Bodenplatte career: generic squadron codes for Allied AI fighters

[Skycat1969]

10/22/22:  New version is now available, go here: 

 

10/16/22:  I am working on a revised Bodenplatte Career mod that uses the new tactical codes introduced in game version 5.002. The new mod will add custom blank skins; correct a few of the new default squadron codes (No. 19 Squadron and No. 175 Squadron), and phase out the P-47D-22 and P-51B in early 1945. The new mod will have its own thread to avoid confusion.

_____________________________

Summary: This project is based on the MarcoPegase44 random skins for wingers mod. My goal is to assign a unique skin to each Allied squadron that appears in the Battle of Bodenplatte Rheinland career. Player and AI squadrons will appear with tactical markings correct for the Rheinland career. Each skins package can be used individually if you choose. (If a texture is listed in SCG files is not available in your Skins folder, the game simply uses the default skin.)

06 SEP 2022 reorganization: All of my previously released RAF fighter skins are now combined into a single pack. This will simplify future additions and updates to the overall mod. 

 

Part I: Required Base Pack: 

Bodenplatte career - SCG Skins file v220922 > These are the baseline files necessary for using the skins listed below in the Rheinland career. It does not by itself change the appearance of any aircraft in the game. Install this first.

 

Part II: Skin Packs:

9/6/22:  RAF fighters skins megapack v220906 > Skin pack only. Adds unique tactical codes to more than 60 squadrons. (Previously released skins; no changes.)

9/6/22:  USAAF P-38J - Two Fighter Groups, v220906 > Textures for six squadrons. (Previously released skins; no changes.)

9/6/22:  USAAF P-47Ds - 508th Fighter Squadron, v220906 > Updated version. Skins only.

 

9/17/22:  USAAF P-51D and P-51B skins (352nd FG and 370th FG) _v2  > Skin pack only. Textures for six squadrons. Updated

       * Optional files: Add more P-51Bs to Rheinland career v220905 > Equips USAAF 486th FS and 487th FS with P-51Bs.

         * Note: "Extended IL-2 BOX Careers" mod by Sevenless also adds the P-51Bs. My SCG Skins file is compatible; add it last.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 23, 2022 by Skycat1969
Link added to new version that works with game version 5.002's new tactical codes.

[Stonehouse]

So the stock careers don't use tactical codes where they can? eg tyhoons and P51s? That's a shame - its much better having one reusable generic skin with automatic codes so you'd have thought they'd have retrofitted the feature into the campaigns. Not enough time so far I guess.

 

You'd done a lot of work thank you.

 

[Skycat1969]

As it stands now all of the default career skins in Bodenplatte are varying degrees of factory fresh. The bare metal USAAF aircraft bother me the most. Unfortunately some of the repaint templates aren't as straightforward as I thought they'd be. The real challenge for this Photoshop user was learning GIMP and adjusting to its quirks.

 

With that in mind I remembered I was satisfied with the P-38J skins I created. There are only six squadrons (all playable) so I've uploaded them as well.

 

 

I may tinker around with the six P-51 squadrons this week since they are also all player-flyable. 

Edited September 7, 2022 by Skycat1969

[Mtnbiker1998]

I'll be keeping an eye on this! I've been very excited for seeing proper squadron skins and tactical codes in career mode.

 

Hopefully we'll see something Official in the not too distant future, but until then a mod might be the answer

[Stonehouse]

Don't believe from what I have seen a mod would give us tac codes in career. I think the devs would have to provide a hook in the code to make it work. Looking at the file defining a squadron there isn't a place to put the squadron letters for allied units. Axis ones might be easier as at least the Luftwaffe standardized the tac codes and colours for each gruppe and used a unit shield/symbol to differentiate between the different units. 

