AVG High Definition / High Resolution P40-E for EAW

P-40E-1  - Curtiss A87A-2 (USAAF serial number unknown)
AVG Flying Tigers Group, Kunming, China, June 1942. 
Pilots were Major Ed Rector and Major Bruce Holloway.


This plane served in both the AVG (American Volunteer Group) and then was transferred to the USAAF 23rd FG when the AVG disbanded. Both the AVG and the follow on 23rd Fighter group were known as the Flying Tigers. When it was transferred the Chinese wing roundels were painted out with matching camouflage paint and the US Star and blue roundel were painted onto the upper left wing and underside right wing. Otherwise, the markings were kept the same.
 
Major Ed Rector flew it in the AVG, and kept the plane when he transferred to the USAAF 23rd FG as the 76th Fighter Squadron commander. Maj. Rector scored one victory and a probable with it on July 4th, 1942, which was also the date on which the AVG officially disbanded and the 23rd FG was activated. Major Rector left for the USA after his tour expired in December of 1942. Rector’s final score was 6.75 victories.

Major Bruce Holloway replaced Major Rector as commander of the squadron, and kept this plane for his own. He claimed one victory in it on December 14, 1942. Major Holloway’s final score was 13 victories, putting him in a 3-way tie for top P-40 scorer in China with Capt. John Hampshire, Jr. and Flight Leader Robert H. Neale (AVG).


This model represents my effort at a personal masterpiece in 3DZ modeling. The intent was to create the most accurate and detailed model that can be achieved in the 3DZ EAW format. 

With the help of the development team -- DeanH, whose artistry and hard work created the realistic looking skins that breath life into the model -- and Crashing Jack Baker, who created the working needles for the flight instruments, I think that goal has finally been reached. Months and literally hundreds of hours have been spent in the development.

This plane features a 3D photo-realistic pilot, detailed 3D landing and tail wheel gears, 3D tail surfaces, 3D wing roots, Col. Gibbon's style of spinning prop, 3D wing tips, 3D landing gear fairings, etc., etc., with a lot of attention to accurately capture the smooth shape of the P-40. Working features include an opening canopy, flaps, and an empty cockpit view when the pilot has to bail out (don't forget to kill the engine and open the canopy before you step out)

It also has a new 3D high detailed cockpit with new instruments / panel and gun sight. For the first time in EAW, AFIK, the cockpit has a number of working features, featuring opening canopy, working throttle handle and magneto switch. Watch for these when you fire her up for your first flight.

There are 3 historically accurate high resolution ordinance loads included with the plane. There is a 52 gal. drop tank unique to P-40's (the game only has a 45 gal. option so it loads up with that identification), a 75 gal drop tank modified from Col. Gibbon's model, and a 500 pound bomb also modified from Col. Gibbon's model. 

The plane is offered in specific Campaign packages with the plane slotted for the position it uses in the campaigns. A campaign loadout.dat file is included with each plane package, which will allow you to use the high resolution ordinance in the game. Each loadout file is specific to the campaign and should only be used in that individual campaign. It is designed to only change the P-40 ordinance and does not affect any other plane's ordinance. - FYI in case you aren't aware, the loadout file defines the ordinance and external weapons loads for ALL the planes in the game. - ONCE THIS LOADOUT FILE IS INSTALLED IN THE EAW FOLDER, DO NOT OPEN THE ECA PANEL TOOL, WHICH WILL WIPE OUT ALL THE CURRENT INFORMATION IN THE LOADOUT FILE.

In any case, ECA Panel ordinance assignments will not work with this model as they are not historically accurate.

To install copy all of the files in the P40-E model folder into the EAW campaign folder and let them overwrite any existing files. Copy the files in the ordinance folder into the EAW campaign folder and let them overwrite any existing files. Do the same with the LOADOUT file. Go fly and have some fun.

Hope you all like it.

Credits:

Dean (DeanH) Hill - Aircraft painting

Brian (Crashing Jack) Baker - Flight instrument gauge functions and needle placements

Kurt (Captain Kurt) Schwabauer - Aircraft model, cockpit model, and painting the cockpit, flight instruments, pilot, and other small details

A special thanks to Gurney for his new 3DZ Studio, the modeling tool that made this kind of detailed work possible.


Cheers

Captain Kurt 
January 28, 2006
