Note: this is an EXE installer that creates shared texture folders and adds paths to your autoexec.cfg.
This is a collection of seven UH-1 skins representing US Marine Corps squadrons and spanning the length of the Vietnam War.
The squadrons included are:
VMO-2
VMO-3 (which became HML-367)
VMO-6
HML-167
I have included two versions of HML-367: a 1968 version (when VMO-3 was redesignated as HML-367) and a 1975 version that flew in Operation: Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon. Additionally, HML-167 is represented by modexes TV-29 and TV-30.
Most reference imagery was taken from
http://vietnam-hueys.tripod.com/Marine%20Corps%20Hueys.htm
Skinner's Philosophy:
Because the 3D models used for the aircrew utilize modern flight gear I have chosen to model the skins as "modern aircraft with nostalgic patterns", as opposed to actual Vietnam era skins.. The significance of this is that I have chosen to skin the aircrew in contemporary flight uniforms. I felt that this was more fitting in a setting that involves modern orders of battle, and is also less of an immersion-killer than seeing Vietnam era "uniforms" on clearly modern objects.
For Compact Installations - A Note About Autoexec.cfg:
Rather than copying texture files to their respective livery folders, I prefer to use a series of common texture folders along with unique filenames. This allows a single instance of many of my common textures, and keeps the hard drive footprint to a minimum (especially nice if you run a SSD for your system drive).
The installer will add a series of folders to the DCS Texture path; if you do not have these folders created, then it is no problem. The autoexec.cfg included will automatically point to the Texture folder in your Saved Games\DCS folder, and regardless of whether you run the Release, Open Beta, or Legacy version of DCS, the path will always point to your Saved Games\DCS\Texture folder. Again, this saves space on your hard drive.
If you use your own Autoexec.cfg, then when prompted to overwrite you can click "no". This will create a file called autoexec.new, and you can manually make the updates as you like. Just don't modify the top line with the file date; this is used by the installer for version control. However, feel free to include it in your existing autoexec.cfg, so you don't get prompted to overwrite until there's another update to the autoexec.cfg.
If you inadvertently overwrite your autoexec.cfg, it is actually backed up as autoexec.old. Just open it and copy the appropriate information to the new file.
For Traditional Installations or JSGME Compatible Extractions:
If you don't wish to use the shared texture folder and custom autoexec.cfg, you have a couple of other options available. Selecting the Traditional Install copies all textures to each livery folder, then copies each livery to each version of DCS detected (up to three versions, including release, legacy 1.5, and open beta). As a result, the listed hard disk space requirement assumes all three DCS versions are installled. Each skin is independent and portable.
If you wish to install to a location other than your Saved Games folder, you must select the Single JSGME Extraction, or else the installation will fail for not detecting existing Saved Games\DCS folders. Selecting this option will create a JSGME compatible install that can be dropped directly into your JSGME _MODS folder for installation. Each skin is independent and portable.
For either of these installation options, if there is an issue with textures not displaying, then it is likely a problem with the installer. Please let me know what textures are missing so that I can troubleshoot the issue.
Change Log:
1.0 Initial Release
1.01 Reordered material names in description.lua for better compatibility with default and 3rd party skins.
Fixed shading issues with VMO-6 skin
Improved Weathering on all skins
Added custom rotor textures to all skins
1.02 Improved pilot and door gunner textures
Fixed black text to match federal standard colors
Fixed yellow bands to better match at seams
Fixed specular lighting anomaly
1.03 Updated VMO-6 pilot patch to reflect Captains Pless and Fairfield (syncs with UH-1 MOH Pack).
Adjusted position of red engine cowling stripe on VMO skins.
1.04 Updated for DCS World 1.2.6 (h/t zaelu; thanks for the catch!)
1.1 Updated for DCS World 1.2.7
1.2 General Texture fixes and improvements
1.21 Pilot/Gunner skin improvements
Added HML-167 Skins (TV-29 and TV-30)
Fixed roundel color and placement as applicable.
1.3 Added "slick" specific textures to all skins
Added Field Green weapons hardpoints
1.3a Fixed Field Green weapons hardpoints in description.lua files
1.31 Updated green vest for pilot/copilot
1.31a Added Installer
Added USAF Adversaries to available nations
Updated naming convention
1.32 Fixed left door gunner texture
Updated installer for DCS 2.5 and DCS Legacy 1.5
Special thanks to upuaut for assistance with the more "exotic" material names, as well as the assistance with custom rotor colors.
You are free to use any of the textures (e.g. USMC door gunner) in other skins or projects as long as proper credit is provided in the readme file.
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