[Skycat1969]

 

A quick preview: All six P-51D squadrons (flyable) are now done. The "Blue Nosed Bastards" are the de facto USAAF P-51D Group in the Bodenplatte career. I've completed its three squadrons with both invasion markings for 1944 and a bare belly scheme for 1945. The 328th FS also needs a P-51B skin, unlike the other two squadrons; and I think I can finish that over the weekend. I will upload all at once.

 

 

Not shown: The three squadrons of the 370th FG are also completed but with a lazy yet serviceable set of skins. In my test using the 402nd FS, the squadron didn't convert from P-38J to P-51D until the last week of the campaign anyhow. My other observation is that my skins are only appearing on the AI P-51D flights about 25% of the time (the other 75% is the default bare metal scheme).

[JadeLotus19]

How to install?

 

[Skycat1969]

57 minutes ago, JadeLotus19 said:

How to install?

 

I'm really old school so this is designed to be a straight copy to your game folder's "Data" folder.

- Download any of the skin zip files and extract.

- You'll see inside a folder named Data. Inside "Data" are subfolders named "SCG" and "graphics."

- Drag these subfolders (SCG and Graphics) into your game's Data folder.

  * Don't put the mod's Data folder inside your game's Data folder. You can combine the two Data folders though -- I hope that makes sense.

 

You'll also need to have Mods Enabled in your game's settings.

Finally, this only works with the Rheinland career.

 

==========================================

A quick update on progress for the P-51s: I've been working all day on a base template for a bare metal P-51B. GIMP has crashed a couple of times, setting me back on progress. Reworking the Alpha is giving me a nice polished metal look instead of the dull flat plastic look of the template's alpha (made for the OD and RAF paints). Now the P-51Ds look comparatively dirty. I'm also thinking I may also want to edit the SCG file to add the P-51B to the other two "Bluenosed Bastards of Bodney" squadrons, to make all this work worthwhile.

 

As an aside I noticed last night in the "His Majesty's Griffons" campaign that there were standard P-51D skins with HO-(letter) tactical markings. No other aircraft were marked though. I don't know where these are coming from, so they're probably hard coded. Is a sign of things to come? I also had some weirdness a few months ago where some AI RAF flights had "2 0" on their fuselages. I reported it as a bug and it was removed in the next update.

 

I've also improved the P-47D-22 template and have organized my project list. There are nine P-47 Groups with three squadrons each, and each squadron has both P-47D-22 and P-47D-28 assigned. That's 54 skins. Maybe its too big a project and not worthwhile. Maybe I'll just offer in small downloads over time.

Edited September 4, 2022 by Skycat1969

[Stonehouse]

Any chance of a generic skin for the 352nd FG for the P51D and B please?

 

I have some that I use for PWCG with a modified squadron json file to enable tactical codes but they are quite old and somewhere along the timeline of patches they have stopped looking like metal so I'd be really happy to get some new ones to use.

 

 

[Skycat1969]

You mean blank, no squadron codes? I should be able to knock out a set pretty easily ... just let me know what you need. (Rudder color(s), invasion stripes or clean, etc.)

[Stonehouse]

Just the standard 352nd FG blue and metal paint scheme P51D and B without codes . I guess with Normandy coming it would be nice to have a set with invasion stripes and a set without but don't want to ask too much of you. Actually you reminded me about the blue rudder too. The skins I have don't have that so I am not sure if it applied to a certain date range or just the skins I have are incorrect. If blue rudders were correct then please with blue rudders as well. Thank you for doing them. I'll upload the modified json referring to your skins so if you want to do a PWCG campaign you can.

Edited September 4, 2022 by Stonehouse

[DD_Fenrir]

9 hours ago, Stonehouse said:

Just the standard 352nd FG blue and metal paint scheme P51D and B without codes . I guess with Normandy coming it would be nice to have a set with invasion stripes and a set without but don't want to ask too much of you. Actually you reminded me about the blue rudder too. The skins I have don't have that so I am not sure if it applied to a certain date range or just the skins I have are incorrect. If blue rudders were correct then please with blue rudders as well. Thank you for doing them. I'll upload the modified json referring to your skins so if you want to do a PWCG campaign you can.

