P-61B Black Widow: WIP

[Mirko]

Hi all!

Here are the beginings of my new model the P-61 BLACK WIDOW.

:salute:

[Evan]

Looking nice so far Mirko.

[zarroun]

It's looking really nice so far! Can't wait to see what you do with it.

[mrys]

Fantastic subject! And looks very good until now. Keep this way Mirko!

[kevjon]

Looks as smooth as a nurbs model. Great start...very precise.

[MrKo]

Wow thats nice. Hardcore fire power platform. I dont know a lot about the actual combat perfomance of this plane but its surely must have been good. Interesting subject

[giant551]

Mighty fine start mate lovely and smooth:)

[digiartist]

Great start Mirko! This is one of my favourites, so I'm looking forward to seeing your Black Widow develop. I know Kiwi 123 has the P-61 high on his list of aircraft to build but you've beaten him to it......:p

[cobra6]

Indeed looking nice:) Somehow allways found that they shaped the canopy and fuselage a bit weird hehe

Cobra 6

[Skyraider3D]

Great start! Looks like it's gonna be a killer model.
I hope you're going for an olive drab D-Day model. The all-black ones are a bit dull...

Kiwi 123 has the P-61 high on his list of aircraft to
buildHe's got half the air power of WW2 on that list! :p

[Danoku]

Outstanding start, your cad layout was top shelf so i know you had a good running start at this. This is one of my favortie A/c since i was a kid. Menacing and deadly looking with tons of guns. I will get you my P-6 cad files when I get enough uninterupted lunches to finish it. should be pretty soon.

OH here is a site where they are restoring a P-61B back to flying status, recovery of the wreck and the resoration, lots of good strutural pics for the widow fans out here.

http://www.maam.org/p61/p61_recovery.htm
http://www.maam.org/p61/p61_rest.htm

Really liking it so far mirko!:lol:

[Pablo_nemesis]

Ow cant wait to see those wings and the rest of the body modeled XD ,Nice plane ^^.
Also great work so far.

[Mirko]

@ Evan, @ Zarroun, @ mrys, @Kevjon, @ MrKo, @ Giant551, @ Cobra, @ Pablo
Thanks for your comments !

@digiartist
Thanks Digi. I hope to make a good job with the Black Widow.
Ops…:err: I would have preferred to give the precedence with the p-61 to master Kiwi.

@Sky
Thanks Ronnie.
I have not still decided on the colour. I find interesting also colour scheme for the tropical zones, Drab Olives and neutral Grey.

He's got half the air power of WW2 on that list! :p

:) ..:D ...:lol:

@Danoku
Thanks Danoku. I'm looking forward to seeing your P-6.
Thanks for the links. Indeed useful !

[Skyraider3D]

OH here is a site where they are restoring a P-61B back to flying status, recovery of the wreck and the resoration, lots of good strutural pics for the widow fans out here.

http://www.maam.org/p61/p61_recovery.htm

http://www.maam.org/p61/p61_rest.htm
Awesome links, thanks for sharing!
Aircraft restoration sites are by far the best photo references you can find. They should the aircraft in close-up, from all kinds of odd angles, and without distracting paint jobs. Just perfect!
They also make you understand the construction of the plane which helps with making it in 3D.

[Lukem]

Nice work sir! Very interesting plane to model I'd imagine.

I though they all came in black - didn't realise they came in other colours. So I have learnt something today!:D

[zarroun]

i have a few color schemes that could scan in for you, and some nose art. my favorites are the black/red combinations, like Cooper's Snooper or Bat Outa Hell.

Double check your dorsal turret though. It seems a bit tall.

[Danoku]

Aircraft restoration sites are by far the best photo references you can find.

Agree totally, I am heading to the east coast later this spring, I am going to try to go by MAAM and get my own shots. Also trying to call in some favors to get into NASM Restoration facility at Silver Hill, that would be an absolutely sick score if i can pull it off. And I will Share!!
:lol:

[Mirko]

@ Luckem
Thanks Lukem

@ Zarroun
The color schemes will be useful thanks! :)
I will control the turret.

@ Danoku
WOW!!! Thanks in advance.:)

[Skyraider3D]

Here's the one I like (top middle photo), olive drab with D-Day stripes. I always found it peculiar for a nightfighter to have D-Day markings, but anyway... :lol:
The front machine appears to have some sort of shark mouth too.
http://www.bibl.u-szeged.hu/bibl/mil/ww2/kepek/planes/p-61.html
Nice colour photo on that page as well.

[Danoku]

Allright some more resources, (if you hadnt guessed i have been researching a lil bit on the P-61/F-15 Reporter.)

