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I've finally finished my new, improved artwork suitable for making custom Hawg prints. (Still working on the Green Lizard version, but it shouldn't take too much longer) Here's a low-rez sample. On the full size art, you can read all the placards! I have yet to run a test print, but I think they should image nicely up to 3 feet across. Anyway, here's a preview:

[Vader voice] Impressive.......MOST Impressive [/Vader voice]

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Just give me some ammo, a little water.....and some chips if you got 'em

What Growler said.

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\"Those who hammer their guns into plows
will plow for those who do not.\"
- Thomas Jefferson

nice work, Raster or Vector?

Very nice. You made a nice one.

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73-1664

Just one little detail on 613 Fritz..it should be 78 613 not 74 613. You've done such a spectacular job of detail (right down to the caution stickers on the flare canisters) I hate to see an error like that on the print.

OC

Both, actually. I did the lion's share of it in Illustrator, and then imported it into Photoshop to create shadows and highlights and weathering. Those layers were then exported back into Illustrator, so that I can (in theory) easily edit things like markings, weapon upgrades, etc, as well as maintain some degree of resolution independence.

In practice, it turned out to be a pretty complicated arrangement (it's a monster of a vector file...my computer hates it), and I didn't create as many layers as I should have, so repaints and equipment swaps are not quite as painless as I would've liked. Live and learn, I guess.

I'm glad everyone likes it!

Thanks! I'll fix it. I'm working from whatever photos I can find, and some details are often not very legible in the pix I have.

EDIT: Note that I've updated the above sample to reflect correct serial number. Also added screens over the vents, which I forgot.

Ok..now i've gotta find pictures from the 70th....cause I want one!!!

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Very nicely done...
Shouldn't the front glass be tinted? Or does that depend on the tail#?

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\"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a GAU-8/A at your side, kid.\"--Hawg Solo

Very nice work Fritz, very nice indeed.

Wow.
About how much $?

Fritz, you've outdone yourself on this one. When you get the test print made up and are happy with the quality of product let me know what the price will be. I have four different tail numbers & 3 units (SW/MY/FT) I would like to have prints of.

This would make a great print for you active duty guys to use as going away gifts.

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Faugh ah Ballaugh ~ Clear the Way

OK, will do. I am working on several printing options, so I think everyone will be able to find a solution they are happy with.

Anyone needing a custom print, it's super helpful for me if you have photos of the front port side (so I can see which placards they have in place...they seem to vary a lot from plane to plane), know the serial numbers and know which upgrade packages equip the aircraft (LASTE, NVIS, etc). Photos of tail flash and squadron markings are useful, too. I have a lot of them, but there are significant gaps in my knowledge, especially regarding older or disbanded units.

Great work Fritz! Just stunning!

One question though, and if you don't know, maybe some of the others here will.

When did they remove the Armament Placard from the A-10? I was going to post that Fritz had missed it, but I did a quick check of some of my A-10 pics, and found that it's not there on most of the newer Pics.

Sorry, but I left the A-10's and the flightline in 1980.

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Slow is Fast, Fast is Slow
Violence may not be the best option, but it IS an option

I'm not sure, but it looks like it disappeared about the same time the Euro camo did. I've been finishing up the lizard Hawg profile today, and there seem to have been a few placard changes about that time.

Here's the Green Lizard profile. I'm going to get this proofed ASAP and then I'll let ya'll know.

Great Work Fritz,

When you get a chance put some Teeth on EURO-1 camo, its not the \"Lizard\" painted, their is a \"Lizard Camo \" version.

So what you have is a \"Euro Camo paint job.\"
and the \"Rescue\" arrows are \"Black\" and the word \"Warning\" is the only thing White in the Ejection seat \"Triangle\" block.

But I'm going to want one!!!!!!!!!!!

Goose

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\"Live Free Or Die\"

I just noticed on my Pictures on my wall of 80-0166, I have a \"White Arrow\" on one side and missing the arrow on the othe side with the \"Door switch\"
Everything else is in the \"Black pattern\"


Goose

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\"Live Free Or Die\"

Yeah, I'm seeing a lot of variability to the rescue arrows on various Euro paints.

I found a few more photos of Chopper Popper since posting this one, and have updated the art accordingly. (Found a great resource for Hog photos at http://www.dstorm.eu/pages/cz/usa/a-10.html)

You are right about the triangle Goose.

I also found an older picture with good color, and the reds are more accurate now (which also makes it look better, I think).

Some of those pictures belong to \"Carl\" who shows-up here along with \"Mack\" and I noticed a few of my pictures someone \"Hi-Jacked\".

Thats Ok, as long as their not making money off of them.

Goose

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\"Live Free Or Die\"

I'd still like to see what your figuring the $$$ cost is going to be?
Size, etc..... I think we all would like to know the \"Money Question\" when you finally figure it out.

Goose

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\"Live Free Or Die\"

I'm going to offer some options, so I can make everybody happy. For example, hand-pulled prints that I inspect and sign myself for one price, and then some Zazzle print-on-demand stuff that is available in a variety of sizes, framing and paper options.

I will probably offer non-customized prints of individual unit aircraft for substantially less. That may just be Zazzle stuff.

I'm guessing that I can make non-customized prints of unit aircraft available for anywhere from twenty bucks on up through Zazzle, or custom prints through me for a hundred. I think I can offer substantial discounts on multiple custom orders, though, especially if they are the same unit, since all I'll have to do is swap names and numbers, and I can save money on printing by ordering in quantity. Additional copies of the same custom profile would be more like twenty bucks. Custom stuff I could sign.

I still have to do a test print, but I'm thinking thirty inches wide will be optimum sizing. Custom sizing is easy, though.

I'm still unsure about how quickly I can turn around custom prints...I might be able to go cheaper. A lot of it depends on just how much customization I end up having to do. If I can find good enough reference material for squadron logos, and everyone is good with picture reference, I can probably go lower. My fixed costs are high, though, so I doubt it will ever go lower than sixty for custom prints, except multiples (It'll cost me around thirty apiece for printing, packing and shipping. If I don't at least double that, I'm running a charity.)

I'm hoping to place an order for a test print today, so I'll let you know how they turn out. (I've worked with this place before, so I have no doubts about their print quality. I'm just proofing my art.)