41 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
41 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Epic flying Grim Reaper prank terrorizes citizens

by KingOfContentMarketing
32 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
    • |
Tom Mabe is one of the more prominent YouTube pranksters. You may have seen his "Fishing for Police" where he dangled doughnuts from a fishing line outside the entrance to a police station.

Anyhowz, he had the great idea of turning a drone into a flying ghoul with predictable results--people ran like hell:

  • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
    At first I might think it was a large bird. But the skull would make me try to figure out how it was being controlled.

    I wonder how many people actually ran from it. Pretty inventive.
    Signature
    One Call Closing book https://www.amazon.com/One-Call-Clos...=1527788418&sr

    What if they're not stars? What if they are holes poked in the top of a container so we can breath?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8650733].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author socialentry
    looks great but pretty fake also how can this thing fly
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8651534].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author socialentry
    i mean wheres the engine or rotors
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8651537].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Originally Posted by socialentry View Post

      i mean wheres the engine or rotors
      In the middle. The "inventor" just draped a costume over the frame.
      Signature
      One Call Closing book https://www.amazon.com/One-Call-Clos...=1527788418&sr

      What if they're not stars? What if they are holes poked in the top of a container so we can breath?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8651974].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
        He, he, yeah, take some pots shots at it, then if it keeps flying then l would get worried?


        Shane
        Signature
        Archimedes Forum, Sign up l won't bite
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8652006].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
          I think it most certainly would have startled me, but I don't think I would have run away screaming!

          Not in broad daylight anyway, heh heh.


          Terra
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8652226].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author HeySal
          Originally Posted by tagiscom View Post

          He, he, yeah, take some pots shots at it, then if it keeps flying then l would get worried?


          Shane
          I think that most people I know would do that. I probably would. I don't "run" for any reason. LOL. If something even tries to make me move that fast, it's going down. I'm having trouble believing that nobody did knock it down, or at least try to.
          Signature

          Sal
          When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
          Beyond the Path

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8652327].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author DubDubDubDot
        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

        In the middle. The "inventor" just draped a costume over the frame.
        That's what I thought also, but the material doesn't seem to blow from the wind created by the rotors.

        He could have it on a line dangling from a drone, but then I wonder why it doesn't start spinning. The wings on the reaper might provide stability.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8653430].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
          Originally Posted by DubDubDubDot View Post

          That's what I thought also, but the material doesn't seem to blow from the wind created by the rotors.

          He could have it on a line dangling from a drone, but then I wonder why it doesn't start spinning. The wings on the reaper might provide stability.
          Actually, that's more likely the reality. The cloth not blowing (or getting caught in the rotors) is a good clue.

          The drone was just out of frame. And there may even be a better answer. But so far, yours makes more sense.
          Signature
          One Call Closing book https://www.amazon.com/One-Call-Clos...=1527788418&sr

          What if they're not stars? What if they are holes poked in the top of a container so we can breath?
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8653536].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author Kurt
            Originally Posted by DubDubDubDot View Post

            That's what I thought also, but the material doesn't seem to blow from the wind created by the rotors.

            He could have it on a line dangling from a drone, but then I wonder why it doesn't start spinning. The wings on the reaper might provide stability.
            Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

            Actually, that's more likely the reality. The cloth not blowing (or getting caught in the rotors) is a good clue.

            The drone was just out of frame. And there may even be a better answer. But so far, yours makes more sense.
            It's seems to me the cloth in the costume would either impede the air going into the propellors, if there were properllors, or the thrust would be pushed against the cloth of the costume, either making it impossible to get lift.

            You need air to get through the propellors and the air can't push against itself.
            Signature
            Discover the fastest and easiest ways to create your own valuable products.
            Tons of FREE Public Domain content you can use to make your own content, PLR, digital and POD products.
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8653676].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
          Originally Posted by DubDubDubDot View Post

          That's what I thought also, but the material doesn't seem to blow from the wind created by the rotors.

          He could have it on a line dangling from a drone, but then I wonder why it doesn't start spinning. The wings on the reaper might provide stability.
          I'd guess three or four lines from the drone.
          One to each wing, and one or two to the rest of the body.
          The wind from the flight keeping it straight - like a kite.

          Dan
          Signature

          "If you think you're the smartest person in the room, then you're probably in the wrong room."

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8654101].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author socialentry
        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

        In the middle. The "inventor" just draped a costume over the frame.
        I still don't buy it though. He flies it way to close to the cyclists, and they barely even flinch.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8653743].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
          Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

          I think that most people I know would do that. I probably would. I don't "run" for any reason. LOL. If something even tries to make me move that fast, it's going down. I'm having trouble believing that nobody did knock it down, or at least try to.
          Yep, as others are saying, if it was real the spectators would be more responsive.

          Some drones can carry books from A to B, so the weight is feasible, but the shriek is probably dubbed on?


          Shane

          Yep shoot it, and throw it on Ebay, "Grim Reaper Drone, Cheap".

          Better than the stuffed cat one! Groan! :rolleyes:
          Signature
          Archimedes Forum, Sign up l won't bite
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8653815].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
    I think this would be a better Halloween prank.