Ok this is a pretty nice walkaround for inlet's and wheel wells as well as a nice look into the wizzo's area in the back, LOTS on the gear doors etc, all credits to Mr Phillip Juvet

http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/AWA1/201-300/walk292_P-61/walk292.htm

Great article about the shootdown of a B-29 by a P-61 near Iwo, and no i didnt type that wrong, gots to read to believe.

http://www.flightjournal.com/articles/dreamboat/splash1.asp

And this guys site is absolutley thick with squadron info unit insignias and nose art.

http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/9693/

Enjoy
:lol:

[Skyraider3D]

Great article about the shootdown of a B-29 by a P-61 near Iwo, and no i didnt type that wrong, gots to read to believe.
http://www.flightjournal.com/articles/dreamboat/splash1.aspGreat story that could make a great artwork too ;)

[Danoku]

....hmmm it would wouldn't it.......;)

[Demons7th_Delta]

Very nice work on your model. It's smoothness is an eyecatcher that immediately got my attention. I'll be following the progress of this one ;)
I go every year to the MAAM's WWII weekend event and have seen the P-61 that is being rebuilt first hand. It's an extremely impressive restoration project. Can't wait to see that bird take to the air :D For anyone that can visit, the event runs June 1st, 2nd and 3rd this year. Its definately worth the trip. Here's two photos from last year's event.

[Supah]

Ugh Overpolished Mustang :(

[Mirko]

Very nice work on your model. It's smoothness is an eyecatcher that immediately got my attention. I'll be following the progress of this one ;)
I go every year to the MAAM's WWII weekend event and have seen the P-61 that is being rebuilt first hand. It's an extremely impressive restoration project. Can't wait to see that bird take to the air :D For anyone that can visit, the event runs June 1st, 2nd and 3rd this year. Its definately worth the trip. Here's two photos from last year's event.

Thanks for your comment. I hope you will show several photos of the p-61, the next june;) . Very nice the photos, thx!!!
:salute:

[Mirko]

...here's a small update.

:salute:

[cobra6]

nice work on the internal structure so far:). Do you use a raytrace material or another setup for rendering?

Cobra 6

[Lukem]

Nicely done sir!

[Mirko]

nice work on the internal structure so far:). Do you use a raytrace material or another setup for rendering?

Cobra 6

Hi Cobra6
I use a simple raytrace material for my models.

@Lukem
Thx :)

[Faust]

Ah, the heavy-duty night fighter. Looking forward to how the cockpit details will look like. This was one of my projects but time constraints kept me from it. Good luck and a fine start!

Some armament specs:

4 x 20 mm cannon
4 x .050 cal MGs.

[Mirko]

Ah, the heavy-duty night fighter. Looking forward to how the cockpit details will look like. This was one of my projects but time constraints kept me from it. Good luck and a fine start!

Some armament specs:

4 x 20 mm cannon
4 x .050 cal MGs.

Hi Faust Thanks for the comment. In this moment I work to the inner details, I will make low details.

[Galgot]

Missed that one ! Very good ! One of my favorite.

[peter]

Lovely model Mirko!!! and veeery interesting subject. I see some great details inside (can we see this without glass?) Anyway, it goes very well so far.

[giant551]

Nice one mirko:D The ribs look great

[giobi@nco]

nice work!! Mirko compliments

[Mirko]

Lovely model Mirko!!! and veeery interesting subject. I see some great details inside (can we see this without glass?) Anyway, it goes very well so far.

Thanks Peter for the comment.
I must still add to the apparatuses and the seat of the operating radar.

@ Galgot, Giant, Giobi: thanks for the comment.

:salute:

[Mirko]

A small update!
The compartment of the radar-operator .

:salute:

[Skyraider3D]

Nice going!

[Demons7th_Delta]

Looking really nice Mirko.. Sorta makes one want to jump in it and push some buttons :)

[Danoku]

Bravo, shaping up nicely, can we see a wire?
:lol:

[Mirko]

Looking really nice Mirko.. Sorta makes one want to jump in it and push some buttons :)


....:D ....:lol: And to make fire with the .50-caliber guns!!!!



@ Skyrider: thx Ronnie!
@ Danoku: To see a Wire!! ARRRGGGH…! Perhaps later I will try to make a wire:lol:

[Demons7th_Delta]

[QUOTE=Mirko;15124]....:D ....:lol: And to make fire with the .50-caliber guns!!!!

The 20mm quad arrangement below (Hispano M2 cannons) would definately help with that :lol:

[Lukem]

Coming on very nicely mate!

[giant551]

nice one mate its coming along great !!

[Faust]

Great progress. Allow me a little critique: in the second pic the panels are not flushed. The internals look fantastic though. Can't wait to see the final product.

[XLNT 3d]

Very nice work on your model. It's smoothness is an eyecatcher that immediately got my attention. I'll be following the progress of this one ;)
I go every year to the MAAM's WWII weekend event and have seen the P-61 that is being rebuilt first hand. It's an extremely impressive restoration project. Can't wait to see that bird take to the air :D For anyone that can visit, the event runs June 1st, 2nd and 3rd this year. Its definately worth the trip. Here's two photos from last year's event.

Thanks for posting. I am just south in Maryland. I'll might try to get there. I wonder how you get planes in. My buddy has a Stearman http://fun-flying.com/. You seem to get better access to the events when you bring toys!

