diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGBackgroundNode.cpp b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGBillboardNode.cpp
similarity index 51%
rename from ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGBackgroundNode.cpp
rename to ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGBillboardNode.cpp
index cb015aa01..90d1e46a1 100644
--- a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGBackgroundNode.cpp
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGBillboardNode.cpp
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /**
  ******************************************************************************
  *
- * @file       OSGBackgroundNode.cpp
+ * @file       OSGBillboardNode.cpp
  * @author     The LibrePilot Project, http://www.librepilot.org Copyright (C) 2015.
  * @addtogroup
  * @{
@@ -25,95 +25,69 @@
  * 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
  */
 
-#include "OSGBackgroundNode.hpp"
+#include "OSGBillboardNode.hpp"
 
 #include <osg/Depth>
 #include <osg/Texture2D>
+#include <osg/ImageSequence>
+
 #include <osgDB/ReadFile>
 
-#include <QUrl>
 #include <QDebug>
 
 namespace osgQtQuick {
-enum DirtyFlag { URL = 1 << 0 };
+enum DirtyFlag {};
 
-struct OSGBackgroundNode::Hidden : public QObject {
+struct OSGBillboardNode::Hidden : public QObject {
     Q_OBJECT
 
 private:
-    OSGBackgroundNode * const self;
+    OSGBillboardNode * const self;
+
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Camera> camera;
 
 public:
-    QUrl url;
-
-    Hidden(OSGBackgroundNode *self) : QObject(self), self(self), url()
+    Hidden(OSGBillboardNode *self) : QObject(self), self(self)
     {}
 
-    void updateURL()
+    osg::Node *createNode()
     {
-        qDebug() << "OSGBackgroundNode::updateNode - reading image file" << url.path();
-        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Texture2D> texture = new osg::Texture2D;
-
-        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Drawable> quad     = osg::createTexturedQuadGeometry(
-            osg::Vec3(), osg::Vec3(1.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f), osg::Vec3(0.0f, 1.0f, 0.0f));
-        quad->getOrCreateStateSet()->setTextureAttributeAndModes(0, texture.get());
-
-        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Geode> geode = new osg::Geode;
-        geode->addDrawable(quad.get());
-
-        osg::Camera *camera = new osg::Camera;
+        camera = new osg::Camera;
         camera->setClearMask(0);
         camera->setCullingActive(false);
         camera->setAllowEventFocus(false);
         camera->setReferenceFrame(osg::Transform::ABSOLUTE_RF);
         camera->setRenderOrder(osg::Camera::POST_RENDER);
         camera->setProjectionMatrix(osg::Matrix::ortho2D(0.0, 1.0, 0.0, 1.0));
-        camera->addChild(geode.get());
 
         osg::StateSet *ss = camera->getOrCreateStateSet();
         ss->setMode(GL_LIGHTING, osg::StateAttribute::OFF);
         ss->setAttributeAndModes(new osg::Depth(osg::Depth::LEQUAL, 1.0, 1.0));
 
-        self->setNode(camera);
-
-        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readImageFile(url.path().toStdString());
-        texture->setImage(image.get());
+        return camera;
     }
 };
 
-/* class OSGBackgroundNode */
+/* class OSGBillboardNode */
 
-OSGBackgroundNode::OSGBackgroundNode(QObject *parent) : Inherited(parent), h(new Hidden(this))
+OSGBillboardNode::OSGBillboardNode(QObject *parent) : Inherited(parent), h(new Hidden(this))
 {}
 
-OSGBackgroundNode::~OSGBackgroundNode()
+OSGBillboardNode::~OSGBillboardNode()
 {
-    qDebug() << "OSGBackgroundNode::~OSGBackgroundNode";
+    qDebug() << "OSGBillboardNode::~OSGBillboardNode";
     delete h;
 }
 
-const QUrl OSGBackgroundNode::imageFile() const
+osg::Node *OSGBillboardNode::createNode()
 {
-    return h->url;
+    return h->createNode();
 }
 
-void OSGBackgroundNode::setImageFile(const QUrl &url)
+void OSGBillboardNode::updateNode()
 {
-    if (h->url != url) {
-        h->url = url;
-        setDirty(URL);
-        emit imageFileChanged(url);
-    }
-}
-
-void OSGBackgroundNode::update()
-{
-    Inherited::update();
-
-    if (isDirty(URL)) {
-        h->updateURL();
-    }
+    Inherited::updateNode();
 }
 } // namespace osgQtQuick
 
