RIP Frank GONZALEZ

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

Frank GONZALEZ was an FS community member (painter) more closely associated with classic prop-liners, but, who's FS interests also occasionally extended to classic jetliners too .... some of who's work also graces the HJG website as part of the "Frank GONZALEZ Memorial Collection.

This thread might, by some, be perceived as being akin to "A Kaleidoscope Of CONSTELLATIONS", but, it's actually intended to be a memorial/tribute (a plaque if you like) in remembrance/honor of Frank GONZALEZ and the superb FS repaint work undertaken by him over recent years .... a great aviation enthusiast "obviously" .... an equally keen FS hobbyist "certainly" .... a great FS painter/graphics artist "clearly" .... and now, sadly, "a great loss" to the FS freeware world (among those whom new him and enjoyed his work) due to his passing during December 2015.

There are some within our FS hobby whom seek exposure, the limelight, and recognition for what they do, but, there are also some among us whom are quite content to quietly do what they enjoy doing best .... and to share the fruits of their labour among those whom appreciate it most.

Frank GONZALEZ was one of the latter type of individuals .... and one whom might possibly be considered an unsung hero among FS freeware graphics artists too.

Although he may have been unknown (prior to now) to some .... he used his artistic expertise/skills to produce repaints of "exceptionally high quality" for the pleasure of private requests.

Each of the following texture subjects (so far featured below) are "masterpieces" .... not just in terms of their texture quality, but, for the in-depth research, and knowledge, that has been necessary in order to complete each one to the obvious level of authenticity represented .... something which might best be regarded as Franks Forte, or, "the signature" of the late Frank GONZALEZ.

Prior to now much of Franks work has never been available for general public consumption .... BUT .... thanks to the efforts of both Tom GIBSON and Wayne HANSEN (the "legal custodians" of Franks work) .... each of his beautiful texture files will be uploaded, in stages, over coming weeks/months, to FLIGHTSIM.COM.

Each of the textures featured within this memorial/tribute, to Frank, are now currently available (as of over the past several days) .... and each of which are strongly recommended.

To assist folk enjoy the beauty of Franks work I've provided all of the necessary texture file names for each individual livery subject below each illustration .... as well as the information concerning recommended/necessary file updates (for the CONSTELLATIONS at least) .... along with my own recommendations in regard to the most appropriate sound pack option/s currently available for these simulations also.


Frank GONZALEZ
1951-2015

"THANK YOU" for everything you've taken the time, and effort, to produce for us Frank .... and R.I.P .... for your beautiful work is now in good hands and "WILL" be enjoyed, by many an FS enthusiast, for a long while to come


C-69 CONSTELLATION

TWA - THE TRANSCONTIENTAL LINE/Howard HUGHES 1944



L-1049C SUPER CONSTELLATION

AIR INDIA 1954

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049c_air_india_1954_frank_gonzalez

PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES 1955

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049c_pia_1955_frank_gonzalez

TRANS CANADA AIRLINES 1954

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049c_tca_1954_frank_gonzalez

Each of the above L-1049C texture subjects require the "L-1049G SUPER CONSTELLATION" Aircraft Base Pack by Manfred JAHN. See other required file name/s within the "RECOMMENDED FILES & UPDATES" section quoted below.


L-1049E SUPER CONSTELLATION

LINEAS AEREAS VENEZOLANAS 1954

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049e_lav_1954_frank_gonzalez

AVIANCA COLOMBIA 1958

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049e_avianca_1958_frank_gonzalez

Each of the above L-1049E texture subjects require the "L-1049G SUPER CONSTELLATION" Aircraft Base Pack by Manfred JAHN. See other required file name/s within the "RECOMMENDED FILES & UPDATES section quoted below.


