USN DC-8 / EC-24

[deltalima]

I know it's a really long shot ....

But loving as I do the DC-8, the '50 series in particular, what are the chances that either of these options could come to life:

1) a 50F could had the added blisters, antennae, etc to model the EC-24?

or

2) that a repaint of the 50F to resemble the EC-24 - as seen here:




I know the latter option goes against the grain, but anything towards another (I'm aware of the 2 current USAF/USN) service DC-8 would be just lovely.

Anyway - looking forward to your next update - thanks for the great work!

DL

[Tony Madge - HJG]

A repaint of the 50F is possible but cannot replicate the image you have posted as the model files for the DC-8 were lost many years ago and unless a new model ever comes to fruition we wont have any changes to the existing range of 8's

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

As Tony sais .... we don't have a DC8 model with all the bumps, blisters, and sticking out bits .... and we are unable to modify the current HJG DC8 flightline (which is extensive, and thorough, despite its age) either .... HOWEVER .... one of our past members, John DTRICK, hs already painted the basic HJG DC8-50F in this particular US NAVY livery and as follows ....





You'll find it on the DC8-50F downloads page ....


11988 - 163050 - DC-8-54F
Textures by John Detrick
Last Updated: 05 Dec 20061


Although we don't have a DC8 model with the correct features .... it was felt that we could get away with it, and the livery is "NON-FICTION" and "HISTORIC" anyway .... and which is why John decided to go ahead and do it. I actuall saw this particular aircraft parked up at USAF Davis Montham, in Tucson, Arizona, on a trip there, and to Pima, during mid 2013. It was good to see an old -50 again

John also did the US NAVY CV880-22M too and as follows ....



.... and which can be downloaded from the CV880-M downloads page ....


1993 - 161572 - US Navy UC880
Textures by John Detric
Last Updated: 01 Mar 2007


Someties we can, and will, take a liberty .... and sometimes we can't, and won't. It just depends on a number of factors.

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[deltalima]

Thanks gents,

Yes, I tried John's 50F repaint - for some reason, it was really pixelated - don't know why, a good bit of his work appears that way from different models. Don't know why.

Tony, it you happen to do an updgraded "pseudo" EC-24 like Johns older one, I'd be thrilled. Over the few years it was used, 163050 had some subtle changes - such as the pylons appearing to be slightly different colours. I really appreciate your talent and work on some of the more obscure types/schemes, so if you do, it'd be just lovely. No worries, though if you can't.

Been flying a fair of DC-8s of late, so again, thanks to the "collective" for the superb collection of models, paints, panels, etc.

I really should post a few screenshots - the least I can do, no?

dl

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

I forgot to mention .... that by virtue of their date these are "old textures" .... and ones probably saved in a DXT3 (or lower) format.

It may be possible to enhance these textures by converting the appopriate texture BMP files to a "32 BIT 8.888" texture format and "without MIPS" (using a texture converter like the "DXT BMP" utility) .... and which should/may then result in an overall improvement in the apperance of texture sharpness and clarity.

As per the above imasgery .... they do display acceptably "on my own system".

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[deltalima]

Thanks Mark,

I tried running them through DXT BMP - no better. Was hoping for an updated set since it's a smart scheme, and the '8-50F is such a lovely subject.

Ben's, Jim's and Tony's (just off the top of my head) repaints all show up smartly. Maybe it's just my system.

Thanks all the same.

Daniel

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

I've not checked these out myself yet, but, have done a lot of this lately with many of the early textures available and always with good results/major improvements.

When you ran the appropriate BMP sampes through the DXT BMP utility .... and presumeably selected the 32 BIT 8.888 format option .... then had you also previously ensured that the utilities MIP mapping option was also cancelled/unchecked.

I'e seen some textures that have, correctly, been saved in 32 BIT 8.888 format, but, with MIPS .... and which willstill result in blurries or other graphics distortions on some systems.

I might have a loo at these 2 subjects myself .... later on when I have time .... and if I can sense any mprovement after doing so then I'll send them to you directly

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[deltalima]

Thanks Mark et al; anything you're able to do would be much appreciated. Yes, mips were unchecked.

dl

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

I've now had a look at both the US NAVY CV880-22M and DC8-50F textures .... having download these from the website today.

I ran the appropriate texture BMP samples for each through my own DXT BMP texture converter utility .... and upon doing that (converting these samples to 32 BIT 8.888 textures BMP's without MIP's), I can only see a considerable improvement in each .... as may be evidenced per the imagery below .... and despite the fact these are among some of HJG's oldest textures.


UN NAVY CV880-22M/UC-880







US NAVY DC8-54JT/EC-24A







I've emailed my own converted versions textures to you.

These "HAVE NOT" been uploaded to this websire.

I can't see what you say you're seeing .... of course .... so .... unless sometning went wrong with your own recently attempted texture conversion .... "IF" your problem persists with what I've sent you, then, I can only "assume" your selected FS based graphics options and/or those your card too might be causing the problem.

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[deltalima]

Hello Mark,

Thanks for trying. They certainly look better on your pics - but alas on my pc, they're still very pixelated.





I wondered if it was the age of the textures, don't know. You've done what you could, which I really appreciate.

Looks like I'm out of luck. Pity, because that's a lovely scheme.

Anyway - onwards and upwards, enjoy what we do have, right?

cheers,

dl

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

"DELTALINA" .... lets not resign ourselves just yet.

What your seeing versus what I'm seeing .... despite the age of the textures .... could very well come down to graphics related options and settings .... both within FS, and on your card, if not within WINDOWS too.

Go to FS9 SETTINGS/DISPLAY/AIRCRAFT .... and just as importantly too .... go to FS9 SETTINGS/DISPLAY/HARDWARE .... and tell me precisely what options you've activated within each .... as well as your selected screensize/resolution too (within HARDWARE) .... and we'll try'n make progress from there and using the reformatted files I've already sent you.

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[Tony Madge - HJG]

DXT3 textures always in my opinion look rubbish, lack the detail and also it looks like the lines on the paint job were not done in anit aliasing so they look more jagged than they should be.... I will re do this one and see what it looks like

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

Thanks Tony .... the currently downloadable textures for each/both of the above subjects are each DXT3.

I converted mine to 32 BIT 8.888 "without MIP's" .... and which seems to result in considerable improvement on my system, but, won't address any jaggedness in the original textures if any's evident at all.

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[Tony Madge - HJG]

DXT3 compresses them when you uncompress them into 32 bit a lot of the quality goes which is showing in that screenshot

[deltalima]

Thanks Tony and Mark,

When I get home from travel, I can post pics of my settings - but I should point out (though I think it's obvious from the shots themselves) that I'm running FSX. More specifically, Gold, + DX10, I should add, with everything maxed out. A mid-tier i5 4430 3GHz CPU with a 8Gb RAM. Decent video card - GTX660. Since these are relatively basic models (not meant pejoratively, just no vcs, not large mdl size, etc.) they run very fast - full 30fps when pegged to 30.

Back to HJG textures in general, all other painters' textures (Jim, Ben, Tony, Camilo, Rui, etc.) look excellent, so I've always wondered if it wasn't in how these particular textures themselves were formatted. Looks like Tony believes so, and may be the main issue.

That said, recognizing FSX is not the "officially supported" sim version here, I'm not expecting much help, you guys have been very kind as it is. Tony, if you happen to redo it - I'll thank you in advance. Will post a few screens showing it off for sure, if/when released.

In the meanwhile, you folks all take care.

dl