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Post by joe308 on Mar 31, 2007 15:48:47 GMT
I don't know if any of u are familiar with my FS Feature Articles over at Flightsim.com; I'm written stories about DC-6's in Thailand, a C-130 trip from Japan to Russia, a xctry trip in a F-3D Skyknight, one on flying the YS-11 in the Canadian Maritimes and the last published one was hauling cargo around Russia in an IL-76TD. Right now I have another one in the Flightsim.com queue that should be released shortly BUT I'm already in the planning stages for another Feature Article which will highlight the DC-8. I'm presently working with several retired DC-8 Captains, FE's and Navigators to pulling together the requisite research material for the story. The DC-8 manuals provide by Herman Kreimes and scanned by Mike Halinda have really boosted my data base. I've already modified a HJG -60 panel (which I'm using with a -55F airframe) to a more realistic 'lived-in look'. Here’s what she looks like.   A million tks to all the talented and hard working people on the HJG Team for providing the outstanding 'tools' to further the wonderful hobby of flight simulation. Comments always welcome. Joe Thompson |
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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Mar 31, 2007 19:46:13 GMT
Those look OK  Of course variations in panel layouts and instrument standard between aircraft and carriers over some 40 years or so promotes a lot of different and interesting alternatives for the DC8 panels. Very soon we will be releasing our own updated versions of the DC8 panels .... 10 variations .... see the announcement on the "NEWS" page of our forum. John DETRICK & myself also "hope" to complete a couple other DC8 panel variations in the near future too  Mark C AKL/NZ |
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Post by gasman on Apr 1, 2007 0:30:36 GMT
I think they deserve a bit more than ..."OK" They look stunning quality to me. I'd love to have a fly round with that in front of me. Best regards John  |
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Post by joe308 on Apr 1, 2007 14:40:06 GMT
John
No offense taken. Looks like by the profile block that Aerofoto is a company man with HJG and he has a vested interested in the unblemished panel – straight off the assembly line.
And that is the reason I modified the panel. Naturally the heavy lifting had already been done by some very talented designers and developers at HJG so I didn’t have much to do. However, I’m a retired military/commercial pilot and the HJG panel was/is like so many others developed for MSFS - too new looking for my personal tastes.
It just didn’t have that lived-in look. It’s like ur new car the day u drive it home. It’s all nice and spiffy inside, with no stuff littering it up and that nice clean car smell. Look at that same interior 6 months later and its quite a bit different. Same thing with all the panels I fly. I change them to give the feel and look of a real panel that is being flown on the line.
Glad u liked it. It’s just a different slant on an outstanding panel.
Joe T
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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Apr 1, 2007 17:35:15 GMT
One of the best "lived in" looks I saw applied to our DC8 paels was by Marco BALZAROTTI.
I have here his DC8-50 panel here (which I use with DC8-50F aircraft) and have upgraded it with the extra details we're applying to our own panels, but, unfortunately .... and as much as I'd like to .... I don't have authorisation to release it.
So far as I'm aware Marco is out of FS .... and can't be contacted.
He covered his panel with smears and scratches just to create that "used/old/lived in" look .... and it really did look quite good too.
However, like weathered aircraft texturing, some folks like these effects .... whilst others still prefer that "fresh off the production line" appearance.
I personally believe a little weathering certainly adds a bit more character to everything.
Mark C
AKL/NZ
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Post by jpvisser on Apr 1, 2007 18:35:08 GMT
i must say i like it,
and to top that off,
i'm waiting with baited breath for the new DC8 panels,
which i will undoubtedly modify for personal use,as i've done with the older set.
as for weathering,i know Marco did indeed do a great bitmap,
and it is a pity it cannot be released,as it really looked lived in.
he did some very nice old and battered repaints as well,iirc.
they used to be available on his own website.
cheers
JP.
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Post by joe308 on Apr 2, 2007 16:32:09 GMT
Gentlemen
What about a screen shot of this weathered panel by Marco? There is nothing sacrosanct about posting pixs!
Did he post it anywhere on the web?
