Mustang Exhaust
- Kit
Seller:tony-howard Details:
$35.00
| 9/21/2008
| Classified Ad
We will rotate YOUR AD in this spot if you select "Forum Featured" when placing or editing your ad!
Posts: 61
Joined: 7/2/2005 From: Ladera Ranch,
CA, USA Status: offline
I thought it would be interesting to document the rebuild project of a damaged Meister Scale ME 109 that was damaged in shipping. I wanted to thank some of the people I consider to be experts in the scale community for their advise, insight and support. I want to thank Dino and Meister Scale, David Pearson, Toddy Burley, Jeff Fassbinder at Thunder Tiger and Ty; all of you have giving me a lot of support and guidance.
The ME 109 was originally purchased off RCU from a seller, I will leave un-named at this time. Although I do not hold him responsible for the damage directly. I do believe he could have took steps that may have avoided this. The first lesson, should be proper labeling of your crate when shipping. I would encourage everyone to label the crate with fragile markings. Notate which side is up. And please tell them not to stack other items on the crate.
I used a company called freightquote.com for my shipping option. The contracted with USF roadway for the actual shipping. Notice the damage to the crate as it arrived on the truck. Also notice the lack of any labeling on the part of the shipper. This will come back to bite you when you have to file a claim. Make sure you label the crate! At the time of this post. I do not have a resolution to my claim.
< Message edited by pandissix@aol.com -- 2/19/2008 10:23:47 PM >
Posts: 61
Joined: 7/2/2005 From: Ladera Ranch,
CA, USA Status: offline
The crate arrived smashed with holes in the bottom. Parts had falling out of the crate to include the spinner and wing spar. The crate had collapsed on the verticle stabilizer smashing it from the F-9 Former rear. It snapped both left and right horizontal stabilizer and snapped the verticle stablizer from the fuselage. My first instinct that this was going to be a complete loss. But I decided to keep the crate and airplane and not send it back to shipper.
Lesson learned here is make sure you take pictures of your plane and damage as it arrived. Also make sure the driver notates that he observed the damage on the receipt. Do not let the driver leave without out him signing he observed damage and get the proper phone numbers for the claim department before they leave. It is encouraged to keep the crate as well. I send my damaged crate back with the driver, however they commented that I should have kept the crate for inspection. If I had not photographed the crate, they would have declined my claim.
Posts: 61
Joined: 7/2/2005 From: Ladera Ranch,
CA, USA Status: offline
Closer inspection of the damage showed the ME 109 required a complete rebuild from the F-10 former back. In addition both metal gear servos connected to the elevator control rods were stripped during the crate collapse.
Posts: 61
Joined: 7/2/2005 From: Ladera Ranch,
CA, USA Status: offline
Next step in the claim process was the inspector coming to my house to inspect the damage. This is when you need to be prepared with proper documentation to include receipts, shipping receipts, repair estimates ( I had 3) and know the cost of replacement parts such as servos, wood, glue etc..
I estimated my damage to be $1,000.00 to include labor cost. According to the inspector, most big shipping companies wont even blink at a $1,000.00 claim. That remains to be seen, as I do not have a check in my hand...
I did some research and located a master builder David Pearson to help me on this project. I consider myself a pretty good pilot, but I am not even in the league of some of the builders out there. David Pearson is a true master and I am thankful for his assistance in this rebuild project!!!! Thanks David!
Attached pictures show stripped servos, misc damage and engine exhaust damage.
< Message edited by pandissix@aol.com -- 1/18/2008 4:48:33 AM >
Posts: 61
Joined: 7/2/2005 From: Ladera Ranch,
CA, USA Status: offline
David was able to salvage the original rudder and elevator stabs. However the rest needed a complete re-build. This post shows the salvaged parts and repairs made to the hinges.
Posts: 61
Joined: 7/2/2005 From: Ladera Ranch,
CA, USA Status: offline
This is where things get real tricky...and where I thank God I found David to help! Repairs made to the fuselage from the F-9 Former rear. David decided to After talking with a few guys we decided that the repair would be structurally more sound if I puzzled the pieces back together, reinforced from the inside and glassed the outside. The goal today is to just get everything back together so the new tail will sit in it's place.
Posts: 2014
Joined: 1/22/2002 From: Bennington,
NE, USA Status: offline
I remember this when it was up forsale. Sorry for the heartache and loss but you are doingthe right thing. I will definietly be watching this thread. Those are some good guys you have been in touch with....even Todd
Posts: 61
Joined: 7/2/2005 From: Ladera Ranch,
CA, USA Status: offline
At this point I had to order a new wing spar from Dino at Meister Scale. This is the 102 inch version with two wing panels. My wing spar was lost in the hole in the crate. I pray that the new spar Dino sends will be a good fit. David tested his from his Meister ME 109 at it worked just fine. I am starting to research paint schemes and talking to Todd Burley for his input on painting. For now my intention is to test fly the ME 109 with just primer. If all goes well, I am sure to invest the time and money into a new paint scheme.
Attached a photo that shows what the ME 109 looked like before shipping. I like the desert camo, and thought about keeping it but making it Franz Stigler White 12. Franz flew ME 109 before flying ME 262 with JV 44 at the end of the war. As one of "Gallands Circus" I have a few of his signed prints so I thought it would be a good paint scheme. However, I love the late war RLM colors so may decide on another option. For now, the re-build goes on and lets see if this crate will fly again.
< Message edited by pandissix@aol.com -- 1/18/2008 5:21:55 AM >
Printable Version
All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> RC Warbirds and Warplanes >> Meister Scale ME 109 Rebuild Project 
Meister Scale ME 109 Rebuild Project - 
