Modelling the BAE Hawk (Red Arrows Plane)

This model was also made in a very similar way to the previous two planes. Reference planes were created and a material containing the reference images was applied to the planes. The material was self illuminated so it could be seen from all angles. The UVW Map modifier was applied so the bitmap could be fit to scale on the reference plane. Two duplicate planes were made and positioned for the different views of the plane. Finally they were set to frozen so they could not be moved accidentally.

A box was used to create the model of the plane. It was converted to an editable polygon, then using the quick slice and cut tool more vertices were added to create the geometry needed. A symmetry modifier was applied to mirror the plane model on the other side to save time. The vertices were then manipulated into position in the X, Y, and Z axis. A turbo smooth modifier was applied and iterations turned up to two. The extrude tool was once again used to create the wings o the plane along with the tail. The cut tool was used once again to sub divide the geometry so the extrude tool could be used to make the air intake vents and the rear of the plane. The glass around the cockpit was then made and the vertices aligned to the rest of the plane using the snap to grid tool.

The unwrap UVW modifier was added so that a UVW map could be applied to the plane. The plane was divided into planar sections and aligned appropriately. All overlapping and inverted faces were corrected and the same chequer pattern used to check for pinching of the texture on the model. Finally the UVW template was rendered.

Macromedia Flash CS4 was once again used to create the texture. The blue prints were faded over the texture to add the appearance of definition as was a bump map. Any insignia on the plane was found using images from Google. The same glass material used with the Spitfire was imported and used on the cockpit glass of the Hawk. The specular and gloss levels of the material were edited, and the 2-sided property checked. Finally all elements were grouped and ready to be imported into the animation scenes.