-#include "OSGBackgroundNode.moc"
+#include "OSGBillboardNode.moc"
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGBillboardNode.hpp b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGBillboardNode.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e12b604d0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGBillboardNode.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+/**
+ ******************************************************************************
+ *
+ * @file       OSGBillboardNode.hpp
+ * @author     The LibrePilot Project, http://www.librepilot.org Copyright (C) 2015.
+ * @addtogroup
+ * @{
+ * @addtogroup
+ * @{
+ * @brief
+ *****************************************************************************/
+/*
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
+ * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ * for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
+ */
+
+#ifndef _H_OSGQTQUICK_BILLBOARDNODE_H_
+#define _H_OSGQTQUICK_BILLBOARDNODE_H_
+
+#include "Export.hpp"
+#include "OSGGroup.hpp"
+
+namespace osgQtQuick {
+class OSGQTQUICK_EXPORT OSGBillboardNode : public OSGGroup {
+    Q_OBJECT
+
+    typedef OSGGroup Inherited;
+
+public:
+    OSGBillboardNode(QObject *parent = 0);
+    virtual ~OSGBillboardNode();
+
+protected:
+    virtual osg::Node *createNode();
+    virtual void updateNode();
+
+private:
+    struct Hidden;
+    Hidden *const h;
+};
+} // namespace osgQtQuick
+
+#endif // _H_OSGQTQUICK_BILLBOARDNODE_H_
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGCamera.cpp b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGCamera.cpp
index 36102ee99..277e7439f 100644
--- a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGCamera.cpp
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGCamera.cpp
@@ -66,16 +66,6 @@ public:
 public:
     Hidden(OSGCamera *self) : QObject(self), self(self), fieldOfView(90), clearColor(0, 0, 0, 255), logDepthBufferEnabled(false)
     {
-        // default blue osg::Vec4f(0.2f, 0.99f, 0.4f, 1.0f)
-        camera = new osg::Camera();
-
-        camera->setClearColor(osg::Vec4(clearColor.redF(), clearColor.greenF(), clearColor.blueF(), clearColor.alphaF()));
-
-        osg::StateSet *stateset = camera->getOrCreateStateSet();
-        stateset->setGlobalDefaults();
-
-        self->setNode(camera);
-
 #ifdef USE_OSGEARTH
         logDepthBuffer = NULL;
 #endif
@@ -92,6 +82,18 @@ public:
 #endif
     }
 
+    osg::Node *createNode()
+    {
+        camera = new osg::Camera();
+
+        camera->setClearColor(osg::Vec4(clearColor.redF(), clearColor.greenF(), clearColor.blueF(), clearColor.alphaF()));
+
+        osg::StateSet *stateset = camera->getOrCreateStateSet();
+        stateset->setGlobalDefaults();
+
+        return camera;
+    }
+
     void updateClearColor()
     {
         if (!camera.valid()) {
@@ -239,20 +241,14 @@ void OSGCamera::setLogarithmicDepthBuffer(bool enabled)
     }
 }
 
-osg::Camera *OSGCamera::asCamera() const
+osg::Node *OSGCamera::createNode()
 {
-    // BAD introduce templating
-    return (osg::Camera *)node();
+    return h->createNode();
 }
 
-void OSGCamera::setGraphicsContext(osg::GraphicsContext *gc)
+void OSGCamera::updateNode()
 {
-    h->setGraphicsContext(gc);
-}
-
-void OSGCamera::update()
-{
-    Inherited::update();
+    Inherited::updateNode();
 
     if (isDirty(ClearColor)) {
         h->updateClearColor();
@@ -264,6 +260,17 @@ void OSGCamera::update()
         h->updateLogDepthBuffer();
     }
 }
+
+osg::Camera *OSGCamera::asCamera() const
+{
+    // BAD introduce templating
+    return (osg::Camera *)node();
+}
+
+void OSGCamera::setGraphicsContext(osg::GraphicsContext *gc)
+{
+    h->setGraphicsContext(gc);
+}
 } // namespace osgQtQuick
 
 #include "OSGCamera.moc"
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGCamera.hpp b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGCamera.hpp
index e32ca49fe..869ddc87b 100644
--- a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGCamera.hpp
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGCamera.hpp
@@ -68,7 +68,8 @@ signals:
     void logarithmicDepthBufferChanged(bool enabled);
 
 protected:
-    virtual void update();
+    virtual osg::Node *createNode();
+    virtual void updateNode();
 
 private:
     struct Hidden;
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGFileNode.cpp b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGFileNode.cpp
index 518dd87b1..fe8fb8ab5 100644
--- a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGFileNode.cpp
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGFileNode.cpp
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ public:
     Hidden(OSGFileNode *self) : QObject(self), self(self), source(), async(false), optimizeMode(OptimizeMode::None)
     {}
 
-    void updateNode()
+    void updateSource()
     {
         qDebug() << "OSGFileNode::updateNode" << source;
         if (!source.isValid()) {
@@ -197,9 +197,15 @@ void OSGFileNode::setOptimizeMode(OptimizeMode::Enum optimizeMode)
     }
 }
 