L-1049G SUPER CONSTELLATION

AER LINTE EIREANN1958

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_aerlinte_eireann_1958_frank_gonzalez

AIR CEYLON 1958

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_air_ceylon_1958_frank_gonzalez

AIR FRANCE 1957

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_air_france_1957_frank_gonzalez

AIR FRANCE 1966

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_air_france_1966_frank_gonzalez

AIR INDIA 1958

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_air_india_1958_frank_gonzalez

CUBANA DE AVIACION 1956

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_cubana_1956_frank_gonzalez

CUBANA DE AVIACION 1958

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_cubana_1958_frank_gonzalez

EASTERN AIR LINES 1957

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_eastern_1957_frank_gonzalez

EASTERN AIR LINES 1967

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_eastern_1967_frank_gonzalez

IBERIA 1955

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_iberia_1955_frank_gonzalez

IBERIA 1956

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_iberia_1956_frank_gonzalez

IRISH INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_irish_frank_gonzalez

KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES 1955

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_klm_1955_frank_gonzalez

KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES 1962

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_klm_1962_frank_gonzalez

LINEAS AEREAS VENEZOLANAS 1957

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_lav_1957_frank_gonzalez

LOCKHEED AIRCRAFT COMPANY (1st livery)

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_prototype_v1_frank_gonzalez

LOCKHEED AIRCRAFT COMPANY (2nd livery)

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_prototype_v2_frank_gonzalez

LUFTHANSA GERMAN AIRLINES 1955

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_lufthansa_1955_frank_gonzalez

LUFTHANSA GERMAN AIRLINES 1960

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_lufthansa_1960_frank_gonzalez

LUFTHANSA GERMAN AIRLINES 1964

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_lufthansa_1964_frank_gonzalez

TRANSPORTES AEREOS PORTUGUESES 1950

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_tap_1960_frank_gonzalez

TRANS CANADA AIRLINES 1962

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_tca_1962_frank_gonzalez

THAI AIRWAYS 1957

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_tac_1957_frank_gonzalez

TRANS WORLD AIRWAYS 1956

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_twa_1956_frank_gonzalez

TRANS WORLD AIRWAYS 1959

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049g_twa_1959_frank_gonzalez

Each of the above L-1049G texture subjects require the "L-1049G SUPER CONSTELLATION" Aircraft Base Pack by Manfred JAHN. See other required file name/s within the "RECOMMENDED FILES & UPDATES" section quoted below.


L-1049H SUPER CONSTELLATION

AIR INDIA CARGO 1960

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049h_air_india_cargo_1960_frank_gonzalez

BOAC 1955

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049d_boac_1955_frank_gonzalez

EASTERN AIR LINES 1956

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049c_eastern_1956_frank_gonzalez

KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES CARGO 1961

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049h_klm_cargo_1961_frank_gonzalez.zip

NATIONAL AIRLINES 1967

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049h_national_1957_frank_gonzalez.zip

SABENA BELGUIM WORLS AIRLINES 1958

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049h_sabena_1958_frank_gonzalez.zip

TRANS WORLD AIRLINES CARGO 1959

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049h_twa_cargo_1959_frank_gonzalez.zip

TRANS WORLD AIRLINES - "SAVE A CONNE"/HISTORIC AIR MUSEUM

FS.COM FILE NAME = l-1049h_save_a_connie_frank_gonzalez.zip

Each of the above L-1049H texture subjects require the "L-1049H SUPER CONSTELLATION" Aircraft Base Pack by Manfred JAHN. See other required file name/s within the "RECOMMENDED FILES & UPDATES" section quoted below.

RECOMMENDED FILES & UPDATES

1. FILE NAME = l1049g_u.zip

This particular update file contains 4X more recent version 3D model files than those supplied within the original L-1049G (only) Aircraft Base Pack release. Each of the 4X model files contained within the original "L-1049G" Aircraft Base Pack should be replaced with these newer 3D model versions. "Disregard" all other files contained within this particular file update .... since these files have now been superseded per later/more recent updates.

2. FILE NAME = super_constellation_fde_upgrade.zip
This particular file update contains 4X revised VC Panel texture BMP files for the "L-1049G" panel (L-1049G Base Pack) .... and 4X revised VC Panel texture BMP files for the "L-1049H" (L-1049H Base Pack) also. Each of these 4X VC updates are separate .... and aircraft base pack/panel version specific .... and must be installed/copied inside the texture folder (not the actual panel folders) for each individual aircraft livery assigned to each aircraft base pack .... select "YES/OK" to the overwrite prompts.

