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

[TheSNAFU]

Thanks, TBH I dont know which is better, no tail numbers or the same. I suppose then the only question I have left is whether the p51b’s should have the same skins as the D’s or are they intended to be different. Since everything else is apparently working for me as designed I’m guessing they are supposed to be different. 

[Skycat1969]

For the 355th Fighter Squadron, the P-51Bs are set up to transition from standardized generic theater markings (ie, black nose band) through June 1944, to squadron-specific markings in July 1944 that match the P-51Ds. I believe the logic here is that the P-51Bs were veteran front-line aircraft being flown daily in combat operations while the P-51Ds were just starting to feed in as new arrivals in the spring so there was an enthusiasm for customizing them. The reality is that squadron aircraft were usually a hodgepodge of markings and variants.

[TheSNAFU]

33 minutes ago, Skycat1969 said:

The reality is that squadron aircraft were usually a hodgepodge of markings and variants.

Indeed they were! 
 

Thanks very much for taking time to look at this for me. I think my expectations of what the mod is wasn’t quite right so I thought there was something amiss.

 

The mod makes flying in the career better and I appreciate the work that went into it. 

 

While there isn't a German counterpart I’m using the 4K historically accurate mod which at least places accurate markings on the Luftwaffe planes. 
 

 

[migmadmarine]

Sorry I've not poked my head in here for a while, throw an @ at me if something is urgent in future. Went and had a look at the P-51B skins about the black national insignia, and was surprised to find that Czech was right in what he pointed out. I'm using the default insignia layer from the template, so I am surprised it's not in fact dark blue as I guess my brain assumed. Could someone with actual photoshop rather than gimp check if that layer in the template is infact blue, in case there has been some conversion error for gimp? 

Also, thanks for jumping in on the questions Skycat, and for the record you're essentially right when it comes to the thinking behind the particular markings. Figure the D's being new arrivals would be more likely to get the new markings sooner than existing B's would be re-painted. 

[czech693]

On 2/7/2023 at 7:01 AM, TheSNAFU said:

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! 

Milktoast has taken the PWCG blank German skins with unit marking and created historically acurate versions.

 

 

[Skycat1969]

I don't recall Milktoast updated the PWCG skins in this mod; and even if he did the PWCG skins are not automatically usable in the careers.

[czech693]

I'm sorry, I got my downloads mixed up.  Have too many.  Here is the link to the modified PWCG German skins.  I'm aware that they are setup for use in PWCG careers and not stock careers.  But they could be.

 

 

[Skycat1969]

Cool. I didn't know that a 'historical' version was released for PWCG. I'll take a look at editing them into migmadmarine's Normandy skins file over the weekend, and maybe into my Bodenplatte mod as well.

[migmadmarine]

Yea, go for it. I've got a fair bit on my plate for this couple weeks, but I'll try to get back to poking at my stuff soon ish, firstly fixing the P-51B skins for BOBP and BON. 
 

Think you might make versions of your national generics for other RAF types like you did with the Spitfire Skycat? 

[Skycat1969]

I put several hours into attempting to add the edited PWCG Luftwaffe skins last night, and I'm frustrated.

 

First off, there are only seven skins in all of the downloads that are named to match Luftwaffe units in the Normandy career:

FW190 A6:  fw190a6_I_JG2.dds, fw190a6_I_JG26.dds

FW190 A8: fw190a8_I_JG1.dds, fw190a8_I_JG2.dds, fw190a8_I_JG26.dds

Ju88 A4: ju88a4_west_I_KG54.dds

Ju88 C6: ju88c6_III_ZG1_1.dds

 

My attempt to edit them directly into migmadmarine's files for some reason causes only default skins to show for both sides. Stranger yet, I pasted just my Luftwaffe edits into the default skin config files and they work. I then pasted migmadmarine's allied skin edits (which work on their own) in over that, and once again both sides only show defaults. This happens across two separate installs.

 

I'll keep playing around with this but my overwhelming feeling is the juice is not worth the squeeze. 

