Accurate Air: Allied_Dec41_Feb42_Stock_1.0
by Cathartes

Introduction
This particular A_PlaneSide file represents a closer approximation of the camouflage and insignia present on aircraft in the Pacific Theater, at the time of, and a few months beyond Pearl Harbor.  The aircraft are all original art, though some particular schemes are based on other art.  The exceptions with this current version are most of the VVS or Soviet aircraft, which are from stock. If or when, time and circumstances allow, these aircraft will also be fully completed in a future version. 

HOW TO INSTALL:
Unzip and place the "A_PlaneSide.bmp" into your C:\Matrix Games\WITP\ART folder.  Make sure you have a copy of your original stashed away before you replace your existing one.

Design Philosophy
The intent was to make the aircraft artwork in WITP more historically accurate within the limitations of the game. A dizzying array of aircraft types and variants flew in the Pacific Theater over the course of almost 4 years. Camouflage schemes changed often, and official insignia changed even more so in an attempt to eliminate any confusion with the Hinomaru. In distant bases and along front lines altering insignia and paint was a low priority, official bulletins outlining changes were not always clear, and exceptions to the rules were everywhere. Consequently, complete accuracy is not possible in stock or any modded version of WITP. Yet, there is not question that a good compromise is possible.

Using artwork layers and a small utility, the user will be able to easily install/uninstall relevant artwork before starting WITP.  This utility will be released, after further testing, with the next version of Allied Accurate Air (March42-May42).

Don't like to keep changing the artwork between different mods/scenarios, or multiple PBEMs?  No problem, you don't have to. If historical accurate art is not a priority for you just keep using this layer (or choose a future layer) and forget about it. 

Miscellaneous Notes for Allied_Dec41_Feb42_Stock_1.0:
1. Any aircraft that entered service or combat beyond February 1941 will probably exhibit insignia and camouflage that was in use during the time they actually entered service.

2. Aircraft variants that are represented in this layer represent the first variant that entered service. For example, the Helldiver in this layer is the SB2C-1 Helldiver. Future layers will have the correct representation for the SB2C-3, 4, and possibly 5 (with appropriate markings) for the approx. time they first entered service. This will be something of a judgement call whether or not all of these will be fully represented.

3. US Navy aircraft are approximately represented in historical navy camo schemes during this timeframe #12 Blue Gray, #10 Light Gray  (pre-ANA color designations). Weathering often faded paint dramatically, so some colors are meant to vary slightly. 

4. US insignia is the white star with the red center.  Navy planes displayed the red/white stripes on the fins.  Army aircraft did not typically adhere to the fin identification, except in the Hawaiian Islands.

5. Commonwealth insignia consist primarily of the A-1 and B roundels.

6. NEI aircraft displayed the orange triangle with a black border. The orange tail fin was officially no longer in use, though there were exceptions.

7. Chinese aircraft are shown in approximate colors and insignia for the time.  The IL-4 was not used in China, though its predecessor, the DB-3 was.  This aircraft is represented instead.

8.  Bibliography and more complete notes may be made available for the next version.

Any suggestions/corrections please email: gaviota@qnet.com
This artwork is expressly for the use in War in the Pacific by Matrix Games.  Any other use must be by permission of the artist.