Blue rudders in the 352nd appeared in the late summer/autumn of 1944 on 487th FS aircraft (those with the “HO” code) only. The other squadrons had red (328th FS, “PE”) and yellow (486th FS, “PZ”) respectively. Before this period rudders were unmarked.

[JadeLotus19]

The P-51 skins are not ready are they? Plus does this auto assign or replace the blank skins, do you still have to assign them manually?

 

[Skycat1969]

1 hour ago, JadeLotus19 said:

The P-51 skins are not ready are they? Plus does this auto assign or replace the blank skins, do you still have to assign them manually?

 

No the P-51 skins aren't ready -- but almost though. I've been working on the P-51B skin for the 352 FG and I got sidetracked on editing the latest SCG files to add the P-51B to two additional squadrons of the 352nd FG. All that's left to do for the P-51B skin is to make three versions with invasion markings (each with proper squadron code and rudder color) and three versions without invasion markings. I will probably finish those and test them tonight and then upload tomorrow.

 

The skins get assigned automatically. Try the P-38 pack for now and start a P-38 career -- all six of the P-38 squadrons are flyable. The new skins replace the stock unmarked blank skins which are repetitively used for all of the squadrons flying a particular aircraft. Now, for example, each P-38 squadron has a distinctive and historically based generic skin.

[JadeLotus19]

3 hours ago, Skycat1969 said:

No the P-51 skins aren't ready -- but almost though. I've been working on the P-51B skin for the 352 FG and I got sidetracked on editing the latest SCG files to add the P-51B to two additional squadrons of the 352nd FG. All that's left to do for the P-51B skin is to make three versions with invasion markings (each with proper squadron code and rudder color) and three versions without invasion markings. I will probably finish those and test them tonight and then upload tomorrow.

 

The skins get assigned automatically. Try the P-38 pack for now and start a P-38 career -- all six of the P-38 squadrons are flyable. The new skins replace the stock unmarked blank skins which are repetitively used for all of the squadrons flying a particular aircraft. Now, for example, each P-38 squadron has a distinctive and historically based generic skin.

Is it just the P-51Bs or you doing the D model as well? Just curious friend

[Skycat1969]

Skins are done. I need some sleep. I've been at this for 12 hours and it is now 5:30 a.m. I reworked the P-51D skins... twice. All three squadrons have the same color nose, they just look different because of the lighting. The 382nd FS (PE) has B and D models by default. The 486th FS (PZ) and 487th FS (HO) only have D models by default and I will offer my edited files as an optional mod for anyone who wants to add the B models. I will package everything up later today.

 

 

 

Edited September 5, 2022 by Skycat1969

[Skycat1969]

"All in one" version of the P-51 mod:

Full 352 FG with add P51Bs mod (mediafire.com)

 

This adds nine skins for the six default P-51D squadrons in the Rheinland career; adds two skins for the 328th FS squadron equipped with P-51Bs by default; and also equips the 486th and 487th Fighter Squadrons with P-51Bs, with two P-51B skins for each squadron. (I have also included my first draft skins for 352 FG if you prefer the dirtier P-51Ds.) If you do not want the extra P-51B aircraft, simply remove the "Squadron" and "18Squadron" documents from the SCG folder.

 

I need to restructure the opening post with a new method of adding skins. Consider the download in this post as a Special Edition.  

[JadeLotus19]

 

 

Awesome! Are you going to be doing russian or german aircraft now? Would be cool to see Soviet and German planes with historic squadrons! Then again epic work.

1 hour ago, Skycat1969 said:

"All in one" version of the P-51 mod:

Full 352 FG with add P51Bs mod (mediafire.com)

 

This adds nine skins for the six default P-51D squadrons in the Rheinland career; adds two skins for the 328th FS squadron equipped with P-51Bs by default; and also equips the 486th and 487th Fighter Squadrons with P-51Bs, with two P-51B skins for each squadron. (I have also included my first draft skins for 352 FG if you prefer the dirtier P-51Ds.) If you do not want the extra P-51B aircraft, simply remove the "Squadron" and "18Squadron" documents from the SCG folder.

