[uberGeezer]

I've been in contact with a number of modders from this forum, and one suggestion actually makes a lot of sense: temporarily join a mod team to assist with production of some existing projects (especially Allied bombers) to learn the ropes for IL-2, which are quite different from modding other flight sims. It was also pointed out that some Curtiss Hawks are part of the upcoming 1.2 unified installer. Unfortunately, those are not the Hawks used in China - the export versions had many minor differences in landing gear and equipment compared to the US Navy Hawks. So...I will continue development of the Chinese Hawks at a slow rate until I have learned the IL-2 process by assisting with other projects.

So...do any existing teams need some 3D modeling assistance?

In addition to the equipment differences, I have been experimenting with realistic scalloping of fabric covered surfaces in an effort to create more realistic models. While the painted shading for fabric covering is a standard in flight sims, it has always bothered my trained artist's eye, as it is only correct from ONE VANTAGE POINT, and is incorrect from all others. The only way to solve this problem is to actually sculpt the outer surfaces of the aircraft, so the lighting of the game engine will realistically portray the appearance of fabric surfaces. This has an added advantage of making life simpler for texture artists, as they do not have to paint in the fabric surface shading - something that can require an enormous amount of time.