French Bearcat

[bub]

New F8F-1 Bearcat textures

Hi All,
Here's where I'm at. I've relined just about everthing and placed a "generic" rivet pattern on it. It's close enough to give the idea of where the rivets belong without going crazy. I'd still be putting rivets on. I'm still looking for appropriate markings for the late war Bearcats. Still a lot of work to get things right and lined up properly.
Thanks,
Bob

 

[The B24 Guy]

Wow, looks good.
That must have taken some time.

Regards,
B24Guy

 

[bearcat241]

Sweeet...i'll take it as is!

 

[UncleTgt]

Very nice looking Bearcat there Bob.

I've read there were only 3 squadrons with FbFs at the end of WW2.

"On August 2, 1945, Air Group 19 boarded the USS Langley (CVL-27) for departure to Pearl Harbor. Arriving at Ford Island on August 8, the squadron ferried its 37 Bearcats to Kahalui, Maui, on August 9. On August 24, 27 pilots conducted carrier refresher training on the Langley. More carrier training was done on August 28-30 aboard USS Corregidor (CVE-58)." In September, VF-19 was aboard USS Boxer (CV-21) and in October aboard USS Hornet (CV-12).

You may already have these pics, but they may help you formulate some ideas...

 

[bub]

Hi All,
The hard part was deciding what/what not to put on. After that, the pattern of rivets went pretty easy. I still have the bottom wing to do and decide what decals to put on. Unc, thanks for the suggestions. I kind of centered on this one, but things can change.
Thanks all for your help and encouragement,
Bob

 

[bub]

Hi All,
It finished this far. All I have to do is put some decals on and get it uploaded. I havent decided which one yet, so in that case you may end up with both. Keep you posted.
Bob

 

[UncleTgt]

Bub, is that a hint of dynamic shine I can see in these pics?

 

[Captain Kurt]

That would be correct, eh? the paint was glossy sea blue.

Looking good Bub

 

[bub]

Thanks Capt', I appreciate it. And, yes Unc, its been "shined". Took a lot of cans of Simonize to get it that way.
Thanks again,
Bob

 

[msfossey]

Looks great Bub, looking forward to this.

msfossey

 

[bub]

First Draft

Hi All,
Here's the first draft of the Bearcat from VF-18, CV-4 USS Ranger. I still have some work to do as I'm not completely happy with the markings. The colors just don't seem right. Oh well, we'll figure it out.
Thanks.
Bob

 

[Ivan]

Hi Bub,

Very nice looking Bearcat.
I was also poking around recently for information on modelling my own version of the F8F-1 Bearcat but for CFS1.
One thing that might be worth fixing if you are able to alter the 3D model:
The initial versions of the Bearcat did not have the Roll-Over structure behind the cockpit. (See UncleTgt's first photograph.)
The structure was added after a few roll over type accidents though not necessarily because of the accidents.

Have you found any good aerodynamic data on the Bearcat? There are a couple specifications I am still looking for.

Thanks.
- Ivan.

 

[Captain Kurt]

Bub

Glossy Sea Blue in RGB for PSP or PSD is R45 G55 B61

You'll probably want to lighten it a little to compensate for sun bleaching and the fact most vid cards will render it really dark looking.

Also the markings yellow is R255 G183 B0

 

[bub]

Ivan,
Sorry, I have no info on the aerodynamics for the Bearcat. As to the model, modifying it, unfortunatly, is above my pay grade. This site might be helpful as I've used it for certain things. It has some good drawings that may be of help to you.

http://www.geocities.jp/yoyuso/f8f/f8fe.html

Capt',
I have those color values and plan to fade the blue by 5 to 7%. The yellow I started with was a Lemon Yellow. It didn't look right. I've gone back to the Insignia Yellow. Thanks for your valuable suggestions.

Now all I have to do is put it all together and get it uploaded.

Thanks again,
Bob

 

[bub]

Hi All,
It's all done. I fixed the colors to my liking and have to put it together, do a ReadMe and get it uploaded. Thanks to all for their help and suggestions.
Bob

 

[baldy]

Bearcat

Hi Bub

You've done such a great job on this Bearcat I couldn't resist having a go at altering a texture to produce a French Air Force of IndoChina 1954 version. I don't claim any skill - it was a case of altering national insignia -

-

if it's OK with you I'd like to upload it

baldy

 

[bub]

Baldy,
Thanks, it's nice when someone who does as much as you take an interest in one of my small projects. If you PM me and email address, I'll send you a set of new "blanks". That will make it easier for you to apply new French "decals". BTW, I like what you've done to the Bearcat. It looks nice in its new clothes.
Thanks again,
Bob

 

[baldy]

check your pm

thanks

baldy

 

[baldy]

F8F Bearcat - Armee de l'air 1954.zip

A new entry has been added to Add-Ons Library, category CFS 2 Skins - Other

Description: A quick change of clothes for bub's Bearcat - a terrific aircraft.

To check it out, rate it or add comments, visit F8F Bearcat - Armee de l'air 1954.zip
The comments you make there will appear in the posts below.

 

[gaucho_59]

Kahului?

Very nice looking Bearcat there Bob.

I've read there were only 3 squadrons with FbFs at the end of WW2.

"On August 2, 1945, Air Group 19 boarded the USS Langley (CVL-27) for departure to Pearl Harbor. Arriving at Ford Island on August 8, the squadron ferried its 37 Bearcats to Kahalui, Maui, on August 9. On August 24, 27 pilots conducted carrier refresher training on the Langley. More carrier training was done on August 28-30 aboard USS Corregidor (CVE-58)." In September, VF-19 was aboard USS Boxer (CV-21) and in October aboard USS Hornet (CV-12).

You may already have these pics, but they may help you formulate some ideas...

It's Kahului... in Maui... funny... I lived in Hawaii for almost 10 years and never knew there was a Navy airfield there....
Thanks a lot for this bit of trivia... There was a Navy bombing range in Kahoolawe... a small island that the "greenies" protested out of existence for "damaging the environment"... and Hawaiian heritage...
btw... where can the model be downloaded... I only see textures in this thread...

G.