Blank Skins for PWCG

[PatrickAWlson]

I might not have done a good job of advertising, so let's start a new thread.  Along with PWCG for Normandy I released two "squadron blanks" skin packs.  Look at the bottom left of the PWCG downloads page.  These skin packs contain blank squadron markings for all US squadrons in PWCG for the P-47 and P-51.  All appropriate blank skins are used so, for example, 352nd squadron will start with P-47s with squadron markings and then transition to blue nose P-51s.  Both the B and D models will appear in the game with blue noses and the appropriate invasion markings for the time. 

 

PWCG is already configured to use them.  As with any other skin, just unzip the file into you main BOS folder and they will land in the data\graphics\skins\<plane name> folder.

 

I have the Me109 skins ready to go in the next update.  For the Me109 skins I made some changes.  I eliminated the yellow bands from most of the base skins.  I then added the correct colored band along with the unit markings.  For the early F2 skin I gave it a fully yellow nose to make it look Battle of Britain ish.  

 

I think the basic idea is obvious: create more life by adding squadron skins while also making best  use of tactical markings.  12 planes down, 32 to go.  The 190s are next.  

 

British planes ... did they have any unit specific symbols?  As far as I am aware they did not.  The camo was stock and the code defined the unit.  No fancy shields or brightly colored paints.  If true that saves me work, as I don't have to do the 7 or so British planes.

[Vastarien]

Maybe silly question: are these skins used by AI squadrons, enemy or allied?

Edited October 27, 2022 by Vastarien

[PatrickAWlson]

6 minutes ago, Vastarien said:

Maybe silly question: are these skins used by AI squadrons, enemy or allied?

 

Yes.  If you download the skins you will immediately see American units using them, AI and your own.  The 48th has the red checkerboard, the 352nd has the blue noses on its P-51s.  Others are more simple - maybe just a a different colored cowling.  Some units just use the stock aircraft but most have at least a little something particular to them.

[Robi89]

1 hour ago, PatrickAWlson said:

British planes ... did they have any unit specific symbols?  As far as I am aware they did not.  The camo was stock and the code defined the unit.  No fancy shields or brightly colored paints.  If true that saves me work, as I don't have to do the 7 or so British planes.

 

The only exception that comes to mind would be 112 Squadron with the iconic shark mouths on their Tomahawks, Kittyhawks and Mustangs. They operated in Africa and Italy, though. So no need for them unless we do get a Battle of Sicily or something like this.

[Mtnbiker1998]

I was playing around with these last night, had zero issues and they all look great!! adds a TON to the experience.

 

Some of the bubbletop skins have some alpha issues, but imo its minor enough not to detract from the experience. And I'm sure you want a nice long break from anything skin related, eh Pat?

 

Regarding the British paints, should the Hurricane and Spit Vb switch over to grey/green camos at some point in the campaign? I noticed they keep using the brown camo even into 1943 when they're getting phased out by Typhoons and Spit IXs.

[Stonehouse]

Just wondering whether the PWCG pack includes or overlaps the pack Skycat and migmadmarine have put together? 

 

I thought I saw them offering the use of their skins to you was what triggered the question plus a desire to reduce storage allocated to skins.

[PatrickAWlson]

2 hours ago, Stonehouse said:

Just wondering whether the PWCG pack includes or overlaps the pack Skycat and migmadmarine have put together? 

 

I thought I saw them offering the use of their skins to you was what triggered the question plus a desire to reduce storage allocated to skins.

 

I did these on my own.  It is specific to blank skins for the squadrons in PWCG

[Robi89]

I just remembered something for the British fighters, Pat. The Tempest squadrons only had full invasion markings for a short time in June. In July and August, they flew without them while chasing V1s. When the Tempests then got transferred to 2TAF in September, the reduced markings on the tail were applied.

[PatrickAWlson]

On 10/28/2022 at 2:21 AM, Robi89 said:

I just remembered something for the British fighters, Pat. The Tempest squadrons only had full invasion markings for a short time in June. In July and August, they flew without them while chasing V1s. When the Tempests then got transferred to 2TAF in September, the reduced markings on the tail were applied.

 

The markings for both American and British fighters changed pretty rapidly.  I start painting invasion stripes on June 1.  On July 7 a more toned down version is introduced.  On August 25th a further toned down version is introduced.  By late 1944 the stripes start to disappear.  In each case I do not do a hard cutover.  The older paint jobs linger for a bit before they are finally retired, causing a mix to appear in units.

 

I do not yet have anything V1 related.

[Robi89]

I think the switch for the Tempests in late June from full to no stripes should be almost instantly, since they cost the aircraft up to 10-12 mph in performance (luckily not modeled in the Sim), crucial for catching the V1. I'd guess pilots would be rather insistent on getting these things off their birds.

[[808_BOB]_RlCK]

Patt gotta say, I love the blank skins. They're absolutely lovely.

Are you also going to add skins for winter periods?

[PatrickAWlson]

8 hours ago, [808_BOB]_RlCK said:

Patt gotta say, I love the blank skins. They're absolutely lovely.

Are you also going to add skins for winter periods?

 

The winter period skins are coded and configured for use.  You should see them.  However, I did not create squadron winter skins on the ideas that those markings are mostly white washed over anyway.  I just use the in game blanks with the tactical codes.  

[[808_BOB]_RlCK]

Alright, thank you for the answer Patt.