So are you guys going to animate that story with this model? Sounds like a cool project. Maybe they'll just do it for that fighter show on Friday nights everyone loves so much.

[Mirko]

@Demons7th_Delta: I love the four Hispano cannons :lol:

@Lukem, giant551: Thx!

@Faust: You have reason. I will fix the panel! Thx!

[Lurtz]

Next update! Next update! Go go go ;)

[Mirko]

Here a small update. I would want to model the Flap assembly, have you some suggestion?

[Skyraider3D]

I would want to model the Flap assembly, have you some suggestion?You mean for animation? I will try and write a small tutorial this weekend...

[giant551]

:cool: so cool

[Mirko]

You mean for animation? I will try and write a small tutorial this weekend...


Hello Ronnie
WoW! It would be fantastic a tutorial on the animation.
Thanks much Ronnie !!!!!
:)

[Mirko]

:salute: :cool: so cool

Thx giant

[Lukem]

Wow - this has moved on a bit! Nice work sir!:)

The renders remind me a bit of some of the airfix packaging of a few years ago, the ones with a set of blueprints under the finished model.

[Skyraider3D]

Hello Ronnie
WoW! It would be fantastic a tutorial on the animation.
Thanks much Ronnie !!!!!
:)

No problem! I intended to write this down anyway, as I keep forgetting the procedure myself (must be getting old).

Here you go: http://www.military-meshes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1378

I intend to add pictures to this tutorial at some point, but I am sure you'll manage without them! :)
The best way I find to set up angled pivots in MAX is to create a cylinder and attach your cowling flap to it, then delete the cylinder.

[Mirko]

@Lukem: Thanks for comment.

@ Skyraider: Thanks for this tutorial Ronnie.

[Skyraider3D]

@ Skyraider: Thanks for this tutorial Ronnie.You're welcome. I hope it's of use :)

[Mirko]

Hallo folks...

Does anybody have Drawings, Blueprints or Photos... of the
PRATT & WHITNEY R-2800-65 Double Wasp?

Many Thanks

Mirko

[Mirko]

Littel update.

- the PRATT & WHITNEY R-2800
- the external tanks
- the carburettor air intake
- the cowlpanels

[Demons7th_Delta]

Beautiful work of a very elegant aircraft :)

[mrys]

Nice going! Good work:D

[Mirko]

@Demons7th:
Demon thanks. Yes, the P-61 is truly an elegant airplane. A not conventional design for the age. :salute:

@mrys:
many thanks mrys, for the comment! :)

[kevjon]

Great going Mirko, its really looking the part. One of the cleanest, smoothest meshes I've seen.

[Mirko]

Great going Mirko, its really looking the part. One of the cleanest, smoothest meshes I've seen.

Hi Kev,
many thanks for your positive comment :)

[Mirko]

Cheers guys,

Here is some work on the flaps, rudder, elevator, aileron and a part of the panels of the wing.

:salute:

[kevjon]

Super stuff Mirko, look very very good !

You planning to do landing gear with this one as well ?

[kiwi123]

Well done, she's looking great !

[denders]

Very Nice!

[mrys]

I love it! Wait for more!

[giant551]

:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
very, very nice

[Mirko]

@Kevjon : Hi kev!
Yes, I have in planning the landing gear. I must still make the compartment of the pilot and of the gunner.

@ Kiwi123, denders, mrys, giant551 : thanks guys for yours appreciate comment

:salute:

[krazycolin]

pretty nice....

what are you going to do with it?

[Martocticvs]

Well this is looking really nice! Great work!

[jkbon]

very nice keep going !

[Mirko]

@krazycolin:
Hi Krazy,thanks for your positive comment.

I want to model the P-61B 42-39454 “Cooper's Snooper, flown by 1Lt George C. Cooper, 548 th. NFS, Iwo Jima, Spring 1945.
My idea is to make a render of an dogfight between the "Black Widow" and the famous "Dragon Slayer" (Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu).

@Martocticvs, jkbon:
thanks guys for your positive comment.

[Lukem]

Fantastic modelling mate!

Are the panel lines modelled or textured?

Looking forward to seeing more.:)

[Mirko]

Fantastic modelling mate!

Are the panel lines modelled or textured?

Looking forward to seeing more.:)


Hi Lukem
Thanks for your positive comment.
The panel lines are modelled.
:salute:

[Lukem]

Good - that's what I like to hear!:D

[Mirko]

Cheers
...here's another small update:

- Panel lines ( completed )
- Antennas
- Antennas with sheet braces
- Air scoop
- Landing lights
- Static pressure pickup


:salute:

[Nils]

Ohhh, she looks fabulous Mirko - just great!

[bzhyoyo]

top notch job !

[Skyraider3D]

Love the last angle!!! :cool:

[Deetz]

Looks outstanding!

Deetz

[denders]

Yes, very nice! Another of those planes that used the P&W R2800, like the Corsair, Hellcat, and Thunderbolt.