-void OSGFileNode::update()
+osg::Node *OSGFileNode::createNode()
 {
-    Inherited::update();
+    // node is created later
+    return NULL;
+}
+
+void OSGFileNode::updateNode()
+{
+    Inherited::updateNode();
 
     if (isDirty(Async)) {
         // do nothing...
@@ -208,7 +214,7 @@ void OSGFileNode::update()
         // TODO: trigger a node update ?
     }
     if (isDirty(Source)) {
-        h->updateNode();
+        h->updateSource();
     }
 }
 } // namespace osgQtQuick
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGFileNode.hpp b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGFileNode.hpp
index 645a4a1ec..97f050202 100644
--- a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGFileNode.hpp
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGFileNode.hpp
@@ -71,7 +71,8 @@ signals:
     void optimizeModeChanged(OptimizeMode::Enum);
 
 protected:
-    virtual void update();
+    virtual osg::Node *createNode();
+    virtual void updateNode();
 
 private:
     struct Hidden;
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGGeoTransformNode.cpp b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGGeoTransformNode.cpp
index d9a590c13..50f5a6683 100644
--- a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGGeoTransformNode.cpp
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGGeoTransformNode.cpp
@@ -60,10 +60,13 @@ public:
     QVector3D position;
 
     Hidden(OSGGeoTransformNode *self) : QObject(self), self(self), childNode(NULL), sceneNode(NULL), offset(-1.0), clampToTerrain(false), intoTerrain(false)
+    {}
+
+    osg::Node *createNode()
     {
         transform = new osgEarth::GeoTransform();
         transform->setAutoRecomputeHeights(true);
-        self->setNode(transform);
+        return transform;
     }
 
     bool acceptChildNode(OSGNode *node)
@@ -268,9 +271,14 @@ void OSGGeoTransformNode::setPosition(QVector3D arg)
     }
 }
 
-void OSGGeoTransformNode::update()
+osg::Node *OSGGeoTransformNode::createNode()
 {
-    Inherited::update();
+    return h->createNode();
+}
+
+void OSGGeoTransformNode::updateNode()
+{
+    Inherited::updateNode();
 
     if (isDirty(Child)) {
         h->updateChildNode();
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGGeoTransformNode.hpp b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGGeoTransformNode.hpp
index 7d25f6ea4..788d6cd1e 100644
--- a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGGeoTransformNode.hpp
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGGeoTransformNode.hpp
@@ -36,8 +36,7 @@
 // TODO derive from OSGGroup...
 namespace osgQtQuick {
 class OSGQTQUICK_EXPORT OSGGeoTransformNode : public OSGNode {
-    Q_OBJECT
-    Q_PROPERTY(osgQtQuick::OSGNode *childNode READ childNode WRITE setChildNode NOTIFY childNodeChanged)
+    Q_OBJECT Q_PROPERTY(osgQtQuick::OSGNode *childNode READ childNode WRITE setChildNode NOTIFY childNodeChanged)
     Q_PROPERTY(osgQtQuick::OSGNode * sceneNode READ sceneNode WRITE setSceneNode NOTIFY sceneNodeChanged)
     Q_PROPERTY(bool clampToTerrain READ clampToTerrain WRITE setClampToTerrain NOTIFY clampToTerrainChanged)
     Q_PROPERTY(bool intoTerrain READ intoTerrain NOTIFY intoTerrainChanged)
@@ -74,7 +73,8 @@ signals:
     void positionChanged(QVector3D arg);
 
 protected:
-    virtual void update();
+    virtual osg::Node *createNode();
+    virtual void updateNode();
 
 private:
     struct Hidden;
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGGroup.cpp b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGGroup.cpp
index c757876d8..84b1fecfe 100644
--- a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGGroup.cpp
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGGroup.cpp
@@ -41,17 +41,17 @@ struct OSGGroup::Hidden : public QObject {
 private:
     OSGGroup * const self;
 
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group>     group;
-
     QMap<OSGNode *, osg::Node *> cache;
 
-public:
     QList<OSGNode *> children;
 
+public:
     Hidden(OSGGroup *self) : QObject(self), self(self)
+    {}
+
+    osg::Node *createNode()
     {
-        group = new osg::Group();
-        self->setNode(group);
+        return new osg::Group();
     }
 
     void appendChild(OSGNode *childNode)
@@ -86,9 +86,16 @@ public:
         self->setDirty(Children);
     }
 
-    void updateGroupNode()
+    void updateChildren()
     {
-        qDebug() << "OSGGeoTransformNode::updateGroupNode";
+        qDebug() << "OSGGroup::updateChildren";
+
+        osg::Group *group = static_cast<osg::Group *>(self->node());
+        if (!group) {
+            qWarning() << "OSGGroup::updateChildren - null group";
+            return;
+        }
+
         bool updated = false;
         unsigned int index = 0;
 
