RFN F-8 Crusader is out!!

[PhantomTweak]

Trip Trey was the last squadron I was in before I got out, and they transitioned to the F/A-18C's.
We had just returned from one of the last, if not THE last, Phantom det to Iwakuni, Japan, and from there to Clark AFB, the P.I., Osan, Korea, and so on. Snowed the day after we left, and a C-141 pranged, slipping on the ice and snow off the end of the runway. If our work vans had still been in place, the wing would have torn through the setup. We were SO glad it wasn't a transport meant for us!

At least at Clark, they put the Marines up in a condemned barracks. Best food I ever ate in the military, and the prettiest girls the AF had, I think. Moved into their barracks with a pair of AF girls. Readily available, as 90% of the men on base spent all their time, and money, out in Angeles City, outside the base. Maid service, uniforms cleaned and pressed every day, a chow hall across the street... It was Marine Corps heaven, let me tell you. I had to do a lot of extra PT, since the food was so good. Beautiful base to run on, at least, until Mt. Pinatubo blew it's top all over the base, shortly after we left.

In Osan, they put us in a tent city on the far side of the golf course. A far, far corner of the base, right next to their ROK Marine encampment. . Most fun we had was in Osan, I think.
They held a drill, setting off "bombs" near our tents, and then seeing what the AP did about it. At about 0200. We were yelling at them to shut up and go away. They responded with "Go F#$% yourselves, Jarheads. Make us!" The tents emptied out fast. We turned their jeep over, disassembled their Ma Deuce, as well as their personal weapons, and left them in a pile, with the APs tied up, naked, beside the pile. We went back to bed, and let them explain to their highers what happened. We were all asleep. Must have been the simulated North Koreans that were "invading"...

Sorry, I babble. Thanks for the trigger of the memories! I appreciate it.
Pat☺

 

[TARPSBird]

Unless I missed it on previous posts here, a VF-194 "Red Lightnings" paint job would be a good companion to Mike's VF-191 paint.

 

[Duckie]

First look at VMF 212. Still have some stenciling to do (Oriskany, Sq. code on wing, etc.)

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[delta_lima]

Looks awesome Steve! Any chance you could paint the helmet the matching blue? The few photos I've seen (admittedly low quality and very small) seem to show them as the matching blue, with the crest on the visor cover.

Looking forward to this one.

Thanks a million in advance.

dl

 

[Duckie]

I should be able to do the helmet. Is the whole thing blue or just the visor? Where is the crest located? If it’s on the visor that’s ok. If it’s on the sides it might be a problem. Let me know.

 

[delta_lima]

Hi Steve,

It looks like both the dome and the visor cover are both blue. Crest location is a bit of a guess - larger crest either on the "crown" of the skull/dome (centered L/R, just aft of the top of the helmet), or a slightly smaller crest centered L/R within either the L half or the R half of the visor (to one side of the slider knob or the other)

I'd say, whatever's easier - likely on the visor. I'm sure whatever you choose will be good.

dl

 

[Duckie]

Hi Steve,

It looks like both the dome and the visor cover are both blue. Crest location is a bit of a guess - larger crest either on the "crown" of the skull/dome (centered L/R, just aft of the top of the helmet), or a slightly smaller crest centered L/R within either the L half or the R half of the visor (to one side of the slider knob or the other)

I'd say, whatever's easier - likely on the visor. I'm sure whatever you choose will be good.

dl

 

[Duckie]

I should be able to do the helmet... dl

Well shut my mouth and call me corn pone!

OK, regarding the helmet, for me, here's the complication. Those who are following this thread saw where "johndetrick" posted his nice looking VMF-235 Death Angels repaint. At that time he also passed on a tip that he was using the "Model.F-8E-FN_Var1" instead of the "Model.F-8J" to obtain a more accurate visual model of the F-8E, the major visual difference being that the VAR 1 model omits the RHAW housing atop the vertical tail which is included with the F-8J variant.

I agree with his tip and began using the VAR 1 model with the VMF-212 paint I'm currently working on. When I looked into decorating the pilot's helmet I discovered that each of the 4 models included with the RFN F-8 has a different pilot and helmet and uniform color, and O2 mask! The 4 different helmet variations are hard coded into their respective models! Only the J model uses the period USN type helmet with the visor shield. It can only be used with the F-8J model which has the less correct exterior visual model for a US F-8E without the RHAW housing.

Going forward with my F-8E repaints I've chosen to use the VAR 1 model which uses the pilot texture for that model. I have modified that texture to have the US type uniform and another couple bits, but there's nothing I can do about the helmet which is coded into the VAR 1 model.

Of course, you'll have the option to use my variation, the stock VAR 1 pilot, or to use the J model, your choice. With my variation you'll need to create a new model folder with the VAR 1 model and the "J" VC model. I will include instructions on how to do this but I'm sure most of you know how to do this anyway.

Sorry for the long post but thought it might answer some questions down the line.

 

[DaveQ]

I've used MCX to take the Var1 model tail fin and swap it onto the -J, to create my own -E. Just another suggestion....

DaveQ

 

[Duckie]

I've used MCX to take the Var1 model tail fin and swap it onto the -J, to create my own -E. Just another suggestion....

DaveQ

...and a good one it is. Unfortunately I'm afraid I'm not that accomplished with MCX and then there're the folks like me who are in the same boat!

