Alb D.II Jasta 5 Default Skin Set

This is a default skin set depicting the Albatros D.II as flown by Jasta 5 in 1916 and early 1917.

The skins will generate random aircraft identification letters and numbers on the fuselage sides and lower wings as well as werk numbers D.XXX on the vertical stabilizer. The letters and numbers are all authentic, but it was not possible to co-ordinate the two in large part because the squadron often changed the identification number/letters for the same aircraft, e.g. D.1799/16 carried both A and D as identification letters at different times. Nevertheless, the werk numbers are those of aircraft which actually flew in Jasta 5 during this period. Occasionally you will see an aircraft without any ID, as sometimes occurred.

The camo pattern and colors, personal fuselage markings, lower wing colors and national markings all closely depict the emblems and national insignia of the reference aircraft. To the extent possible the skins are based on photographs and reliable research sources, particularly Dan San-Abbot. There were variants of the camo markings in Jasta 5 during this period, most notably with differing colors for aircraft made by three different manufacturers (Albatros, LVG and OAW) and even for the rudder and vertical stabilizer as made by a single company as a result of field modifications. I chose the version which I felt looked best.

Even in 1917, some of the Jasta 5 aircraft still carried the 1916 style national markings, with a full white square surrounding the black crosses, rather than the narrow white surrounds; this set uses wide 1917 style bright white surrounds.

In response to requests, I have included variations of the national markings used in testing. If you prefer a “smudged” look for the white surrounds on the black crosses, simply edit the decal.ini entries which look like this:

FilenameFormat=AlbatrosDII\D\Insignia006T

To look like this:

FilenameFormat=AlbatrosDII\D\Insignia006.

All skins, indeed all models, are at best approximations, and the replacement parts for my time machine still have not been delivered. Consequently this work probably includes some material which is not authentic, as well as some which is.

The files attached include loading and hangar screens.

Thanks to Gambit168 for making his skin set available as a template, and to BortdaFarm for the original model. Thanks also to Southside Bucky for comments and advice on the beta versions which improved earlier versions.

I have included a cockpit adaptation of the Albatross D3 model from the First Eagles Expansion pack. The cockpit mod will not work unless you have the expansion pack. If you do not have the expansion pack yet, you can still use this skin. All you need to do is go into the AlbDII.ini file and modify the lines which now look like this:

//CockpitDataFile=AlbatrosDII_cockpit.ini

CockpitDataFile=AlbatrosD3_cockpit.ini

To look like this

CockpitDataFile=AlbatrosDII_cockpit.ini

//CockpitDataFile=AlbatrosD3_cockpit.ini

Alternatively you can download the full cockpit mod from CA.

The FM by Peter01 is intended for use without the April 08 patch.

In addition to the skins, there a sound file which was recorded from a running Mercedes engine. If you prefer the original sound, simply change the lines in the data.ini file which refer to “PropLoopMercedes” to “PropLoop”.

As usual, place the skin folder in the AlbDII folder. Jasta 5 should then appear as the default skin set.

This skin set is part of a series presented to acknowledge the dedication and continuing hard work of Peter01 who has given us outstanding flight models for so many other aircraft for First Eagles. Without his work, this model and many others would be just pretty pictures.

September 14, 2008

Sinbad

The September 15, 2008 update includes an improved camo scheme and markings, as well as more detailed texture and trim. Thanks again to Southside Bucky for suggestions which made this skin set better.