@@ -145,6 +152,13 @@ private slots:
     void onChildNodeChanged(osg::Node *node)
     {
         qDebug() << "OSGGroup::onChildNodeChanged" << node;
+
+        osg::Group *group = static_cast<osg::Group *>(self->node());
+        if (!group) {
+            qWarning() << "OSGGroup::onChildNodeChanged - null group";
+            return;
+        }
+
         OSGNode *obj = qobject_cast<OSGNode *>(sender());
         if (obj) {
             osg::Node *cacheNode = cache.value(obj, NULL);
@@ -179,12 +193,17 @@ QQmlListProperty<OSGNode> OSGGroup::children() const
                                      &Hidden::clear_child);
 }
 
-void OSGGroup::update()
+osg::Node *OSGGroup::createNode()
 {
-    Inherited::update();
+    return h->createNode();
+}
+
+void OSGGroup::updateNode()
+{
+    Inherited::updateNode();
 
     if (isDirty(Children)) {
-        h->updateGroupNode();
+        h->updateChildren();
     }
 }
 } // namespace osgQtQuick
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGGroup.hpp b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGGroup.hpp
index 6487e076f..b57f2ed3e 100644
--- a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGGroup.hpp
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGGroup.hpp
@@ -48,7 +48,8 @@ public:
     QQmlListProperty<OSGNode> children() const;
 
 protected:
-    virtual void update();
+    virtual osg::Node *createNode();
+    virtual void updateNode();
 
 private:
     struct Hidden;
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGImageNode.cpp b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGImageNode.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4699f4052
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGImageNode.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,129 @@
+/**
+ ******************************************************************************
+ *
+ * @file       OSGImageNode.cpp
+ * @author     The LibrePilot Project, http://www.librepilot.org Copyright (C) 2015.
+ * @addtogroup
+ * @{
+ * @addtogroup
+ * @{
+ * @brief
+ *****************************************************************************/
+/*
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY
+ * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
+ * for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+ * 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
+ */
+
+#include "OSGImageNode.hpp"
+
+#include <osg/Texture2D>
+
+#include <osgDB/ReadFile>
+
+#include <QUrl>
+#include <QDebug>
+
+namespace osgQtQuick {
+enum DirtyFlag { ImageFile = 1 << 0 };
+
+struct OSGImageNode::Hidden : public QObject {
+    Q_OBJECT
+
+private:
+    OSGImageNode * const self;
+
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Texture2D> texture;
+
+public:
+    QUrl url;
+
+    Hidden(OSGImageNode *self) : QObject(self), self(self), url()
+    {}
+
+    osg::Node *createNode()
+    {
+        osg::Drawable *quad = osg::createTexturedQuadGeometry(osg::Vec3(0, 0, 0), osg::Vec3(1, 0, 0), osg::Vec3(0, 1, 0));
+
+        osg::Geode *geode   = new osg::Geode;
+
+        geode->addDrawable(quad);
+
+        geode->setStateSet(createState());
+
+        return geode;
+    }
+
+    osg::StateSet *createState()
+    {
+        texture = new osg::Texture2D;
+
+        // create the StateSet to store the texture data
+        osg::StateSet *stateset = new osg::StateSet;
+
+        stateset->setTextureAttributeAndModes(0, texture, osg::StateAttribute::ON);
+
+        return stateset;
+    }
+
+    void updateImageFile()
+    {
+        qDebug() << "OSGImageNode::updateImageFile - reading image file" << url.path();
+        osg::Image *image = osgDB::readImageFile(url.path().toStdString());
+        if (texture.valid()) {
+            texture->setImage(image);
+        }
+    }
+};
+
+/* class OSGImageNode */
+
+OSGImageNode::OSGImageNode(QObject *parent) : Inherited(parent), h(new Hidden(this))
+{}
+
+OSGImageNode::~OSGImageNode()
+{
+    qDebug() << "OSGImageNode::~OSGImageNode";
+    delete h;
+}
+
+const QUrl OSGImageNode::imageFile() const
+{
+    return h->url;
+}
+
+void OSGImageNode::setImageFile(const QUrl &url)
+{
+    if (h->url != url) {
+        h->url = url;
+        setDirty(ImageFile);
+        emit imageFileChanged(url);
+    }
+}
+
+osg::Node *OSGImageNode::createNode()
+{
+    return h->createNode();
+}
+
+void OSGImageNode::updateNode()
+{
+    Inherited::updateNode();
+
+    if (isDirty(ImageFile)) {
+        h->updateImageFile();
+    }
+}
+} // namespace osgQtQuick
+
+#include "OSGImageNode.moc"
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGBackgroundNode.hpp b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGImageNode.hpp
similarity index 79%
rename from ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGBackgroundNode.hpp
rename to ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGImageNode.hpp
index 191530996..0b1d4ff12 100644
--- a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGBackgroundNode.hpp
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGImageNode.hpp
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /**
  ******************************************************************************
  *
- * @file       OSGBackgroundNode.hpp
+ * @file       OSGImageNode.hpp
  * @author     The LibrePilot Project, http://www.librepilot.org Copyright (C) 2015.
  * @addtogroup
  * @{
@@ -25,26 +25,23 @@
  * 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
  */
 
