Geezer

Thought I would share some of my experiments with realistic camo with you guys. Italian WW2 aircraft camo is an extremely complex subject, because each Italian paint manufacturer had their own idea of what "sand yellow", "camo green", etc should look like. Generally, each Italian aircraft manufacturer used paint from a specific contractor, so the colors applied to FIATs varied from the colors applied to Savoia Marchettis, etc. The matter was further complicated by units repainting aircraft in the field to better match local conditions - Italian aircraft in Russia used more green colors than aircraft operating in Africa, which used more brown colors. Shot below shows an attempt to create a realistic appearance for the CR42. Most FIAT aircraft had low contrast colors in B & W photos, when compared to B & W photos of aircraft from other manufacturers. Color shot of CR42 below looks like dark maroon and light green were substituted for the "normal" camo brown and camo green applied at the factory. If you look at the area around the pilot's headrest, you can see what looks like oxidized light green spots, and the brown is much darker than the colors usually seen on Regia Aeronautica aircraft. Also note the base color of sand yellow applied to FIAT aircraft was generally darker than the same color applied by other manufacturers - references frequently describe FIAT sand yellow as a "dark brass" color. I plan on making two different sets of artwork for the CR42. One set will have the blurred, fuzzy look shown in most photos and the other set will have a crisp, better defined look seen in other photos. I'm working on the crisp-looking artwork now.

Actually, I agree with you. I also think FE is the better prop plane sim, for reasons you have described above. My forte is models and textures, but I still have much to learn about FE/SF files. I assumed that modeling early WW2 aircraft meant working in SF but your shots above show that is not necessary. You have shown I can continue working in FE2 - thanks!

Very interesting. I've been drifting towards WW2 because of my interest in the last generation of biplanes, used in the conflicts of 1938-1940. Because they shared the skies with monoplanes, I've begun work on a few early WW2 aircraft - maybe I should think about making a few more?

Not a bad idea. Shot below shows two civilian cars and a bunch of civilian trucks - all were impressed into military service in North Africa. Also got an unfinished Citroen TA laying around on my HD somewhere. Could also make the car version of the FIAT Topolino pickup.

Heh - I could never afford one either. Style points!!!! One thing about these photos. I thought the only color used by Italian paint shops was RED!!!!

Can't find drawings for the coupe, but did find some for the roadster. Better, really - the pilot's white scarf can flutter in the wind.

Thanks. The used and abused look results from the actual photographs I use to make the artwork. Some evening, when I've had too much wine after dinner, I may have a little fun and make some more 1930s/40s airfield objects. Its been said the Italians may have lost WW2 on the battlefield, but won on style points. Every dashing fighter pilot wants to drive up to his aircraft in a cool sports car, so - someday - I might make a 1938 Alpha Romeo 8C-2900.

Shot below shows how existing and future objects can be combined for most any time period.

Thanks. Personally, I can't wait to see what the FE map guys do with this stuff - they requested most of it. Got more in the pipeline: industrial objects, harbor objects, and town/city objects - all European. Eventually, I would like to make some Mediterranean/desert equivalents - probably later next year. Given enough time, I may even make some Asian equivalents for PTO and Viet Nam. Test shot below gives you an idea of what might be possible when combining harbor and town/city objects.

Double-checked my numbers, and shot above was too optimistic. Shots below show a 1024 JPEG applied to an FE 500m terrain tile. Still, not too bad, and we might get lucky with JPEGs which could mean larger ground art without impacting frame rates too much.

Another concept layout. I realize this may be overkill, but it does suggest what MIGHT be possible if we get lucky with JPEGs, fanatical map makers, etc. The trucks are 1930s models, but could be WW1 or Cold War trucks. All ground objects are 512 art or - in a few cases - 256 art. The only large art is 1024 art applied to two FE-size 500m ground tiles. Gentlemen, warm up your bomb sights! Better still, drop down and strafe!

Quick and dirty concept layout shows the method to the madness.