bla bla

He certainly has.
There are a great deal of shockingly superb scale airplane in Europe, due to the F4C heritage one presumes.
What is most certainly evident though, is that the Top Gun invitational obviously isn't inviting the right people!

sebo

About Top Gun. Maybe Frankie T hasn't been introduced to these modelers. Maybe they can build well but aren't great fliers. Maybe they can't afford to come to the USA.
There are a lot of factors that come into play. If they wish to participate they could contact Frank and let him know. He's a good guy and I'm sure he would evaluate all candidates fairly.
In looking at the photos that come from overseas, I am greatly impressed. However, I am also impressed with what I have seen at top gun. Just my thoughts. Cordially, Ron

Phil Bousquet

Tom, nice images of the Curtis B2 Bomber. You should take credit as the builder. Here's a close up of the left wing gunner surrounded by a field of mutant giant grass.

Phil Bousquet

tom czenthe

Thanx Phil..........Your photography makes the B 2 come alive

Kevin R

Gulf Hawk ready to roll.........

SDCrashmaster

The Gulfhawk is a fantastic looking model. Congratulations on a fantastic looking airplane.
As far as the photos of it, I think you got a little too low, unless we are to believe that the full scale plane is being shot by someone laying on the ground also.
I think that on the front view, we should not be able to see the underside of the bottom wing.
BUT, I do applaud your effort, and again, fantastic model. Nice work.
Paul

inbagley

Who makes that awesome looking plane? Great shot, I am just starting to build my first Corsair....

allanflowers

Often we see models photographed in front of a full scale aircraft. When the photographer attempts to make the model look full scale too, he usually fails because he doesn't properly match the perspective. In fact, it is impossible to match the perspective unless he raises the model UP so the "scale" ground plane is proportional to the full scale one. This is actually very easy to do, given an understanding of the proper geometry. The drawing shows the technique to use and the formula to calculate the vertical distance of the scale ground plane beneath the observer's (or camera's) eye.

The first photo is an example of this technique using my little Falcon Models DH-2, which is only 16th scale. According to the formula, the model's ground plane should be about 3-3/4" below the eye point, for a standing man with an eye level 60" above the ground. An airbrushed shadow (done in Photoshop) completes the illusion remarkably well for such a crudely taken photo. The second shot is the original photo, before cropping and shadow.
With a minimum of care, much better results could easily be achieved. If a table is used, it should match the ground material for color and texture as much as possible. Post production airbrushing in a photo editing program is probably the easiest method though.

SDCrashmaster

Good post Allan. But I think that most shots of models with their full-scale counterparts are shot in a manner and time constraint that doesn't allow much creativity.
And I have found that 99% of modelers really just don't care.

For the most part, the "here's a picture of my airplane" works for them. The light never really goes on.
I know that you are familiar with the "ding, ding, ding" that happens when something is right. Whether it's an architectural concept, a drawing, the perfect mix of materials, etc.
When something is right aesthetically, you feel it.
Well, sad as it is, some don't have a threshhold. A picture is a picture is a picture. And, not only do they not posess the ability to determine how to go about turning the light on, they really don't care. That's why I'm glad that John VH started the "for the rest of us" thread. It's the perfect place for those who can't, don't know how, or could care less about really working a concept. They see their nice scale plane as THE picture...and ignore all the things that go into really creating an illusion. In the end, it does their laborous scale modeling no favors.

Your post is an excellent one, especially for those with scale GA aircraft who wish to shoot at the local airport with other GA aircraft or hangars in the BG. I would repost the shot of my Cessna in front of the hangar at Montgomery, and the 3 photos that I merged in PS to create the shot, but I've been accused of "Plastering" my "tired" model on the boards by some less secure, skills in question posters in the scale forums.
Photoshop is truly one of man's great inventions :-)
Paul

Juice

allanflowers,

Great idea. I have follow-on idea...

Put the camera on a tripod and snap the background picture. Then, without moving the camera and tripod, position the model on a green or blue table. The green/blue table would be similar to the screens they use in movie SFX. This way you can also capture the shadow on the green/blue table. You would cut and paste the plane and shadow on to the background image.

I have no experience doing this. It's just an idea that came to mind as I was reading your post.

Juice

lubin

Hello,
this is my Alfa FW 190.

lubin

Lucky Dog

My Feedback: (1)

My 1/4 scale Siemens Schuckart D1. I love the lighting that shows the rib tapes and stiching (well, the tapes anyway). Thanks Rhonda!



Maybe this is better:

Ed P

EAM B-17

Furbird

know what .....who f---in cares if the scale details match, as long as the participant made a concious effort to recreate scale.... Opps I think I just created another limitation???? Do whatever ya like!!!!

[:'(][:'(][:'(][:'(][:'(][:'(][:'(][:'(][:'(]

Ed P

Fair enough.

and where is your effort?

t_burley

My Feedback: (59)

amazing how people will come into this thread and ***** about what they feel
is wrong with the guidelines as Dave layed them out. If you dont like them,
dont post. Or do like the others, and start your own thread [8D]

Lucky Dog

My Feedback: (1)

I'm with ya Todd! [sm=thumbup.gif]

SDCrashmaster

Hey FurBird,
This thread has guidelines! If you have payed attention, you'd know that.

Todd is correct, there are plenty of threads here for those "almost" pics.

Next time, investigate a little further before thinking you're going to change public concensus on a thread with a gazillion views.

DaveGee

Great photos of lots of neat airplanes! For what it's worth, a few pics of recently completed P-47D Rozzie Geth. A cooperative effort between Bob Frey and me for a customer in Europe.

Regards,

DaveGee

Kevin R

These have to be the best scale pics. I have ever seen - surely, modelling at it's very best, and a great credit to both builder and photographer!

Ed P

That is a fantastic P-47!

Here is my Wipa B-24 in flight

DaveGee

Thanks, it seemed to work out as well as I hoped it would.

Nice B-24. Are those markings from the 448th BG? How large is that kit?

Regards,

DaveGee

Ed P

448th, right. 72" wingspan. Here is a video of her:


http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...highlight=b+24

DaveGee

Great video! Nicely done!!

DaveGee My dad few with the nearby 446th BG. He would have enjoyed seeing that.

Regards,

DaveGee

JIMMYTHEEAGLE

My Feedback: (47)

Topflite p-51 just before I left for topgun.