[kevjon]

Great job on it Mirko.....nice update.....it looks faultless.

Love the job you've done on the panel lines. I'm going to give that a go on my next aircraft as it looks much better than bumped panel lines and worth the effort to model.

[giant551]

nice job, its come together fantastic:) Looking forward to the final renders

[Panaristi]

Looks fantastic:eek: Great job.

[Lukem]

Superb mate - the last angle looks so dramatic and really shows off the detail you've put into this.

[Galgot]

Superb ! Very impressive :)

[Mirko]

@Nils,@bzhyoyo,@Ronnie,@Deetz,@giant551,@Panaristi ,@Lukem,@Galgot:
Thanks :)

@denders: yea, I love the P & W R2800!!!:p

@Kev: yes, it is a hard job to model the lines, but fortunately the result is good.


:salute:

[da1he]

Great job you did.Can't wait to see the final product

[Mirko]

Great job you did.Can't wait to see the final product


Thanks da1he :)


:salute:

[digiartist]

I've not seen this for a while Mirko, looks superb mate!

[Mirko]

I've not seen this for a while Mirko, looks superb mate!

I appreciate always a lot a your comment.
Thanks Gareth.


:salute:

[Mirko]

Hi guys
...here's a small update:

- Landing gear
- Internal structure engine naselle


:salute:

[kiwi123]

Oh man, you really have been doing a lovely job on this model ! She's an absolute stunner.

How much longer till she's done ?

[kevjon]

Great job on the gear and wheel well. Everything looks so precise and perfect. Great draftsmanship !

[digiartist]

Right Mirko, you're making me sick now......it's just that good!

[Deetz]

fantastic Mirko!

Deetz

[digiartist]

congrats on the header Mirko

[giant551]

congrats its looking great:)

[Lukem]

Congrats mate! It's about time too!:D

[kiwi123]

Congrats on the header !!

[cobra6]

Yup indeed congrats on the header :) Like all the nifty details!

Cobra 6

[Galgot]

Congrats Mate ! Well deserved !
Like the structure inside the wheels well, nice detailing.

[Mirko]

WOW.......:eek: ........WOW!
Thanks for the header guys.

My first header.... :p

[Gibbage]

Its looking good so far. Im a big fan of twin boom aircraft, and the P-61 is up there with the P-38 for me! My only critique is the 20MM gun ports. On the P-61, they were very contoured in the belly.

You can sort of see in this pic how the gun ports are sort of bowed into the belly.

http://www.maam.org/p61/images/Rambow58.jpg

Its a VERY difficult and complex shape. Good luck.

[Mirko]

@ Hello Kiwi
thanks for yours comment.
I do not know when I will end the Widow.
The modeling is nearly ended. The texture, bumpmap and the specularmap it will be a long job.:\

@ Kev, Deetz, , Giant, Lukem:), Cobras, Galgot Cheers

@ no no Gareth, you're making me sick !!!:lol:



:salute:

[Mirko]

Its looking good so far. Im a big fan of twin boom aircraft, and the P-61 is up there with the P-38 for me! My only critique is the 20MM gun ports. On the P-61, they were very contoured in the belly.

Its a VERY difficult and complex shape. Good luck.


Thanks for the note Gibbage. Yes, they were very contoured in the belly.
I have used the Blueprints attached.
It is possible that the blueprints they are not perfect


:salute:

[Gibbage]

The prints are "OK" but not perfect. They dont show the contours very well, but you can sort of see them in the sectionals. I have a few nice 3 views I will try and find for ya. Im sure they will help.

Sadly, the web pages I use for 3 views is down. I suggest getting the 1/48 Monogram model kit if your really interested in nailing this aircraft. That shape is EXTREAMLY complex to understand in a 2D photo or 3 view drawing. I always find having a plastic kit by me helps me shape difficult area's like this on aircraft. Here is a link to a review of the model. http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Gal4/3901-4000/gal3981_P-61_Lachance/gal3981.htm

[VFXWest]

How's your Widow coming along Mirko???

[Mirko]

Hi VFXWest

Unfortunately, I have little time to work on the Black Widow. I hope to finish it soon ! :(

:salute:

[Mirko]

Hello guys
...here's another small update:

- Landing gear nose finished
- Doors Landing gear nose finished

:salute:

[kevjon]

Beautiful work on it (all of it) !

[Mirko]

Beautiful work on it (all of it) !

Thx Kev :)

[Deetz]

Looks great! I really like how you display your wip renders, nice and shiny :D

Dieter

[Lucas]

Awesome, I love such twin engined aircrafts:)

[giobi@nco]

Great job!! Mirko.. compliments..The panels are molded or bump?

bye

[Lukem]

Fantastic mate! Just keeps getting better and better...

How far away from painting this are you?

[Mirko]

@giobi@nco:
Ciao Gio
grazie per i complimenti!
The panel lines are modelled.

@Deetz: @Lucas: Cheers

@Lukem:
Cheers Lukem
I have yet to model the Pilot's Cockpit, then begins with painting.