2X revised panel files .... with new gauges etc .... are also contained within this particular update (separate panel/gauges files for the "L-1049G" and "L-1049H" since both are cosmetically different). Each of these panel updates replaces the panel folders contained within the original "L-1049G" and "L-1049H" Aircraft Base Packs. Make sure these new "L-1049G" and "L-1049H" panels are each installed inside their correct/corresponding "L-1049G" and "L-1049H" Aircraft Base Pack versions.

New/revised AIRCRAFT.CFG files are additionally included within this particular update too (this is absolutely necessary for the sake of the different wingtip lighting configurations for each aircraft/model version). It is actually recommended that separate/individual aircraft base pack files be compiled for each specific/individual aircraft 3D model version .... then .... the corresponding 3D model added to each of these new base packs .... along with its corresponding AIRCRAFT.CFG file also. "Disregard" all other files contained within this particular file update .... since these files have now been superseded per later/more recent updates.

3. FILE NAME = constellation_taxi_fde_upgrade.zip

This particular file update contains new AIR.FILE data for the "L-1049G" and "L-1049H" (among those for other CONNIE versions too, but, which are, as yet, not featured within this particular presentation .... I will update this information later and as need be subject to future CONSTELLATION texture releases). The AIR.FILE data contained within each of the original "L-1049G" and "L-1049H" Aircraft Base Pack files should be replaced with these new AIR.FILE versions (the original AIR.FILE versions deleted) .... and which should be duplicated into each other "L-1049G" and "L-1049H" version aircraft base pack folder too .... with care being taken to ensure that this new "L-1049G" and "L-1049H" version AIR.FILE data is installed into the "G" and "H" version base packs accordingly.

4. FILE NAME = l1049_fuel_dump

This particular file update contains a simple AIRCRAFT.CFG file based edit for the [SMOKESYSTEM] .... in order to resolve a very minor fuel dump contrails effects related discrepancy. Simply replace the 2X original data lines with this new recommended data .... and leave all other data within this same section intact.


A little bit of work "IS" necessary (obviously), but, it "IS" quite straight-forward (nothing, at all, to be afraid of) and well worth any effort required. In fact it is all "far easier" (hopefully made "easier still" by these brief explanations) than may first seem apparent


RECOMMENDED SOUNDPACK/S

Use the following audio/sound pack file with each of the above "L-1049G" and L-1049H" Aircraft Base Pack versions ....

FS.COM FILE NAME = wright_r-3350-dc-7.zip

Although titled for "DC-7" use .... this particular sound pack works superbly well with each of the Manfred JAHN produced L-1049 SUPER CONSTELLATION simulations.


Beyond the basic orientation I've attempted to provide (above) .... technical support for each of these files is provided by Tom GIBSON on his "CAL CLASSIC PROPLINERS" forum at the following website address ....

www.calclassic.com/

Tom .... and his team .... will be more than pleased to assist enjoyment of these splendid simulations

Anyone interested in classic prop liners .... and FS2004/FSX textures for these aircraft by the late Frank GONZALEZ in particular .... then the following website, dedicated to the memory of Frank and his superb FS work, is strongly recommended ....

The Frank Gonzalez Memorial Repaint Collection
www.calclassic.com/frank.html


Mark C
AKL/NZ

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

I'm pleased to finally be able to make this feature "viewable" again (after the PHOTOBUCKET imposed fiasco last June) .... since Frank's work is "far too nice", and valuable, to not be seen and enjoyed by those whom wish to part-take of it.

Note the "FRANK GONZALEZ MEMORIAL REPAINT COLLECTION" link now included at the conclusion of the above feature too. This link takes you to the "FRANK GONZALEZ" page on Tom Gibson's "CAL CLASSICS" website .... on which all of Frank's so far released work may be viewed, and accessed, via FS.COM file hosting.

Frank's FS work wasn't focused on just classic propliners alone either .... since he also painted some of HJG's classic jetliners too .... textures for which (among a few others yet to be added) we are very proud to be able to offer among our own downloads pages.

My "PICK OF THE PROPS" feature (a capsule history of B377/STRATOCTUISE, CONSTELATION, DC-6, and DC-7 development) has also just been similarly images restored too as follows ....

tonymadgehjg.proboards.com/thread/8135/pick-props?page=1&scrollTo=61782

.... though only a couple of the textures included within this other feature represent work by the late Frank GONZALEZ.

Mark C
AKL/NZ