Bodenplatte career: generic squadron codes for Allied AI fighters

[Mtnbiker1998]

21 hours ago, Skycat1969 said:

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.

Regarding the unmarked blanks, I think thats a good call considering we should eventually be getting tactical codes implemented in the vanilla game at some point. It would make the mod a lot more futureproof!

[Skycat1969]

I've been nibbling away at improving my P-51 skins and cleaning up small details I wasn't satisfied with in my current "official" version. I'll upload a new set of 352nd Fighter Group skins soon for the mod that are cleaner and shinier (to suit my personal taste) but that also have a new three-band invasion marking. Here is a set of 'blanks' that cover the blue-nosed P-51B and P-51D in a variety of configurations including silver rudder for both late 1944 and early 1945 on both models; and red, blue and yellow rudder with invasion markings on both models. (They aren't named to work in the mod, I'm just offering them if anybody would like to have them for general purpose including PWCG.)

https://www.mediafire.com/file/85ugssyvziu06xc/352_FG_blanks_v3.zip/file

 

I started this project with no "Great Battles" painting skills and I've learned a lot along the way through experimentation and studying the work of other painters. Migmadmarine's blanks have impressed me in that he solves the little 'match up' details on skins far better than I do; his P-38 skins vs. mine are a prime example of that. I've also tried my hand at P-47 checkerboard noses that will never be seen by the public . I didn't have the patience a few months ago to properly work out the rudder stripes on the 370 FG P-51Ds, and I simply painted them solid since those skins only appear at the very end of the campaign anyhow. I've since discovered his P-51D blank skins which brilliantly solve the markings alignment. I've also learned some techniques along the way that have allowed me to edit skins to suit my preferences. In the screenshot below I've 'shined up' one of his 485th Fighter Squadron skin, darkened the red markings and added a squadron code. With Migmadmarine's permission I'd like to offer my modded versions (with proper credit in the package notes) along with my new 'Blue Nosed' skins in an update pack for this mod.

 

 

And on that note I discovered last night that my own 385th FS skin is improperly titled as 485_FS.dds in the current skin pack. Rename 485_FS.dds to 385_FS.dds in your game's Graphics/Skins/P51D15 folder and it will be good to go.  Hold off, I need to sort this out. Edit: nope I had it backwards. If you have a 385_FS skin in your P51D15 folder it needs to be renamed to 485_FS. (If you already have a 485_FS, just leave "as is" or delete the 385_FS.)

 

Edited September 18, 2022 by Skycat1969
Lysdexia.

[Skycat1969]

The new version of the 352 FG career skins is now available in the opening post. My 370 FG skins are included, with the name correction made for the 485 FS skin.

 

I also have a version ready with the 370 FG skins based on migmadmarine's blanks that will replace the ones I made. I will post it only with permission.

[migmadmarine]

Feel free to post your versions, though for mustangs I strongly recommend you dull the wings down as they were puttied and painted silver, and while silver paint is shiny it isn't very reflective. I tried to capture that in mine, though I never quite got the scratches and weathering alpha layer perfect. I like the look if your fuselages though. 

[migmadmarine]

Finally gotten around to uploading all the P-47D-28 skins, this will cover all the squadrons that appear in Bodenplatte. I'll have to see what squadrons are new for Normandy. 

 

https://www.mediafire.com/file/cvxgemacmelro8p/P-47D-28_Career_mode_defaults.rar/file

Edited September 21, 2022 by migmadmarine

[Skycat1969]

2 hours ago, migmadmarine said:

Feel free to post your versions, though for mustangs I strongly recommend you dull the wings down as they were puttied and painted silver, and while silver paint is shiny it isn't very reflective.

I know you're right and this is something I've struggled with philosophically because I prefer looking out over a glistening metal wing while in VR.

 

I'll put the updated version here for time being for community evaluation:

https://www.mediafire.com/file/8iqkab2nhqbmr8z/Bodenplatte_career_-_USAAF_P-51s_v220920.zip/file

 

And I'm excited to check out out those P-47s!

[migmadmarine]

I tend to prefer a beaten and grungy look, even for bare metal haha. Well, I guess we can make two variations or something. If we have consistent naming, one will override the other easy enough. 

 

I should probably make a generic for each era with the black nose band and each invasion stripe variation, since it seems a load of squadrons didn't have unique color markings beyond that. 

[Skycat1969]

10 hours ago, migmadmarine said:

If we have consistent naming, one will override the other easy enough. 

This is a draft version of some of your P-47D-28 skins renamed to work in with the mod files:,

 

https://www.mediafire.com/file/q7uesqsuc308i7g/Bodenplatte_career_-_P47D-28_Migmadmarine_Late_1944__skins_plus_%28220920%29.zip/file

 

For now I used only your "44L"  skins because the SCG skins file is set up to show only one P-47D-28 skin for each squadron across the entire Bodenplatte career. It wouldn't be difficult though to assign skins by phase -- For the Spitfires, Tempests, and P-51s I simply differentiated the 1944 vs 1945 skins by adding an "L" (for late) to the 1945 textures and made the appropriate adjustment in the SCG skins file.

 

I also noticed that the 368th Fighter Group isn't represented in your download, I assume because VAG_Sevy released generic skins for the three squadrons on Haluter's Skin Downloader. I added VAG_Sevy's to complete the P-47D-28 squadrons in the Bodenplatte career.

 

Meanwhile I've been working on a shiny metal P-47D-22 base skin. I can adjust the tone to match your collection, to complete the Bodenplatte Thunderbolt squadrons.