[czech693]

Something like this wouldn't work?

 

squadron=201127]
    [period]
        period="1944.09.17","1944.12.15"
        [skin]
            plane="LuaScripts\WorldObjects\Planes\Bf109G14.txt"
            skin="bf109g14_generic_I_JG27.dds"
            name="I./JG 27"
            type=0 //0 - common, 1 - ace
            probweight=100
        [end]
        [skin]
            plane="LuaScripts\WorldObjects\Planes\Bf109K4.txt"
            skin="bf109k4_gray_I_JG27.dds"
            name="I./JG 27"
            type=0 //0 - common, 1 - ace
            probweight=100
        [end]
    [end]
    [period]
        period="1944.12.16","1945.02.07"
        [skin]
            plane="LuaScripts\WorldObjects\Planes\Bf109G14.txt"
            skin="bf109g14_generic_I_JG27.dds"
            name="I./JG 27"
            type=0 //0 - common, 1 - ace
            probweight=100
        [end]
        [skin]
            plane="LuaScripts\WorldObjects\Planes\Bf109K4.txt"
            skin="bf109k4_green_I_JG27.dds"
            name="I./JG 27"
            type=0 //0 - common, 1 - ace
            probweight=100
        [end]
    [end]
    [period]
        period="1945.02.08","1945.04.01"
        [skin]
            plane="LuaScripts\WorldObjects\Planes\Bf109G14.txt"
            skin="bf109g14_green_I_JG27.dds"
            name="I./JG 27"
            type=0 //0 - common, 1 - ace
            probweight=100
        [end]
        [skin]
            plane="LuaScripts\WorldObjects\Planes\Bf109K4.txt"
            skin="bf109k4_brown_I_JG27.dds"
            name="I./JG 27"
            type=0 //0 - common, 1 - ace
            probweight=100
        [end]
    [end]
[end]

[czech693]

Do the modified PWCG skins have to go into the (null)/graphics/skins folder or can they reside in the basic graphics/skins folder?

[Skycat1969]

The files in (null) are the default files unpacked by unGTP. They're just copies of what is 'hardcoded' so to speak, and I believe the (null) folder isn't recognized by the game. You'll want to put the skins in data\graphics\skins.

 

As to your question about editing in the Bf109 G14 and Bf109 K4 skins, yes those edits will work if the aircraft and units are used in the career. I didn't see them listed in migmadmarine's skins config file and to be honest I didn't check the latest default skin files. Those aircraft can be added if they are not already used, and maybe what you have is a mod version?

 

I'll look at everything again. I may have overlooked something or made a bad edit.

[Skycat1969]

1 hour ago, czech693 said:

Something like this wouldn't work?

 

squadron=201127]
    [period]
        period="1944.09.17","1944.12.15"
        [skin]
            plane="LuaScripts\WorldObjects\Planes\Bf109G14.txt"
            skin="bf109g14_generic_I_JG27.dds"
            name="I./JG 27"
            type=0 //0 - common, 1 - ace
            probweight=100
        [end]

 

I just noticed from the time period that this is Bodenplatte. I edited the original PWCG skins into the Bodenplatte skin files a couple months ago as an experiment:

I haven't tested my old Bodenplatte experiment but I'm sure the new PWCG skins are named the same as the old PWCG skins, and that the config file I offered in October will still work for the Bodenplatte career files -- if anybody feels like copy/pasting into the Bodenplatte version they are playing if they are already using a mod.

 

[czech693]

Now you tell me.  I've been fooling around with this all afternoon and finally got it to work for the I/JG27.  The only difference is I've been using the historically accurate skins.