 

I need to restructure the opening post with a new method of adding skins. Consider the download in this post as a Special Edition.  

The P-51 skins are not ready are they? Plus does this auto assign or replace the blank skins, do you still have to assign them manually?

 

Would be cool to see russian and german fighters next!

[Skycat1969]

1) There are no Russian aircraft in the Bodenplatte "Rheinland" career.

2) The P-51 skins are now available.

3) The finished skins should show on the appropriate squadrons in the "Rheinland" career. You do not need to manually assign the skins.

3) I don't have a plan for the German aircraft. The Luftwaffe fighter tactical codes are too complicated for a generic skins mod in my opinion.

4) I really want to follow my true passion that started all of this: painting the P-47 Thunderbolt squadrons. 

 

[Stonehouse]

1 hour ago, Skycat1969 said:

"All in one" version of the P-51 mod:

Full 352 FG with add P51Bs mod (mediafire.com)

 

This adds nine skins for the six default P-51D squadrons in the Rheinland career; adds two skins for the 328th FS squadron equipped with P-51Bs by default; and also equips the 486th and 487th Fighter Squadrons with P-51Bs, with two P-51B skins for each squadron. (I have also included my first draft skins for 352 FG if you prefer the dirtier P-51Ds.) If you do not want the extra P-51B aircraft, simply remove the "Squadron" and "18Squadron" documents from the SCG folder.

 

I need to restructure the opening post with a new method of adding skins. Consider the download in this post as a Special Edition.  

 

Thanks for these, your work will make the stock Rheinland career much more immersive. If you can find spare time at some point to make the 352nd skins without squadron codes (eg no PZ etc markings) for use with PWCG that'd be great but if you've had enough of P51 skins I understand. It sounds like it was hard going from your post about doing a 12 hr stint.

[Skycat1969]

2 hours ago, Stonehouse said:

 

Thanks for these, your work will make the stock Rheinland career much more immersive. If you can find spare time at some point to make the 352nd skins without squadron codes (eg no PZ etc markings) for use with PWCG that'd be great but if you've had enough of P51 skins I understand. It sounds like it was hard going from your post about doing a 12 hr stint.

I have bigger plans for this but here is a blank for each aircraft type in case I don't get back to it in the next few days (or months).

Edit: Stonehouse 352 FG_v2 (mediafire.com)

 

There are still some things I'd like to touch up on the basic skins and I think if I put this to the side for awhile I can come back to it with my eyes rested battery recharged.

Edited September 6, 2022 by Skycat1969
Updated link

[Stonehouse]

22 minutes ago, Skycat1969 said:

I have bigger plans for this but here is a blank for each aircraft type in case I don't get back to it in the next few days (or months).

Stonehouse 352 FG_v1 (mediafire.com)

 

There are still some things I'd like to touch up on the basic skins and I think if I put this to the side for awhile I can come back to it with my eyes rested battery recharged.

Absolutely no rush to fix. Could be a problem at my end as well but looking at it in the viewer it seems like the P51D skin must have got mucked up when you removed the squadron code. Whenever you have time and inclination is more than fine. They look great by the way, thank you again. Much better appearance to the metal than my old P51D skin

Edited September 5, 2022 by Stonehouse

[Mtnbiker1998]

23 minutes ago, Skycat1969 said:

I have bigger plans for this but here is a blank for each aircraft type in case I don't get back to it in the next few days (or months).

Stonehouse 352 FG_v1 (mediafire.com)

 

There are still some things I'd like to touch up on the basic skins and I think if I put this to the side for awhile I can come back to it with my eyes rested battery recharged.

