HB's skins

[JV44HeinzBar]

4 hours ago, Jawbreaker1-6 said:

 I don't think that model is a G.   The G had the additional armor "chin" at the base of the mantlet, to prevent downward ricochets, into the driver/funker seat and nearby ammo racks.  It looks more like an A - but I guess could be a G without the mantlet if it also didn't have automatic turret traverse. 

 

S!,

The early G models still used the A gun manlet and only had 5 skirt plates vs 6 skirt plates for the D & A models.

 

I wish the early D models had more variety in camo schemes. I can't seem to resist the pull of skinning the A & G models because of the camo colors & patterns. There's just so much variety. The later years allowed crews to modify their colors & patterns to better match the area & season. I've come across the same tank with different colors & patterns based on the time of the year.

 

HB

[JV44HeinzBar]

S!,

My small support of what is happening to the free people in Urkaine. Take this as you will. It will probably be banned, but I plan on posting this on HSD.

 

HB

Edited March 1, 2022 by JV44HeinzBar

[JV44HeinzBar]

S!,

I took a mental health day from work today. I got bored, so I decided to try and create a skin that features some mud & dirt. I still haven't quite figured out how to make mud look semi-realistic, but I believe I'm getting closer. I also need to figure out how to recreate "drips", as in water passing through dust. EDIT: I tried with version 2 to add more realistic "water streaks". I'm still not happy with the mud clots on the wheels. The clots seem too "shiny". I tried using an embossing technique to raise the mud. Does anyone know of a better way to create this type of texture?

 

This Panther is based on an A model from PzVd 1st Reg Grossdeutschland_East Prussia June, 1944. I'm not entirely sure if the regiment is correct, as there was only a little bit of info from the black & white photo. Just for fun, I added a version with zimmerit. The zimmerit pic is an early version before I added more dirt & mud to the tank.  Let me know which one y'all prefer.

 

Anyhow, as usual, any constructive critiques are appreciated.

 

HB

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 24, 2022 by JV44HeinzBar
added Version 2 of mud & dirt

[SMARTAZZ]

Looks great! ? 

[JV44HeinzBar]

S!,

This tank is based on and A model from the 1st Regiment Panzer Grenadier Division Grossdeutschland inRomania April, 1944. The insignia features Pzr Gren Div black helmet w/ GS inscribed on it. I left the numbers off because I couldn't make the numbers out from the picture. At least this will others to place their own in-game numbers if they like.

 

I used RAAL colors for this tank. I think the colors turned out nicely when I turned the opacity down to 70%. I also fooled around with the embossing of the mud to remove a lot of the shine. I tried adding additional color to the rubber wheels, but it doesn't really show up in game, for some reason.

 

I'll leave this one up for any critiques/errors that you eagle eyed tankers will find   After 48 hours, I'll upload it to HSD.

 

HB

 

PS. This will be my 25th Panther skin I've uploaded to HSD. There doesn't seem to be a lot of folks interested in uploading their skins to HSD, unfortunately.

 

 

Edited April 5, 2022 by JV44HeinzBar
Forgot to add reference model

[MajorMagee]

Sorry, I don't find HSD to be a particularly practical tool for managing my skins, so I hardly ever even look at it.

[JV44HeinzBar]

3 hours ago, MajorMagee said:

Sorry, I don't find HSD to be a particularly practical tool for managing my skins, so I hardly ever even look at it.

S!,

That's unfortunate. I wish I had the cash to host a larger media file account so I could help out the tankers here. There are a couple of issues with HSD. Currently, there is no way to upload multiple skins at the same time. The 2nd problem is the amount of time HSD takes to load and update if not used on a regular basis. Other than those 2 issues, I find the program handy for finding the latest skins for all the player available planes & vehicles. It saves me a lot of time by not having to search through countless skin posts with the BoX forums.

 

HB

[ShampooX]

5 hours ago, MajorMagee said:

Sorry, I don't find HSD to be a particularly practical tool for managing my skins, so I hardly ever even look at it.

I agree.  I only use HSD to get HB's Panther skins.  All the other skins - back in the hay day when we all thought the developers actually wanted to use them in the official file - can all be found in these posts from Tommi, Mallion, and others..  Although I did use HSD to get some cool sdk.10/5 skins, so that was cool.