 

Edited September 21, 2022 by Skycat1969

[migmadmarine]

I can take care of the P-47s since I already have all my layers and just need to tweak them a bit if you're game to take the on B-26s. 

 

In the interest of future proofing I'd like to advocate we transition to the file name format I've been using, "aircraft, service, unit, era" since that is likely most adaptable. My intention is for these had been to try and cover all campaigns, and especially for be aircraft like the P-51B that are fielded by both the RAF and USAAF this keeps them readily distinct, and uses eras matching the vanilla generics.

 

I should probably start uploading these to HSD, will probably be easier to manage. Will investigate the missing fighter group when I get home from work.

Edited September 21, 2022 by migmadmarine

[Skycat1969]

Okay, I'll look into editing the SCG skins file as the near rock. I can easily change all P-47 skins for your method and let you be the lead on that for both models and the mid 44?/ late 44/ early 45 skins. I'll also look at editing the Normandy skins SCG while I'm at it starting with the P-47s so your pack can be used.

 

I'm also considering basing the SCG skins file on the extended BOX careers by sevenless. I personally chose to eliminate the P-39, Spitfire Vb and Hurricane from his Bodenplatte career mod but I imagine there are people who want them in and I realize my SCG file might be causing default Soviet markings to appear. I'd like to create something that maximizes compatibility and community effort -- as difficult as that may be.

[migmadmarine]

Right, I keep forgetting the fileside changes you're having to make to get these to appear currently. My main goal is to get the actual skins prepared for everything in the hopes that an official implementation method akin to RoF will come hot on the heels of the dynamic lettering feature completion. Feel free to tweak my stuff to be compatible with Sevenless's mod as needed, but I'll be focusing on the official stuff. 

[Skycat1969]

I updated the SCG skins file to make it compatible with the Extended IL-2 BoX Careers by sevenless; the link is in the opening post. The edits won't affect anyone who is not using the Extend Careers mod, it only maintains the skin assignments for the aircraft that are added by the Extended Careers mod. I also improved the Read Me notes.

 

Additionally, here are three more P-47D-22 blank and generic skins from Haluter's Skin Downloader I renamed to work with in the mod:

https://www.mediafire.com/file/t1hq79831woa1zg/Bodenplatte_career_-_Three_P-47D-22_skins_from_HSD_%28220922%29.zip/file

 

This 22nd Fighter Squadron skin in the pack compliments the P-47D-28 version created by migmadmarine that I renamed for the mod (see my post 9/20/22). In the inaugural 22nd FS career mission I played, the escorting squadron used the VAG_Sevy skins I added as filler. Cool effect. Fun mission. (Sorry the pic looks like crap.)  Consider these skins a placeholder for now.

 

 

Meanwhile I'm considering an alternate system that will let us build toward the "hopefully someday" default tactical letters. I think that means starting over new SCG skins files based on migmadmarine's work, bypass the RAF skins, and use migmadmarine's naming system for the USAAF squadrons. We have a good start for not only the Bodenplatte P-47s but also the Normandy career P-47s, and I think there there are painters who would be very interested in taking on the P-38 and P-51 squadrons once a framework is established. Maybe start the project here and transition it to a new thread later?

[migmadmarine]

I have the basic P-51D skins, so adapting them to each variation of era won't be too bad, at least for my more worn variants. There had been someo e in my thread over in the skins section who had some blank P-38 skins he never released, could be worth poking him about them.

 

Good news on the B-26s is it looks like we can get away with doing them on the Bombardment Group level, not individual squadrons for the most part. Though bare metal, of and semi-od would be nice. 

 

Now if we could find someone to tackle the Luftwaffe...

[migmadmarine]

On 9/20/2022 at 11:05 PM, Skycat1969 said:

I also noticed that the 368th Fighter Group isn't represented in your download, I assume because VAG_Sevy released generic skins for the three squadrons on Haluter's Skin Downloader. I added VAG_Sevy's to complete the P-47D-28 squadrons in the Bodenplatte career.

 

I just looked, and I'm pretty sure I don't have these squadrons included since they were added since I made the skins. Will get them done as part of making the other squadrons added with Normandy. 

 

[Edit] And now I have all of them done for the D-28

 

 

Edited September 26, 2022 by migmadmarine

[migmadmarine]

Well, it's publicly announced now that the rest of the aircraft are to get squadron codes available as of the next patch, so I'll have to get the lead out....

[Skycat1969]

Quote

 

Customizable tactical numbers for all aircraft in the Great Battles series with historically accurate symbols and fonts for each represented country and timeframe (WWI or WWII) and additional paint schemes to accomodate them.

 

I'm eager to find out what this means for the careers and how it will be implemented. I'm reading "numbers" like what were in the IL-2 Forgotten Battles series but I'm hoping for full tactical markings similar to IL-2 Cliffs of Dover.

[migmadmarine]

Should be letter code for squadron and individual letter per aircraft I imagine, like 3T-A/B/C etc for the 22nd FS.

[Mtnbiker1998]

Very much excited to see where this mod goes now that we have the codes in 5.002! There should be some very colorful careers and campaigns in our futures

[migmadmarine]

I'm going to try and get more things done and uploaded in the next couple weeks, but have been doing 6 day weeks across two jobs for the last couple weeks, so haven't had much time. Thankfully I'm about to replace one of the jobs, and will have a much shorter commute and be back to 5 days, so I'll have more time once that time has come. 

[Skycat1969]

I'm traveling through this week and I haven't yet been able to review the 5.002 update. My preliminary thought is to start over from scratch including deleting this entire thread next week. Also, considering making a new skins file for Bodenplatte that phases out the P-47D-22 and P-51B completely by the end of 1944.