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Manufacturers and their quality? - 5/15/2008 9:19:14 PM   
Infiltrator_2K



Posts: 20
Joined: 11/10/2007
From: Gloucester, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline
I've noticed there are quite a lot of manufacturers all offering RC planes at a competitive price, my question is what manufacter is renowned for their build/material quality and what manufacturer is best to stay clear from.

Cheers Ian

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RE: Manufacturers and their quality? - 5/15/2008 9:28:19 PM   
Osirisf16



Posts: 2593
Joined: 6/10/2007
From: Paphos, CYPRUS
Status: online 		Since you made this thread faster than me, i want your answer too, but can you also reccomend me a 3D plane? Thanks

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RE: Manufacturers and their quality? - 5/15/2008 9:28:37 PM   
MinnFlyer



Posts: 19100
Joined: 4/22/2002
From: Willmar, MN, USA
Status: offline 		Was that a can of worms I heard opening?

Some of my favorites are:

Great Planes
Hangar-9
Goldberg
Top-Flite
Seagull
Maxford
Cermark
SIG
The World Models

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RE: Manufacturers and their quality? - 5/16/2008 12:20:01 AM   
bigedmustafa



Posts: 2300
Joined: 6/19/2005
From: Omaha, NE, USA
Status: offline 		It's funny, but there are plenty of detractors out there for just about every major brand.

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RE: Manufacturers and their quality? - 5/16/2008 1:10:06 AM   
Hypersprint


 

Posts: 59
Joined: 11/22/2007
From: Colchester, VT or Eustis, FL, USA
Status: offline 		You can't go wrong with 3D Hobby Shop

You owe it to yourself to check them out before you buy anything else.

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RE: Manufacturers and their quality? - 5/16/2008 2:56:53 AM   
Missileman



Posts: 2543
Joined: 2/14/2006
From: Algonac, MI, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: bigedmustafa

It's funny, but there are plenty of detractors out there for just about every major brand.

Yes there will always be someone that has a bad experience with one model and says nothing but bad about the entire brand but for the most part it is only on a specific model ie... weak gear block on the Seagul Spacewalker II or a general aspect of a brand ie... Great Planes models tend to have wrinkled covering. That does not mean either one is not good.
The Seagull Spacewalker II is an excellent plane just beef up the gear block when you get it.
Great Planes are very well built and among some of the best out there, just be ready to spend an hour or so with a heat gun and iron.
I agree with Minnflyers list and would like to add.
E-Flite For electric ARFs
Balsa USA for a nice selection of quality scale kits.

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RE: Manufacturers and their quality? - 5/16/2008 3:08:21 AM   
alfredbmor



Posts: 898
Joined: 6/1/2005
From: El Paso, TX, USA
Status: offline 		I would say that lately many of our planes come from Chinese manufacturers and they are marketed in America by top brands, I will omit the names as I do not want to start a discussion here.
Lately I have seen that the quality is improved, you may also find that the difference is on the hardware and literature (Top brands use a better hardware, better manuals and covering than others).
Speaking strictly on the plane's structure I bet that you will find a very good average among all brands.
If you have a reasonable building experience I bet that you will find great deals out there if changing hardware, lack of information and cheap coverings do not scare you.



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RE: Manufacturers and their quality? - 5/16/2008 3:59:13 AM   
ChuckW


 

Posts: 1574
Joined: 6/15/2006
From: Clovis, CA, USA
Status: offline 		In addition to the quality of the airframe, hardware and manuals, you have to consider customer service. All manufacturers have an inevitable defect. How they handle that sets them apart. I have had great service from Great Planes (anything under the Hobbico umbrella for that matter) and Sig. I've also heard a lot of good feedback on service from Hangar-9 (a Horizon Hobby brand)

I also really like the World Models planes. The manuals aren't the greatest and the covering material isn't the best but I've never owned or seen one that didn't fly great.

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RE: Manufacturers and their quality? - 5/16/2008 4:06:01 AM   
plugin



Posts: 287
Joined: 5/12/2007
From: Bogota, COLOMBIA
Status: offline 		I have the feeling that Hobbico is kinda crappy, I can see it in my NexStar. I'm just about done with a G.P Extra 300 .60 and although the plane turned out very nice, hardware is cheap and some die cut pieces are bent or don't fit that well, I hear that Sig kits are much better. Cowling on the Extra was a major disappointment so I ordered a fiber cowling online. Next week I'll know more about Sig ARFs as a Four Star is on its way

I would also like to complain about the quality of every Futaba model under the 9CAP. Cheap plastic casings.... And I would also like to complain about the NTN bearings that came with my O.S 46AX because after 35 hours of flight they came apart and caused major damage. Don't get me wrong, the NexStar is by far the best trainer in my opinion, I love my Extra 300, Futaba is my favorite radio brand and O.S two strokers can't be beaten.

