I've not posted any new skins for a while, but here are some WIP shots of Avia Bk-534 skin being tailored for Stoupa's Bk mod. The Bk mod is currently made for 4.11 but the last page of the link offers a 4.10 compatible version, which is what I'm using. Also, the wheels have not yet received Jero's magic touch, so they're still a bit squared. Screens feature DBW 1.7 and Gurner's FX Compilation, flying the stock Slovakia Summer map.

No edits, other than cropping and adding a little canvas effect to 'artsy' them up a bit. As such, these were really intended for the screenshot section, but since they feature a WIP, I'm posting here. I revised my version of Czech Khaki once again, and I think it's closer now than it's ever been.. at least to my eyes. Although I'm beginning to think that there was no standardization for this color, which is why we see such a variety of shades in color swatches and museum samples; not to mention artists' renditions. So I may have been beating my brains out for nothing, the past few years, trying to solve the color conundrum.

I'm currently working on confirming the correct dimensions for the markings. Hopefully I'll find time to get a pack together in the near future. Cheers!

Still at it, albeit at a snail's pace. Just don't want anyone to think I've abandoned ship due to my lack of productivity. Although at first glance, these screens don't look much different than the previous ones; but there has actually been a lot of fine-tuning since my last post. I had hoped to have a skinpack together by now, but fiddling with the latest mod and unplugging for intermittent electrical storms has put a damper on my skinning efforts. I think this is longest I've ever been involved with a single project; since last December IIRC.

There were several items that had to be addressed with the template.. the Bk has only one weapon on each side, plus one firing through the hub, so it's a little different from our standard B-534 Type IV. The Bk also has a central fuel tank (metal) in the upper wing, and lacks the big round intake on the lower cowling, so the mapping was changed as well. A nice addition to Stoupa's mod, is that we can now see the actual under-surface of the upper wing from the cockpit, rather than the sim-generated version from the vanilla IL2 (although there is a mod, also by Stoupa, that will allow the same for the default B-534). This allows for historical painting of the upper wing's under-surface.. upper wing's under-surface? ..gotta love biplanes, if nothing more than for their grammatical challenges eh?

Eventually, I'm hoping to do Slovakian packs for the 11th, 12th, and 13th Letka, based on as much historical evidence as I can find. I know it seems like a simple matter of applying a few different alpha-numerics, but its actually a bit more in-depth. Not only is each alpha-numeric individually constructed to match photos, but each skin within a pack, will require individual weathering; this means paint chips, texture layers, oil and exhaust stains, and anything else to make each skin unique. I think this is really important when it comes to skinning mono-tone paint-schemes.

Btw, I'm doing the Slovakian versions first, simply because they actually saw combat; so they will likely be more useful to our campaign builders. Many of my previous Avias never came under the gun, but I skinned them anyway, if for nothing more than preserving their history.

Anyway, let me know what you think. I'm usually around to add my two cents whenever someone asks for critique, so it's only fair that I invite you to do the same. If it's something that can be fixed, I'm more than willing to give it a go, as I'd much rather fix it now than after I've uploaded the skins.

Oh, I almost forgot.. we can now enjoy PA_Jeronimo's wheel mod with all the Avias; please see the following thread for full instructions: http://www.axis-and-allies-paintworks.com/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?1583

ATB ~ Rudi

Looks great Rudi!

I'm not that experienced like you Rudi but in my eyes these birds are looking perfect.

ATB
Armin

Great job as usual Rudi, fine looking machines.

Thanks mates! "Full speed ahead" it is.

Finest avia's I've seen yet. And great screenshots too.

good looking planes, looks like they are ready for a ride now opcorm:

Thanks very much mates. Yes, almost there; which at the speed I skin, probably means another two... no, not gonna' say it

Rudi, they are so good I do not need to go to the "Whore House" tonight!!!