Geezer

Got snowed in, so I worked on some SCW stuff. These 1930's aircraft are a long term project, and I will return to WW1 stuff shortly.

Started the panel lines for the CR32...

Been busy with Real Life, but managed to squeeze in some work on the Bleriot rifleman.

George, your Caporetto map is gorgeous!

View File FE AA Objects Steven1918 and I have put together a comprehensive collection of WW1 anti-aircraft guns. A noteworthy feature is, for the first time, a selection of medium-level 37/40mm auto cannons that bridge the gap between low-level MGs and high-level 75mm AA cannons. The Maxim 37/40mm auto cannon, dubbed the "pom-pom" by the Brits, was used in various versions by all the major powers and was still in limited service early in WW2. Pom-poms will significantly affect a gamer's experience when flying below 5,000 feet, and could motivate a gamer to replay old campaigns - especially if he used to like balloon-busting. Now that balloons can be realistically defended, he may not like balloon-busting anymore. In addition to the pom-poms, there are multiple types of AA MGs. Also included are two types of optional gun pits: a C-shaped pit intended for use with AA guns, and a U-shaped pit intended for use with artillery, plus balloon winches for the major powers. Submitter Geezer Submitted 08/03/2014 Category First Eagles - WWI and Early Years - Object Mods  

Played with the Bleriot a bit. The rifle-armed observer may present a problem? To look half-way realistic, the rifle must be positioned offset from the observer's body. But, to swivel realistically, the center point must be centered on the observer's body. So...the rifle will be offset from the center point.

Historically, the Western Front was populated with thousands of AA guns. They make life "interesting."

Several old photos of early Morane-Saulniers above display fabric and paintwork that is a bit lighter in value (shade of gray) than normal for French "Yellow" colors. Shots below show experiments in trying to roughly match the values in an old photo.

Surface mapping, called UVW Unwrap in 3dsMax, is probably the most tedious and exacting task of 3D model making. Yesterday, I was in the mood so I started mapping the Sopwith Triplane and M-S Type P. After thinking about Crawford's observation about inner and outer wheel surfaces, I am making space in the mapping diagram for both surfaces.

Thanks!

The Type P is the unsung hero of French aviation in 1916-17. It was designed as a more powerful improvement of the Type L. 565 were built, parceled out in twos and threes to most all French observation squadrons. It was also used by the British and Russians.

Maybe you can help me with research? I have been slowly working on two Morane-Saulnier aircraft that were used by Russia. The M-S Type I was armed with a Vickers gun so the gun installation was different from the earlier "Bullet" types that were armed with Hotchkiss or Lewis guns. Shot of the Type I model shows my best guess at the Vickers installation - but its only a guess. Can you locate better information? Russia also used the Type P, but I can find only one reference and it shows a Madsen MG. Is this correct? Second shot of the Type P shows the more or less "normal" armament used by the British and French.

Took a break from the Bleriot and worked on the Nieuport 28 cockpit.

Added the rigging and control wires.

Getting much appreciated help from a couple of guys on the Berg D.1 gun sights, which will require significant offset from the aircraft center line.

Working on the Bleriot gunner today.

My Windsock Data File of the Berg D.1 arrived yesterday, so I spent today tinkering with "accurate" colors. The problem with Austro-Hungarian camo schemes is that almost no reliable information has survived the last 100 years. My 2002 edition of Austro-Hungarian Army Aircraft of World War One deleted the color camo illustrations found in the original 1993 edition because few of the colors could be reliably authenticated. The Windsock Data File has a color photo of a Berg D.1 rudder that has survived, and its colors are less saturated (less vivid) than most of the color references found on the internet. Granted the color pigments have oxidized in the last 100 years, but even so the colors are quite dull and unsaturated. So.....I spent a couple of hours tinkering with my artwork to better reflect the sample shown in the Data File.

The N21 above includes a Lewis gun installation. Attached are the pdf artwork files, plus templates. N21 Art & Templates.rar

Any real world professional knows that perfection is impossible, which is why - at some point - it is necessary to say "that's good enough." I've been slowly rebuilding my old files, as I had to clear my HD to make way for a contract job. Attached is a Russian Nieuport 21 armed with a Lewis gun, that needs file work to run ingame. Nieuport_21 Lewis Gun.rar EDIT: Crawford - I realize you have good intentions. I'm not trying to piss you off, because I appreciate your help. You must understand that I am busy with the Bleriot and interruptions disrupt my production flow.

Adjusted the tints of the colors to simulate a vintage look. May fool around a bit more, but it is close to a balance between "accurate" color and atmospheric color.

It's been a while since I worked on the Caudron, and I forgot to delete two objects that should not have been part of the game LOD1. Below is new LOD1 that deletes the unwanted objects. On my rig, flying in FE2, the ventral gun does not display. 1-25-19 Caudron_R11.rar

The only solution to this particular problem is to deform the wires by using a stretch modifier in 3dsMax. That is more effort than I am willing to expend on a project that has already consumed months of my time. Plus, I do not know if it would work ingame because of the old 1999 game engine. In your bottom shot, the ventral Lewis gun is shown outside the aircraft. Has anyone gotten this third gun to work correctly? If not, I'll delete it.

Thanks. The will be two or three versions, depending on the rifle armed observer working out. The Lewis gun armed version is certain, though it will have a limited field of fire. Then, there will be an unarmed version for use very early in the war.

Got the flying surfaces mapped, and started tweaking the colors. The museum shots of the Italian Bleriot show colors that have darkened over the years - particularly the fabric - so I'm working on colors that are lighter.