Scratches and weathering

[Olham]

Although I often disagreed during our skinning contest, about the amount of wheathering and stains

at least on German craft (most Germans keep their cars and machines over-polished rather), I found

this example of Karl Almenröder's "field worn" Albatros DIII on the Aerodrome (origin wasn't mentioned).

 

Pretty scratched from the little ladder used to get into the cockpit, and the boots stepping through.

The painting appears black, but was dark red (red appears like black on B/W film).

Edited June 24, 2009 by Olham

[OvS]

Although I often disagreed during our skinning contest, about the amount of wheathering and stains

at least on German craft (most Germans keep their cars and machines over-polished rather), I found

this example of Karl Almenröder's "field worn" Albatros DIII on the Aerodrome (origin wasn't mentioned).

 

Pretty scratched from the little ladder used to get into the cockpit, and the boots stepping through.

The painting appears black, but was dark red (red appears like black on B/W film).

 

It's paint on varnished wood.... it will flake and scratch like crazy.

[UK_Widowmaker]

Yes, I think pilots from all sides were more interested in staying alive, than polishing their aircraft!...Can't blame them for that I guess

[Pips]

Interestingly though some pilots did have their ground crew polish their aircraft. Rob Little (the great Australian ace) was fanatical in having it done, claiming that he gained 4mph in his Tripe. Cobby too was a great believer of polishing, as were Guynemer and Dorme. Interestingly though I haven't been able to find anything on McCudden doing the same - surprising given his perchant for tinkering.

 

While a degree of weathering is evident in most photo's I hope the skinners don't go down the path of the RB3D guys. The current practice there is the very weathered look, which means all colours are very washed out (paisley infact). Sadly this has made the game very dull visually.

[Rickitycrate]

Weathering can be over done IMHO. Each crate was fresh and new at some point besides the care and upkeep that the pilot may have required or pride his crew took in it's appearance.

[Rugbyfan1972]

Interestingly though some pilots did have their ground crew polish their aircraft. Rob Little (the great Australian ace) was fanatical in having it done, claiming that he gained 4mph in his Tripe. Cobby too was a great believer of polishing, as were Guynemer and Dorme. Interestingly though I haven't been able to find anything on McCudden doing the same - surprising given his perchant for tinkering.

 

While a degree of weathering is evident in most photo's I hope the skinners don't go down the path of the RB3D guys. The current practice there is the very weathered look, which means all colours are very washed out (paisley infact). Sadly this has made the game very dull visually.

 

 

I can see both sides of the argument re polishing the airframe or using mechanical knowledge to improve performance.

 

I know that in WW2 the allies found a highly polished aircraft would add just enough speed to enable the typhoon to catch the V1 (it also had as many drag inducing excrescences ie rivets were ground/beaten flat to the airframe). So on that basis I can understand Robert Little's claim about polishing the aircraft.

 

James McCudden had originally trained as a mechanic and so was able to tinker with his engine i.e. using a set of high compression pistons and placing the spinner from an LVG that he had shot down on the nose of his SE5a, although McCudden's primary aim was to enable him to attain a high enough altitude to attack the high altitude recon aircraft.

 

I am not sure what level of mechanical knowledge Robert Little had, perhaps the person who posted about writing a book on Little could enlighten me/the rest of the forum.

 

Apologies for any misspelt words, but it is 4am in england and my brain is half asleep.

 

Thanks

Rugbyfan1972

[UK_Widowmaker]

Weathering is a vital part of skinning..but as has been said, it can be overdone (and equally, under done)

The ideal is to have an aircraft that looks 'used'...but does not detract from the wonderful colours of the aircraft of the period

[Hasse Wind]

I prefer brightly polished aircraft. I leave the weathering to my Spandaus/Vickers - they do a very good job at adding signs of heavy use to enemy planes.

[JimAttrill]

You wouldn't like brightly polished aircraft if you had to do it! I remember spending days polishing a Hawker Hunter for static display. Luckily the RAF banned the use of the metal polish impregnated wadding we used after a few aircraft had to be scrapped after the rivet heads were worn away. IIRC it was the 'Queens Flight' aircraft.

