.) Edited November 1, 2021 by Bo_Nidle 4
Bo_Nidle Posted January 19, 2020 Author Posted January 19, 2020 (edited) "Lil' Margaret" an F-6D (the photo recon variant of the P-51D) flown by Capt Clyde B. East, 13 victories ace, of the 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 10th Photographic Reconnaissance Group. Gone for something a little different with this one. The F-6D carried 3 recon cameras, two in the port side of the fuselage and one in the ventral position. I have tried to represent them as best I could. The result is a little crude but it does give a visual clue that this is a photo recon Mustang. The marks on the upper port wing (there were none on the starboard wing for obvious reasons) were used in conjunction with three crosses that were etched into the canopy perspex and filled with black paint to provide a rudimentary aiming system (I am not aware of a way to replicate this but If it could be done it would be cool). The red data labels were unique to the F-6D. They were reminder warnings to the ground crew not to fill the centre fuselage tank past 30 gallons if a camera/cameras were fitted in the aircraft, so as not to throw out the centre of gravity. Up now at https://www.mediafire.com/file/jzwsl6oc73nm8b8/10thPRG_15thTRS_Lil_Margaret.zip/file Edited November 1, 2021 by Bo_Nidle 1 1
Mysticpuma Posted January 21, 2020 Posted January 21, 2020 On 1/19/2020 at 11:42 PM, Bo_Nidle said: "Lil' Margaret" an F-6D (the photo recon variant of the P-51D) flown by Capt Clyde B. East, 13 victories ace, of the 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 10th Photographic Reconnaissance Group. Gone for something a little different with this one. The F-6D carried 3 recon cameras, two in the port side of the fuselage and one in the ventral position. I have tried to represent them as best I could. The result is a little crude but it does give a visual clue that this is a photo recon Mustang. The marks on the upper port wing (there were none on the starboard wing for obvious reasons) were used in conjunction with three crosses that were etched into the canopy perspex and filled with black paint to provide a rudimentary aiming system (I am not aware of a way to replicate this but If it could be done it would be cool). The red data labels were unique to the F-6D. They were reminder warnings to the ground crew not to fill the centre fuselage tank past 30 gallons if a camera/cameras were fitted in the aircraft, so as not to throw out the centre of gravity. Up now at LockOn files: http://www.lockonfiles.com/files/file/3785-lil-margaret-f-6d-10thprg-15thtrs/ I'll have to have a play with this. I made this image using the old IL2 1946 skin, so this should be a step up 2
Bo_Nidle Posted January 21, 2020 Author Posted January 21, 2020 I'd like to see the updated version MP. I didn't realise that he had the first aerial kill on D-Day. 1
Bo_Nidle Posted January 24, 2020 Author Posted January 24, 2020 (edited) "Zemke's last ride" 479thFG. The last wartime aircraft flown by the legendary fighter leader and ace Col Hubert "Hub" Zemke during his short time as leader of the 479th Fighter Group. He was piloting this aircraft on the 30th October 1944 when he was caught in a severe storm over Germany and it broke up at altitude. He was flung from the disintergrating Mustang still strapped in his seat! He managed to free himself and deploy his parachute landing safely. He managed to evade for several days before being caught and spending the rest of the war in the Stalag Luft 1 PoW camp. Zemke never displayed his victory tally on any of his aircraft and very rarely used art. Up now at https://www.mediafire.com/file/gyg0ekjokf8uhr8/479thFG_Zemke.zip/file Up soon at M4t. Edited November 1, 2021 by Bo_Nidle 3 1
Rjel Posted January 24, 2020 Posted January 24, 2020 (edited) Hub Zemke is another famed USAAF fighter commander whose name has faded from memory. His book “Zemke’s Wolfpack” was a good read. Edited January 24, 2020 by Rjel Forgot to finish my sentence. 1
Luger1969 Posted January 24, 2020 Posted January 24, 2020 (edited) Great stuff Bo. Beautiful and educational. Edited January 24, 2020 by Luger1969 1
Bo_Nidle Posted January 26, 2020 Author Posted January 26, 2020 (edited) "Daddy's Girl" flown by Capt Ray S. Wetmore of the 359th Fighter Group's 370th Fighter Squadron. Wetmore is perhaps rather less well known amongst the aces, despite being the 8th highest scoring Mustang ace in the ETO. He achieved 21.25 victories, including an Me163 Komet, his final victory. It is depicted as it appeared in late 1944 / early 1945 before the yellow name was repainted in white. This was done at the same time that it had its USAAF insignia repainted, its victory marks changed from Nazi flags on the canopy rail to two rows of swastikas on the side of the fuselage (it actually flew with both types displayed for a short time). It also had the stencil gaps in its tail number painted out. It is this post repaint version that most are familiar with from illustarations and decals. However I can find no evidence that it ever had a spiral painted on the spinner at any time, despite what the illustrators and decal makers might say. "Daddy's Girl" is a personal favourite of mine and this one came together very nicely, and unusually rapidly considering I only started it yesterday and had to build the noseart myself. Its up now at https://www.mediafire.com/file/0jot9oabymlatdn/359thFG_370thFS_Daddy%27s_Girl.zip/file (NB; Victory marks edited for forum screenshots only). Edited November 1, 2021 by Bo_Nidle 5 2
Bo_Nidle Posted February 8, 2020 Author Posted February 8, 2020 (edited) "Slender, Tender & Tall" flown by lt Col William T Halton of the 352nd Fighter Group. Halton shot dow at least four of his ten aerial victories in this aircraft. It is depicted as it appeared in April 1945. Up now at https://www.mediafire.com/file/q14zqt8jmii4xm4/352ndFG_487thFS_Slender%2C_Tender_%26_Tall.zip/file Edited November 1, 2021 by Bo_Nidle 6 1 2
Poochnboo Posted February 11, 2020 Posted February 11, 2020 Bo, you were one of the best skinners in IL2 1946. I'm glad to see that you haven't lost your touch.These are terrific. Have you done any P-38's? 1
Bo_Nidle Posted February 12, 2020 Author Posted February 12, 2020 (edited) 19 hours ago, Poochnboo said: Bo, you were one of the best skinners in IL2 1946. I'm glad to see that you haven't lost your touch.These are terrific. Have you done any P-38's? Thank you, and no, I haven't done any P-38's.....yet. I am currently working on some P-47's, but after those I may well have a crack at the P-38. Edited February 12, 2020 by Bo_Nidle 1 1
Luger1969 Posted February 13, 2020 Posted February 13, 2020 Bo is it possible for you to create from this skin just a default squadron skin, so that can fly as a blue nosed squadron (just take out name ...pilot name...kill markings) in the Rheinland career.
