NZ Warbirds DC-3

[Ian Warren]

Looking good Markus , you can see in the photo three tones off blue used , stage they did that ,checked paint paint plan s and is correct .

[Adamski]

QUOTE (Wildbillkelso @ Dec 13 2010, 06:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Here are the first results:

Wow! - Just like that!!!! Amazing! ... I have some comments about details - but check your PM for those.

QUOTE (Wildbillkelso @ Dec 13 2010, 06:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The pax model has a cabin air intake in the nose cone: No chance to place the "46" there!
And it has just 7 windows instead of the C-47's 8.
I'd leave it up to you what you'd more prefer to see:
Curtains or nose rego?

Shame about the nosecone/46 - it's quite a distinctive feature. The seven windows [only] is more serious, though. Seems a shame to spend so much effort to get lettering/logos just right when the number of windows (and consequent spacing) would be so different to the real aircraft. Is there any way around that?

I'd be interested to hear other people's comments - my view is that I'd prefer to see a nosecone - I can always pretend all the passengers have got their curtains wide open and are enjoying the view .

QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Dec 13 2010, 02:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Looking good Markus , you can see in the photo three tones off blue used , stage they did that ,checked paint paint plan s and is correct .

Ian - any way we could get the paint plan to Markus? May settle quite a few ambiguities

[Ian Warren]

QUOTE (Adamski @ Dec 13 2010, 02:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

we could get the paint plan to Markus? May settle quite a few ambiguities

Will do give me something to do .

[Adamski]

QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Dec 13 2010, 02:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Will do give me something to do .

W-h-a-t? You need something to do????? I'm not sure whether you're a contributor/author or tester for VLC ... but Great Barrier with bumps would be nice!!!

Many thanks - I hope you can find it (did your PC just have a fry-up??).

[Ian Warren]

QUOTE (Adamski @ Dec 13 2010, 02:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Shame about the nosecone/46 - it's quite a distinctive feature. The seven windows [only] is more serious, though. Seems a shame to spend so much effort to get lettering/logos just right when the number of windows (and consequent spacing) would be so different to the real aircraft. Is there any way around that?

Well, repaints are always some sort of compromise - such as flightsimming in itself...
We do have several models to choose from, but the bad news is that none of those fits precisely. Here's the collection of candidates:


My previous shots featured this model and this is how the nose air intake looks like...





This model is fitted with seats, but the number of windows isn't correct and it has this unique small window in the aft left section hardcoded into.







No seats - just boxes and nets. On the other hand, there are 7 (and a half...) port side and 8 starboard side windows and a solid nose cone to get the "46" pasted on...


Don't bother the offset aft paint: This is one of the fine-tunings to be done once the model decision is made!

QUOTE

I'd be interested to hear other people's comments...[/quote]
Me too.
I'm open for suggestions!

QUOTE

- my view is that I'd prefer to see a nosecone - I can always pretend all the passengers have got their curtains wide open and are enjoying the view .[/quote]
You've nailed it! Simming is about imagination...
Counting all the pros and cons, I'd currently prefer to utilize the DC-3 cargo variant - without any prejudice.

Please let me hear your opinions, guys!

Cheers,
Markus.

Wildbillkelso

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Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2010 7:58 pm

Posts: 361

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[Ian Warren]

I would go with the Cargo model , more exact to the Warbirds Dak but for the cargo door.

[Adamski]

QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Dec 15 2010, 01:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would go with the Cargo model , more exact to the Warbirds Dak but for the cargo door.

... best candidate I think ...

Great stuff, Markus

[Wildbillkelso]

Thanks for your responds, guys!

If I'm not too wrong (further testing needed), texture mapping of the DC-3 cargo and pax model is basically the same, so this paint should work with both variants. I could provide an alternative nose cone texture without the "46" serial.
Looking forward to further opinions!

@ Ian:
Thanks a ton for the drawing!
That's a great reference - although it shows how a "real" RNZAF Dakota should have looked like. There may be some minor deviations with current ZK-DAK/NZ3546's appearance.
Is there any "true" RNZAF Dak you'd like to see depicted additionally?
Serial?
Images?
Suggestions welcome!

Cheers,
Markus.

[Adamski]

QUOTE (Wildbillkelso @ Dec 16 2010, 10:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's a great reference - although it shows how a "real" RNZAF Dakota should have looked like. There may be some minor deviations with current ZK-DAK/NZ3546's appearance.

That raises a few issues ... are we depicting the original RNZAF Dak as it would have looked - or the Warbirds "recreation" of it? Maybe do two variations??? Personally, I'd like to see something as near as possible to what's flying now. It's such a sweet/familiar sight in the Auckland skies - and may raise the general level interest in the aircraft and help keep it flying.

QUOTE (Wildbillkelso @ Dec 16 2010, 10:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is there any "true" RNZAF Dak you'd like to see depicted additionally?
Serial?
Images?
Suggestions welcome!