    Signature

    Do not get between a wombat and a chocolate biscuit; you will regret it dearly!

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8652390].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by derekwong28 View Post

      I think this would be a better Halloween prank.

      Extremely Scary Corpse Elevator Prank in Brazil - YouTube
      That second one acted too quickly. It was like she expected it.

      Steve
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8653364].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
        I think the most likely explanation is that the reaper was suspended by threads from a drone. A real drone just won't tilt like that. Here is a video of a friend of mine flying a drone. He is a pro flier and the drone was flown very aggressively.




        Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

        That second one acted too quickly. It was like she expected it.
        Perhaps it is better it was fake. This was definitely the scariest and most irresponsible prank I have ever seen.
        Signature

        Do not get between a wombat and a chocolate biscuit; you will regret it dearly!

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8654376].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Kurt
          Originally Posted by derekwong28 View Post

          I think the most likely explanation is that the reaper was suspended by threads from a drone. A real drone just won't tilt like that. Here is a video of a friend of mine flying a drone. He is a pro flier and the drone was flown very aggressively.
          This was my guess as well. It doesn't move like it's on a guidewire and it doesn't seem it would be within the laws of physics for it to fly if the propellers were inside the costume.
          Signature
          Discover the fastest and easiest ways to create your own valuable products.
          Tons of FREE Public Domain content you can use to make your own content, PLR, digital and POD products.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8654396].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author Kay King
            I think most of it is done through film editing. If you look closely you'll notice the "reaper" slides off to the side in several frames where you see it head-on. Also several places where the peopld don't react to it - or reaction is not timely/appropriate.

            I think it was filmed with a small drone or remote plane - and then edited to superimpose the grim reaper over the drone to make the film.
            Signature
            Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
            ***
            Dear April: I don't want any trouble from you.
            January was long, February was iffy, March was a freaking dumpster fire.
            So sit down, be quiet, and don't touch anything.
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8655144].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
              Are we sure it's not the actual grim reaper?
              Signature

              Wibble, bark, my old man's a mushroom etc...

              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8655211].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
            Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

            This was my guess as well. It doesn't move like it's on a guidewire and it doesn't seem it would be within the laws of physics for it to fly if the propellers were inside the costume.
            That makes sense. Maybe the scream was dubbed later, maybe not. But the reactions may have been influenced by the fact that the people can see the drone...and we cannot.

            They probably also watched the pilot set up everything. It kind of takes the scariness out of it.

            Originally Posted by Richard Van View Post

            Are we sure it's not the actual grim reaper?
            Stop it, now...you rabble rouser you.
            Signature
            One Call Closing book https://www.amazon.com/One-Call-Clos...=1527788418&sr

            What if they're not stars? What if they are holes poked in the top of a container so we can breath?
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8655279].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author Kay King
              I think the ONLY thing they saw is the drone - that's why there's no reaction until it gets very close to them.

              The screams, the screech of the reaper - and the reaper itself...was added in the editing room.
              Signature
              Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
              ***
              Dear April: I don't want any trouble from you.
              January was long, February was iffy, March was a freaking dumpster fire.
              So sit down, be quiet, and don't touch anything.
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8655330].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author lcombs
    Tom started as the best telephone prankster ever.

    This is the absolute #1 telemarketer prank ever.

    Signature
    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fresh...55326481208883
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8653691].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
    I asked for an opinion at a RC model forum and the reply was that it was probably a pusher prop plane like this



    Signature

    Do not get between a wombat and a chocolate biscuit; you will regret it dearly!

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8655342].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
      Kay,

      Just a though but what would really scare you more, the grim reaper flying and looking like a toy, or a drone plane.

      No disrespect but a drone plane is a fairly scary thing, unless I've missed something and they're fairly common over there.

      If I saw a drone plane I'd be on the anti terrorist hotline as soon as I'd taken cover.
      Signature

      Wibble, bark, my old man's a mushroom etc...

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8655357].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author KingOfContentMarketing
      Originally Posted by derekwong28 View Post

      I asked for an opinion at a RC model forum and the reply was that it was probably a pusher prop plane like this


      Radio-controlled flying Superman - no comment - YouTube

      NEW flying remote control Iron Man Toy! - YouTube
      These are cool but I think they move too fast. This is what Mabe said:

      "
      Mr Mabe, 44, said: 'We have had a lot of fun making this. It's taken some work to make it happen, but it's great fun. 'It flies with the help of a remote control helicopter but you rig it up in a really brilliant way. It has to be quiet so people don't hear it.

      'Wherever there are people, we will go. We have since managed to make its eyes glow red and we are going to go out at night and scare people."

      'The best bit is when you sneak up on people. We fly it about 200 feet in the air and then drop it down so it's right behind them.

      Mr Mabe, a self-confessed 'crazy dad' from Louisville, Kentucky, added: 'There's been a lot of trial and error but we think we've got it just right, in time for Halloween.

      'We're going to take it to a street where there are always lots of trick-or-treaters and are going to set a camera up from inside the Reaper's face to capture the children's reactions.
      'I have always wanted to do this, it's such a laugh.'