[JV44HeinzBar]

S!,

Taking a mental health day, so I decided to paint a couple of Tigers. It's not quite as bad as the PzIV, but the Tiger still has a gazillion little parts that I can't seem to find. I'm posting some pic of my latest efforts. One pic has some parts marked that I can't seem to find on the template. I know there are many more that I don't know, but these are relatively large parts that need paint. 

 

The 2nd Tiger isn't in much need as I created a Black-Gray base and used the default stripe pattern with a little artistic license. Once I figure out the marked areas, or someone with in the skinning community can point them out, I'll update then load the skins to HSD.

 

HB 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 9, 2022 by JV44HeinzBar

[ShampooX]

Looks great HB.

[JV44HeinzBar]

S!,

Updated the 2 previous Tiger skins. I experimented with some battle damage on the PzVIH1_Pz_Abt_507_Poland_3_44 Tiger. It's not perfect, but I think it's good enough, for now. You may have to zoom in to see the small battle damage.

I also corrected, to the best of my current ability, for some missing paint on small parts on the PzVIH1_Pz-Abt_510_Lithuania_6_44 Tiger.

 

Feel free to critique both Tigers. I learn a lot from this community from the suggestions provided. If the community can't find any serious issues with either of these Tigers, I'll upload to HSD in a couple of day.

 

HB

 

PzVIH1_Pz_Abt_507_Poland_3_44 Tiger

 

PzVIH1_Pz-Abt_510_Lithuania_6_44 Tiger

Edited May 12, 2022 by JV44HeinzBar
added pic of PzVIH1_Pz-Abt_510_Lithuania_6_44 Tiger

[JV44HeinzBar]

S!,

Uploaded both skins to HSD.

 

HB

[JV44HeinzBar]

S!,

I worked on some new Tiger skins. I left the alpha channel off to reduce shine. I didn't dirty these tanks up too much. Just added 3 layers of different colored dust. I want to start developing better damage effects, but this is more difficult than I suspected.

 

The first tank is Pz Abt 503rd France April 1944, while the 2nd is Pz Abt 505th Poland, August, 1944. I couldn't find any info on what divisions had these tanks.

 

Quick question, I know I prefer skins that don't have any numbers associated with the skin, but what does the community want? Of course, creating numbered & no number tanks doubles the mb count for essentially the same tank.

 

As always, constructive critiques are more than welcomed.

 

HB

 

Pz Abt 503rd France April 1944

 

Pz Abt 505th Poland, August, 1944

 

I just found this pic. I may revisit this tank in the future to get it as close to this pic as possible. I used a print to paint my version of 312.

 

Edited May 18, 2022 by JV44HeinzBar

[JV44HeinzBar]

S!,

I was playing around with my Zimmerit layer and shadows. I didn't see much difference, but it is noticeable when viewed side by side. Anyhow, I did this tank based on a printing I found online - PzVIH1_s.SS_Pzr_Abt_101st_Beauvis_France_6_13_44. I didn't follow the pattern exactly because I like more vertical/diagonal lines. Anyhow, I did the same skin w/o zimmerit.

 

Please let me know what you, as the community, prefers.

 

HB

 

 

 

PzVIH1_s.SS_Pzr_Abt_101st_Beauvis_France_6_13_44 Zimmerit

 

PzVIH1_s.SS_Pzr_Abt_101st_Beauvis_France_6_13_44 no Zimmerit

Edited May 14, 2022 by JV44HeinzBar
Forgot to add no zimmerit edition

[timothy55]

JV44  I am a no Zimmerit man myself, to me it looks better. 

[JV44HeinzBar]

8 hours ago, timothy55 said:

JV44  I am a no Zimmerit man myself, to me it looks better. 

 

Thanks for the feedback!

 

HB

[Spinnetti]

nice skins! do you have them where Haluters Skin downloader can pick them up? That's a great skin downloader utility... would get you lots of exposure too.

[JV44HeinzBar]

S! Spinnetti,

I've put all my skins up on HSD. I haven't loaded PzVIH1_s.SS_Pzr_Abt_101st_Beauvis_France_6_13_44 Zimmerit/NoZim  to HSD yet, but I plan to do so soon.

