[mod] Migmadmarine's Battle of Normany Career Default Skins.

[migmadmarine]

Right all, in parallel to @Skycat1969's project for default squadron skins to be used in BOBP, I've been making USAAF skins to cover Normandy as well. So far the P-47D22 and 28 are finished, covering all of their squadrons (something like 30 total.). Now that the 47s are done, the remaining american types *should* be faster to produce since there are far fewer units for them, so I will be working on those to be posted up. 

 

The skins folders are configured so they can simply be dropped into the data/graphic/skins folder, and the configuration files will need to be added to the data/scg folder used by Skycat's mod. 

 

Double check that all the skins are dropping into the correct skin folders, I've had a few typos in the folder names. 

 

P-47D skins for Normandy (updated 5/11/23): https://drive.google.com/file/d/10nxQFw4MlI8sS0WD1zyrU3AJ7yV2xTFd/view?usp=share_link

 

P-51 skins for Normandy (updated 5/11/23) : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-Tkm7I09qI86RAy6n4DSopN6qSoMWzUP/view?usp=share_link

 

B-26 skins for Normandy (updated 9/18/23): https://drive.google.com/file/d/15puXdlgoRh3VSoCurBqPMNXZhr3Uql3z/view?usp=drive_link

 

P-38J skins for Normandy: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qN6_KGooOgI00VfBj1zKWe6SFid5y22K/view?usp=share_link

 

C-47 skins for Normandy (fixed permissions for download): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_jkDgwhSuibKLNd8Poe1qaPwmJg7X-SD/view?usp=drive_link

 

RAF aircraft skins for Normandy (Updated 5/6/24): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CQYHsclMEONwWAFTPox-xYiYvKaNz7zL/view?usp=sharing

 

Luftwaffe: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G5_Wbo6yZbrTJMG6tDbx43isyKBhi4FG/view?usp=sharing

 

Config files (updated 5/7/2024): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zenfuH9zPiIN9NRT4fmG6_A2BkDkH-ox/view?usp=sharing

 

 

Edited May 7, 2024 by migmadmarine

[RedeyeStorm]

Hi,

 

Massive effort! It is correct that there is no download option yet?

[MarcoPegase44]

Hello,

very nice initiative.

On the other hand, for information, the p-47 D22 in the spring of 1944 were mostly olive green. They were more and more natural aluminum gradually after the landing. The 2 versions having cohabited during the summer.

On the other hand the P-47D28 were natural metal.

For information I made "blank" versions of skins to replace those of the game with revised Alpha layers, as well as new US codes, They will soon be made available.
I'm almost done with the P-47s and Spitfires.

 

 

 

 

[migmadmarine]

On 11/27/2022 at 1:10 AM, RedeyeStorm said:

Hi,

 

Massive effort! It is correct that there is no download option yet?

Hah, well, felt like I was missing something when I first posted the thread, but didn't expect it to be the actual download links. 

 

Marco, I did all of the skins thus far as bare metal since the base game uses all bare metal for Normandy P47s, according to Luke since most of the ones being delivered at or around Normandy were being delivered in NMF. Now that I have some more info on how the game assigns the squadron code decal colors, I may change this, at least for a couple of units, but that will take tweaking the data files that implement the codes in career. 

Edited November 28, 2022 by migmadmarine

[migmadmarine]

All right folks, I've got the P-51s completed for BON. Not had time to get screen shots of them yet as I am up later than I should be already, but I've added the download link to the opening post, as well as the updated files to make them appear in career mode. I have one fighter group flying OD aircraft pre-D-day, the other NMF, and they get more unit specific markings around and after d-day. I'll be doing a set of P-51s for BOBP next, but anticipate these taking a bit longer as I will have to spoof some F-6Ds as well, so that will take a fair bit of alpha channel tweaking. 

Edited December 1, 2022 by migmadmarine

[Mtnbiker1998]

My P-51 BoN campaign has (unsurprisingly) spent a lot of time escorting B-26s. Would the bombers have had much in the way of unique squadron paintschemes during this timeframe? I'm sure it would make the career mode more interesting if the bombers occasionally changed colors at least!

