HiRes Weathered P51d Mustang "4th.FG,335th.FS." for Emil's ETO 9th.USAAF.& 2nd.TAF Campaign

This Weathered P51d (circa: January 1945) skin is based on an aircraft of the 335th.Fighter Squadron, 4th.Fighter Group of the 8th.USAAF stationed at Debden, England engaged in the Allies Battle for Europe. One of the most successful Fighter Groups in the ETO with a total of 1000+ German fighters to it's credit (583.5 air & 469 ground victories).

This skinning project's objective was the depiction of a 'Generic' Mustang fighter of the 4th.FG. which was the oldest Fighter Group in the ETO. This Fighter Group's convertion from the North American P51b to the P51d Mustangs began mid-June'44. All new aircraft to the ETO were now being supplied in all-metal factory finish with black recognition strips applied to both upper & lower surfaces of the main wing and the horizontal tail stabilizer. After D-Day (June) Fighter Groups began the removal of Invasion strips from all upper wing and fuselage surfaces. In October'44 the 4thFG. started applying squadron colours to it's tail rubbers. In January'45 the Fighter Group's Red 24" cowl band was swept back and downward to the mainwing leading edge under the engine cowling.     
I used a variety of rendering technics to give this aircraft it's operational weathering look.
This skin is offered without any particular 335th.FS. pilot's nickname so that the in-game squadron will have a more harmonious appearance. Any user can add a pilot's nickname to their download if they wish.....

The aircraft's colour scheme and Squadron markings where derived from a coloured aircraft profile plate found in the 1994 Osprey Aircraft of The Aces #1 Publication "Mustang Aces of the Eighth Air Force" series by Jerry Scutts. The colours are as accurate as possible with the use of standard EAW Palette. Further reference material came from a 1973 Squadron/Signals Publication "Aces of the Eight" by Gene B.Stafford/William N.Hess & "Air Force Colours Volumn2 ETO & MTO 1942-1945 by Dana Bell.... 

The original HiRes 'P51d All Metal Base Skin' was provided by Jeff'Salty'Salter. Included with this is Migge's excellent 'P51d' Virtual Cockpit' and the 'P51d Wing View' is from John'Chompy'Master. IMHO their work is first rate.... USAAF Mark14 Gunsight by PapaRomeo for period authenticity... 

Special thanks to John'Chomp'Masters for his excellent HiRes P51D Batch File Converter Utility...    

The download includes all *.tpc, *.3dz and *.pcx files. The latter begin included so you can review how the graphic weathering techniques were done....
To install simple copy all the *.tpc and *.3dz files into your EAW main directory or as required by 'Stab' or 'Skins & More'....  

Enjoy and watch your six .... Skylark 