[digiartist]

Superb work Mirko, just saw Deetz's 190 tailwheel which looked great, and now your P-61 nose wheel, also great!

[Mirko]

Superb work Mirko, just saw Deetz's 190 tailwheel which looked great, and now your P-61 nose wheel, also great!

Thanks Digi!:)
Yes, really a great works the Deetz's 190!
:salute:

[Skyraider3D]

Nice going mate. This model really looks the business in 3D.

[Mirko]

Nice going mate. This model really looks the business in 3D.


Thanks Ronnie, always appreciated your comment!

:salute:

[VFXWest]

That nose wheel looks awesome Mirko!

Any updates for '08 yet? :)

[Mirko]

That nose wheel looks awesome Mirko!

Any updates for '08 yet? :)


Hello Tim
Many thanks for the comment.

I hope soon to update the P-61.
First of all, I have to finish the A-7 Corsair!

:salute:

[Mirko]

After a long time, here are some update! :p
- All moving parts are rigged and controlled by sliders
- I added the spoilers and all the doors are finished
I am currently working on the cockpit


http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/6827/p611008ty8.th.jpg (http://img244.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p611008ty8.jpg) http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/5459/p611003uk5.th.jpg (http://img519.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p611003uk5.jpg) http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/2065/p611002mu4.th.jpg (http://img519.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p611002mu4.jpg) http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/4267/p611001ev4.th.jpg (http://img502.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p611001ev4.jpg) http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/4484/p611005av2.th.jpg (http://img246.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p611005av2.jpg)

[Faust]

Damn that looks fantastic! Well done m8!:)

[Chukk]

Very nice. I like how you flattened the tires a little, looks heavy and ready to go. Just needs the high gloss paint and ready to go. :)

[sasquotschi]

looks so damn smooth. very nice.
for the gear wells the same method? Collapsing Smoothed Mesh and the Cut the wells out?

[Mirko]

thx guys!!:)


looks so damn smooth. very nice.
for the gear wells the same method? Collapsing Smoothed Mesh and the Cut the wells out?


Same method ;)

[EBOLII]

Booo! I can't see the large images.....bummer.

It is looking great, I can see all the images upto this point until the last 5 posted I see a default imageshack code page

[MrKo]

Very good job again. What else we can except?

[falcon012]

Fantastic work. I look forward to seeing her finished.

[Mirko]

Booo! I can't see the large images.....bummer.

It is looking great, I can see all the images upto this point until the last 5 posted I see a default imageshack code page


It is better now? :)

[Mirko]

MrKo and falcon012 thanks for your kind words!

[Nils]

Unbeliveable nice and smooth considering all modelled panel lines over curved surfaces. Good job!!

[Skyraider3D]

She's screaming for textures, mate! ;)

[Mike James]

It's nice to see the plane modeled so well, and I especially appreciate your interior work on the metal formers. It adds realism and interest.

Looking forward to more. Great work!

[Mirko]

Nils. Ronnie, Mike Thank you very much for your comment !

[EBOLII]

Yeah...perfect! Man you are doing a super superb job on this aircraft!

[Rags]

Excellent work!
//Rags

[Mirko]

Thx Rags:salute:

[space2]

great work:salute:

[Mirko]

great work:salute:

Thanks space2 :)

[Albatros_ace]

Great Work:eek: the P-61 is one of a kind

[Mirko]

Great Work:eek: the P-61 is one of a kind

thank you Albatros :salute:

[pengy300]

Amazing job ,very inspirational!

[Mirko]

Amazing job ,very inspirational!

Thank you pengy :salute:

[dinojazz]

how much would you charge for:
1.Chopper (crazy looking and original)
2.A red baron style biplane.
3.A bomber zeppelin

Theme Mad Max - Fallout - after nuclear destruction deserted world

[Mirko]

how much would you charge for:
1.Chopper (crazy looking and original)
2.A red baron style biplane.
3.A bomber zeppelin

Theme Mad Max - Fallout - after nuclear destruction deserted world


Hello Dino

in this period are very busy. I have difficulties to find time to work on my P-61 .
Thanks :salute:

[Mirko]

Hello to all

Modeling of the P-61 is finished.
Here are some render of the Cockpit Pilot's Front, the Gunner's Compartment and the radar operator's station.
:salute:


http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/7731/p611012.th.jpg (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p611012.jpg) http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/763/p611013.th.jpg (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p611013.jpg) http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/4613/p611015.th.jpg (http://img411.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p611015.jpg) http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/6844/p611016.th.jpg (http://img26.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p611016.jpg)

[Skyraider3D]

Fabulous!!

Brings back memories of my old 1/48th scale Monogram P-61B model kit. That one still needs its decals actually! :)

Slight nitpick: the front edge of the cockpit looks a little segmented. This may show up in high-res renders (unless the canopy part that goes on top of the opening is higher-detail and thus hides this area?).

And o, if I were you I'd remove the Northrop logo immediately as they have succesfully sued flight sim games companies before over the unauthorised use of their name (let alone logo) and will prossibly go after individual 3D aircraft modellers too.