Bo_Nidle Posted February 15, 2020 Author Posted February 15, 2020 (edited) On 2/13/2020 at 8:06 PM, Luger1969 said: Bo is it possible for you to create from this skin just a default squadron skin, so that can fly as a blue nosed squadron (just take out name ...pilot name...kill markings) in the Rheinland career. I'll PM you. ================================================================================================================================== "Sleepy Jean 3rd" 368thFG 395thFS 9th USAAF. Flown by Lt Bill Wayland, it is depicted after December 23rd 1944 when Wayland raised his aerial victories to 4 after shooting down 2 Bf109's and an Fw190 on the same mission. I have a soft spot for the 9th Air Force as I think they tend to get forgotten in the shadow of the 8th Airforce. Its up now at: https://www.mediafire.com/file/5glur9n7av8q86u/368thFG_395thFS_Sleepy_Jean_3rd.zip/file Bottom image is the real "Sleepy Jean 3rd" photographed after limping in to St Dizier after striking her propeller blade during a strafing run Edited November 1, 2021 by Bo_Nidle 7
Bo_Nidle Posted February 19, 2020 Author Posted February 19, 2020 (edited) "JABO" This Thunderbolt was flown by Lt Robert Hartmann of the 405th Fighter Group, 509th Fighter Squadron, 9th USAAF. Up now at https://www.mediafire.com/file/p76rfk5eugykdtf/405thFG_509thFS_JABO.zip/file "Jabo" was a German contraction of the word "Jagdbomber" or in English: "Fighter-Bomber". Bit of a puzzler to do was this one. The aircraft appears to have been the assigned P-47D of Lt Robert Hartmann (KIA 11th April 1945) yet sources have the pilot as Capt Milt W Thompson? If anyone has any other info on this aircraft I'd appreciate seeing it. (Screenshots now edited to avoid offence. I forgot earlier. Apologies.) Edited November 1, 2021 by Bo_Nidle 3
Bo_Nidle Posted February 24, 2020 Author Posted February 24, 2020 (edited) "Rozzie Geth II / Miss Fire" flown by Capt Fred J Christensen of the 56th Fighter Groups 62nd Fighter Squadron, 8th USAAF. Christensen was one of the top American aces in the ETO and ended his tour with 21.5 aerial victories. The aircrafts name refered to his girlfriend, Rosamund Gethro. Photos show there was another letter painted on the end of "Rozzie" which was incompletely erased and barely visible. So if you see it it is deliberate, not an error. I have also tried to give the impression that the aircraft was fitted with the "solid" wheel hubs, so again it is deliberate. The discolouration of the nose cowl band adjacent to the art is based on observations of photos of the actual aircraft. Up now at https://www.mediafire.com/file/oboepoqw2x8z9wj/56thFG_62ndFS_Rozzie_Geth_II-Miss_Fire.zip/file Edited November 1, 2021 by Bo_Nidle 1 1
Bo_Nidle Posted February 29, 2020 Author Posted February 29, 2020 (edited) Back to the Ponies now: "Down For Double" flown by Lt Col Gordon M Graham when he was C.O. of the 355th Fighter Group in 1945. Graham had 7 aerial victories and 9.5 strafing kills by the time the war ended. The name refers to a betting tactic in Blackjack. Up now at https://www.mediafire.com/file/8oew1zf6c974hh0/355thFG_354thFS_Down_For_Double.zip/file Edited November 1, 2021 by Bo_Nidle 3
Bo_Nidle Posted March 7, 2020 Author Posted March 7, 2020 (edited) "Bunnie / Miss Kentucky State" This Mustang was flown by 1st Lt Roscoe Brown of the 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group. Brown had two aerial victories, an Me262 on the 24th March 1945 and a Bf109 one week later. The name "Bunnie" refered to Browns baby daughter who was born while he was serving in Italy. https://www.mediafire.com/file/mxfkream7w1uhz7/332ndFG_100thFS_Bunnie.zip/file Edited November 1, 2021 by Bo_Nidle 10
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