 

[johndetrick]

I saw that bit with the helmet on my repaint, but just accepted it. I would love to be able swap pieces around from one model to another. I have MCX but use it to render the models while painting.

 

[Duckie]

I saw that bit with the helmet on my repaint, but just accepted it. I would love to be able swap pieces around from one model to another. I have MCX but use it to render the models while painting.

That’s pretty much the extent of my MCX skills too.

 

[delta_lima]

Hi Duckie et al,

My apologies for not noticing earlier that you were intending to paint for the "Var 1", or I would have spoken sooner. My assumption was that all USN/USMC paints would focus on the J, since those other versions as decidedly E(FN)s feature the Gueneau 313 and 316 helmets versus the APH-5/6 style.

For my part, I do hope your paint will work with the J, as I find the presence of the RHAW gear a bit of less obtrusive visual compromise than the larger, more bulbous French helmet style. But that's just my view - I'm sure I'll be happy with whatever you come up with.

Again, looks good, and I appreciate the work you and the other artists are putting into this model.

Kind regards,

dl

 

[sparouty]

I've used MCX to take the Var1 model tail fin and swap it onto the -J, to create my own -E. Just another suggestion....

DaveQ

Hi Guys,
mmm, I really do prefer you ask me to compile an extra exterior mdl than open it and do some changes in it... For a modeler, seing his mdl recompiled by other gives always a strange feeling even if it's done for good purpose...
To be honest I always thought that MCX requires some source files (like animation code) to be able to recompiled a full funtionnal mdl... It appears that it is not the case and I really deeply regret it...
Regarding the main concern, yes visually the F-8E is very close the the first French Crusader configuration except leading edge, which are simple in the E and double in FN and J version. This and the BLC management are the reason why the E was not in the 1st realese: it riquires more times to be set up...
Note also that the Var1 mdl has painted exhaust and not bared alu one. It is another extra configuration item that should have to be taken into your consideration. Let me know what kind of configuration you would like me to compiled now a "E"-like mdl to wait for a full E version which should come later.

Regards,
Sylvain

 

[rohan]

Sylvain,
you are an exceedingly generous contributor to our skies - thank you very much for all that you do for us,
Ro

 

[DaveQ]

Hi Guys,
mmm, I really do prefer you ask me to compile an extra exterior mdl than open it and do some changes in it... For a modeler, seing his mdl recompiled by other gives always a strange feeling even if it's done for good purpose...

I had no intention of presuming to interfer with such a beautiful model other than for my own use. I would never put out into the public domain any alterations I make without prior consent. However, what I do on my own computer is my affair. I merely suggested this as a possible alternative to swapping interior models. I won't make the mistake of giving such suggestions in public again.

DaveQ

 

[Duckie]

Hello Sylvain.

Like Dave Q I had no intention of making changes to your models, especially to be parsed out to the public. I don't have the skills to do that even if I wanted, which I don't. In my post was merely explaining my texture manipulation in order to head off some questions later on.

I did, however, suggest a new model.cfg in order to use what I thought was perhaps a workable combination with the existing models.

Speaking for myself only, I honestly didn't consider asking for another model. I understand the work that might be involved in making just a few changes in the model. I thought from the beginning your inclusion of a J model was very generous, and it is a beautiful model. Many of us understand most of both the visual and operational differences between the E and J and the work it might require to produce a more accurate E model.

Sorry for any confusion or offense my repainting may have caused. There was certainly none intended. If you intend on issuing an "E" then I will just wait for it.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[Duckie]

Hi Duckie et al,

My apologies for not noticing earlier that you were intending to paint for the "Var 1", or I would have spoken sooner. My assumption was that all USN/USMC paints would focus on the J, since those other versions as decidedly E(FN)s feature the Gueneau 313 and 316 helmets versus the APH-5/6 style.

For my part, I do hope your paint will work with the J, as I find the presence of the RHAW gear a bit of less obtrusive visual compromise than the larger, more bulbous French helmet style. But that's just my view - I'm sure I'll be happy with whatever you come up with.

Again, looks good, and I appreciate the work you and the other artists are putting into this model.

Kind regards,

dl

Hey dl, my paints will work with either the J or the Var 1 models. I’ll have to check to see how the white cross in the blue tail band lines up with RHAW bulge. It may need adjusting for the J model. If so I’ll make a separate texture for the J and one for the Var 1 model.

 

[delta_lima]

Thanks kind sir.

These will really be enjoyed.

DL

 

[johndetrick]

Hello Sylvain.

Like Dave Q I had no intention of making changes to your models, especially to be parsed out to the public. I don't have the skills to do that even if I wanted, which I don't. In my post was merely explaining my texture manipulation in order to head off some questions later on.

I did, however, suggest a new model.cfg in order to use what I thought was perhaps a workable combination with the existing models.

Speaking for myself only, I honestly didn't consider asking for another model. I understand the work that might be involved in making just a few changes in the model. I thought from the beginning your inclusion of a J model was very generous, and it is a beautiful model. Many of us understand most of both the visual and operational differences between the E and J and the work it might require to produce a more accurate E model.

Sorry for any confusion or offense my repainting may have caused. There was certainly none intended. If you intend on issuing an "E" then I will just wait for it.

Thanks,

Steve

My sentiments exactly.