RCAF CC-129 Dakota pre-release invitation

[Wild Bill Kelso]

Dear fellows,

considering some bugs of my CF Dakota repaint done about two weeks ago, this time I'll try it this way:

It's audience participation time!

Here's what I've done up to now:

As you might have noticed, it's the C-47B (Dakota IV) model of MAAM's all-theater expansion pack, note the distinctive hatch of the supercharger!
The pics I obtained of KN269 show this model to be the correct one.

But here's the bad news:
MAAM's B-model is equipped with this antenna whereas the real KN269 didn't seem to have it. We'll have to ignore it...

The B-model also seem to have some odd distorsions around the cowlings which lead to a little de-adjustment of the markings. Couldn't get rid of that. Same goes for the slightly uneven antiglare area:

Back to the good news:
This time the wing markings will be correct, as far as I was able to find out how the true RCAF markings were done.
Check 'em out:

Any suggestions on things left out or items to be optimized will be highly appreciated.

You RCAF specialists out there:
Is there anything to be improved?

Please let me know now!

This time, it has to be perfect (well, at least as my abilities will allow...)!

Cheers,
Markus.

 

[harleyman]

Nice Work Markus,,,,,,,:ernae:

 

[Wild Bill Kelso]

Thanks, mate!

It seems like there's nothing left to improve...

Think I'm gonna pack this lady as she is right now and zoom her over in a few days.

Cheers,
Markus.

 

[Wild Bill Kelso]

Spot the difference!

O.K. guys,

I'll put her to the test:

Could you name any significant deviations?
If not, she'll be ready for take-off (as soon as the AVSIM server is back online...)!

(Note the black outline of the lightning bolt I've added - this should have been the last addition.)

The real pictures were taken by Günter Grondstein at Düsseldorf 1963 and can be found at airliners.net and flugzeugbilder.de.
Simshots made at CYMJ CFB Moose Jaw (addon scenery by Greg Putz).

 

[srgalahad]

Awww that's not fair. I hate "counting rivets" but you asked and now I feel bad even reaching for the keyboard...

with a great deal of anxiety:
1. flag on tail is a wee bit too large (compare first set of pics) upper forward corner of flag on r/l one does not extend to the first rivet line behind the deice boot.

2. lettering for 1 Air Div is a bit large ( compare word "AIR" relative to the window above it)

3. taper on front end of lightning flash is too abrupt and in r/l is not a symmetrical taper (top tapers more (longer) than bottom - it starts to taper directly below front edge of side cockpit window)

4. blue of roundel.. here's your photoshop reference:
http://hedgehoghollow.com/buzz/Colour_Guide/aircraft_clr.html
Ref # is the one below the chip.
1-GP-12b: 2-6
1-GP-12c: 202-101 (Gloss)
OR
FS595: 15052
as you will read there is some discussion/variance

I will now go poke one eye out and write on the blackboard: "I will not count rivets because it's bad" 100 times without cut and paste. Markus, you have now seen the first and last time I've ever done this. If you had not posted side-by-side pics I doubt ANYONE would have seen the above and I'm sorry I looked. <guilty ***>

Rob

You know... if you don't change any of it, I'll bet 999/1000 people will never notice and be forever thankful you did so much work (including me)

 

[Wild Bill Kelso]

Dear Rob,

no reason for your anxiety:
I wanted it this way, and I positively would have stayed out of the kitchen if I couldn't stand the heat...

Thanks a lot for your useful comments!

1. flag on tail is a wee bit too large
2. lettering for 1 Air Div is a bit large

Yep. I'll resize it.

3. taper on front end of lightning flash is too abrupt and in r/l is not a symmetrical taper

Hmm - it took me a while to get this done.
But you're right - still have to push some vectors around....

4. blue of roundel.. here's your photoshop reference:
http://hedgehoghollow.com/buzz/Colour_Guide/aircraft_clr.html

Thanks for the link. Didn't know it yet. I picked the roundel somewhere, but it's true: the colours don't match too well yet.

... if you don't change any of it, I'll bet 999/1000 people will never notice ...

Yeah. But this time - considering the outstanding reference material of the pics above - I'll try to convince even the last one of the 1000...

One more glitch is to be ironed out:
The RCAF letters on the wing's downside are too small...

Cheers,
Markus.

 

[HighGround22]

My gosh, but she's looking mighty fine, Markus! A true work of art!

-Jon
-----

 

[Wild Bill Kelso]

...I will now go poke one eye out and write on the blackboard: "I will not count rivets because it's bad" 100 times ...

You want a template?

@ Jon:
Thank you!
I hope you can wait a bit longer for the TCA livery... :ernae:

Cheers,
Markus.

 

[srgalahad]

You want a template?

Thanks Markus! It looks like a fair trade... but.. but.. is it the correct font?

Rob

 

[Wild Bill Kelso]

Well, I think I got it now.

Played a while with the lightning bolt tip - can't do any better...
The antiglare, lettering and ensigns are adjusted.
"Hamilton" logo and lettering on the propblade are on correct position now.

It's only the roundel that was left like it was:
I used the RGB values from the reference site - but this colour appereared too bright in my eyes.

Up she goes!

 

[Wild Bill Kelso]

Pushed her over to AVSIM and SOH about an hour ago.

Maiden flight from CFB Moose Jaw to Cranbrook was done successful!

Have fun.

 

[srgalahad]

Ok Markus... brickbats and bouquets time!
1. it looks terrific
2. now I'm unhappy ----- you just cost me the price of one MAAM purchase. (that's OK, I was going to get around to it.. later, but now I guess, "sooner")

Re: the Roundel blue. It's a debate that has no end. When you combine monitor calibration with comparing (faded? poorly-exposed?) photo prints that are then scanned and uploaded, vs original slides to what you see when you paint on a computer it's near impossible to get it "accurate". Add in the lighting of the original photo, type of film, etc. and there are many "close enough" results. Knowing the original 'numbers' for the source paint helps but when it's seen on two monitors that are calibrated and adjusted differently it will still vary. Oh, and was the paint fresh on the real aircraft, or a bit dirty or opaqued by the sun... yeesh... sometimes "perfect" just can't happen.
In this case, you did a marvellous job

Rob

 

[Wild Bill Kelso]

Near miss

Thank you, Sir! :ernae:

And this girl can take a punch.
Just took her from Penticton to Victoria, and while turning to final, some strange jet screaming occured. Spot view told me that Victoria tower has a strange kind of humour in granting his landing permissions... :isadizzy:

Almost ruined my fresh paint...