[-)-MAILMAN-]

Well, I use mat manager myself... only ever run it once, and forgot about it. Everythings changed perminently... AND I use the mod switcher - a much needed tool, considering my Il2 install is over 17gb...

So again, I ask you, why not save your trouble and just use Mat Manager, on both installs, or keep one install and use the switcher...

Look, I really don't want to get rude, but this is not a debate on whether I should be using IL-2 Mat Manager because of its ease of use or any other benefits. So although your advice has been noted and is appreciated I am choosing to make the change permanent without having to use the Mat Manager. If you can't help me with what I am asking to do or do not want to be bothered with helping me do what I want to do just leave it be and find a thread where a member is asking about the Mat Manager or the switcher. With Mat Manager the only decal that is close to the correct color blue is faded 2 which is not what I am looking for when I have a freshly painted F4U-1 in non-specular blue/gray.

I have made the conscious decision to make two installs of the game, one without mods and the other with mods because the size of the two IL-2 installs is inconsequential to me.

I have used the SFS Extractor to open the files.sfs. I then "extracted all" .preload to a folder. Opened the folder PaintSchemes/decals/States and replaced the original whitestar1.tga file with the one I replaced it with in PhotoShop 7.0. I would appreciate anyone that could tell me what I need to do next or if I am going at it the wrong way.