At the moment, I can't get the file to load anymore so I am going to have to redo it from scratch.  If you look at the render of my Sparrowhawks, it's the forward command hull section.  It started life as a simple spline object and then I converted it to Vertex so I could do the mapping.  The only problem is, I have never really gotten into the vertex room or the UV editor before and the manual is somewhat less than helpful...  That's why I need a step by step tutorial, so I can learn how to do it properly for future renders now that I am going to try using the vertex room more often.