[gottagimmie]

Iirc shouldn't the 356th FS have a black nose band instead of blue?

[migmadmarine]

They are the blue with stars yea? I should have them appearing after D Day (or around D-Day for the 51Ds), but they have the basic ETO markings leading up to that. Have seen profiles of them with the mid 44 stripes and the blue with stars nose, and was basing off that. 

 

 

For the B-26s @Mtnbiker1998 I will be doing skins for them, having some groups flying NMF birds and some flying OD (I think @LukeFF mentioned he has it set up that way already.). The skins won't be super dramatic, it seems they will mostly be tail bands applied at the group level. Will at least make for a fair bit less work. 

[migmadmarine]

Thinking I might do the B-26s before P-38s because of the amount of time you spend escorting them in career, and they will be fairly simple to cover. And for the 38s I am going to have to spoof an F-5 as well. 

[LukeFF]

9 hours ago, migmadmarine said:

For the B-26s @Mtnbiker1998 I will be doing skins for them, having some groups flying NMF birds and some flying OD (I think @LukeFF mentioned he has it set up that way already.). The skins won't be super dramatic, it seems they will mostly be tail bands applied at the group level. Will at least make for a fair bit less work. 

 

Yes, half the bombardment groups have NMF skins, and the other half have OD skins.

[gottagimmie]

16 hours ago, migmadmarine said:

They are the blue with stars yea? I should have them appearing after D Day (or around D-Day for the 51Ds), but they have the basic ETO markings leading up to that. Have seen profiles of them with the mid 44 stripes and the blue with stars nose, and was basing off that. 

 

I looked into it and it seems like it should be black, according to the 354th FG's website (http://www.354thpmfg.com/aircraft_unitmarkings.html) and is claimed that it was black in The Pioneer Mustang Group: The 354th Fighter Group in World War II by Steve Blake

[migmadmarine]

Ah, all right, I can correct that in an update then, probably when I finish the BoBP ones. 

[migmadmarine]

Right folks, I've updated the link in the OP with a version changing 356th FS nose markings to those indicated by @gottagimmie

[Vamandrac]

Says I don't have access to download.

[migmadmarine]

2 hours ago, Vamandrac said:

Says I don't have access to download.

Whoops, had the permissions set wrong, here is the corrected link, and I will correct it in the OP. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NzEDjt260lsirWSX46BxggaINe-V0ahV/view?usp=share_link

Edited December 15, 2022 by migmadmarine

[migmadmarine]

OP updated with links for the B-26 now, pardon the BOBP screenshots for a couple, but it's the same groups across both careers. I have it set up so it should flip a coin on whether it selects a full NMF or partially OD skin for two of the groups. 

[RedeyeStorm]

Hi @migmadmarine

 

i noticed that in the P-51 skin downloads a possible issue with the name of the skin folder. You are using P-51D15 while the game skin folder uses P51D15. For the B version I believe you have the right folder name.

 

Great work.

[gottagimmie]

I like the variety! The 356th M44 skin still has a blue background and the bare metal B-26s should have anti-glare surfaces. I'd imagine that it's a lot of work to check each skin when you do updates. Good job on all the various camos, great work!

[migmadmarine]

The bare metal ones (unfortunately the majority for the USAAF) are the worst honestly since any chance I make needs a new alpha channel generated, which is a drag. Is the blue nose an issue on the B or D for the 356? Would have sworn I fixed that, but maybe only uploaded the D Day ones... Good catch on the anti glare for the Marauders, will try to patch that before going home for Christmas, should only take an evening. 

[gottagimmie]

It's the P-51D-15 M44 skin that still has the blue The P-51B's M44 and the D-Day skin for the D were updated. No rush though, enjoy your holiday!

[migmadmarine]

Got the B-26s patched: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qSIh9Np-Wd9h41CXT2o8Zob-ONVxNqEm/view?usp=share_link

 

will fix that 51D skin soon, it's likely the 38s that will have to wait till after Christmas. 