-#ifndef _H_OSGQTQUICK_BACKGROUNDNODE_H_
-#define _H_OSGQTQUICK_BACKGROUNDNODE_H_
+#ifndef _H_OSGQTQUICK_IMAGENODE_H_
+#define _H_OSGQTQUICK_IMAGENODE_H_
 
 #include "Export.hpp"
 #include "OSGNode.hpp"
 
 #include <QUrl>
-QT_BEGIN_NAMESPACE
-class QUrl;
-QT_END_NAMESPACE
 
 namespace osgQtQuick {
-class OSGQTQUICK_EXPORT OSGBackgroundNode : public OSGNode {
+class OSGQTQUICK_EXPORT OSGImageNode : public OSGNode {
     Q_OBJECT Q_PROPERTY(QUrl imageFile READ imageFile WRITE setImageFile NOTIFY imageFileChanged)
 
     typedef OSGNode Inherited;
 
 public:
-    OSGBackgroundNode(QObject *parent = 0);
-    virtual ~OSGBackgroundNode();
+    OSGImageNode(QObject *parent = 0);
+    virtual ~OSGImageNode();
 
     const QUrl imageFile() const;
     void setImageFile(const QUrl &url);
@@ -53,7 +50,8 @@ signals:
     void imageFileChanged(const QUrl &url);
 
 protected:
-    virtual void update();
+    virtual osg::Node *createNode();
+    virtual void updateNode();
 
 private:
     struct Hidden;
@@ -61,4 +59,4 @@ private:
 };
 } // namespace osgQtQuick
 
-#endif // _H_OSGQTQUICK_BACKGROUNDNODE_H_
+#endif // _H_OSGQTQUICK_IMAGENODE_H_
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGNode.cpp b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGNode.cpp
index c8db2a789..ce7032499 100644
--- a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGNode.cpp
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGNode.cpp
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ public:
 
     void update()
     {
-        return self->update();
+        return self->updateNode();
     }
 
     bool acceptNode(osg::Node *aNode)
@@ -119,21 +119,13 @@ void OSGNode::clearDirty()
     h->clearDirty();
 }
 
-void OSGNode::classBegin()
+osg::Node *OSGNode::createNode()
 {
-    // qDebug() << "OSGNode::classBegin" << this;
+    return NULL;
 }
 
-void OSGNode::componentComplete()
-{
-    qDebug() << "OSGNode::componentComplete" << this;
-    update();
-    clearDirty();
-    h->complete = true;
-    if (!h->node.valid()) {
-        qWarning() << "OSGNode::componentComplete - node is not valid!" << this;
-    }
-}
+void OSGNode::updateNode()
+{}
 
 void OSGNode::emitNodeChanged()
 {
@@ -142,8 +134,25 @@ void OSGNode::emitNodeChanged()
     }
 }
 
-void OSGNode::update()
-{}
+void OSGNode::classBegin()
+{
+    qDebug() << "OSGNode::classBegin" << this;
+
+    setNode(createNode());
+}
+
+void OSGNode::componentComplete()
+{
+    qDebug() << "OSGNode::componentComplete" << this;
+
+    updateNode();
+    clearDirty();
+    h->complete = true;
+    if (!h->node.valid()) {
+        qWarning() << "OSGNode::componentComplete - node is not valid!" << this;
+    }
+    qDebug() << "OSGNode::componentComplete DONE" << this;
+}
 } // namespace osgQtQuick
 
 #include "OSGNode.moc"
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGNode.hpp b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGNode.hpp
index 97c62888f..fb4e506af 100644
--- a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGNode.hpp
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGNode.hpp
@@ -69,12 +69,13 @@ protected:
     void setDirty(int mask = 0xFFFF);
     void clearDirty();
 
-    void classBegin();
-    void componentComplete();
+    virtual osg::Node *createNode();
+    virtual void updateNode();
 
     void emitNodeChanged();
 