I'm no expert on NZ aviation, so come on chaps - can't let an offer like that go unanswered (get him while he's on a roll!!!). I suppose one of the D-Day repaints could be re-worked. We have them for the default DC-3, but not for the MAAM-Sim model, I don't think.

Keep at it, Markus!

[Ian Warren]

I'll get the other scanned later showing wing decals and markings

[Wildbillkelso]

QUOTE (Adamski @ Dec 16 2010, 11:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

... are we depicting the original RNZAF Dak as it would have looked - or the Warbirds "recreation" of it? Maybe do two variations???

The latter is the plan!

The Ardmore ZK-DAK will be first in her current state - whether "accurate RNZAF" down to the last stencil or not.
For instance, their main lettering obviously is made with a Helvetica font, whereas the template Ian kindly has sent seems to show some other kind of typeface.

That's why I asked for a "true" RNZAF Dak to be rolled out in second place - just to point out possible "inaccuracies" of the restored ZK-DAK...

Cheers,
Markus.

[Ian Warren]

The Warbirds paint did not agree with me when displayed , it may be best to good with the photos to kept this one accurate .

A good example of seriously wrong fonts is on the RNZAF s historic flights No.15 Harvard , Its bloody horrible .

[Wildbillkelso]

Progress report

Just to let you know how far I've got:








The nose cone section turned out to be a true nightmare (once again...), as it spreads over three differently scaled areas in the map.
By now, I don't know if I will be able to depict the elegant "V" shape of the various lines in this area...

I need a break now!

Time to get the Skywagon pushed into the paint shed to get some nice "Mount Cook" wear painted on...

Cheers,
Markus.

[Adamski]

Looking incredible, Markus! - even down to the yellow outline around the lettering! She's going to be a real beauty!

Shame the nosecone has given you so much grief!

I see Santa left his bags in the back

[Wildbillkelso]

Finally, it's done!










The nose cone section turned out to be a real pain in the butt - this is the best I could do about it...

Soaring above Lake Wakatipu:




Fjordland - "spot the Dak":




This NZ mesh&topo was one of my best FS addon purchases ever...


Milford Sound. Enough said:






Uploads to AVSIM and Flightsim.com proceeded.
Enjoy!

Cheers,
Markus.

[Adamski]

QUOTE (Wildbillkelso @ Feb 5 2011, 05:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Finally, it's done!

Uploads to AVSIM and Flightsim.com proceeded.

Already showing on Avsim: c47_zkdak.zip.
Link to NZFSIM entry here.

Markus - you are a total *star* Great screens - of a classic aircraft in amazing settings ....

This repaint is going to give me a *lot* of pleasure - as I'm sure it will for anyone who also has the MAAM-Sim Dak. I'm going to keep an eye on those download counters to see how many other people will get a kick out of this repaint. Have you let the MAAM Sim lot know? They may want to put it on their site too.

It's great to see the serial numbers on the wing undersides - they're very distinctive and are usually missing from all the other models/repaints. I'll check the nosecone when I grab the finished file, but your last beta was quite acceptable (I've seen much worse!).

Of course I'm biased as I've admired the real thing, but I do think it's one of the best DC-3 repaints I've ever seen ... you should be proud!

So congratulations .... here's your Kiwi Oscar!!!

[Splitpin]

a star indeed

[Wildbillkelso]

Thank you, fellows!

This is a dedicated FS9 repaint and has not been tested with FSX prior to release. Considering all probs with semi-portovers and SP1/SP2 issues, I decided to stay with FS9 and to not give any remarks about possible compatibilies...
Hope you don't mind.

But I've been reported on some issues with this paint in FSX (engine face textures not showing up, glass tranparency), so my interest was raised.
I've installed the MAAM Dak to my FSX/SP1 and applied the associated fix provided by MAAM (filename r4dFSXu1.zip).
Seems to be working so far:



Dunno about SP2/Acceleration.

Any more experiences?

Cheers,
Markus.

[Adamski]

QUOTE (Wildbillkelso @ Feb 6 2011, 12:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is a dedicated FS9 repaint and has not been tested with FSX prior to release. Considering all probs with semi-portovers and SP1/SP2 issues, I decided to stay with FS9 and to not give any remarks about possible compatibilies...
Hope you don't mind.

But I've been reported on some issues with this paint in FSX (engine face textures not showing up, glass tranparency), so my interest was raised.
I've installed the MAAM Dak to my FSX/SP1 and applied the associated fix provided by MAAM (filename r4dFSXu1.zip).
Seems to be working so far:

Dunno about SP2/Acceleration.

Wow, that was quick Markus! Is the file up on Avsim? I'm on FSX SP2 (no Acceleration) so will report back!

[Wildbillkelso]

FSX fixes are here:

http://www.maam.org/flightsim/enhance/r4d_enhance.htm#FSX BASIC COMPATIBILITY UPDATE FOR R4D/DC-3/C-47 CD

You may also need
FSX TRANSPARENCY FIX FOR SP2/ACCELERATION (same site)

The latter fix contains upgrades for
r4d_engine.bmp
and several glass textures, so maybe this could be the solution...