[migmadmarine]

On 12/16/2022 at 2:21 PM, gottagimmie said:

It's the P-51D-15 M44 skin that still has the blue The P-51B's M44 and the D-Day skin for the D were updated. No rush though, enjoy your holiday!

Ok, have that patched and uploaded now, was a simple re-export thankfully. 

 

[RedeyeStorm]

On 12/16/2022 at 2:19 PM, RedeyeStorm said:

Hi @migmadmarine

 

i noticed that in the P-51 skin downloads a possible issue with the name of the skin folder. You are using P-51D15 while the game skin folder uses P51D15. For the B version I believe you have the right folder name.

 

Great work.

 

Hello @migmadmarine.

 

Just to clarify. Is your foldername for the p15d15 correct in your zip folder because the folder name in Grahphics/skin/p15d15 and not p-15d15 like in your zip. I am confused!

 

Thanks.

[migmadmarine]

Forgot to fix that. Put all skins in their corresponding existing folders.

[RedeyeStorm]

Thanks.

[migmadmarine]

Well, since I can't seem to let myself "Just take a look at something" I've gone and finished the P-38s. Links added to the OP. I may need to give em another pass for some little issues (couldn't get the guns to dissappear properly on the fake F-5s for one thing) but that is a problem for after Christmas. 

[Mtnbiker1998]

Nice! Does that wrap up the American careers? Or am I forgetting something.

 

Pretty incredible work you've done here man, I never would have imagined that one guy could have skinned up every US squadron in career, (not to mention all the fake squadrons and even pseudo recon birds!) Much less done in such a short time after the Normandy release! Really, A+ job.

[migmadmarine]

I had the bulk of the 47s done about six months to a year ago, that was the real big hurdle of volume, but yea, that is all the really notable USAAF birds done. I might do a variation skin for the C47, so there are some units with the medium green splotch camo at the edges of the wings and tale, but that is a small job. 

 

Now that I'm done getting everything introduced and know how the code assignment files, I may make a version with most of the Razorback 47s in OD, but that will be pretty quick since I can get away with not making a full new alpha for each one... 

 

@Skycat1969 don't suppose you'd be game to make pre - d day, d day and mid 44 versions of your exile squadron spitfires, or could pass me your layers for em? 

 

Now, if someone who knows more about the Luftwaffe is interested in lending a hand on them... 

[Mtnbiker1998]

1 hour ago, migmadmarine said:

Now, if someone who knows more about the Luftwaffe is interested in lending a hand on them... 

Pat Wilson did a bunch of blanks for his generator, might be most of the work is already done?

 

Would this be any help? I'm not a skinner myself so I couldn't tell ya what an XCF template is, but it sure sounds useful!

 

[migmadmarine]

Some of it will be, yea, though vanilla career covers a much larger number of units all told. For the USAAF for example he only has units at the group level, so essentially pulls one squadron to represent the three from a group. 

[czech693]

I love all the work you've done creating these generic skins to use the tactical codes.  I have one comment.  The US insignia on the P-51B appears to be black, the same color as the border on the bars on either side.

[TheSNAFU]

Hi, I'm interested in adding these skin mods for my BON Career but I am not sure of the installation procedure below.

 

The skins folders are configured so they can simply be dropped into the data/graphic/skins folder, and the configuration files will need to be added to the data/scg folder used by Skycat's mod. 

 

And from Skycat1969 BOBP mod

 

Overwrite the files in your SCG "Scripts" and "18" folders located in your game's Data folder.

 

I would sure appreciate it if someone can provide a detailed explanation of where the skin folders and configuration folders are to be placed. Are the skin folders to be installed in their respective folders so that for instance the p51d15 skins go into the p51d15 folder in data/graphics/skins? And I dont see a scg and a 18 folder in data.  

 

Also is there a similar mod for the Axis planes with squadron and historical markings for the BON career? 

 

Thanks in advance for your help

 

 

Edited February 7, 2023 by TheSNAFU

[Skycat1969]

2 hours ago, TheSNAFU said:

Hi, I'm interested in adding these skin mods for my BON Career but I am not sure of the installation procedure below.