Not just PWCG, There are also efforts to make a community built Career skin pack that could hopefully be officially supported. I'm sure the guys working on that would love to add your P-51 skins to the collection!

 

 

 

 

[Skycat1969]

2 hours ago, Stonehouse said:

Absolutely no rush to fix. Could be a problem at my end as well but looking at it in the viewer it seems like the P51D skin must have got mucked up when you removed the squadron code. Whenever you have time and inclination is more than fine. They look great by the way, thank you again. Much better appearance to the metal than my old P51D skin

Spoiler

 Derp! No, I think I put the P-51B skin in the P-51D folder. I remember looking over the folders last night and thinking I had saved a skin to the wrong folder, and I moved it to the other. I was really exhausted by that point.

 

Give me a little time and I think I can at least get these two skins sorted out for you tonight. 

Edited September 6, 2022 by Skycat1969

[Stonehouse]

All good, please take your time. Happy to get them whenever you're ready to sort them out

[migmadmarine]

1 hour ago, Mtnbiker1998 said:

Not just PWCG, There are also efforts to make a community built Career skin pack that could hopefully be officially supported. I'm sure the guys working on that would love to add your P-51 skins to the collection!

 

 

 

 

I have the P-47-25 ones done, need to get them up loaded, have had a lot on my plate...

[Skycat1969]

@ Stonehouse: New versions of both blank skins.

Stonehouse 352 FG_v2 (mediafire.com)

 

I went in and cleaned up some of the things caused by the Alpha layers that bothered me, particularly the gun and exhaust soot. Let me know what you think.

[Stonehouse]

11 minutes ago, Skycat1969 said:

@ Stonehouse: New versions of both blank skins.

Stonehouse 352 FG_v2 (mediafire.com)

 

I went in and cleaned up some of the things caused by the Alpha layers that bothered me, particularly the gun and exhaust soot. Let me know what you think.

 

Both looking great! Thanks! I'll upload a pwcg json for them in the next day or so. Probably over in the thread for the PWCG mod for tac codes

[Stonehouse]

Your work in action

 

[RedeyeStorm]

Question: I just installed the files, starting with series 1 and ending with the 'Bodenplatte career - SCG Skins file v220905' file. I am flying a Typhoon career which is in progress, I am just a wingman. I do not see the tactical codes on the plane. I installed through JSGME. Should I select a skin first?

 

The skins are in the correct folders. I checked.

 

Oké found the problem. In the Typhoon zip you did not add the 'Graphics' folder so the skins end up in the wrong folder.

Edited September 6, 2022 by RedeyeStorm
addendum

[Skycat1969]

3 hours ago, RedeyeStorm said:

Question: I just installed the files, starting with series 1 and ending with the 'Bodenplatte career - SCG Skins file v220905' file. I am flying a Typhoon career which is in progress, I am just a wingman. I do not see the tactical codes on the plane. I installed through JSGME. Should I select a skin first?

 

The skins are in the correct folders. I checked.

 

Oké found the problem. In the Typhoon zip you did not add the 'Graphics' folder so the skins end up in the wrong folder.

I apologize for the error and thank you for bringing it to my attention. I'll fix the download ASAP. I'm thinking now that I've registered for a MediaFire account and can upload larger files, that I should simply put all of the RAF fighters into one download package. Does anybody object to that? 

[RedeyeStorm]

Well they are pretty big files ca 750 mb. Mayby smaller downloads might be easier/preferable for people with not so fast internet connection. But no problem for me.

[Skycat1969]

I took a look at what it would take to do this for Normandy also and how much the two theaters have in common for Allied aircraft. Here is a list of the Allied squadrons (except the bombers and C-47 units) that are in the Normandy career and when they appear in the campaign:

 Normandy - Allied squadrons and aircraft types.txt

I cross-referenced the list to assignments in the Bodenplatte career. There are many new squadrons but also many from Bodenplatte. The D-Day and post-D-Day markings rule out using the Bodenplatte mod skins 'as is' except perhaps the P-38J skins. 