[Mirko]

Fabulous!!

Brings back memories of my old 1/48th scale Monogram P-61B model kit. That one still needs its decals actually! :)

Slight nitpick: the front edge of the cockpit looks a little segmented. This may show up in high-res renders (unless the canopy part that goes on top of the opening is higher-detail and thus hides this area?).

And o, if I were you I'd remove the Northrop logo immediately as they have succesfully sued flight sim games companies before over the unauthorised use of their name (let alone logo) and will prossibly go after individual 3D aircraft modellers too.


Hello Ronnie
Thanks for the comment.

More than 30 years ago I built the P-61 (perhaps of the Monogram, I do not remember well).

Yes you are right, the cockpit seems a little too segmented. I will correct the 'error increasing the detail of the Canopy.

The logo, if I remember correctly, it is no longer used by Northrop.

[Galgot]

paint it black ! ;)
Very well done Mirko.

[Mirko]

paint it black ! ;)
Very well done Mirko.


Hi Galgot, welcome back.
Thank you very much.
The Black Widow can only be black! :)

[Skyraider3D]

The Black Widow can only be black! :)

Well actually... :)

Early models were Olive Drab over Neutral Gray.

http://aerofiles.com/north-p61a.jpg

And in the Pacific 13th AF commander Earl Barnes used a bare metal one (see attached)! :D
(note the zap flaps)

[Mirko]

WOW ...! Beautiful the last picture. Thanks Ronnie. I did not know of this model in bare metal. I knew of the model in olive gray.

However, for me, the P-61 must be black. As is the Ferrari, that has to be red! ;)

In the picture I noticed the metal construction of the runway, I am very interested in this type of construction, someone has some details?

[Skyraider3D]

The bare metal P-61 was used as a quick personal transport and devoid of any armament. It's quite interesting and very unusual.

The metal runway is PSP or Pierced Steel Planking. Very common from WW2 onwards on front line airfields:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsden_Matting

[Mirko]

Thank you Ronnie for the Infos!!

[Skyraider3D]

My pleasure :)

Btw, some P-61s were used experimentally. Here's a very cool photo of a ramjet test:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/P-61_testing_Ramjet_engine_bw.jpg

[Mirko]

My pleasure :)

Btw, some P-61s were used experimentally. Here's a very cool photo of a ramjet test:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/P-61_testing_Ramjet_engine_bw.jpg


Very interesting !

[Mike James]

Gorgeous work. The details are impressive. I especially love the things like you did on the interior of the nacelles/main landing gear bays. The extra effort really adds dimension and reality to the model.

Just marvelous.

[Mirko]

Gorgeous work. The details are impressive. I especially love the things like you did on the interior of the nacelles/main landing gear bays. The extra effort really adds dimension and reality to the model.

Just marvelous.

Thanks very much for the kind words Mike! :salute:

[Danoku]

Havent been able to check in for awhile, she is looking spectacular! Have you given any thought to maybe doing an F-51 Reporter. How cool to have your own 2 place black widow:lol: The Mid Atlantic Air Museum is in the process of rebuilding a p-61 to flying status, i am sure you have come across the site? Wondeful pics.

[Mirko]

Hi Danoku thank you very much.

The F-15 Reporter is on my list of aircraft to build. ;)
I follow with interest the restoration of the P-61.
I hope soon to see the widow fly.

:salute:

[Danoku]

Awesome!:lol: I think the bubble cnaopy on the F-51 with the bare metal has great potential for some great images, I hope to see the widow fly again as well, they have been making steady progress, I hope the current economic issues dont't stall the project too much.

[Mirko]

Awesome!:lol: I think the bubble cnaopy on the F-51 with the bare metal has great potential for some great images, I hope to see the widow fly again as well, they have been making steady progress, I hope the current economic issues dont't stall the project too much.

Hi Danoku,

I have just contributed a small donation for the reconstruction of the P-61!!
I could not do it :lol:

http://www.maam.org/p61/p61help.html

[Danoku]

You know, I am gonna do it too! Times to put my money where my mouth is! Every little bit has to help i think:lol:

[thecomcombremasque]

your work is great, i like it

[Skyraider3D]

cool vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZCD5yjs5os

[Mirko]

cool vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZCD5yjs5os

WOW ..! Awesome. Very brave the ejected pilot.

[Mirko]

Hi Danoku,

I have just contributed a small donation for the reconstruction of the P-61!!
I could not do it :lol:

http://www.maam.org/p61/p61help.html

Hi guys

Fantastic .....!!!
I just received a piece of P-61 aircraft skin from P-61B "42-39445". :eek:
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/6061/p61restorationteam.th.jpg (http://img142.imageshack.us/i/p61restorationteam.jpg/)

[denders]

That's cool Mirko! It's about a half hour's drive from me. I was there and walked around last summer.

Dave

[Mirko]

That's cool Mirko! It's about a half hour's drive from me. I was there and walked around last summer.

