P-51's & Other WWII Warbirds

[mrzombieslayer95]

On 9/19/2025 at 12:34 AM, III/JG53*Viper said:

Yes, the P-51D "Lou IV" had invasion stripes, though the full stripes were a temporary measure for the Normandy invasion in June 1944.
"Lou IV," as an early P-51D, initially received the full black and white invasion stripes on its wings and fuselage. However, by late July 1944, the directives changed,
and the upper surfaces of these stripes were ordered to be painted over to reduce confusion with Luftwaffe markings, leaving only the undersides of the wings and fuselage with stripes.

 

Details of "Lou IV"'s markings:
Original Application: "Lou IV" was assigned to Lt. Col Thomas Christian of the 361st Fighter Group, a unit that was active in the Normandy invasion.
This meant it would have been among the first aircraft to receive the invasion stripes. Later Modification: As the Allied forces established themselves
in France and the threat of friendly fire decreased, the order to remove the upper-wing and fuselage stripes was issued. A photograph from August
1944 shows the upper-wing stripes on "Lou IV" painted over. Final State: By the fall of 1944, the process was further reduced to just stripes on the
lower portions of the fuselage. Therefore, while "Lou IV" did have invasion stripes, they were only fully present for a short period after D-Day.

 

P-51D-5-NA. S/N: 44-13410. Code: E2-C 'LOU IV / ATHELENE'
Attached to: 375th FS, 361st FG, 8th USAAF
Flown by: CO Colonel Thomas J.J. Christian, Jr.

 

Info: https://aircrewremembered.com/christian-thomas.html
&
https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/lou-iv/

 

Download: https://www.mediafire.com/file/srpljxek7m2urt8/P-51D-5-NA_LOU_IV.DDS/file

 

 

 

 

The original color scheme of the P-51D Mustang "Lou IV" is the subject of debate, with some evidence suggesting blue and other evidence pointing to a form of green, possibly British Dark Green or a blue-green mix. The confusion likely arises from the aircraft's original olive drab (OD) camouflage, which was overpainted with a different color (possibly blue or green) on the fuselage and wings, and the presence of conflicting accounts from individuals who were there. 

 

The Case for Blue

• Spotters' Accounts: 

  Several English spotters who visited the base reportedly recorded seeing blue in their notebooks. 

   
• Photographic Evidence: 

  A clear original Kodachrome image of the aircraft, when lightened, appears to show blue paint on Lou IV. 

   
• Research by Dana Bell: 

  Dana Bell, a well-known aircraft color researcher, has scans from the Library of Congress that he believes show the aircraft in blue. 

   

The Case for Green

• Original Camouflage: 

  The 361st Fighter Group, which Lou IV belonged to, often used green camouflage, and the original OD camouflage might have been partially overpainted with green paint. 

   
• Pilot's Account: 

  The pilot of Lou IV's wingman, E2-S, claimed that all of the aircraft in the "Bottisham Four" (including Lou IV) were green. 

   
• Overlapping Colors: 

  There is evidence of both green and blue on the aircraft's surfaces, with some parts having green and others blue, possibly due to repainting over the original camouflage. 

   

The Likely Truth

• A Mix of Colors: 

  The most plausible explanation is that Lou IV had a mix of colors due to repainting, with blue and green being applied to different areas or over the original camouflage. 

   
• Confusion from Repainting: 

  The overpainting of the D-Day stripes on the upper surfaces of the aircraft and fuselage, possibly with a different color than the original, added to the confusion. 

   
• Conflicting Accounts: 

  Both conflicting eyewitness accounts and photographic evidence contribute to the ongoing debate about the aircraft's true color.

   

  I've updated LOU IV, just small subtle changes to the camouflage. No change to file name or download path.

Thanks for taking the time man, looks great! I was reading about it because its one of my favorite paint schemes on a p 51, I never thought there might have been blue on it, but with numerous eye witnesses saying that group of planes had blue, including one witness that actually saw the plane in person, made me want to entertain the idea of it having blue, and the color they used on the model in the pictures didn't look bad! Lol looking at the pictures of the model it is a weird shade, it definitely looks almost black in the one picture. Crazy how apparently Lou iv was the most photographed p51, yet there is so much debate about its colors!

Edited Monday at 08:58 AM by mrzombieslayer95
Adding more

[mrzombieslayer95]

Since I saw a p 47 in this forum figured I'd ask lol I've been on a dogfights kick lately and saw Bob brulle's p47. 

[III/JG53*Viper]

Thank you!

 

The nose art and kill markings are going to be hard to do... I'll see what I can do.

[mrzombieslayer95]

2 minutes ago, III/JG53*Viper said:

Thank you!

