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  • Please see the most recent updates in the "Where did the .com name go?" thread. Posts number 16 and 17.

    Post 16 Update

    Post 17 Warning

Flying the Albatross Seaplane! (vid)

Hey, what is the trick to getting the engines to fire on manual startup? Might be some ignition or mag switches looking at the checklist. I don't see a manual anywhere with a panel layout and can't read the fuzzy gauge labels with my fuzzy eyesight!
 
Five O'Clock Shadow . .



I am thrilled TuFun is doing his magic on this. To be very honest, this one has stayed in my "disappointing payware" folder until revived recently. I have flown the now ancient Greg Pepper/Michael Verlin version with many updates much more and frankly - IMHO - this freeware exterior model better resembles the shape of the plane IRL.

I also find the Virtavia 'tross textures all have this odd all-over monochromatic sketched-in-lead-pencil look. I am not a painter but suspect it might be something to do with the bump mapping which was relatively new at the time and maybe someone took a bit too far.

What I personally would like to see is a much more smooth high gloss, hard enamel look which is what TuFun achieved on the TP Howard and also how you find the 30 or so HU-16's that are flying today.

http://img5.imagebanana.com/img/3ydd3ts/Albatross_3.jpg
vs.
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviatio.../6/1312694.jpg

http://www.pcaviator.com.au/store/im...batross_10.jpg
vs.
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviatio.../2/1827205.jpg

Some may just see this difference as "wear" but others do wear well but differently and to my eyes this doesn't look right and detracts from the enjoyment, though could be my card, envmap, screen, eyes!!​
 
Looking at a bunch of skins on the real birds, this FSX version basics are way off. Sorta a blanket of double rivets just thrown over it. I was hoping I could just paint over it and the bump mapping will be something I will need to learn also.

Well at least there is a good benchmark to follow...

http://www.seawings.co.uk/images/HU-16 Albatross - unpainted - WR ex Igor Kolokolov/01.jpg

...single rivets... double or more on the panel lines! Look at the hatch rivet pattern... so much to fix on the FSX model! :isadizzy:

http://www.seawings.co.uk/images/HU-16 Albatross - unpainted - WR ex Igor Kolokolov/40.jpg
 
I have suspected it is the vast number of rivets - the enthusiasm with having bump mapping at the time - and the way light reflects off of them at most angles, is what gives it the all over fuzzy grey shadow look. Maybe experiment with removing the bump mapping altogether (away from my fsx machine at the moment)?
 
Interesting pattern choice? Same double rivets everywhere! Soon as I get done with some other stuff and have some spare time, I will tackle this bird.

eowir.jpg


Even on the landing gear doors...


LQV0X.jpg


TexjZ.jpg


Floats!
:isadizzy:


lwvOx.jpg


Engines are new, did a real quick job on them for now. Only need to find the texture for the spark ring.

K9wN.jpg

 
I am finding that by disabling/removing the "spec" textures in the the common texture folder helps quite a lot improve the look and rivet prominence. You are left with very matt/flat paint finishes though . .
 
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