Addon Request, USMC skin for Shuttle

[Graham2001]

A while back Jason Benson did a [ame=http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=2784]Moonraker[/ame] skin for the stock Atlantis, but it was not the only variant shuttle paint scheme to appear in the film.

According to Wikipedia's page on military space shuttles:

...carrying a platoon of spacesuited, laser-armed United States Marines to successfully attack the previously-concealed space station of Hugo Drax. This may not be a 'covert' spacecraft, however, as it's plainly marked with Marine Corps logos...

It's been a while since I've seen the film in question so I have not yet confirmed if this is indeed the case, but if the information is correct this might make for an interesting 'third skin' for the stock Atlantis.

 

[dutchpirate]

I don't normally fly the STS, so I have never looked for a paint kit for it. Does it come with one?

 

[tgep]

I have to say I agree with this request. Especialy with the new DG-XR1 in the works from the Antares Development team. It would be great to see the Scarlet and Gold in orbit.:speakcool: A cobat grey 2 tone pattern with the USMC logo on the wings and flanks ...... OOHRAAAAH !

 

[dutchpirate]

I can give it a go if someone can tell me what the relevant files are. A layered .psd file would be great, but I can try to work with a .dds

 

[Andy44]

I'm partial to this USMC paint scheme, but it makes no sense for a shuttle orbiter, which is colored the way it is for thermal reasons. Still it would look cool:

 

[Graham2001]

As soon as I have a copy of the film I'll see about doing a screen cap. I suspect it's going to be something fairly simple like USMC logos in place of NASA ones.

 

[dutchpirate]

Here is some preliminary work just using the dds file in Textures2. It's harder to work with since I lose so much detail unless I trace everything into separate layers which is very labour intensive given the quality of the detail already present. I was thinking of using markings from VMM-162 Golden Eagles. It's a USMC MV-22 Osprey squadron. Maybe change the VMM to SMM?

 

[Andy44]

Let's see, in U.S. Naval speak, "VMM" stands for:

V: Fixed-wing
Middle M: Marine
M: Medium lift

After a google search I cannot find any system the Navy Department has for designating space squadrons, probably because there has never been one. The USAF does have space squadrons, but they have a totally different designation system for their units.

http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/squades.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Marine_Corps_aircraft_squadrons

I don't see any squadron designation starting with an S for either service, so you might get away with it, but I would think twice and do some more digging first.

For starters, the Rockwell Space Shuttle is a fixed-wing vehicle, so the "V" may stick around, especially given the Navy's traditional ways.

Consider this: The Marine helicopter squadron that flies the president around (this is the one you see on the White House lawn with the crew chief wearing dress blues) is called HMX-1. The "X" usually means an experimental or test squadron of some sort, but it's also used to designate "special purpose". Since a Marine squadron flying space shuttle orbiters would definitely be an oddball special purpose squadron, it could be "VMX-something". According to wikipedia, the only VMX squadron currently stood up is VMX-22, the Osprey test and evaluation unit. Maybe VMX-99? (All hail the Great One)

 

[tgep]

You know, now that I think on it, I have seen mission logos and such on the aft inside wall of the shuttlebay from time to time. Maybe you could put a more detailed texture there or add it as a mesh group that uses materials only ???

 

[dutchpirate]

Let's see, in U.S. Naval speak, "VMM" stands for:

V: Fixed-wing
Middle M: Marine
M: Medium lift

Thanks, Andy. I'll stick with the VMM designation. I knew that H was for helicopters, and thought I would go with S for shuttle, but since it is still a fixed wing craft, the V still makes sense. Maybe I'll take one of the present day VMM squadrons and make it VMX just so that I can use their squadron markings in addition to USMC markings. I'm planning on using the low-vis grey markings.

 

[dutchpirate]

You know, now that I think on it, I have seen mission logos and such on the aft inside wall of the shuttlebay from time to time. Maybe you could put a more detailed texture there or add it as a mesh group that uses materials only ???

Unfortunately my meager skills are limited to skins, I have not yet ventured into the world of meshes. I'm still happy to consider any and all suggestions, I just may not incorporate some if they are beyond my skill set, although sometimes I learn new stuff along the way and I may be able to fit something in.

 

[Chode]

Here's the best shot I could find.

Regards

 

[dutchpirate]

Excellent screenshot, Chode. I can do that quite easily. Off to work now but I'll try to get on it this afternoon.

 

[dutchpirate]

I still have to work on the tail section, then add unit markings, but this is what I have so far. Comments?

 

[Graham2001]

It looks great. Only thing I can think of is that you need to swap the position of the word 'Marine' and the USAF logo to match the layout in Chode's snapshot from the film.

 

[Chode]

Looking good, but it's "MARINES", not "MARINE".

Regards

 

[dutchpirate]

Looking good, but it's "MARINES", not "MARINE".

Regards

You know I just noticed that about 2 min ago, probably when you were typing your post:lol:!

Does the SKIN parameter work for Atlantis, or will the MGAtlantis.dds file have to be overwritten? I'll need to know for the readme.

I also took out the USMC logo. I don't think it suited the 'operational' look I was going for. I hope the Marines of VMM-162 (Golden Eagles) don't mind the use of their crest (public domain, I checked!). The last thing I want are some Marines upset at me .

It's not exactly the Moonraker scheme, more of an impression of what a USMC STS might look like, but in deference to Moonraker, I used the same tail identification.

 

[Brad]

Looks awesome! Some handy paint work. :speakcool:

 

[Graham2001]

WOW! All you need to do now is enlarge the USAF logo (Star & Bar) and it'll be perfect.

 

[dutchpirate]

WOW! All you need to do now is enlarge the USAF logo (Star & Bar) and it'll be perfect.

Thanks! How much bigger do you think it should be? x2 , x3 ?