-    virtual void update();
+    void classBegin();
+    void componentComplete();
 
 private:
     struct Hidden;
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGShapeNode.cpp b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGShapeNode.cpp
index 294c80882..829cf0966 100644
--- a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGShapeNode.cpp
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGShapeNode.cpp
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
 #include <QDebug>
 
 namespace osgQtQuick {
-enum DirtyFlag { Type = 1 << 0 };
+enum DirtyFlag { ShapeType = 1 << 0 };
 
 struct OSGShapeNode::Hidden : public QObject {
     Q_OBJECT
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ public:
     Hidden(OSGShapeNode *self) : QObject(self), self(self), shapeType(ShapeType::Sphere)
     {}
 
-    void updateNode()
+    void updateShapeType()
     {
         osg::Node *node = NULL;
 
@@ -69,18 +69,15 @@ public:
             node = ShapeUtils::create3DAxis();
             break;
         }
-        // Add the node to the scene
         self->setNode(node);
     }
 };
 
 /* class OSGShapeNode */
 
-// TODO turn into generic shape node...
-// see http://trac.openscenegraph.org/projects/osg//wiki/Support/Tutorials/TransformsAndStates
 OSGShapeNode::OSGShapeNode(QObject *parent) : Inherited(parent), h(new Hidden(this))
 {
-    setDirty(Type);
+    setDirty(ShapeType);
 }
 
 OSGShapeNode::~OSGShapeNode()
@@ -98,17 +95,22 @@ void OSGShapeNode::setShapeType(ShapeType::Enum type)
 {
     if (h->shapeType != type) {
         h->shapeType = type;
-        setDirty(Type);
+        setDirty(ShapeType);
         emit shapeTypeChanged(type);
     }
 }
 
-void OSGShapeNode::update()
+osg::Node *OSGShapeNode::createNode()
 {
-    Inherited::update();
+    return NULL;
+}
 
-    if (isDirty(Type)) {
-        h->updateNode();
+void OSGShapeNode::updateNode()
+{
+    Inherited::updateNode();
+
+    if (isDirty(ShapeType)) {
+        h->updateShapeType();
     }
 }
 } // namespace osgQtQuick
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGShapeNode.hpp b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGShapeNode.hpp
index 6095476e7..452334379 100644
--- a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGShapeNode.hpp
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGShapeNode.hpp
@@ -55,7 +55,8 @@ signals:
     void shapeTypeChanged(ShapeType::Enum);
 
 protected:
-    virtual void update();
+    virtual osg::Node *createNode();
+    virtual void updateNode();
 
 private:
     struct Hidden;
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGSkyNode.cpp b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGSkyNode.cpp
index 8eff4c2e2..0754ed17a 100644
--- a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGSkyNode.cpp
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGSkyNode.cpp
@@ -303,9 +303,14 @@ void OSGSkyNode::setMinimumAmbientLight(double ambient)
     }
 }
 
-void OSGSkyNode::update()
+osg::Node *OSGSkyNode::createNode()
 {
-    Inherited::update();
+    return NULL;
+}
+
+void OSGSkyNode::updateNode()
+{
+    Inherited::updateNode();
 
     if (isDirty(Scene)) {
         h->updateSkyNode();
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGSkyNode.hpp b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGSkyNode.hpp
index f6b1c01a9..3728b9dbc 100644
--- a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGSkyNode.hpp
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGSkyNode.hpp
@@ -82,7 +82,8 @@ signals:
     void minimumAmbientLightChanged(double arg);
 
 protected:
-    virtual void update();
+    virtual osg::Node *createNode();
+    virtual void updateNode();
 
 private:
     struct Hidden;
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGTextNode.cpp b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGTextNode.cpp
index ded1d61a3..d4aefccdb 100644
--- a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGTextNode.cpp
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGTextNode.cpp
@@ -52,23 +52,23 @@ public:
     QColor  color;
 
     Hidden(OSGTextNode *self) : QObject(self), self(self)
+    {}
+
+    osg::Node *createNode()
     {
         osg::ref_ptr<osgText::Font> textFont = createFont(QFont("Times"));
 
-        text = createText(osg::Vec3(-100, 20, 0), "Hello World", 20.0f,
-                          textFont.get());
-        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Geode> textGeode = new osg::Geode();
+        text = createText(osg::Vec3(-100, 20, 0), "Hello World", 20.0f, textFont.get());
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Geode> textGeode   = new osg::Geode();
         textGeode->addDrawable(text.get());
     #if 0
         text->setAutoRotateToScreen(true);
-        self->setNode(textGeode.get());
     #else
         osg::Camera *camera = createHUDCamera(-100, 100, -100, 100);
         camera->addChild(textGeode.get());
-        camera->getOrCreateStateSet()->setMode(
-            GL_LIGHTING, osg::StateAttribute::OFF);
-        self->setNode(camera);
+        camera->getOrCreateStateSet()->setMode(GL_LIGHTING, osg::StateAttribute::OFF);
     #endif
+        return text;
     }
 
     void updateText()
@@ -128,9 +128,14 @@ void OSGTextNode::setColor(const QColor &color)
     }
 }
 
