Yeah. Was talking about the particular Witty model you posted. I think majority of all available Lakenheath F-15 pics usually show their intake ramps down as default in particular. There are a few that aren't, of course. Regardless, it would be nice and awesome if the modelers can offer a new model to match the particular new/latest 001-pics with the Decepticon-logo and additional ordnances. Maybe Takara can now have a better reason to finally make a newer MP Seeker-mould that better matches real-world F-15Cs like Lakenheath F-15s...
Sorry, I can't post links yet, I only just joined to comment in this thread (been lurking for years though!). You should find it just searching Google for Challenger 2 Megatron though.
There is no "default" setting and it doesn't vary by squadron or by individual plane, nor can it be controlled by the pilot. "Usually down" would mean there's something wrong with the plane. All F-15 intakes work as such: Up when engines are off, at low angles of attack, and high subsonic speed. Down at engine start, and at low-speed/high-alpha. They start to really "come into their own" and actively work to trim/pitch the aircraft when supersonic, as the stabilators become less effective then. There simply isn't a "this plane/this squadron usually has them this way " scenario. All F-15 intakes behave the same way all the time---every variant/nation/squadron/decade. It is purely "when the photographer took the picture". And as they're most likely to be down at takeoff, and full-burner F-15 takeoffs look cool----you get a lot of pics like that.
I can't describe what's happening with me right now. .. but the fact that I'm going to get to see the blue angels again in 5 days might paint a picture. lol
:sigh: You don't need to "explain" much about it. We both know the function of it and stuff. I'm just saying that majority of Lakenheath F-15s are almost always pictured with the intake ramps in down position just as was seen on the pics/links in the first page, and that the old Witty model you mentioned in this thread just does not really match it other than the tail-numbering. In contrast, the recent HobbyMaster Lakenheath-model is just much closer to the real ones other than the specific tail-numbering. --- Fwiw, both model-makers will still need to tampo a Decepticon symbol and "Starscream" naming to really match the real one. Takara might or might not let them do so depending on trademark-licensing and stuff for collectibles.
Somewhere in the USAF I'd like to think that there's a F-22 called "Thundercracker", with a pilot who writes TV shows for a hobby.
Sorry, I'm just not following. So, the Witty model that is literally the exact same plane, down to the individual serial number, is not as close a match to the real thing, as HobbyMaster's model of a different plane? Based on "there's more pics showing it the ramps one way"-----whose pics, where? And why would it matter? Does that mean I could go plane-spot near Lakenheath for a while, take a couple thousand photos (fill up a new SD card) of Lakenheath F-15's with the ramps up, post them on the 'net, and then say "well, clearly the intake ramps are usually up, because now there's thousands more pictures showing them in the up position" and change your opinion on Lakenheath F-15's? It seems to me your only basis for "model accuracy" is "how many photos exist showing the ramps in a certain position" when we both know that the ramp positions change constantly throughout the day, and thus should not be a factor for the model's accuracy. If you know how the intake ramps work, then how can you say that any model is more or less accurate than another, based on something that changes several times per hour? How is it any different than saying "XYZ model is less accurate, because the canopy is open, instead of closed"? Or gear up vs gear down, or rudder position? (Some Witty models have positionable rudders---would you say left rudder vs right rudder is "more accurate" for a particular F-15 based on pics on the 'net showing it more often one way than another?)
lol! Not really sure why you're still on this. That said, I'm interested if you actually have that Witty model that you posted and if the intakes can be moved to the down position. If you do, then all it'll need is a Decepticon decal to really match the real one pictured in the first page. If you don't have it, then there is no sense in continuing this side discussion.
It was only a matter time for AF pilots to come of age to have some authority to put the thing they loved when they were 9 years old on their planes.
Just goes to show that anybody can be a nerd/geek. Reminds me of a story told by Patrick Stewart, how an astronaut showed him a photo of their team in outer space, and they were all wearing Star Trek uniforms. Patrick assumed that the photo was photoshopped, but then they confirmed that it was real, lol.