Dave

Hi Denders,

you are a lucky man.
Did you picture of the restored P-61?
Maybe one day I will go in Pensylvania....! :cool:

[Nils]

cool vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZCD5yjs5os

Nice video, did you also watch Ernst Udet's cool landing on the following video? It just prooves that my IL2 landings aren't that unrealistic.. :D

[denders]

It's not completely restored yet. I will look through the photos. Have to remember where they are on the HD. At the time, I was more interested in the TBM and another airplane they have. Like I mentioned, it's not that far, I can always make another stop.

This photo from their web site is pretty much the way it was except I think the fins were attached to the tail booms too.

[Mirko]

@Nils: very cool landing :eek:
@Dender: Thanks for the information.
I'm going to look at their website. :)

[Mirko]

Hi mates!

After reading tons of tutorials (in English :cry:) on unwrapping, texturing etc., here some tests on the bumpmap.
I have a question! Which basic material you used for the fuselage, wings ..... etc.?
(I use: 3ds max 2010)

Hints, tips and critique all welcome.

Thanks
Mirko

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/1764/p61bump1a.th.jpg (http://img192.imageshack.us/i/p61bump1a.jpg/) http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/4381/p61bump2a.th.jpg (http://img138.imageshack.us/i/p61bump2a.jpg/) http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/285/p61bumpdiffuse.th.jpg (http://img97.imageshack.us/i/p61bumpdiffuse.jpg/)

[Gadzooks]

Outstanding images and model. Was wondering what size are you're bump maps to get such great rivet detail. Amazing work Mirko.

[denders]

That is looking nice!

[kgaddy]

Looks great! Quick question, why is the bump map so blurry? Is that used to create wrinkles in the aircraft skin?

[Mirko]

@Gadzooks: thank You, the resolution of bitmaps is 4096 x 4096px in png format for fuselage and turret.

@denders: hi Dave thx :)

@kgaddy: thank You Kevin. I used the map to create bruising cusate by rivets.
I am attaching a picture:

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/4959/rambow58.th.jpg (http://img706.imageshack.us/i/rambow58.jpg/)

[Galgot]

Aaahhhh Cool to see progress on that one :cool:
Well done Mirko. Must be a complicated plane to do, but you have a killer now...
Cheers

[Skyraider3D]

Looking real nice mate! Bit more more localised bump around each rivet would improve it further. Also a mask for the nose art would help differentiate between metal and paint.
I use the A&D material with MR rendering.

[cobra6]

Looking good Mirko! Yeah those A&D materials can be very nice indeed, although when rendering they can sometimes be real time consumers :)
But on the other hand I consider it a bit cheating using those materials if you do not know how to manually set up certain effects in the first place (I do not mean any member here, just to make that clear :)). Like composition and lighting it is better to first know how to do stuff yourself, instead of switching to more advanced options right away.

Cobra 6

[Skyraider3D]

Hmm... your comments don't make much sense to me :)
MR reflections and refractions are a million times as fast as those of Standard materials + Scanline renderer. And I've found setting up A&D to look convincing a hell of a lot more difficult and advanced than using Standard materials too. True, it's easy to make stuff look good. It's bloody hard to make stuff look the way you want it to look and it that sense A&D materials are indeed very time consuming to use.
If you use linear workflow you are basically not cheating but going the hard way (physical lighting) as you have to nail the right settings to make things look right. With non-linear workflow you just ramp up some spinners to get things to look the way you want, but with A&D that just won't do :)

[Mirko]

@Galgot: hi Galgot thx.

@Skyrider3D: hi Ronnie, can you explain me ( roughly ) the method of the mask to differentiate between metal and paint ? Thx.

@Cobra6: Thanks for the comment Cobra.

[Skyraider3D]

The most intuitive way of doing this is to create a paint and a metal version of your material and blend between them using a Blend material. I believe Kevjon uses this setup succesfully. Personally I had severe performance issues with this setup though and have resorted to manually control the IOR using two different falloff curves and a mask, placed in the reflectivity slot.

[Mirko]

Thank you Ronnie for the explanation. I'll do some tests.

[Mirko]

Looking real nice mate! Bit more more localised bump around each rivet would improve it further. Also a mask for the nose art would help differentiate between metal and paint.
I use the A&D material with MR rendering.


Hello Ronnie

I have a question to ask you. For the lighting I use a Daylight system + Finalgater. I thought of adding a HDRI. I'm not sure it's there more appropriate method. Which method you use? What do you recommend?

Thanks in advance
Mirko

[Skyraider3D]

Generally I stick an HDRI in the environment slot. Use an environment switcher to allow rendering a background photo but keep the HDRI for reflection+refraction.

[Mirko]

Generally I stick an HDRI in the environment slot. Use an environment switcher to allow rendering a background photo but keep the HDRI for reflection+refraction.


Thank you Ronnie!

[cobra6]

Use an environment switcher to allow rendering a background photo but keep the HDRI for reflection+refraction.