 

Meanwhile I've been tinkering with the alpha layer for the P-51D skins. I stumbled on a way to generate a new alpha from my painted layers instead of trying to edit the panel lines that are on the existing alpha from the template. Unfortunately I'm getting small invisible areas. I think the solution is to adjust the grayscale levels away from absolute black.

 

One other idea that occurred to me is to save the AI skins as 2K instead of 4K.

[Stonehouse]

5 hours ago, Skycat1969 said:

I took a look at what it would take to do this for Normandy also and how much the two theaters have in common for Allied aircraft. Here is a list of the Allied squadrons (except the bombers and C-47 units) that are in the Normandy career and when they appear in the campaign:

 .............

 

Might be worth you getting in contact with Raptorattacker  - I read a discord channel on il2 skinning figuring one day I might get how it all hangs together but at the moment it doesn't make sense. However, I know Raptorattacker has been talking about getting metallic skins and older skins to look better. Judging by some of the sample pics they might be able to give you some clues or tips that will help you.

Edited September 12, 2022 by Stonehouse

[Skycat1969]

Thanks, I think I came to a solution. I was satisfied with last night's test results and I may upload something soon.

[Stonehouse]

@Skycat1969 putting together the pwcg json for the 352nd FG using the skins you created for me. I'm going to add it to the existing mod for pwcg tac codes for 4 SQD (mossie) and some of the Me410 ZGs. Is it ok if I bundle the two skins you made with it crediting you or do you prefer I direct people your post here? My reasoning for bundling them is the json won't work without the skins.

 

Thanks!

[Skycat1969]

Feel free.

[migmadmarine]

Skycat, are you planning to release the skins without tactical codes applied once the dynamic codes release for the rest of the aircraft? If you want to collaborate, I've got skins made for every P-47 squadron (for the -28) I just need to upload em.

 

Also, can I suggest/request generic cereal numbers on the tails? I've been putting numbers of the production range ending in 000, as the tails look kinda empty to me without them, and the zeros feel less obtrusive than every mustang being 435782 or whatever.

Edited September 15, 2022 by migmadmarine

[Skycat1969]

8 hours ago, migmadmarine said:

Skycat, are you planning to release the skins without tactical codes applied once the dynamic codes release for the rest of the aircraft? If you want to collaborate, I've got skins made for every P-47 squadron (for the -28) I just need to upload em.

First off, the screenshots of your P-47s look great --and far better than I am capable of painting. I've been wavering on what to do next and for the moment I was holding off and waiting for your skins. They could go in the mod as unmarked blanks IMO, since the colorful variations specific to each squadron essentially achieve the same goal as squadron codes.

 

The Bodenplatte career "SCG Skins" file I uploaded is already prepared for squadron-unique skins. My naming convention is simple for the P-47s: a three-digit squadron number + underscore + "FS" for Fighter Squadron (ie, xxx_FS.dds). The 10th Fighter Squadron would be 010_FS.dds and this applies to both the P-47D-22 and P-47D-28 models. Using that file naming system, anybody can drop a representative skin into the proper aircraft folder in Graphics/Skins and it should appear in the Bodenplatte career. I planned to do that for my own use when your skins are uploaded; we can decide together if that renumbered version should be uploaded to this mod or whatnot.

 

I'm agreeable to generic serial numbers too. I understand the 'nakedness' of not having a serial number.

Edited September 15, 2022 by Skycat1969

[migmadmarine]

Sounds good to me, I'll try and get what I've got so far uploaded soon. I'd think focusing researching what color markings etc for each unit would be the most useful expenditure of effort. Now that Normandy is out, I imagine a focus on getting the generated codes as applied on the P-51D, tanks etc finished and implemented for the rest of the aircraft will be put forward since the engineers aren't trying to get Normandy out the door, and I don't see why they won't be using that system for lettering/numbering aircraft in career mode.