 

In the sixties and early seventies the RAF used polyeurathane gloss camouflage paint (yes, I know it is a contradiction in terms). We used to hate the stuff as it was extremely slippery when wet. When they discovered that the white in the roundels could be seen from 20000ft they soon got rid of the white and then used matt camouflage paint. The pilots reckoned the shiny paint was worth 20 knots....

[rabu]

The problem with making a new plane to bright and shinny in the game is that it doesn't look real if the colors are too bright.

If we had the resources and space we would have liked to add progressive weathering to all the skins in OFF so that as you played you would get some new fairly clean planes, then later notice they have gotten a lot more beat up and dirty.

 

Here's an example of Escadrille 38 ace Felix Madon's N17 in 1916:

 

 

And later in 1917 after a wing repair. The green has faded from sun exposure and there is a lot more mud, grime and wear overall.

[Olham]

Did you do both these versions in OFF ? Then I must say it again - great job done, you skinners!

[rabu]

Did you do both these versions in OFF ? Then I must say it again - great job done, you skinners!

 

Olham:

Thanks, I really enjoyed doing all the Noops. Because of size restrictions we haven't been able to include the weathering changes, I was just showing this example of what is possible. I think only the first one is in the game.

Edited June 26, 2009 by rabu

[Olham]

So you did the Nupes, like Paarma and OvS did most of the Albs?

I promise, I will investigate and fly all Nupes and all other craft in OFF - will be fun for years.

[rabu]

So you did the Nupes, like Paarma and OvS did most of the Albs?

I promise, I will investigate and fly all Nupes and all other craft in OFF - will be fun for years.

 

There are so many skins in OFF you could fly one each day and never fly them all!

I did the several hundred early N11-N17 skins, Sandbagger is doing the later ones right now, like the N24

[UK_Widowmaker]

Amazing stuff Rabu!

[rabu]

Amazing stuff Rabu!

 

Thanks, UKWM, most of us are hidden in the game, but we love crating this stuff and it really means a lot to get some feedback and see others enjoying it.

[Burning Beard]

My father was a bomber pilot in WW2 (B29's) and pointed out to me when I was making models as a kid, the military planes did not shine because the reflection of light made them visible from a long distance. That aside I would think the shine would be limited to the type of finish that was available at the time. Dope tends to be shiny, but the upkeep time would be prohibitive on undeveloped runways in a constant combat situation. It would be hard enough to keep the maintenance up without having to haul buckets out to wash off crates that tended to spend most of the time out of hangers.

 

Beard

[UK_Widowmaker]

I read somewhere on the net, that the 'white scratches and blotches' that are often seen on WW1 aircraft, is in fact Bird droppings...which react to the dope giving it a weathered appearance.

I took this a little further in one of my skins, and actually hunted around for a picture of bird sh*t...used it on the wings...and low and behold!..It looked exactly like someone had vomited a Vanilla Milkshake all over it!!....Oh well...back to the drawing board!...hahaha

Edited June 27, 2009 by UK_Widowmaker

[Duce Lewis]

Olham:

Thanks, I really enjoyed doing all the Noops. Because of size restrictions we haven't been able to include the weathering changes, I was just showing this example of what is possible. I think only the first one is in the game.

Rabu, great job on those skins, they're gorgeous ...in a dirty sort of way

The progressive weathering would be a nice addition, but I can understand the size limitations

 

Was there any thought of adding progressive engine performance?

ie. When you join up, you're given the oldest serviceable crate with 90-95% power and reduced acceleration

[Hasse Wind]

It looked exactly like someone had vomited a Vanilla Milkshake all over it!!

 

I knew those upper class crumpet flyboys had all the luxuries, but I didn't know they were also served milkshake. A proper turnip diet would do them some good, ja?

[UK_Widowmaker]

I knew those upper class crumpet flyboys had all the luxuries, but I didn't know they were also served milkshake. A proper turnip diet would do them some good, ja?

 

It was probably Lard!