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RE: Manufacturers and their quality? - 5/16/2008 5:19:17 AM   
Osirisf16



Posts: 2593
Joined: 6/10/2007
From: Paphos, CYPRUS
Status: online
quote:

ORIGINAL: plugin

I have the feeling that Hobbico is kinda crappy, I can see it in my NexStar. I'm just about done with a G.P Extra 300 .60 and although the plane turned out very nice, hardware is cheap and some die cut pieces are bent or don't fit that well, I hear that Sig kits are much better. Cowling on the Extra was a major disappointment so I ordered a fiber cowling online. Next week I'll know more about Sig ARFs as a Four Star is on its way

I would also like to complain about the quality of every Futaba model under the 9CAP. Cheap plastic casings.... And I would also like to complain about the NTN bearings that came with my O.S 46AX because after 35 hours of flight they came apart and caused major damage. Don't get me wrong, the NexStar is by far the best trainer in my opinion, I love my Extra 300, Futaba is my favorite radio brand and O.S two strokers can't be beaten.


I'm with you buddy!!!

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RE: Manufacturers and their quality? - 5/16/2008 5:25:10 AM   
jeffie8696



Posts: 818
Joined: 5/10/2007
From: coralville, IA, USA
Status: offline 		I have to say I really like the Sig line. They are about an hour from my house and they are really nice people. I have several Sig control line 1/2A kits and the quality and ease of assembly is very nice. I have a Kadet Jr but I did not build it so I can't comment on that aspect but the finished product is excellent.

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RE: Manufacturers and their quality? - 5/16/2008 6:33:57 AM   
snacker



Posts: 256
Joined: 11/2/2006
From: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Status: offline 		I would say Hanger 9 has the best step-by-step manuals and are easiest for me to build. My Sig Sr Kadet is by far the easiest to fly although the plane was damaged and Sig wanted to talk me through a repair rather than ship a replacement. It was ok I got it fixed fairly easy.

As for 3D you might want to check out Swanyshouse. I just got my second plane from Swany and the CF tube down the center sure makes em tuff. That's how I need a 3d plane, tuff and ready for my abuse.



http://www.swanyshouse.com/index.aspx


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RE: Manufacturers and their quality? - 5/16/2008 1:31:16 PM   
CGRetired



Posts: 4031
Joined: 9/14/2004
From: Galloway, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		What I would have considered a problem with Goldberg has turned out to be somewhat different.

I have the Goldberg Tiger 120. I needed quite a bit of nose-weight to make the CG. Turns out one main reason for that is the material used. It's definitely tough.

I also had a Tiger 60 and it too needed quite a bit of nose weight. But, I abused that plane without mercy. You see, it was my second plane. And second planes often take much more abuse than the trainer because with the trainer, at least with the instructor and me on the buddy box (or any other trainee for that matter), the instructor took over before the airframe got abused. That's the theory, anyway.

Well, once solo, though, the trainee is on his/her own. So, in comes the landings, and learning how to land, how to respond/react to dead-sticks (even though the instructor covered that (hopefully) during training). Judging when to go around and making the wrong decision. All these things take a toll on the airframe.

Well, my Tiger 60 took all that abuse and is still around. So, I decided to reevaluate my opinion of the Tiger 120 and lean toward a very favorable impression of that plane. It flys great, and is one tough bird!!

So, we often have our opinions developed on our experiences, perhaps initial experiences (as in my case with the Tiger 120) but soon realize that the good ones are still the good ones. After all, Goldberg has been in business for a long time.. now Great Planes, but they also make real "Great Planes". I have the GP Venus II. Love that plane!!

So, the list goes on, and feel free to add to it. There is some junk out there, but the word gets out pretty quick about those, and all we have to do is read a bit here on RCU and we become informed!!

CGr.

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RE: Manufacturers and their quality? - 5/16/2008 2:40:20 PM   
Rufcut


 

Posts: 123
Joined: 4/19/2004
From: Ignacio, CO, USA
Status: offline 		ChuckW is right. Sooner or later you're going to have a problem and that's when you find out what kind of company you are dealing with. For my money, the best company in the business is SIG. They have the highest quality kits and ARF's and the best customer service around.

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RE: Manufacturers and their quality? - 5/16/2008 2:52:19 PM   
CGRetired



Posts: 4031
Joined: 9/14/2004
From: Galloway, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		Hey.. no arguement there. SIG is good. I have a Sig Little Something Extra (LSE) electric conversion (converted from glow to electric). It's one tough plane.. and I've abused it a few times to prove it... flying a Spektrum and my Venus II for a few hours, then pick up the LSE with my 72 MHz Airtronics.. forgot to extend the antenna.. after flying the DX7 with an 8 inch antenna it just looked right to have that stub antenna on my 72 MHz TX. Very large OOPS there.. AND I DID THAT TWICE if you can imagine.. once broke the prop, the other time, cracked the fuse in front of the wing. Both repaired and flying a short time later.

Tough litt