Torrey Pines P-38 Lightning Photogrammetry Model

[beldridg]

This is a somewhat well known airplane wreck off Torrey Pines (near San Diego), California. It is right at the edge of recreational limits (130' / 40m).

I built what I consider to be one of my best photogrammetry models yet. It is really epic. I even caught a wolf eel in one of the turbo-superchargers.

The post with all the screen captures and links to the on-line model are posted at:

Torrey Pines P-38 Lightning (130 fsw)

Intro I first wrote about the P-38 in Torrey Pines back in mid-2020. It is a well known wreck that was discovered a number of years ago and has been deteriorating due to multiple factors. After our…

wreckedinmyrevo.com

It is really worth the time to check out the "live" 3D on-line model that you can rotate, zoom, etc. There are links in the post for a lower res version (mobile) and a higher res version (desktop). I've even got a version with 85 million faces but Sketchfab can't handle that size upload.

Here is a sample (low resolution) screen capture from the model. The "pink" color is due to the strawberry anemones and the yellow is from the anodizing of the engine cylinders on the twin Allison V12 engines. The white "blobs" around the edges of the wreck are clumps of squid eggs.

Enjoy!

- brett

 

[Rick Brant]

That is an amazing model! That eel looks perfect.

 

[Fibonacci]

The high-res 3D model truly is staggering!
Thanks for sharing...

 

[CT-Rich]

That is fantastic. It almost looks like you could 3D print it and make a wall hanging.

 

[azstinger11]

Super excited to dive this in 3 weeks!

 

[beldridg]

That is an amazing model! That eel looks perfect.

Thanks so much!

- brett

 

[beldridg]

The high-res 3D model truly is staggering!
Thanks for sharing...

Thanks for your comments!

- brett

 

[beldridg]

Super excited to dive this in 3 weeks!

Very cool. You will enjoy it, for sure. Look for my wolf eel friend!

You should also check out my post from two years ago that has the history of the wreck and more of the detailed photos.

- brett

 

[beldridg]

That is fantastic. It almost looks like you could 3D print it and make a wall hanging.

A friend, Drew Wilson, has 3D printed a few of my different models. He has done (at least) the F8F Bearcat, the UB88, and the Ruby E.

- brett

 

[Tassie_Rohan]

Fantastic model Brett - very, very impressive!

Your blog over the past few years has made me want to try photogrammetry. I've played with Metashape and some above surface targets, and I'll finally go test some underwater subjects soon. So - I have one question: what focal length/lens do you prefer to use when capturing images for these models?

On the surface images with less lens distortion seem better, so 30-50mm seems to be preferred. Underwater, trying to capture a large area, I'm tempted to go wide angle rather than mid-focal length: so I'm curious what your approach is?

Cheers,
Rohan.