 

The nose art and kill markings are going to be hard to do... I'll see what I can do.

Figured it would be a good challenge for you lol apparently there is only one photo of the actual plane, and its probably too low res to be of help lol this plane is also from the 366th fg so I would assume they would be using the same style mission decals, idk if it would help lol

[III/JG53*Viper]

18 minutes ago, jollyjack said:

starters? oops, removed them ... for got the darn swasticles, but search for large kill marks plane ww2 in your browser. 

I've done 'Daddy Rabbit' and some of the markings look similar... but I doubt I'm going to be able to do this plane justice. I'm going to look around and see if I can find anything useful. If I don't... then I'm sorry to say that I'm not even going to try. 

[mrzombieslayer95]

13 hours ago, III/JG53*Viper said:

I've done 'Daddy Rabbit' and some of the markings look similar... but I doubt I'm going to be able to do this plane justice. I'm going to look around and see if I can find anything useful. If I don't... then I'm sorry to say that I'm not even going to try. 

I tried using some ai upscalers and this is probably the best I can get unless I can find those model decals for sale, they stopped making them a while ago

[PivoYvo]

https://www.super-hobby.de/products/Thunderbolt-P-47-D-Razorback-Aces.html the decals and a sideview

https://shop.printscale.org/wet-decals/p-47-d-razorback-aces-72-173-scale-1-72/ dont know if the quality works

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/zotz-decals-48-47-thunderbolt-ztz48-2000456198 the second decal manufacturer with this plane

 

https://forum.finescale.com/t/tamiya-p-47-razorback-magic-carpet/213776 model kit but poor quality

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUE1TC9lpKt/ dont know if you have instagram to see this

 

https://imodeler.com/2020/09/1-48-tamiya-p-47d-magic-carpet-390th-fighter-squadron-366th-fighter-group-9th-air-force/ i think the best chances you have with this

 

 

 

[III/JG53*Viper]

7 hours ago, mrzombieslayer95 said:

I tried using some ai upscalers and this is probably the best I can get unless I can find those model decals for sale, they stopped making them a while ago

Thank you mrzombieslayer95 

 

I hate to say this (I mean no disrespect). Unfortunatly it's not good enough (again no disrespect).

I won't be able to do this aircraft justice with what I have to work with.

But, I'm really impressed and I do appreciate all the hard work trying to help me!

Can you imagine what it would look like in 4096x4096 res?!?!

I just can't do this with a clear conscience!

 

Yes... I probably have a few letter combos... 

[III/JG53*Viper]

5 hours ago, PivoYvo said:

https://www.super-hobby.de/products/Thunderbolt-P-47-D-Razorback-Aces.html the decals and a sideview

https://shop.printscale.org/wet-decals/p-47-d-razorback-aces-72-173-scale-1-72/ dont know if the quality works

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/zotz-decals-48-47-thunderbolt-ztz48-2000456198 the second decal manufacturer with this plane

 

https://forum.finescale.com/t/tamiya-p-47-razorback-magic-carpet/213776 model kit but poor quality

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUE1TC9lpKt/ dont know if you have instagram to see this

 

https://imodeler.com/2020/09/1-48-tamiya-p-47d-magic-carpet-390th-fighter-squadron-366th-fighter-group-9th-air-force/ i think the best chances you have with this

 

 

 

Hi Pivo! Like I wrote mrzombieslayer95...

I appreciate your help and the work you put in to this!

As a generic skin sure (not a bad idea).

But add the nose art, kill markings and plt/crew text and the fact is... the skin will never look good/genuine and/or realistic as in IL-2 Sturmovik Great Battles worthy!!!

 

 

[mrzombieslayer95]

5 hours ago, III/JG53*Viper said:

Thank you mrzombieslayer95 

 

I hate to say this (I mean no disrespect). Unfortunatly it's not good enough (again no disrespect).

I won't be able to do this aircraft justice with what I have to work with.

But, I'm really impressed and I do appreciate all the hard work trying to help me!

Can you imagine what it would look like in 4096x4096 res?!?!

I just can't do this with a clear conscience!

 

Yes... I probably have a few letter combos... 

I appreciate it lol one day I'll order the decals and get high res photos for you. But honestly I wouldn't mind a generic skin based on it, or even one with nose art of your choice haha, its such a cool color combo for the p47

[III/JG53*Viper]

28 minutes ago, mrzombieslayer95 said:

I appreciate it lol one day I'll order the decals and get high res photos for you. But honestly I wouldn't mind a generic skin based on it, or even one with nose art of your choice haha, its such a cool color combo for the p47

Hey, no need to order/buy the decals just for this! A generic skin I can do 

I'll try to start tomorrow evening.