-void OSGTextNode::update()
+osg::Node *OSGTextNode::createNode()
 {
-    Inherited::update();
+    return h->createNode();
+}
+
+void OSGTextNode::updateNode()
+{
+    Inherited::updateNode();
 
     if (isDirty(Text)) {
         h->updateText();
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGTextNode.hpp b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGTextNode.hpp
index 587a71901..8c84a6053 100644
--- a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGTextNode.hpp
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGTextNode.hpp
@@ -55,7 +55,8 @@ signals:
     void colorChanged(const QColor &color);
 
 protected:
-    virtual void update();
+    virtual osg::Node *createNode();
+    virtual void updateNode();
 
 private:
     struct Hidden;
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGTransformNode.cpp b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGTransformNode.cpp
index 46f79ba18..8b958cd5f 100644
--- a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGTransformNode.cpp
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGTransformNode.cpp
@@ -52,9 +52,12 @@ public:
     QVector3D position;
 
     Hidden(OSGTransformNode *self) : QObject(self), self(self), childNode(NULL)
+    {}
+
+    osg::Node *createNode()
     {
         transform = new osg::PositionAttitudeTransform();
-        self->setNode(transform);
+        return transform;
     }
 
     bool acceptChildNode(OSGNode *node)
@@ -202,9 +205,14 @@ void OSGTransformNode::setPosition(QVector3D arg)
     }
 }
 
-void OSGTransformNode::update()
+osg::Node *OSGTransformNode::createNode()
 {
-    Inherited::update();
+    return h->createNode();
+}
+
+void OSGTransformNode::updateNode()
+{
+    Inherited::updateNode();
 
     if (isDirty(Child)) {
         h->updateChildNode();
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGTransformNode.hpp b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGTransformNode.hpp
index 17f66965f..992b70c48 100644
--- a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGTransformNode.hpp
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgQtQuick/OSGTransformNode.hpp
@@ -36,8 +36,7 @@
 // TODO derive from OSGGroup...
 namespace osgQtQuick {
 class OSGQTQUICK_EXPORT OSGTransformNode : public OSGNode {
-    Q_OBJECT
-    Q_PROPERTY(osgQtQuick::OSGNode *childNode READ childNode WRITE setChildNode NOTIFY childNodeChanged)
+    Q_OBJECT Q_PROPERTY(osgQtQuick::OSGNode *childNode READ childNode WRITE setChildNode NOTIFY childNodeChanged)
     Q_PROPERTY(QVector3D scale READ scale WRITE setScale NOTIFY scaleChanged)
     Q_PROPERTY(QVector3D attitude READ attitude WRITE setAttitude NOTIFY attitudeChanged)
     Q_PROPERTY(QVector3D position READ position WRITE setPosition NOTIFY positionChanged)
@@ -68,7 +67,8 @@ signals:
     void positionChanged(QVector3D arg);
 
 protected:
-    virtual void update();
+    virtual osg::Node *createNode();
+    virtual void updateNode();
 
 private:
     struct Hidden;
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgearth.pro b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgearth.pro
index 2a8205b8c..7b0fbd989 100644
--- a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgearth.pro
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/osgearth.pro
@@ -53,9 +53,10 @@ HEADERS += \
     osgQtQuick/OSGGroup.hpp \
     osgQtQuick/OSGTransformNode.hpp \
     osgQtQuick/OSGShapeNode.hpp \
+    osgQtQuick/OSGImageNode.hpp \
     osgQtQuick/OSGTextNode.hpp \
     osgQtQuick/OSGFileNode.hpp \
-    osgQtQuick/OSGBackgroundNode.hpp \
+    osgQtQuick/OSGBillboardNode.hpp \
     osgQtQuick/OSGCamera.hpp \
     osgQtQuick/OSGViewport.hpp
 
@@ -65,9 +66,10 @@ SOURCES += \
     osgQtQuick/OSGGroup.cpp \
     osgQtQuick/OSGTransformNode.cpp \
     osgQtQuick/OSGShapeNode.cpp \
+    osgQtQuick/OSGImageNode.cpp \
     osgQtQuick/OSGTextNode.cpp \
     osgQtQuick/OSGFileNode.cpp \
-    osgQtQuick/OSGBackgroundNode.cpp \
+    osgQtQuick/OSGBillboardNode.cpp \
     osgQtQuick/OSGCamera.cpp \
     osgQtQuick/OSGViewport.cpp
 
