I was inspired in a comment on Mustang51's long running (and amazing) thread. The intent of this thread is to post scale models that are SO GOOD that we have a hard time identifying that it is not a full-size aircraft. The rules:

1. This is a thread for FLYING SCALE AIRCRAFT. Please do not post photos of static displays, fantasy aircraft or full size aircraft.

2. This is a critical thread. We will try to find any flaw in your submission. Shrinking violets need not apply.

3. This is primarily about the aircraft, but we are evaluating the entire submission, so let's not have "giant scale" people in the background, etc.

4. Please, no blatant photoshopping.

So if you have the right stuff and don't have a frail ego, have at it...

Note new Rule #1. I guess you have to be repetitively redundant...


MEMOREX TROPHY WINNERS:
Post 12: SE-5a

I will make an initial submission, to test the response mechanisms. Here is the TU-4AEW that I photographed at Scale Masters, 2006 in Muncie:

The only thing that gives it away is the texture of the asphalt.

Here are a couple of mine. Neither is Scale Masters quality, but I think they look pretty good.

I suspect this is a hopeless task.

An experimental Marine ground attack plane at Miramar MCAS

Cessna 150.

Well, Alan:

I don't know what it is (something from a movie???) but I know my military birds pretty well and that is NOT a scale model of any real aircraft. Perhaps a fantasy aircraft?

So how does that photo contribute to the topic this thread?

Kmot:

Aircraft looks good. Got 60-70 hours in 150/152 models and it passes my 10-second test.

The attitude isn't right unless the aircraft is attempting an accelerated stall. A 150 can't maintain that AOA with flaps up.

Dr1:

I think you have found a way around the rules. The photo resolution really isn't adequate to see any features, so we can't really criticize it

So far, I think Kmot's looks most convincing as a full-scale. As far as the climb attitude goes, who knows, maybe it's a newbie pilot and it's getting ready to fall out of the sky.

Unless you pose the thing and hide or disguise the obvious, like coarseness of runway, big spark plugs sticking out, glow exhaust pipes, etc. this is difficult.

Here's my futile attempt, runway gives it away.

Beautiful aircraft too. As you said, only the runway is unconvincing.

Does Control Line count?
Steve

Wow, there's a lot of great rigging on that bird!

It's going to take someone more knowledgeable than me to criticize that bird. I especially like the propeller hub. That's usually the first place I look to find a "model" aircraft.

Even a WWI buff is going to find precious little to complain about on Steve's stunning SE5a. His radiator is beyond belief. Steve, I can hardly wait to see you're build of the 1/3 scale version!

That's a great picture of the Cub. Actually, that's what we really need -- great air-to-air photos of actual aircraft. I'm so tired of looking up at the bottom of RC models doing flybys or sitting on the ground.

Beautiful Cub shot. The pushrods and control horns on the tail surfaces are a giveaway, but that makes it all the more an outstanding in flight photo.

Steve Couch's S.E.-5a is featured in the Feb 2008 issue of Model Aviation, in the Scale Championships article. Has a marvelous close up of the radiator detail.

The Cessna is a Hostetler with a Saito 300 twin.

Steve:

I think your SE-5 is our first "can't tell it ain't real" award winner! I guess I need to come up with an award name...


After some reflection, the award will be the "Memorex" award. Those over 40 should remember the ads that asked the question "Is it Live, or is it Memorex"

Steve - Your SE-5 photo is the inaugural winner of the MEMOREX award.[sm=thumbs_up.gif]

Future MEMOREX awards will be awarded when there is no credible (yup, I determine credible) criticism of a submission.

So far, I'd say they are all winners. I especially like the Cub. What an outstanding shot of a great model!
These two are my favorite shots. You can't see as much detail with the lighting, but I love the effect.
Steve

I don't think the shadows on the ground are as long as the shadows on the Cub. My ichthyology detector is blinking.

Jetrench: Could you share how that photo was taken (from what platform, with what equipment)?

The Cub photo is the ONLY photo here that looks real to me. Even the photo of Steve's amazing model looks immediatley like a model to me.

Actually, the photo Allan posted is also pretty realistic just as a photo. There's something about the somewhat unclear quality of the photograph that lends it a certain reality.

Fliir, Picture was taken from a full scale J3 Cub using my regular old Olympus digital camera. No Zoom. The guy that owns the full scale Cub and the airport we were flying from was Bruce Bohannon who is the owner and pilot of the Exxon Flyin Tiger. He is an amazing formation pilot and flys RC also. One evening after a few beers we started talking about RC and brought up trying to fly formation with his full scale Cub and my Byron 1/3 scale. The next day I brought my model out and what you see is the result. We put another guy in the front seat of the cub and he took the pictures. And it was that close. No Zoom. We have flown formation several times and gets better each time. After each flight Bruce comes back just worn out for he is doing all the hard work. I just fly around while he flys formation on me. Since then he has managed to talk me into jumping in the back seat of the full scale Cub to fly the model while he flys from the front seat. Some of you might have seen that on the Outdoor Channel's Wings To Adventure. Mike
Here's a pic of the previous flight from the ground.