[III/JG53*Viper]

This is a Generic skin based on: P-47 D-20-RE S/N: 276516, Code: B2-H 'Magic Carpet'
Attached to: 390th FS, 366th FG, 9th USAAF, based in Belgium 1944.
Flown by: Lt Col Robert V. Brulle

Robert V. Brulle was a United States Air Force (USAF) Lieutenant Colonel and rocket scientist who was born in Belgium and immigrated to the United States in 1929 at the age of six.

 

Info: https://airandspace.si.edu/support/wall-of-honor/ltc-robert-v-brulle-ret
&
https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/unit/366th-fighter-group

 

Download: https://www.mediafire.com/file/fpa47ong73shu5m/P-47_D-20-RE%2C_390th_FS%2C_366th_FG%2C_9th_USAAF_Generic.DDS/file

 

So, I've changed a few things on this skin. There's no change to the file name or download path.

 

 

Edited 12 hours ago by III/JG53*Viper
Correction/update

[mrzombieslayer95]

21 hours ago, III/JG53*Viper said:

This is a Generic skin based on: P-47 D-20-RE S/N: 276516, Code: B2-H 'Magic Carpet'
Attached to: 390th FS, 366th FG, 9th USAAF, based in Belgium 1944.
Flown by: Lt Col Robert V. Brulle

Robert V. Brulle was a United States Air Force (USAF) Lieutenant Colonel and rocket scientist who was born in Belgium and immigrated to the United States in 1929 at the age of six.

 

Info: https://airandspace.si.edu/support/wall-of-honor/ltc-robert-v-brulle-ret
&
https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/unit/366th-fighter-group

 

Download: https://www.mediafire.com/file/fpa47ong73shu5m/P-47_D-20-RE%2C_390th_FS%2C_366th_FG%2C_9th_USAAF_Generic.DDS/file

 

Awesome work!! Update: definitely my favorite skin for the battle of the bulge 

Edited yesterday at 02:12 AM by mrzombieslayer95

[III/JG53*Viper]

16 hours ago, mrzombieslayer95 said:

Awesome work!! Update: definitely my favorite skin for the battle of the bulge 

Sounds great!

 

Thank you mrzombieslayer95!

[III/JG53*Viper]

Regarding the Generic skin of P-47 D-20-RE S/N: 276516, Code: B2-H 'Magic Carpet', should I make the colors and some other stuff a bit darker? I'm not sure, but it looks like the colors  are to bright/washed out. I think it's some of the layers in the alpha channel that's not dark enough "camo, markings like the stars and such". I'll have look and get back to you guys

Edited 22 hours ago by III/JG53*Viper

[mrzombieslayer95]

2 hours ago, III/JG53*Viper said:

Regarding the Generic skin of P-47 D-20-RE S/N: 276516, Code: B2-H 'Magic Carpet', should I make the colors and some other stuff a bit darker? I'm not sure, but it looks like the colors  are to bright/washed out. I think it's some of the layers in the alpha channel that's not dark enough "camo, markings like the stars and such". I'll have look and get back to you guys

I didn't even notice until you said something lol I played it on the battle of the bulge map and it looked great to me, but the mission was at sunrise, so maybe the lighting helped

[III/JG53*Viper]

I'm working on a template for the new Bf-109 E4... which is basically an E7 plus/minus some parts/details.

I'll get back to you guys when I'm done and have something to share.

7 hours ago, mrzombieslayer95 said:

I didn't even notice until you said something lol I played it on the battle of the bulge map and it looked great to me, but the mission was at sunrise, so maybe the lighting helped

Thanks buddy! But as you can see I've made a few changes... personally to the better I think.

[III/JG53*Viper]

Well, here is my first Bf-109 E4.

 

Bf-109 E4, S/N: 3579, Code: White 14, Gruppe/Staffel: 1./LG 2

Flown by: Hans-Joachim Marseille

 

Info: https://airpowerasia.com/2020/06/28/triple-ace-shot-17-aircraft-in-a-day-hans-joachim-marseille-most-amazing-and-ingenious-combat-pilot/
&
https://www.thearmorylife.com/the-story-of-german-ace-hans-joachim-marseilles-bf-109-e/
&
https://www.historynet.com/the-star-of-africa-in-world-war-ii/
&
https://www.davidpentland.com/aces.php?PilotID=105

 

Download: https://www.mediafire.com/file/95h6t229hm8r921/Hans_Joachim_Marseille_Bf-109_E4_White_14.DDS/file

 

Spoiler

 

Spoiler

 

 

Edited 3 hours ago by III/JG53*Viper