Originally Posted by
Sport_Pilot
You are missing my point. It was not a near miss with a QF-4 that was reported, it was a near miss with a large jet model aircraft that was reported. I am saying it could have been a QF-4 that was off at a distance (like miles away on approach to Tindal) and light such that the orange paint would not be that noticeable. Of course even if the paint could be seen the pilot may not have known it mean't it was an Air Force drone.
Of course when pilots are telling other pilots to report any drone sighting as a near miss then I question any pilot reports. They are no saints. Just look at the numbers that recently flunked their blood tests for drugs and alcohol for example. A jury would not necessarily see their honesty as high as you apparently do.
If it was actually as you say, a QF4 at a distance, then it still would have been in radar contact and they would not have listed it at all, since radar info would have clearly identified it as such - at the great distance you describe.