Part I -- The Administrative Stuff:

1. Enable Mods in your game settings.

2. Create a new folder on your desktop. Name it "scg" (no quotation marks).

3. Click on the link Config files: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qjFIKzUz7Z36QQl3qNDHu2k11p6C_3pa/view?usp=share_link . You'll see two folders, one named Scripts and one named 22. Download both of these using the download icon at the top right of the screen.

4. The download will be a RAR file named "Mig's BON skins implementation V4.rar".

5. Extract the contents of the RAR file (I use 7zip). Place the extracted folders "Scripts" and "22" into the "scg" folder you created earlier on your desktop.

6. Find your game's main folder and then the Data subfolder there. Open the Data subfolder.

7. Drag or paste your new "scg" folder into your Data folder.

 

Part II -- The Skins:

1. Inside your Data folder, look for your "graphics" subfolder.

2. Inside your "graphics" subfolder, look for your "skins" folder. Notice the many aircraft subfolders; these are where the texture files will go to.

3. Click on the P-47 skin pack download, P-47D skins for Normandy: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-f0pGkviIOvNH6l8YI-Ca12QqUaRcJPg/view?usp=share_link .

4. Download "P-47s for BON V1.rar".

5. Extract the files from the RAR file to your desktop.

6. Copy or drag the two subfolders (P47D22 and P47D28) to your data/graphics/skins folder. In other words, add the contents of the mod texture folders to the two existing P47 skins folders already located in your game's "skins" subfolder.

7. Repeat this process for the P-51, B-26 and P-38J skins.

 

If you already have a career in progress you may need to advance to the next mission before skins appear in your game.

[TheSNAFU]

Wow, I asked for detail and you delivered that and then some. I would never have figured out the config part. 

I’ve looked around but don’t see a version of this for German planes in the career mode. Is that correct?

 

Thanks so much! 

Edited February 7, 2023 by TheSNAFU

[Skycat1969]

The closest you'll find for the Luftwaffe are the skin packs by Pat Wilson for his campaign generator. They weren't configured for the default career however. I took a stab at adding them to my Bodenplatte career mod, and I think I might still have the files on my desktop. They'd have to be edited into the migmadmarine configuration files to use both sides together. Also, Pat's packs didn't cover all of the  Luftwaffe squadrons when I last checked; the skins were basically variations of the default with the squadron emblem added; and they use the sanitized version of the tail swastika not the historic version. 

[TheSNAFU]

Yep that’s what I thought. Thanks again for your work and your help here. Thanks also to migmadmarine for all this great content. 

[TheSNAFU]

Ok so to test my install I installed just the P51b and D skins in the data/graphics/skin folders and set up the scg folder in data. I am flying in 355 fs in a post D Day BON career that started June 11. In game the p51D is getting a skin with a green top cowl, blue nose and blue and white checkered band. Any P51D seems to have that same skin all of which have the same tail number. The P51B's do not get the same skin. They are getting a green top cowl, black nose with black band. All P51b's have the same tail number but a different one than that of the D models. 

 

Is this what is expected or have I done something wrong in the install? 

[Skycat1969]

Deleted comment. I misread.

 

I can look into it tonight, but that said I've played this mod without issues.

The mod just adds generic squadron skins. All the P-51Ds in the squadron will look exactly alike except for the tactical code letter. Don't look for unique nose art, flight coded rudders, kill marks, etc.

Edited February 7, 2023 by Skycat1969

[TheSNAFU]

Hey Skycat 1969. Yeah I expected that the skins would be the same except the tactical code numbers and there wouldn’t be nose art or kill markers. I wasn’t sure about the tail numbers but as I mentioned they are the same number for all the p51b’s and a different number that’s the same for all the D’s. The b’s and d’s have totally different skins as I described. This may be exactly how it works, I just don’t know. 

Edited February 7, 2023 by TheSNAFU

[Skycat1969]

The generic tail number is an artistic choice by migmadmarine. I personally prefer no tail number to a common serial used by several aircraft, but I also understand that to many players a blank tail looks incomplete and wrong.