What would you like to see kitted?

[timpi]

I would like to see some smaller, i.e. 1/12th scale kits of the Sopwith Pup and maybe the Se5a. I would like to see them kitted for electric RC. I know some have been kitted by Arizona Model Aircraft and by Aerodrom RC. I would like to see these two done by AMA, in their museum quality series.

Tim Pivonka

[Mode One]

Tim, This thread was started by Fish Man, who is considering starting/starting a kit manufacturing comany. He came here asking for opinions on what we'd like to see kitted.

I have not heard one single good thing about Arizona Model Aircrafters! So, I would be very carefull dealing with this company!

[ProfLooney]

if you havent heard anything good you might wanna look round some more. theres a handful of guys complaining and found out 2 of them never dealt with azm. you wanna talk to ppl dealt with them go look on the uk forum for the dawn patrol display team. they been dealing with him and just ordered and got like a dozen 3rd scale kits with more orders coming in. there used to be some probs with azm but they been turning round and most of the complaints seem to be prices but that because ppl want something for nothing. like a 1200 dollar kit when broken down comes to find out 800 alone was just turnbuckles which come to 9 bucks a pair the same as you get them from dubro from. then nother 100 or so for photo etched parts. plus custom wheels. when it was all broken down the kit as far as wood stuff and plans was only 250 the rest was all in hardware.

I guess instead of looking at prices and complaining ppl should break down what they get for the price and how much it costs and do the math. then make a phone call and ask abt a kit without all that stuff and buy it a little at a time. Most ppl like to bitch and whine and not state the whole truth.

Look at his ebay page all the positive feedback by ppl. like I said you get the same ppl griping over and over but there are a ton of satisfied customers.

Not saying there havent been any problems like shipping time for one. well it takes me abt 2 weeks to get stuff from him but its not his fault the stuff ships and says priority but takes the stupid post office 2 weeks to deliver which all can be seen on the post mark when it was shipped. but you have guys complaining it took 2 or 3 weeks to get their stuff and none of them comment about when it shipped and how long it took the PO to arrive.

Dont go by a few ppls comments nor mine do the research yourself check his feedback on EBAY or check with the UK guys only positive comments from them just dont go by anyone just research or even call them and talk to them make your own choices. Like said on one thread there were 5 ppl complaining and out of them 2 of them had never even ordered from AZM they got their stuff from someone else and was complaining abt stuff that had nothing to do with azm

[Mode One]

Joe, I'm glad that you have had good luck with your dealings with Arizona Model Aircrafters! Since Arizona M.A. states it's prices right there at their website, I can't see how anyone can complain about their prices! You saw what they were asking and if you went ahead and purchased anyway, whos fault is that?!?

There is an ungoing thread at RCU on this company, the latest post on the thread was 10-30-2009, recent! I don't see people complaining about prices, they are complaining about the companies failure to perform: Delivery far past stated delivery date; or, not delivered at all! These are serious current problems I see with this company! I won't have dealings with them. So, I don't feel it's wrong for bringing this to peoples attention!

[ProfLooney]

ive seen that thread and thats the one was quoted from but also dont think this is the thread for this as its way off topic from the original post. and most of that was the same 5 ppl that whine with 2 of them never ordering before and 1 of them jaimie said to post the reciept etc and he would make it right and the guy couldnt even produce a reciept so out of the same 5 complaining 3 wqere shot down so I said look around as we all know most of rcu is a bunch of whiners and kids thats why several of us got together and started rcscalebuilder to get away from that crap due to noone moderates the forums and lets all kinds of stuff go on. Prove it or lose it and 3 there couldnt prove it

anyways this is way off topic so thats it on this from me

[Rittmeister]

I’d tend to agree in large part with Tim, as this thread was created asking for suggestions as to what to kit. I guess it somewhat depends on Fishmans initial thinking. Design and sell things never (or hardly ever seen before), does he want moderate production or mostly a boutique operation? I have no idea how many kits Mick Reeves, GTM, or AZM sell each year but the numbers are probably very very low considering the price. Like it or not there just aren’t that many out there wanting to spend 800-1,200 on a kit which probably means about 1,600 to 2,500 by the time it hits the runway, maybe more.
Then there’s the size issue I’ve built and flown large aircraft but in the long run many, especially the WW1 types are a pain in the a** to transport and rig, unless you’ve invested in a huge trailer, have lots of free time, etc, etc.

I tend to think there’s still an untapped market for moderate to large production for some simpler WW1 types. Things that will work well with small to medium electrics or .50 size 4 strokes. Something someone can build in a short period or times, good flyers, and offbeat enough to make the rat pack at the field take notice. Haven’t we got enough Great Planes Camels, SE-5’s and Triplanes flitting around?

I myself campaigning 2 great fliers at Rhinebeck for a long time. Plus used them for Club fun flies, and even contests. My BUSA Taube survived over 12 years of fun flies and combat and mission events at the Airdrome. Still airworthy today. My BUSA Bristol M-1 did rather well in AMA precision scale at Rhinebeck, albeit a lot of mods to the basic airframe. Static wasn’t that great but it flew the pattern so well it almost made up for it.

I’d again reiterate that planes like the Moraine A-1, the Fokker D-VIII, the Bristol M-1, and even the Loening M-8 are all interesting designs, good planforms, and TaDa. ALL monoplanes. Heck the Loening could even qualify for a float kit. These are the kind of things that look good, fly well, don’t cost a fortune, can fly out of small fields or even schoolyards.

Just some food for thought.

[Fish man]

Thanks rittmeister. I could care less about AZMA. I have been told by more than a handfull of people that I should not deal with them! They have and learned a hard lesson. I do not know know the owner, I have not done business with them, therefore I will with hold any comments on whether they are good or bad but I do tend to follow advice from people I do know and respect. As for getting excited and a title match take place on my thread...

I posted this to do a little market research and bring to the market what you, the WW1 modeler, wants. I ask that this thread stay in that spirt please.

Now, what scale components would you like? I wanted semi scale spoked wheels that are ready to go instead of a overpriced wheel kit that doesn't even include spoke material. I am working on that. I am afraid williams bros. wheels may have to suffice (at least for the time being).

[Rittmeister]

There's nothing realy wrong with WB accessoies, epecially the guns. Have been a standad for years. Plus realtively cheap.

Proctor still makes a decent wire wheel in 2 sizes. Orginally made for the Antic and the N-11. Around $110 last I checked. Assembled too.

Me the frugal one only had a set of Millman scale wheels. I thkn top flite bought em out and sells them now $32.00. The old Millmans used FOAM tires. After the fuel ate them you quickly went to the auto store and bought heater hose. They're still on my Taube. BTW some of you old Rhinebeck Jambo guys might recall my taube. 2 seater with pilot and a gunners fur rimmed jackets, airbrushed bullet holes across the tail and left wing, the Millman wheels. A takeoff on Udets Insult on the elevator... Yes it still flies!

Now back to our regular program

[Mode One]

I have no interest in starting any disagreements here! I informed timpi the purpose of your thread, Fish man. Timpi mentioned Arizona Model Aircrafters and I gave what I thought simply to be a heads up!

After two times getting taken to task here on this thread, I think I'll let the real whiners have their way!

[Lucky Dog]

Semi-scale spoked wheels would be nice as would:

Cockpit details. Or at least tips on how to create your own detail parts (for the less skilled of us). And accurately represent what the cockpit kit contains.

Dummy Engines (possibly combining Williams Brothers parts where applicable) and mods to mount to the model.

Spinning (windmilling) dummy rotary.

A less expensive Lozenge fabric (wishfull thinking).