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/utility.cpp b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/utility.cpp
index 5551d40ee..5c4414e4c 100644
--- a/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/utility.cpp
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/libs/osgearth/utility.cpp
@@ -33,8 +33,9 @@
 #include "osgQtQuick/OSGFileNode.hpp"
 #include "osgQtQuick/OSGTransformNode.hpp"
 #include "osgQtQuick/OSGShapeNode.hpp"
+#include "osgQtQuick/OSGImageNode.hpp"
 #include "osgQtQuick/OSGTextNode.hpp"
-#include "osgQtQuick/OSGBackgroundNode.hpp"
+#include "osgQtQuick/OSGBillboardNode.hpp"
 #include "osgQtQuick/OSGCamera.hpp"
 #include "osgQtQuick/OSGViewport.hpp"
 
@@ -534,28 +535,34 @@ void registerTypes()
 {
     int maj = 1, min = 0;
 
-    // @uri osgQtQuick
+    // viewport
+    qmlRegisterType<osgQtQuick::OSGViewport>("OsgQtQuick", maj, min, "OSGViewport");
+    qmlRegisterType<osgQtQuick::UpdateMode>("OsgQtQuick", maj, min, "UpdateMode");
+
+    // basic nodes
     qmlRegisterType<osgQtQuick::OSGNode>("OsgQtQuick", maj, min, "OSGNode");
 
     qmlRegisterType<osgQtQuick::OSGGroup>("OsgQtQuick", maj, min, "OSGGroup");
 
-    qmlRegisterType<osgQtQuick::OSGFileNode>("OsgQtQuick", maj, min, "OSGFileNode");
-    qmlRegisterType<osgQtQuick::OptimizeMode>("OsgQtQuick", maj, min, "OptimizeMode");
-
     qmlRegisterType<osgQtQuick::OSGTransformNode>("OsgQtQuick", maj, min, "OSGTransformNode");
 
-    qmlRegisterType<osgQtQuick::OSGTextNode>("OsgQtQuick", maj, min, "OSGTextNode");
-
+    // primitive nodes
     qmlRegisterType<osgQtQuick::OSGShapeNode>("OsgQtQuick", maj, min, "OSGShapeNode");
     qmlRegisterType<osgQtQuick::ShapeType>("OsgQtQuick", maj, min, "ShapeType");
 
-    qmlRegisterType<osgQtQuick::OSGBackgroundNode>("OsgQtQuick", maj, min, "OSGBackgroundNode");
+    qmlRegisterType<osgQtQuick::OSGImageNode>("OsgQtQuick", maj, min, "OSGImageNode");
 
-    qmlRegisterType<osgQtQuick::OSGViewport>("OsgQtQuick", maj, min, "OSGViewport");
-    qmlRegisterType<osgQtQuick::UpdateMode>("OsgQtQuick", maj, min, "UpdateMode");
+    qmlRegisterType<osgQtQuick::OSGTextNode>("OsgQtQuick", maj, min, "OSGTextNode");
 
+    qmlRegisterType<osgQtQuick::OSGBillboardNode>("OsgQtQuick", maj, min, "OSGBillboardNode");
+
+    qmlRegisterType<osgQtQuick::OSGFileNode>("OsgQtQuick", maj, min, "OSGFileNode");
+    qmlRegisterType<osgQtQuick::OptimizeMode>("OsgQtQuick", maj, min, "OptimizeMode");
+
+    // camera nodes
     qmlRegisterType<osgQtQuick::OSGCamera>("OsgQtQuick", maj, min, "OSGCamera");
 
+    // camera manipulators
     qmlRegisterType<osgQtQuick::OSGCameraManipulator>("OsgQtQuick", maj, min, "OSGCameraManipulator");
     qmlRegisterType<osgQtQuick::OSGNodeTrackerManipulator>("OsgQtQuick", maj, min, "OSGNodeTrackerManipulator");
     qmlRegisterType<osgQtQuick::TrackerMode>("OsgQtQuick", maj, min, "TrackerMode");
diff --git a/ground/gcs/src/share/qml/model/ModelView.qml b/ground/gcs/src/share/qml/model/ModelView.qml
index 200e3510c..8e7bea6f9 100644
--- a/ground/gcs/src/share/qml/model/ModelView.qml
+++ b/ground/gcs/src/share/qml/model/ModelView.qml
@@ -45,14 +45,16 @@ Item {
 
         OSGGroup {
             id: sceneNode
-            children: [
-                transformNode,
-                backgroundNode
-            ]
+            children: [ transformNode, backgroundNode ]
         }
 
-        OSGBackgroundNode {
+        OSGBillboardNode {
             id: backgroundNode
+            children: [ backgroundImageNode ]
+        }
+
+        OSGImageNode {
+            id: backgroundImageNode
             imageFile: pfdContext.backgroundImageFile
         }