Edited February 18, 2023 by czech693

[Skycat1969]

Anyone who would like to test my limited attempt to add a few of the 'historic' skins for PWCG into the Normandy career, these files will revert the Allies to their default skins but should provide the PWCG skins for the units I listed above:

 BON - Luftwaffe PWCG skins only.zip

 

 

As I stated earlier, combining the Luftwaffe edits with migmadmarine's USAAF edits causes (for me) many custom skins to revert to default. It happens with both sides without consistency. If you'd like to try them for yourself, here are my files. I've rebuilt these files several times without satisfaction:

BON - PWCG Luftwaffe and MMM USAAF.zip

 

And these are the PWCG 'historic' Luftwaffe skins I used, from the post linked earlier:

https://www.mediafire.com/file/c6wdrsizcrjts1i/Skins_-_PWCG_historic_Luftwaffe_-_Normandy_selections.zip/file

 

Edited February 18, 2023 by Skycat1969
Added skins

[Mtnbiker1998]

I wonder if it would be possible to integrate these skins into the QMB/AQMB as well? If I had to guess, there seems to be at least some rudimentary form of squadrons being modelled given the tactical codes implementation.

[czech693]

On 2/17/2023 at 8:15 PM, Skycat1969 said:

Anyone who would like to test my limited attempt to add a few of the 'historic' skins for PWCG into the Normandy career, these files will revert the Allies to their default skins but should provide the PWCG skins for the units I listed above:

  BON - Luftwaffe PWCG skins only.zip 19.08 kB · 3 downloads

 

 

As I stated earlier, combining the Luftwaffe edits with migmadmarine's USAAF edits causes (for me) many custom skins to revert to default. It happens with both sides without consistency. If you'd like to try them for yourself, here are my files. I've rebuilt these files several times without satisfaction:

BON - PWCG Luftwaffe and MMM USAAF.zip 20.76 kB · 3 downloads

 

And these are the PWCG 'historic' Luftwaffe skins I used, from the post linked earlier:

https://www.mediafire.com/file/c6wdrsizcrjts1i/Skins_-_PWCG_historic_Luftwaffe_-_Normandy_selections.zip/file

 

Are you using Migmadmarine's P-51 for Career mod?  There's a typo in the skin names (a double space between the USAAF and squadron name), so that skin doesn't get used if it is entered in the skins.cfg without the double space.  A default skin would then be used.

[Skycat1969]

I'll check it but yes, I do use Migmadmarine's career mod (including the P-51s) in one of my installs.

 

Edit: I didn't find the double space you describe, but I did notice that all the fake fighter squadrons still use default skins. Perhaps I was seeing fake squadrons and I assumed they were assigned squadrons? Sometimes these mods are difficult to test because of randomized factors in the career.

Edited February 19, 2023 by Skycat1969

[czech693]

All six of the skins in P-51 Career generics/data/graphics/skins/p51d15 have two spaces between USAAF and 328FS for example.  I had typed the skin names in the luascrpits file and got default skins until I noticed the double space.

 

On another note, I kept getting a default skin for a career until I deleted that career and recreated a new one.  Then the custom skin showed up.  The original career must have got a default skin.  I would have thought that changing the skin assignment in the luascript would change the skin in the existing career, but maybe not.

Edited February 20, 2023 by czech693

[Skycat1969]

I don't have a folder named generics/data/graphics/skins/p51d15 in my main game folder.

 

I went to my p51d15 skins folder and checked my migmadmarine skin files. They all have only one space after USAAF. I copied a name at random:

P-51D15 USAAF 380FS 363FG DD

 

Maybe we have different versions of the skin pack?

[migmadmarine]

Yea, if you downloaded from the thread in the skins section, I think you've got an older version of the pack which is not what I implemented into the mod @czech693

[migmadmarine]

I've finally gotten going and made some updates. Firstly, after dragging my feet I have fixed the roundel color on the P-51B skins, as well as fixing the missing 352nd FG skins that were absent from normandy as the 352nd is used as one of the socalled "fake fighter" units to help populate missions. Secondly I have gone in and made the majority of P-47 units appear in olive drab, either through the end of the normandy campaign for their D-22s, or up through D-Day into July. Note that most of these skins over-write their predecessors, so allow them to do so when prompted on installling. Let me know if you spot any units with black letters over OD, visa versa, or missing skins. 

