Fooled by a replica?

[Dave Lindauer]

What replicas (or "full scale models" if you wish) are convincing enought to fool most museum visitors?

To start things off, how about the Pacific Air Museum SBD-3?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nostri-imago/2858209014/

[old iron]

How about any Fokker Dr.1

[Roger Cain]

If the replicas are built to a convincing finish, I would imagine any replica could fool the average visitor. Being there just a month ago, I didn't look at the SBD for detail (hanging from the ceiling), thus I didn't realize it was a replica. The P-40, on the other had is very obvious, bu I still think most visitors wouldn't notice.

[gary1954]

I didn't do a close up evaluation of the B-24 at Lackland, and had no idea the real McCoy had been taken away as I hadn't really kept up with the Liberator. Then when I got closer to the "airplane" I know I said "WTF". and visions of portions of the DT Collection for his eateries flashed through my mind. I was sooooooo...disaportioned

[jet1]

outside on sticks for all to enjoy

[Jerry O'Neill]

Any one of the several Gee Bee R-1 or Model Z. Some of them actually fly!

I also think the TORA birds fool most people and they fly and are considered replicas.

There are some nice P-51 mock-ups out there that use some original parts and they look pretty good.

I think the X-1 from "The Right Stuff" looks pretty good as does some of the fiberglass replicas I've seen of created the X-1.
Jerry

[yakdriver]

Look at the WWI "replicas" by Vintage Airmen in NZ. They are exact down to the last minute detail. Don

[Michel C-GNCJ]

These two, in front of the RAF Museum at Hendon, UK are quite convincing:


This one too at the Museu do Ar in Portugal, until you start looking closely:

[lestweforget]

Does anyone know what happened to the Martin-Baker MB.5 replica that was bulit a few years ago?

[DarenC1]

You mean John Marlin's lookalike?

It underwent engine runs recently (pic in the last Flypast mag).

[jet1]

Does anyone know what happened to the Martin-Baker MB.5 replica that was bulit a few years ago?

more or less in reno.

[Speedy]

These two, in front of the RAF Museum at Hendon, UK are quite convincing:

Yeah, when I went to Hendon a couple years ago my heart literally sunk about three feet driving into the parking lot. "Oh no...please don't tell me they stuck wood and fabric planes on a stick in THIS climate". But once you get up close, they are 'fake' but REALLY convincing.

And Hacker was showing me (from a distance) about quanset hut at Duxford by the end of the runway where Stephen Grey 'supposedly' has all of the real Spitfire hulks that were traded from the RAF for his very, very lifelike fiberglass replicas to be used as gate guards. Can anyone confirm?

[JBoyle]

The P-51 at the American Air Museum at Duxford looks very good...enough to fool most people.

Likewise, I liked the B-24 at Lackland...again good enough for its job...and its good to know the real B-24 is beautifully restored kept under cover and a few feet away from the plastic P-51 mentioned above.

The Lackland P-38 is great too. Replicas really work well on poles since you usually can't get close enought to see the differences.

I do wish the USAF would take a page from Britain and replace all outside WWII fighter planes with plastic ones. In this day and age, there is no need for Mustangs, Thunderbolts, etc. sitting outside.

[Chris]

The best one I've seen is Bob DeFords Spitfire up in Prescott Az. I'll see if I can dig up a pic somewhere.

[retroaviation]

The best one I've seen is Bob DeFords Spitfire up in Prescott Az. I'll see if I can dig up a pic somewhere.

Oh, you mean this one?










Gary