My P-51D Mustang Profiles

[Jadehawk]

Good Day everyone

Yes it's been a long time since I last posted anything worth viewing. But I also have been busy with many other things in life. So my current project has taken me pretty much a greater part of a year to get where I am.

As with any and all my profiles, nothing is considered DONE. It's just the current state they are in at the moment.

You will notice some are "what if's" and I do them for fun but also to help me visualize some aspects of my work. Doing Bare metal work to me was a bit more difficult to grasp and what you see here is something I feel good about. I have been working on the P-51D Mustangs at 6000X2650 Pixels and these are reduced down to 1008X445 Pixels.

So view away and by all means leave constructive comments if you wish.


First ones are the REAL DEAL from WWII:











Next are the "What If's":











Best Wishes all,
Brandon S. (Jadehawk)

[Vacajun]

Brandon,

Beautiful work!

For your consideration, the shading along the two waterline panels through the fusealge national insignia is much too dark and gives the impression that the cross section has two concave shapes. Less shading would cure the problem.

Hope you find the time to come back!!

[Jadehawk]

Thanks for the kind words and tip. I had the notion that part was not 100% OK. SoI went back and examined the layer in question and I saw what I did wrong. I fixed that and here is the first result.



Looks better?

[arthur1966]

Very nice series!

[Vacajun]

Much better!!

Would look even better if you take those weathering highlights completely out of the national insignia (especially the blue of the insignia).

[Jarink]

Nice collection of profiles!

I would suggest you lighten the shadow that you're using to outline the profile. It makes it 'pop' a little too much and the even amount of shadow all around interferes with the shape. It also doesn't follow the shape of the fuselage by the tail gear doors, which make them look like they're even with the side of the fuselage.

[Skyraider3D]

When parked on the ground, the main gear clam shell doors should be closed (or the aircraft appears to have an hydraulics failure).

[gamary]

When parked on the ground, the main gear clam shell doors should be closed (or the aircraft appears to have an hydraulics failure).

I'm not sure I'd agree with that.

Pictures show some aircraft that had them closed, some open, and some ajar. I believe we had some debate about this on SPS that mostly showed that all combinations existed (there was also a question of how quickly they fell down (if they did), when the engine was shut).

I've never able to find a pattern or explanation for the differences.

[Jarink]

Re: gear doors

P-51 main gear doors were operated hydraulically on all models.

On the A, B, and C models the doors were secured in the upright position by a mechanical locking lever. They should always be in the upright position if depicted on the ground, although sometimes they appear to be open an inch or so. This is because the locks only assisted the hydraulics in preventing the doors from accidental opening.

The door design was changed in the D/K model and the door was instead held closed by hydraulic pressure alone. After sitting idle on the ground for a time, hydraulic pressure bled off, allowing the doors to drop.

There are photos that appear to support the idea that the doors on the B/C would droop, such as this one:

However, I have been told that the doors were commonly released for better access during maintenance.

Quick rule is: anything but a D/K should have the doors up. D/K can be shown with them in any position and be correct.

[Skyraider3D]

I think Jarink hit it spot on. Great post.