Joe T
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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Apr 2, 2007 21:27:18 GMT
I'll give it some thought .... and "MAYBE" .... post something later .... if I get a chance  The only reason I've not done so since first mentioning it above only is because I didn't really see the point .... considering it's not currently available, and that we don't have approval to host it  I just didn't want to make any false representations in terms of what we plan to offer or are doing .... if you know what I mean I'm aware that Marco "DOES" occasionally scan this forum, so, upon reading these words if he decides to communicate with us privately, hopefully with his consent .... then .... that will be great ! Mark C AKL/NZ |
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Post by joe308 on Apr 3, 2007 14:35:36 GMT
Mark
I understand mate but no need to go to extra work. I'm in contact with Marco and he is assisting me in weathering up my panel even more.
Joe T
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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Apr 3, 2007 18:58:16 GMT
Sounds good !
Mark C
AKL/NZ
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Post by joe308 on Apr 5, 2007 17:28:11 GMT
Gentlemen Well I’ve spent the better part of the last 2 days with my PSP pgrm making my DC8 panel look like its got some miles on it. I also spent quite a bit of time exchanging emails with Marco Balzarotti and several retired DC8 crew members in this endeavor. They were all extremely generous and gracious in critiquing the work and providing feedback. I think, finally, I’ve come to the STOP POINT! I tried to ensure that all changes were subtle to emulate what an actual old DC8 panel looks like. Normally the chipped paint on a panel occurs around the various panel lines and on the edges of certain instruments. Smudge marks can also normally be seen where the crews hands or fingers manipulate certain switches, knobs or levers. One thing I wanted to change but did not was the color of the nav controller panel. The color is ‘hard-wired’ into the gauge. A lot of the DC8 nav controllers were painted a blue/gray hue vice the standard battleship gray that is found on the HJG main panel BMP. In fact quite a few DC8 operators got rid of the nav controller on the glareshield all together. So here she is. Comments are always welcomed.  Joe Thompson |
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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Apr 5, 2007 21:28:11 GMT
I like it .... particularly that chipped/used appearance. That's Marco's texture trademark .... and something he really excells at I know. You mentioned the colour of the NAV controller being a blue-ish/grey tone. I've noted the entirety of some DC8 panels in that particular kind of finish. One night (January 3rd 1990) I was exceptionally "FORTUNATE". I was aboard HAWAIIAN AIRLINES DC8-63 (N4934Z) en-route from AKL/RAR .... and I spent most of that trip in the jumpseat .... normally a "NO NO" on any US aircraft .... but .... let's just say sometimes in life it's not what you know, but rather, who you know that counts .... anyway .... there I was. I noted that particular aircraft (I think whe was ex IBERIA) had a completly blue-ish/grey panel. It's a variation I'd like to have considered introducing for some of the HJG DC8 aircraft panels, but, have been unable to do so. Looks good Joe .... but .... just one thing ! I'd like you to reduce the size of and repost that particular image please .... it's "TOO BIG". Normal size here is 700 X 500 .... but .... 600 X 800 is more than acceptable. Certainly nothing larger tha the first 2 you've already posted please. Thanks ! |
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Post by yarek on Apr 6, 2007 0:16:35 GMT
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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Apr 6, 2007 1:02:17 GMT
Hey "YAREK" .... I don't know about the credibility of your questions, or even whether or not they're even justified ! What you've got to remember is, Joe's panel is tailored to firstly his own preferences, and secondly the preferences of his colleagues. This is a "personal edit", and not something he's contemplating uploading here .... or anywhere else that I'm aware of. Therefore I don't think we're justified in saying "I don't like this or that". This panel is strictly for himself and his colleagues and not for community consumption .... so far as I'm aware. Also .... the variation between DC8 flightdecks is quite substantial .... even between aircraft of the same series. Again, what Joe has endeavoured to reproduce and show us here is undoubtedly a layout/instrument standard both he and his colleagues may be more familiar with. I thank Joe for taking the time and trouble to put together what he's previewed for us here .... thanks Joe !  The only thing I would like to see is the size of that original image reduced No "YAREK" .... completly different ! The aircraft I was referring to was a -63, with a completly soft blue/grey/torquoise coloured instrument firewall I've only ever seen something similar represented on some DC9 panels Mark C AKL/NZ |
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Post by yarek on Apr 6, 2007 22:56:51 GMT
Notices, suggestions... I thought it does...  |
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