 

HB

 

[JV44HeinzBar]

S!,

This tank is based on a print by Claes Sunkin with some artistic license. From my point of view, eliminating the "alpha" layer gives tanks in IL2 Tank Crew a more natural view. The alpha layer causes too much "shine" for painted metal used for ground units. I added the victory rings which were not present on the print I referenced. I just thought it added a little something, something.

 

I'll be uploading this skin (PzVIH1_3_Schwere_Pzr_ Abt_501_304_Minsk_USSR_6_44) to HSD, as well as, the previous tiger skin, PzVIH1_s.SS_Pzr_Abt_101st_Beauvis_France, no zimmerit.

 

HB

 

Edited May 18, 2022 by JV44HeinzBar
Forgot to name this tank. I'll also put the red 304 on the tank.

[Yankee_One]

Hi HB,

 

i for myself like both of them, with and without Zimmerit.

From my previous posts you know i like weathered tanks.

 

Do you plan to add the turret number on 131?

It would be great. (my opinion)

 

I dont want to forget to say thank you for all your fantastic skins and your work.

 

This one is outstanding:

Pz Abt 505th Poland, August, 1944

 

S!

 

 

[JV44HeinzBar]

S! Yankee,

I've gotten a lot of PMs requesting that I don't put numbers on tanks. I believe a lot of folks like using the skins and adding their own numbers especially squad members. I may start doing 2 skins again. I'll put green 131 on the 505th and red 304 on the 501st...just for you   I should be able to get it up on HSD within a day or so.

 

Thanks for the compliments, Yankee. Btw, both of the tanks have a little weathering on them. If you zoom in on them, you'll see dirty water streaks and scratches.

 

HB

 

PS, Forgive me for being lazy. I didn't place the numbers exactly where they should be. I didn't feel like struggling to align the numbers on the ports

 

 

Edited May 18, 2022 by JV44HeinzBar
Added new pics

[Yankee_One]

Thank you so much HB!

 

Thats an honor, only for me???

 

They are awesome with the turret number.

 

Btw, your weathering is fine, i love it too.

 

 I personally dont like factory fresh tanks.

 

S!

[moustache]

24 minutes ago, Yankee_One said:

I personally dont like factory fresh tanks.

totally agree: we drive metal monsters fighting oil and blood in the mud, and it looks like it came out of the garage, with the added bonus of a little polish on the bodywork

[DIMON-211289]

Incredible skins! Nice work definetily, but how to download all of them?

[moustache]

@DIMON-211289

download on this : 

 

Edited May 19, 2022 by moustache

[DIMON-211289]

2 минуты назад, moustache сказал:

@DIMON-211289

download on this : 

 

Already installed) Then i should just download with this app new skins right?

[JV44HeinzBar]

S! Dimon,

I'm happy you like the skins. Since you've got HSD installed, it's pretty easy to get your choice of skins. Once you have HSD open, on the left side, select Tank Crew, then select the vehicle of interest. Click on each skin to view and check the box to the right to add each skin to your download list. Once you're satisfied, look at the bottom of the program and you'll see a download button.  That's it.

 

@DIMON-211289For a better explanation, see this:

 

 

I've uploaded a little over 30 different tank skins. I've uploaded tanks w/ numbers & without. I hope you enjoy them.

 

HB

Edited May 19, 2022 by JV44HeinzBar

[JV44HeinzBar]

S!,

I'm still struggling to find all the little bits and pieces on the Tiger, but that's 1/2 the fun  

 

I found this skin in one of my books, Panzer Aces: Profiles II. It uses an earlier style paint scheme with brown & grey against the factory yellow.  This skin is based on 3rd SS Panzer Division Totenkopf Tiger 441.  The tank fought in and around Jarkov April, 1943. When I did a Google Earth search for Jarkov, GE took me to Kharkiv, Ukraine.

 

I plan on creating a no number version of this skin, too.

 

Please take look and let me know if you see any major issues with the Tiger.

 

HB

 

Edited May 22, 2022 by JV44HeinzBar

[Yankee_One]

Hi HB!

 

I can t see nothing. For me it looks right and brilliant.

