Il-2m3 "25" Mstitel

[KL]

The bottom photograph is a photo montage made by Redkin in early 1970es.  Few Years ago I posted somewhere exact year and in what magazine it was published.  It is clear that the two photos are taken at different angle to horizon and from different altitudes.
regards,
KL

[Massimo Tessitori]

Hi,
yes, it is quite obvious.
Misos, a way to obtain some ground is to copy it from the photo itself. The new part can be slightly scaled and deformed to obtain a convincing perspective. Ground from a different image would be difficult to merge as darkness, contrast and grain.
Anyhow the present colors of tye ground don't seem convincing to my eye, you could have a look to a modern color photo.
Regards
Massimo

[66misos]

Hi,
here I tried to to level all planes and completely replace background:

Regards,
   66misos

[learstang]

That looks rather convincing to me.

Regards,

Jason

[Massimo Tessitori]

Hi, looks very good. Is the background from a color photo, or colorized?
Regards
Massimo

[66misos]

Hi,
thank you
Massimo, this background is modern color photo, not colorized. But all kinds of PS tools applied - filters, noise, contrast, several differently adjusted layers etc.
However, this version looks "too quiet". So I will make also another, more "dynamic" version with destroyed Berlin in background.
Regards,
   66misos

[66misos]

Hi,
so here is another version, with Berlin as a background:



Regards,
    66misos

[Massimo Tessitori]

Hi Misos,
this image is interesting. Anyway, observing the shadows on the ground, the planes should be in full light from the right and have some sharp shadows. An uniformly lightened background from a cloudy day would avoid this problem.
Regards
Massimo

[66misos]

Hi Massimo,
I was not able to find better image of Berlin - in big enough resolution and showing horizon. So until I find better photo I at least added sharp shadow under the horizontal stabilized and main wheel gondola on the Mstitel and the next plane - sun light is going from top right. And I replaced photo above.
Thank you.
Regards,
     66misos

[KL]

Hi Misos,
when you start changing backgrounds, the possibilities are endless. 

Few suggestions for various backgrounds:

1.  You may combine famous Redkin's Il-2 photo with even more famous V.A. Tyomin's photo "Знамя Победы над Рейхстагом"....   


from http://www.foto-video.ru/art/subject/1876/

This montage will become popular in Russia for sure!  Who knows, maybe a poster for next Victory Parade?

2.  You may change Il-2 colours to "AII Brown" and "AII Dark Brown" and then change background to show Giza pyramids.  All this to prove how effective was "South Front" camouflage scheme!!!



3.  Eiffel Tower or Manhattan would be interesting background too.  You may do this just for fun!

4.  You may also complete photo with its original background (from Redkin's photo).  Check Google Maps - turn on satelite view and IMHO it will show you adequate colours for Berlin surroundings in early spring (dark green forests, grayish freshly plowed fields and light green fields with some crops).  IMHO, it will show how effective was NKAP's 3-colour scheme.... 

Cheers,
KL     

[Massimo Tessitori]

Hi Misos,
the shadow you've added on the gondola is much too rearwards. The wing is attached just behind the white painted part.
Regards
Massimo

[66misos]

Hi KL,
thanks for inspiration.
The photo with Reichstag would be really nice but Mstitel would hide most part of that building. Or planes would have to be much smaller. However, I focus on planes, not on environment, at least now. So I would keep this picture as my "iterpretation" of Mstitel over Berlin.
I never heard about "AII Brown" and "AII Dark Brown" in 1945. Is that joke or real?

Massimo,
I moved that shadow a bit to the left and added more depth to the horizon, this could be the final version:


Next Il-2 already waiting.
Regards,
     66misos

[KL]

The photo with Reichstag would be really nice but Mstitel would hide most part of that building. Or planes would have to be much smaller.

Hi Misos,

more I think about it, "Mstitel" over Reichstag looks the better...  

You may add sky and clouds over Reichstag photo (same as on your final Berlin streets Photo) and place Il-2s somewhat higher, on top of horizon and the sky.  For Reichstag colors you may use these photos made in summer 1945







Of course, I would level all the planes - it looks better.

Cheers,
KL  

[66misos]

Hi KL,
thank you for inspirational photos and ideas. I tried to compose Reichstag photo with those Il-2 planes. Unfortunately, there is too little space above building, even if I move individual planes to the different positions (then perspective does not work). If background is decreased to get space above building, then significant parts of the background are missing on the both sides. May be different shots of building and planes would work better.
Anyhow, thanks again.
Regards,
    6misos

[66misos]

Hi,
another interesting photo from scalemodels.ru:

with the comment:
198 shad, 16 VA, Il-2 above the center of Berlin, photo from CDAiK

What is that dark (brown/rusty) "something" in front of the building, between German cannon wheels and US Jeep?

It looks like British WWI tank
Regards,
   66misos