[migmadmarine]

I've updated the OP with a pack of C-47 USAAF skins, as well as a bunch of RAF skins inspired by what Skycat has done for the BON packs, putting in representative skins for things like Dutch, Belgian, Free French etc units. 

[gottagimmie]

The C-47 Skin pack link has request access on it

[czech693]

The P-51D15 folder has a hyphen in the folder name.

[migmadmarine]

On 6/19/2023 at 8:51 AM, gottagimmie said:

The C-47 Skin pack link has request access on it

Have fixed that just now. 

 

Put a warning about folder names in the OP, may re-upload mustangs in future, but it's an easy enough fix for a warning for now I think. 

[czech693]

Roger, just putting it out there so people will know to change it when they don't see the skin they're looking for.

[Mtnbiker1998]

Small observation, and not sure if anything can even be done about this, but flying as the squadron commander with this mod the game will assign the default skin to aircraft by default in the player squadron. Not a huge deal at the end of the day, but it is slightly annoying and disappointing having to manually go into each plane in the flight and assign the right skin.

[Skycat1969]

Which squadron? If migmadmarine painted a unit colors skin for it, every aircraft in the flight should have that skin. However, early in the campaign many squadrons may conform more to standard color schemes and markings.

[migmadmarine]

On 7/10/2023 at 1:25 PM, Mtnbiker1998 said:

Small observation, and not sure if anything can even be done about this, but flying as the squadron commander with this mod the game will assign the default skin to aircraft by default in the player squadron. Not a huge deal at the end of the day, but it is slightly annoying and disappointing having to manually go into each plane in the flight and assign the right skin.

Does this happen if you don't make any changes to the mission load out? I think, but have not double checked, if you go to change your squadron members load out it defaults the skin to the aircraft default, which yes, is very annoying. 

[Mtnbiker1998]

On 7/23/2023 at 1:25 PM, migmadmarine said:

Does this happen if you don't make any changes to the mission load out? I think, but have not double checked, if you go to change your squadron members load out it defaults the skin to the aircraft default, which yes, is very annoying. 

That would be it! Leaving the squadron loadouts the same does keep the custom skins. Good to know

[migmadmarine]

Hey guys, after a period of extreme lazyness regarding simply packageing and uploading these extensive testing, I've completed the Luftwaffe portion of this project for BON. Links are added to the OP.

[Boelcke]

9 hours ago, migmadmarine said:

Hey guys, after a period of extreme lazyness regarding simply packageing and uploading these extensive testing, I've completed the Luftwaffe portion of this project for BON. Links are added to the OP.

 

thx for doing this extensive job ?

[migmadmarine]

I've updated the pack for the B-26, since I missed the two "fake" bomber squadrons flying them. 

[Skycat1969]

I'm really enjoying your Luftwaffe skins in BoN and in BoBP!

[migmadmarine]

In a little bit I'll have an updated config file set to use my existing Spitfire Mk.IX skins on the new early version as an interim solution, but once the templates are out for it I will make dedicated versions as there is enough difference in the shape of the tail from the late version that some bits show up the wrong color enough to bother me. 

[migmadmarine]

Allright all, I've uploaded a new version of the config files to allow the new SpitfireIXc to use the skins for the Spitfire IXe. Copy my skins from the IXe over to the folder for the new one, and they will work. There are some small imperfections, so as I said above I will be making proper skins for them once the template is out. 

 

[RedeyeStorm]

Hey @migmadmarine, the new Spitfire 9c has been added to the Normandy campaign. Could you perform your magic on it?

[migmadmarine]

Back in the OP I have a bit of a cludge implementation that lets it use the skins for the IX late, but I do want to go through and add them properly. I also noticed with that a few days ago that I neglected to update my version of the squadron codes file so they are flying without their squadron lettering at the minute, so that will need a fix. I do intend to go through and implement them properly, but I'm spinning a lot of plates at the minute, so it will possibly be a bit longer till I have proper skins made. 

 

See the post above yours for instructions on getting the interim solution working.