What do you mean by that Ronnie?

Cobra 6

[Skyraider3D]

I mean using the "mr Raytype Switcher (environment)" map as a background. This allows you to set up a background image and HDRI for reflection at the same time.

[cobra6]

Thanks for that Ronnie, useful info! :)

Cobra 6

[Mirko]

Thanks for that Ronnie, useful info! :)

Cobra 6



Hi Cobra
I found these tutorials, very interesting!

http://www.dmmultimedia.com/3dtips_11.htm

[cobra6]

Thanks for that Mirko :)

Cobra 6

[Skyraider3D]

Also very useful sites:
http://mentalraytips.blogspot.com/
http://jeffpatton.cgsociety.org/blog/

[peter]

Also very useful sites:
http://mentalraytips.blogspot.com/
http://jeffpatton.cgsociety.org/blog/

Very good links Ronnie! See here (http://jeffpatton.cgsociety.org/blog/archive/2007/11/): Skydomes in 3dsmax with mental ray - Raytype switcher (November 15, 2007) with sample scene. I use this for a long time. Works really great!

[Mirko]

Ronnie, Peter tank you!

[agus]

Also very useful sites:
http://mentalraytips.blogspot.com/
http://jeffpatton.cgsociety.org/blog/

and here another blog of jeff patton and some mental ray resources

http://mrmaterials.com/jeffs-blog.html

http://www.mrmaterials.com/

[Mirko]

Thx agus!

Hi guys!
I enclose a renderingtest. I applied to the fuselage a duffusemap and a bumpmap.
I used a Blendmaterial with a mask for the scratches. I am also thinking of adding a specularmap.

Hints, tips and critique all welcome.

Thanks
Mirko

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/6707/p61mr5.th.jpg (http://img205.imageshack.us/i/p61mr5.jpg/)

[cobra6]

Wow, very nice Mirko! I think the specularity already looks very nice.

cobra 6

[Galgot]

Nice nice nice ! :eek::lol: Love it !
That black paint-job is superb. Indeed some specular map could be good ...
When you'll add the exhaust stains on cowlings and wings, some spec variations would be nice.
Really a killer... wouldn't like to be caught in her web.

[cobra6]

Wow, very nice Mirko! I think the specularity already looks very nice.

cobra 6

[Der_Peiper]

lookin very good.. and clean model as well :)

[dawestsides]

I enclose a renderingtest.

This is a KILLER test!
Impressive :eek:

[denders]

That is looking great, Mirko!:eek:

Dave

[Gadzooks]

Truly inspiring!

[Skyraider3D]

That's looking absolutely fantastic!
Be sure to set Bitmap Blur to 0.01 (default is 1.0) in Mental Ray, as it's looking pretty fuzzy now and I am sure you're making high-res textures. Summed Area instead of Pyramidal sampling will also makes it look better.

[Mirko]

@cobra6, @Galgot, @Der_Peiper, @dawestsides, @denders, @Gadzooks:
thank You very much guys, I'm glad You like it! :)

@Skyraider3D: Thank you Ronnie for your advice, I will try your settings
in the next render.
I enclose my settings in MR:

RENDER SETUP: MENTAL RAY RENDERER

Sampling Quality
samples per Pixel: Min. 16
Max. 64

Filter: Type Mitchell

Spatial Contrast
0.004 0.012 0.012 0.02

Options:
Lock Samples
Jitter

Final Gather
Multiplier: 0.7
FG Precision Presets: Low

LIGHT
Daylight system
mr Sun
mr Sky

With these settings my old PC has reached the limit!!

[thecomcombremasque]

very nice metal render Mirko, i like a lot

[Mirko]

very nice metal render Mirko, i like a lot

I'm glad You like it thecomcombremasque!

[peter]

Fantastic model and textures Mirko! The metal shader looks great! I know how hard is to achieve good looking metal shader. I do really love the painting job You're doing! Ronnie is absolutely right regarding bitmap blur. I noticed MR needs very high settings so the bitmap looked sharp. As for the MR render settings You can decrease min samples per pixel from 16 to 1. Can make work faster I quess and without detail lost.

[Skyraider3D]

Filter size settings are also very important for quality and rendertimes. I use 4x4 and 1.5x1.5 for testing. For speed you can increase your spatial contrast a good bit too, while still getting great results. Try 0.025 or higher still. "0.004" is very low. For FG I'd use Medium settings with multiplier at 1.0. "Low" may give artefacts but is definitely ample for testing. But most important here are the filter and spatial sampling filters - you definitely need to increase the latter a lot. And the min samples (16 is a lot), but Peter mentioned that already. HTH! :)

[Mirko]

@ peter: thank you very much for the advice Peter. Your beautiful Lancaster inspired me a lot. Yes, a good metalshader is not easy to create.

@ Skyraider3D: Ronnie I will never cease to thank you for your valuable advice!

[helot]

Really fantastic progress on an amazing subject!

[Mirko]

Really fantastic progress on an amazing subject!

Thank you helot!