felixdk Posted February 16, 2007 Share Posted February 16, 2007 I'm starting a new profile of a USAAC Beech F-2 of the 1st Photo Squadron, used in photo mapping Alaska in 1940-41. I'll post more in progress pics if it might be of help to some. This is the original scanned side view of a Beech B-18S, which I'll import into Corel Draw and convert into an F-2 photo plane (correcting any mistakes found by checking photos). I've retracted the gear and deleted some details that weren't on C-45 variants. I traced the bitmap with vectors, adding some of the features that the F-2 had (different antennas, photo hatches). The vector lines are kept thin and are gray rather than black. I have a little more cleaning up to do on the drawing and I see that I've missed a couple of things, but I can now export the .cdr file as a .psd file to Photoshop and start painting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
felixdk Posted February 18, 2007 Author Share Posted February 18, 2007 Here's the drawing after adding some more F-2 specific details and imorting it into PS. Definitely ready for some color. Detail of the detail. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 Your drawings looks very detailed. I like it. :( Quote Link to post Share on other sites
felixdk Posted March 12, 2007 Author Share Posted March 12, 2007 Working on the AW Siskin profiles was starting to get to me, so I decided to go back to the Beech for some R & R. I changed a few details after finding some additional pics and added a basic color for the airframe, which will be highly polished natural metal. I then added some new layers containing the USAAC markings and the high visibility upper surfaces. The lettering behind the cabin door reads "BY ORDER OF THE CHIEF OF THE AIR CORPS THIS AIRPLANE WILL BE USED FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PURPOSES ONLY". It seems that high ranking officers would try to comandeer the F-2s for use as personal transport. Their job of photo mapping for the construction of the Alaskan Highway was considered very important in 1941. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dogsbody Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 You, sir, have a great talent. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
felixdk Posted March 13, 2007 Author Share Posted March 13, 2007 Thanks Dogsbody, but I have to admit that Photoshop makes it easy to get results that would be much, much harder, if possible at all, with a physical medium. Some shadows and modeling added. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
felixdk Posted March 16, 2007 Author Share Posted March 16, 2007 My first battle with a bare metal finish has begun.This one has to be very shiny. I'm still struggling a bit, but making some progress. The undersurfaces will most likely feature reflections from snow/mountains Quote Link to post Share on other sites
felixdk Posted March 19, 2007 Author Share Posted March 19, 2007 First try; 25,000 feet over the Alaskan countryside and mountains. The pilot's wearing winter flight gear and an old style A-7 oxygen mask with a throat mike (you wouldn't last long in an A-2 in the 50-60 below temps at that altitude). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
felixdk Posted March 21, 2007 Author Share Posted March 21, 2007 I've added mountains to the background for atmosphere, a thin border for the image and a title. I'll add a text blurb with a little history and the squadron insignia of the 1st Photo Squadron, if I can find it. I may also add a small map of the AlCan Highway. If anyone has an image of the squadron insignia, I'd appreciate a look. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
felixdk Posted March 21, 2007 Author Share Posted March 21, 2007 Here's the finished profile with squadron insignia, explanation and map. It would print at about 17" X 9" at 600 dpi. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
neu Posted March 22, 2007 Share Posted March 22, 2007 Really good Don! I love the plane, and I love the whole presentation of it! It looks like a product, not an artwork only! Congrats! :) Greetings, neu www.deploymentproductions.com Quote Link to post Share on other sites
felixdk Posted March 22, 2007 Author Share Posted March 22, 2007 Thanks Neu, Coming from you that means a lot. Your work provides a great target to shoot for . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David Walker Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 That's a gorgeous plane, and your artwork really does it justice. Nice job! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
felixdk Posted March 24, 2007 Author Share Posted March 24, 2007 Thanks David. I've always been a big fan of the Twin Beech, so more 18s will follow. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BMHIPMS Posted July 2, 2024 Share Posted July 2, 2024 Don: do you have any data/plans/photos of the camera ports on the belly of the F-2? There is an article in the September 1941 issue of Popular Science (pp104-5) that had an interior photo of the camera setup and a photo of the camera, the interior photo can/will provide the approximate location of the camera installation, but the photos do not show an exterior view. I want to use the ICM m1/48th kit honor the 1st Photographic Squadron over Alaska & want to get the belly right. BMH1/48 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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