So, here is a question for people who still build, whether from scratch/kit or from ARFs RTFs.

When do you take a picture of the completed model? 1). Before the test flight? 2). After the test flight?

I take them before, figuring the airplane will never look better and may even not exist after the test hop, so now is the time! Other's talk about being superstitious and that photographing previouis to the test flight, is a sure way of having the test flight go bad!

Not having a superstitious nature and never having seen evidence; or, an incedence to support the photo previous to test flight being any harder on airplanes then the other, I feel no reason to delay taking pictures previous to the test flight!

So, what do you think?

Not a problem. Just ask anyone for a stick of Beemans.

Yes, and I can even find Beemans! Great gum, flavor doesn't last very long though, about the length of a test flight!

Wow, only one person (other than myself) has any input into this conroversial subject?

I always take photos before the first flight. Gives me a reference to work from if needed later...

Always before, just in case it ends up as a black bag job. No superstitions either- my flying will kill a model long before fate/karma/inherent perversity of the universe-even has the opportunity to have a swipe at it.

Odd

I take photos of the build as I go, mainly for self-glorification via a build thread.

I have my maiden flight before I paint it because:
its a bit lighter so it will fly better,
if its written off I have less wasted effort,
if it needs modification or repair I won't have to re-do a fancy paint job.

Years of mostly successful maiden flights have removed any superstition I used to have.

Any true aviator is superstitious, whether that applies to other areas of their lives or not. Its just the way things are

Logic would say before the first flight, but then that superstition sneaks in and has a hand and ruining things.

Its like fishing for me, the word gaff had disastrous consequences. Would be hooked up to a rampaging fish, 700m of line out and slowly getting this fish back. As soon as that word gaff was mentioned was the start of the end. Don't have those dramas anymore-can't remember the last time I had a fish, let alone one of those fish

Actually, the two airplanes I can recall, that I crashed on the first flight were airplanes that I did not take photos of! So, your right, I am superstitious! I believe that if I do not take a photo of a new airplane previous to the test hop, my odds of crashing on the first flight are significantly raised! The fact that this is in opposition to many people's thoughts on this phenomena makes it no less a superstition!

Originally Posted by Mode One

...any input into this conroversial subject?

Hum, I've always just assumed that you took pictures BEFORE the first flight....Never crossed my mind to take them afterwards.

If you take the photos first, you might be more likely to engage in risky behavior since you already took the photos, thus the preponderance to crash more often.

I do the as-built photos for myself as much as for putting into build threads. The pre-flight photo is just the capstone of the construction process. I take photos afterwards too.

Andy

Now I've never even thought of any of this. So will have to decide which way to go when I maiden mine. I'll put a lucky horseshoe in it how's that?

Yes, it is a very serious matter! One miss-step and superstition can creep into your reality amd cripple you for life!

I take pics before the first flight and add the details and a final pic after the first flight.

I'm no where as experienced as most of you but I would be taking some photos first. Just because I'd be proud of what I've done. Second...in case there is a "mishap" I have some nice photos.

A crash is always a possibility and having a rabbit's foot in your pocket during it's maiden won't make it fly better. If mine crashes it's because of two things.

1. My building skills were lacking.

2. My flying skills were lacking.

I know some of you superstitious folks are cringing right now! Sorry!

Robert