[JV44HeinzBar]

S!,

I worked on creating some damage effects. I feel like I'm getting closer to a decent effect, but I think they still need some work. If anyone out there can give me some tips in on how to improve the damage effect, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

HB

 

 

Edited May 24, 2022 by JV44HeinzBar

[ShampooX]

Excellent Tiger HB!!

[JV44HeinzBar]

S!,

Well, I gave the PzIVg a shot at skinning tonight. The tank I'm presenting is about 2 hours worth of work. I didn't dive deep into this tank because I simply didn't have time. There are so many little pieces on this tank, I don't think I'll ever find them all. I didn't really focus on aligning the stripes too closely and I missed some of the very small parts, but it turned out OK. I'll come back to it tomorrow and try to refine it.

 

The main purpose of this skin was really for me to learn more about the PzIVg template and where most of the parts are located. However, I hope the newer models (Churchill & Stug III) will have their parts arranged in a more logical sequence. There are so many cool skins for the Stug III that I hope it won't present the pain that the PzIVg represents for skinners.

 

You'll notice that the skirts are a different pattern. Below it is the reference pic I used as a guide. I kind of used both tanks to create this skin, as the stripes are less dense than on Windhund tank. Removing the skirts will reveal more of my mistakes of misaligned stripes. Honestly, I don't think I'll really be able to align everything perfectly on the PzIV, so please bear with me as I learn the template.

 

I based this skin on PzIVg_12th_Pzr_Div_Windhund_Normandy_9_43. After a little more research, I found that I named this tank incorrectly. It should be 116th Panzer Division. Per Wiki, "The 116th Panzer Division, also known as the "Windhund (Greyhound) Division", was a German armoured formation that saw combat during World War II. "

 

Another thing to fix. At least I should be able to create the 12th SS Pzr skin quickly from my mistake

 

HB

 

 

 

Edited May 27, 2022 by JV44HeinzBar
added reference pick & updated history

[SMARTAZZ]

Just got back from vacation and saw all these new beauties! Very Nice indeed!

[moustache]

10 hours ago, JV44HeinzBar said:

the one on the top left is so beautiful...

[352ndOscar]

Don’t forget, most all these paint jobs were done in the field so to speak and none of them were perfect…..

[ShampooX]

Dude you are on fire!!!

[JV44HeinzBar]

Ok. I'm kinda satisfied with this PzIVg. It's still not exactly what I'm hoping to achieve, but it will do for the time being. I worked on trying to make the bullet holes "see through", but it just doesn't seem to be working for me. I've been saving the skins w/o an alpha layer. I'll go back and experiment later. For now, I'm going to post this one to HSD tonight..hopefully.

 

I tried creating a new mud texture for the bottom of the skirts. I think it turned out ok. I'm a little less satisfied by the mud on the track flaps. Oh well.

 

As always, constructive critiques are always welcomed.

 

HB

 

PzIVg_116th_Pzr_Div_Windhund_Normandy_9_43 right

 

PzIVg_116th_Pzr_Div_Windhund_Normandy_9_43 left

Edited May 30, 2022 by JV44HeinzBar

[JV44HeinzBar]

S!,

Since I already had the tank painted with the stripes, I decide to add the 12 SS Pzr Div skin also. It doesn't match up exactly to the above reference pic, but that saves me in case there is a copy right issue. Present here is my version of PzIVg 12th Panzer Division Hitlerjugend Normandy 9 45.

 

I still haven't figured out how to make bullet holes transparent. There's something that I'm missing in Photoshop. In the mean while, I'll keep trying to paint some PzIVgs since HSD is seriously lacking in camouflaged tanks.

 

HB

 

[moustache]

hello @JV44HeinzBar,
personally, I find the mud effect on the shurtzen quite nice, it changes...
is it just possible to have the skins of Pz IV without the numbers and insignia on the position of the numbering in game? thanks again

[JV44HeinzBar]

5 hours ago, moustache said:

hello @JV44HeinzBar,
personally, I find the mud effect on the shurtzen quite nice, it changes...
is it just possible to have the skins of Pz IV without the numbers and insignia on the position of the numbering in game? thanks again

S! Moustache,

Sure. Once I get back from my weekly meetings today, I'll do the skins w/o numbers. Skinning tanks is a form of mental therapy after having to deal with these meeting

 

HB