      Signature
      Marketing is not a battle of products. It is a battle of perceptions.
      - Jack Trout
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8655392].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
        Originally Posted by KingOfContentMarketing View Post

        These are cool but I think they move too fast. This is what Mabe said:

        "
        Mr Mabe, 44, said: 'We have had a lot of fun making this. It's taken some work to make it happen, but it's great fun. 'It flies with the help of a remote control helicopter but you rig it up in a really brilliant way. It has to be quiet so people don't hear it.

        'Wherever there are people, we will go. We have since managed to make its eyes glow red and we are going to go out at night and scare people."

        'The best bit is when you sneak up on people. We fly it about 200 feet in the air and then drop it down so it's right behind them.

        Mr Mabe, a self-confessed 'crazy dad' from Louisville, Kentucky, added: 'There's been a lot of trial and error but we think we've got it just right, in time for Halloween.

        'We're going to take it to a street where there are always lots of trick-or-treaters and are going to set a camera up from inside the Reaper's face to capture the children's reactions.
        'I have always wanted to do this, it's such a laugh.'
        That thing would have been be very difficult to fly, there is nothing aerodynamic about it.
        Signature

        Do not get between a wombat and a chocolate biscuit; you will regret it dearly!

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8655405].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
        Originally Posted by KingOfContentMarketing View Post

        These are cool but I think they move too fast. This is what Mabe said:

        "
        Mr Mabe, 44, said: 'We have had a lot of fun making this. It's taken some work to make it happen, but it's great fun. 'It flies with the help of a remote control helicopter but you rig it up in a really brilliant way. It has to be quiet so people don't hear it.

        'Wherever there are people, we will go. We have since managed to make its eyes glow red and we are going to go out at night and scare people."

        'The best bit is when you sneak up on people. We fly it about 200 feet in the air and then drop it down so it's right behind them.

        Mr Mabe, a self-confessed 'crazy dad' from Louisville, Kentucky, added: 'There's been a lot of trial and error but we think we've got it just right, in time for Halloween.

        'We're going to take it to a street where there are always lots of trick-or-treaters and are going to set a camera up from inside the Reaper's face to capture the children's reactions.
        'I have always wanted to do this, it's such a laugh.'
        Rigged up like a marionette, hanging from the copter.
        Perhaps an MP3 player (or something) and speakers
        on the reaper.
        Signature

        "If you think you're the smartest person in the room, then you're probably in the wrong room."

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8655428].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Kay King
          No disrespect but a drone plane is a fairly scary thing, unless I've missed something and they're fairly common over there.
          Not really because most true "drones" are good sized. Chances area people would see this as a remote "plane" not a "surveillance drone" - if only because of the way it was flying.

          What I didn't see in the video is ANYONE pointing to the sky and the grim reaper as it approaches....they only notice and run when it comes very close.
          Signature
          Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
          ***
          Dear April: I don't want any trouble from you.
          January was long, February was iffy, March was a freaking dumpster fire.
          So sit down, be quiet, and don't touch anything.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8655439].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author Kay King
            ...or maybe it is flying

            'It flies with the help of a remote control helicopter but you rig it up in a really brilliant way. It has to be quiet so people don't hear it.
            'Wherever there are people, we will go. We have since managed to make its eyes glow red and we are going to go out at night and scare people.
            The thread title was right to begin with - the guy who did it calls it

            the GRIN Reaper
            Signature
            Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
            ***
            Dear April: I don't want any trouble from you.
            January was long, February was iffy, March was a freaking dumpster fire.
            So sit down, be quiet, and don't touch anything.
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8655498].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author KingOfContentMarketing
    What he should do next is create a sky full of them--sort of like Wizard of Oz.
    Signature
    Marketing is not a battle of products. It is a battle of perceptions.
    - Jack Trout
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8655827].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
      Originally Posted by KingOfContentMarketing View Post

      What he should do next is create a sky full of them--sort of like Wizard of Oz.
      If this was indeed a model helicopter lifting up the Reaper, then it was highly irresponsible. There would have been a case to charge him with life endangerment. For a start, you need quite a large model to lift that sort of load. Also, it was clear that he would have been flying close or directly above people.

      This is a very serious topic with the RC helicopter community because 3 people were killed by large model helicopters this year.
      Signature

      Do not get between a wombat and a chocolate biscuit; you will regret it dearly!

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8658031].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author KingOfContentMarketing
        Originally Posted by derekwong28 View Post

        If this was indeed a model helicopter lifting up the Reaper, then it was highly irresponsible. There would have been a case to charge him with life endangerment. For a start, you need quite a large model to lift that sort of load. Also, it was clear that he would have been flying close or directly above people.

        This is a very serious topic with the RC helicopter community because 3 people were killed by large model helicopters this year.
        I was golfing at a course next to an RC airfield this year when an RC jet crashed right in front of us. I have to admit it was cool watching it burst into thousands of pieces, but I'm glad it didn't hit me in the head.
        Signature
        Marketing is not a battle of products. It is a battle of perceptions.
        - Jack Trout
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8658267].message }}

Trending Topics