Geezer

Got a lot of details done, particularly the bracing wires. The inner wing bays used double bracing wires, and some were sheathed in wood fairings, possibly to damp vibration. Click shots for hi-res images.

VonS plans on spending lots of time to make the FM. Historically, the R.11 had nice handling qualities - for a big twin engine aircraft. Adapted some stuff I already had to make the Darne-built Lewis gun mounted on a TO4 gun ring.

Got more work done on the Caudron.

The WIP is still rough but it looks like it will work. George Peppard will fly the Pfalz when it is released.

I'll need to make a cockpit - they often take as long as the airplane. Click for hi-res.

Fooling around with 5-color lozenge camo.

Got 'em - thanks. I'll fool around and see if I can make a George Peppard pilot.

If someone can send me GOOD, HIGH QUALITY photos of George Peppard, I could add a Blue Max pilot to the pilot pack I have in-work. As usual, click shot for hi-res image.

A few more shots of the standard factory color scheme. VonS is pretty much done with his outstanding FM - it even simulates the historical tendency to sideslip in tight turns. Now, I have to finish the art and the LODs, plus some other tedious chores before it can be released. Click shots for hi-res images.

Got a little more work done before switching to the Caudron. Click shots for hi-res images.

LOL Shot below shows actual artwork for a complex color scheme. Note how the upper parts of the fuselage cross project from the side sections toward the top section. This will be helpful if you want to make complex markings. Click shots for hi-res images.

I will include templates and sample textures in the Pfalz graphics pack for the guys who want to make new color schemes. Click shot for hi-res image.

VonS and I have been discussing lead time. It will take me several months to finish the Pfalz and Junkers textures, and it will take VonS a similar amount of time to develop the very demanding new files for the Caudron R.11. So, the logical thing to do is get the R.11 flying ingame with the skins just roughed in and then pass it on to VonS to work on. Then, I circle back and finish the Pfalz and Junkers. Click shots for hi-res images.

Back to working details on the Pfalz. As usual, click shot for hi-res image.

This morning, I finished the camo and started the markings. Click shots for hi-res images.

Quack74 is busy with Real Life, so I've started work to finish the Junkers' skins. Click shot for hi-res image.

VonS has developed an outstanding FM for the Pfalz - the aircraft take off smartly and climb quickly. I've gotten a good start on another color scheme. Click shots for hi-res image.

Has anyone experimented with mixed formations? I just read that most Jastas operated a mixture of Albatross and Pfalz aircraft - very few units were completely equipped with the Pfalz. Figuring out mixed formations would also pay dividends when the Caudron R.11 is finished - they could be mixed with Brequet 14 bombers. There would be an additional benefit to using multiple versions of one aircraft - Pfalz DIII-01, Pfalz DIII-02, Pfalz DIII-03, etc - in mixed formations, each with different markings. Tiny, low-res decals look...um...er...less than stellar when applied to hi-res skins. Painting the aircraft's markings into the artwork looks more realistic. Click shot for hi-res image.

Making some specific color schemes - samples below. Click shots for hi-res image.

First flight! VonS sent me a test FM last night, so I built a new folder this morning with the new model. Still lots of tweaking needed, but the damn thing works! Click shots for hi-res image.

Not to worry - it'll shoot back! Click shots for hi-res images.

Over morning coffee, I thought I'd expand on making realistic artwork for aircraft. Buried in most every aircraft production contract is an obscure section titled "Gaps and Seams." A gap is the interval between the airframe and a removable panel or opening door. A seam is the interval between two sections of skin attached to the airframe. The section specifies the dimensional tolerances for both - clearly the interval between seams is much tighter than the interval for panels/doors. Indeed, seams are so close together that the human eye cannot resolve the joint at the distance most computer game models are viewed at. There are always exceptions, but usually you do not want to paint lines on your artwork to show seams - only paint lines to show gaps. Lots of pixels are mandatory so the artwork should be large enough to show gaps only one pixel wide. Seams are realistically shown with changes in color or changes in lightness/darkness, not painted lines. Click on shots below for hi-res image.

Thanks. More examples below - click for hi-res image. It's taken me several years' worth of tinkering to figure out how to get good results in the First Eagles game world. Second shot shows artwork for two different CR32 versions for China or Spain. I'm working out painting techniques for the China version first, because one color is much easier than three colors.

Progress shots - click to view hi-res images.

Yes! They are an excellent resource.