High Resolution P-51B-5-NA "Bird Cage" Mustang
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This skin project represents the P51B-5-NA Mustang, flown by Maj. Duane Willard "Bee" Beeson Squadron CO of the 334th.Fighter Squadron, 4th.Fighter Groups based at Debden, England. Circa: April 1944.

Maj. Beeson was an ex-member of the RAF 71st.Eagle Squadron which he joined September 1st, 1942 flying Spitfire MkVbs. He along with the other pilots of the Eagle Squadrons transferred to the 4th.Fighter Group, 8th.USAAF in April, 1943. Duane Beeson was Don Gentile's rival in the Eighth Air Force's first 'Ace Race' aiming at beating the Great War ace Eddie Rickenbacker's record of 26 enemy aircraft downed, but he was shot down by flak over Gardelegen Aerodrome 5 April 1944 and was captured. At that time he was the Squadron CO of the 334th. and he was credited with a total of 24 victories. 

At the end the war Maj.Daune Beeson was awarded:
Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation Ribbon, Purple Heart, POW Medal, Europe-Africa-Mid Eastern Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal.....
1939-1945 Star:Great Britain, Defense Medal:Canada, Voluntary Service:Canada, 1939-1945 War Medal:Canada, Croix De Guerre w/Palm:Belgium, 1940-1945 Commemorative Medal: Belgium, Belgian Gratitude Medal:Belgium, Medal of Free France:France.

Upon his release Duane Beeson was, in November 1945, promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. Unfortunately, Lt.Col.Beeson died from a brain tumour on February 13, 1947, and was buried in Arlington Cemetary with full Military Honours....  
  
Skin by David "Skylark" Phillips
 
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Modder's Notes: Due to the increasing number of files required, in order to minimize the download size, the pcx files are not included. However, do not fear, the zip file contains a batch file, P51BHRTPC-PCX, for converting tpc to pcx for those who want to try their hand at skinning. Simply place this file and the accompaning file, gpmTpc2Pcx.exe, in your folder containing the tpc files and execute. This batch file is courtesy of John "Chompy" Masters who also created the 3d model. Much thanks to you John!


USE.
Simply extract all the files into your EAW folder, or install into your skin manager program as it's instructions reccomend. To uninstall, just delete the files listed below.

The new High res 3dz set for the P-51 B is based on the same 3dz's from the P-51 D, with a few changes to get the look right.
1.  Wide view armour added
2.  "Deflection" type gunsight/instrument panel
3.  High res wingview added.

The new 'Damaged Torn Off Wings' (TOW) and 'roughly torn off' wing stub have been added to the aircraft to give more realistic looking damgage FX. 

(Note: Due to time constraints, I have not updated the pcx files to match these damage pcx files created by Chompy. If you wish them to match the current scheme, the pcx files are made available for your use.)

The only changes to the main file set (when compared to the D's files) are the inclusion of separate TOW damage PCX's.  The Complete file list and their uses are as follows-

PP51bA.3dz = 3dz file for the Left rear fuselage and tail
Pp51bB.3dz = 3dz file for the Right rear fuselage and tail.
Pp51bC.3dz = 3dz file for the Cockpit area.
Pp51bE.3dz = 3dz file for the Right wing.
Pp51bF.3dz = 3dz file for the Front fuselage, left and right
Pp51bG.3dz = 3dz file for the Left wing.
Pp51bH.3dz = 3dz file for the Gunst type transparent shadow.
Pp51bL.3dz = 3dz file for the Left Torn Off Wing (TOW).
Pp51bM.3dz = 3dz file for the Medium Distance Model (MDM).
Pp51bP.3dz = 3dz file for the Propellor.
Pp51bR.3dz = 3dz file for the Right Torn Off Wing (TOW).
Pp51bS.3dz = 3dz file for the Long Distance Model (LDM).
Pp51bU.3dz = 3dz file for the High res Wingview.
Pp51bV.3dz = 3dz file for the Cockpit - left side.
Pp51bW.3dz = 3dz file for the Cockpit - right side.
Pp51bY.3dz = 3dz file for the in cockpit view of the prop.
Pp51bZ.3dz = 3dz file for the Gunsight and seat.

Pp51bFRT.pcx = file for the FRonT fuselage L and R (F.3dz)
Pp51bLEX.pcx = file for the Left wing (G.3dz)
Pp51bLTW.pcx = file for the Left Torn off Wing (L.3dz)
Pp51bMEX.pcx = file for the MDM and LDM (M and S.3dz)
Pp51bREX.pcx = file for the Right wing (E.3dz)
Pp51bRTW.pcx = file for the Right Torn off Wing (R.3dz)
Pp51bTEX.pcx = file for the cockpit, shadow, prop and cockpit prop (C,H,P and Y.3dz's)
Pp51bTLL.pcx = file for the TaiL Left and rear fuselage (A.3dz)
Pp51bTLR.pcx = file for the Tail Right and rear fuselage (B.3dz)
Pp51bTRA.pcx = transparency file for the TEX file
Pp51bV.pcx   = file for the cockpit (V and W.3dz's)
Pp51bVTR.pcx = Transparency file for the cockpit (clear glass gunsight mod)
Pp51bWNG.pcx = file for the High res wingview (U.3dz)
Pp51bX.pcx   = file for the cockpit guages (X.3dz) 

The X.3dz (guages) is not included.  It's the only file I haven't altered!!

As always, there are still a few rendering issues that I have been unable to solve.  This 3dz is optimized for D3D, but if there is demand, I can work on a separate Glide 3dz.

Thanks to All who helped with the original P-51D HR model, 
Salty for the great textures which make up the base skin and the MEX, for the aircraft/pilot info at the top of the page, and for great construction and skinning detail help. 
Mr J for his Malcolm hood version of the D (the C.3dz uses this) and for his transparency ideas on non-TEX files,
JWC for the wide view armour idea,
Peregrine for the Deflection gunsight idea.
Migge for the cockpit and guage textures
Sorry, thanks and S! to anyone I forgot.

Feel free to send any comments, questions, feedback etc.

John "Chompy" Masters,
4th January 2003.
jdmasters@ozemail.com.au
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~jdmasters/
