Il-2m3 "25" Mstitel

[KL]

Hi Misos, hi Massimo,
after so many photos and so mach reliable (and unreliable!) information analyzed I thought that things are clear with Il-2 no 25 "Mstitiel"...  

There is no doubt that the photo was taken by Mark Redkin during the battle for Berlin in 1945.  There is no doubt that this Il-2 belonged to 567 shap and that its pilot was Lt. V. Bondarenko.

If someone posts somewhere on the web that this Il-2 was actually Stepanyan's "Mstitel" it doesn't mean that the information is true.  
Just read discussion bellow the posted photo at waralbum  http://waralbum.ru/5912/:
kind of "non-sofisticated'.......  better read again discussion about Stepanyan's Il-2s and discussion about the "Mstitel" on this forum.

... I would just know why all the planes on the background are so dark and with few markings.

What is so strange about this?  Didn't we have recently a Yak-9D without a number?
yes, Redkin (or censors) did retouch some of his published photos and he did make numerous photo-montages.  In case of a retouch or a montage it was always quite obvious what have happened.  This photo clearly hasn't been altered and it shows Il-2 with no numbers:



while this one is suspicious...



Regards,
KL

[KL]

So let's play with AMT-1 and/or A-21m. I made a mix of all 4 samples in PS and tried to apply to Il-2:

Interesting, IMHO it looks better than before!
BTW, how do you mix colors in PS?  can you post some of possible colors that are between the chips?  and why did you mix all 4chips? transitions between the right pair make more sense for AMT-1.
Regards,
KL

[Massimo Tessitori]

Hi Konstantin and Misos,
I've tried to darken the image of the white triangle on the tail

It seems that there could have been a very low contrasting number 5 or 6, or a deleted number 5.  Could also be a joke due to noise and grains, of course, or to irregular white brush strokes.
Regards
Massimo

[66misos]

Massimo,
I do not see there any number

KL,
I will post that mixed sample latter, I am without computer now/today.

When looking at all those photos I start to think that planes without board numbers do not have white tip at front of wheel gondole as Mstitel has. I have also doubts about red propeller spiners.
Regards,
    66misos

[Massimo Tessitori]

Hi Misos, I can see too many ones overposed... probably a joke due to brush painting of white. The most visible is somewhat similar to the upper bar and the right side of a 5. Perhaps there was some number before painting the white triangle.
Regards
Massimo

[Massimo Tessitori]

Hi Misos,
the shadow on the spinner is sharp, and this suggests a gloss paint while the camouflage is very matt. Lacking of sure informations, I am for red spinners.
Regards
Massimo

[66misos]

Hi,
here is AMT-1 chip


made as a mix of:

Most weight is put on 935 left and the 924 right less. IMHO that color is "something in between".
However, after saving as JPG it slightly change hue.

This is enlarged photo with increased brightness:

Note homogenious grey area between star and cockpit, even where AMT-1 would be expected according to Mstitel. Such homogenious area is not anywhere elese on that plane. It looks like retouch.
Regards,
    66misos

[Massimo Tessitori]

Hi Misos,
I see another similar area on the landing gear nacelle and rockets. I've seen such things on photos scanned as greyscale, so I prefer always to scan in RGB even bw photos. Could also be sign of retouched image, of course, but I'm not sure of this.
Regards
Massimo

[66misos]

Hi,
all planes are more-less finished. I continue with background. It is still far from satisfaction but at least it starts to have "atmosphere".

Regards,
   66misos

[learstang]

Very nice, 66misos! I look forward to the finished article!

Regards,

Jason

[KL]

Hi Misos,

here is AMT-1 chip

Your AMT-1 looks good - it actually isn't far from Albom Nakrasok AMT-1 chip.  It is interesting to compare it with AKAN's AMT-1



A suggestion:  can you try to level the entire photo?  IMHO, it will look more realistic if horizon is horizontal...  and you will also get rid of the blurred lower right corner (which is part of the "photo-montage")

Regards,
KL

PS  IMHO, your fields are way to colorful for eastern Germany in early spring.  There shouldn't be any red or yellow (autumn colors...).  Check fields east of Berlin on Google Maps:  only brownish gray and green.

[66misos]

Hi,
thank you for comment.  
KL, interesting idea about leveling. I checked original/source photo at waralbum.ru. There is not enough background on right side, it will require another montage - to add missing background to the right and blend it with existing background.
Background should represent east Germany country during April/ May. I have to admit it is too colorful now. It is my approach. Firstly I do "anything" to get overall impression or feeling. And then, after some time looking at it and after comments I try to tune it. Comments are very appreciate, because sometime I see on the picture what I want, not what is really there.
Regards,
     66misos

[KL]

maybe you could borrow some background from





regards,
KL

[Massimo Tessitori]

Hi,
I wonder if the 'tall' photo is an elaboration itself. The clouds or smoke looks in the right position to hide the merging of two different images.
Regards
Massimo

[learstang]

The bottom photograph is certainly two different photographs. The countryside merges very suddenly into the heart of Berlin, with the clouds conveniently hiding the seam.

Regards,

Jason