8178

My Feedback: (17)

Does anyone have any experience with proving the value of a RC aircraft like a 30 year old fiberglass version of a Kwik Fli III taper wing for a UPS insurance claim? It was sent as gift from an old friend and the foam wing was smashed beyond repair and the fuselage smashed but reparable with a lot of work. The Rom-air retracts and fuel tank are OK. The kit was completed and ready for paint. UPS agreed that the packaging was excellent but they bent the box in half. What a disappointment!

Chris Moon

My Feedback: (8)

What was the claimed value when it was shipped? UPS gives $100 value unless additional value is claimed, and insurance is purchased on the additional value. You'll either get $100 or the value it was insured for.

8178

My Feedback: (17)

It was only insured for $250 and UPS is now asking for proof of the amount. They want a sales receipt or the cost of a third party to do the repair. My friend has shipped a lot of stuff with UPS and has never had them fold a box in half or he would have insured it for more money. We didn’t have any expectation they could damage it so badly! I built the kit 30 years ago as a backup and it hung out at my friends shop for the last 30 years. He decided that after 30 years that he wouldn’t finish it and decided to give it back to me as a wonderful gift. He still has the molds for the kit and cut a new wing core for me so I’m building a new wing and repairing the fiberglass fuselage. I’m determined to build a new wing, repair the fuselage and get it flying! The kit sold for $110 in 1973!

I’ve attached a 1973 image of my other Kwik Fly that was the first one I built. It’s the orange one with retracts. The yellow one does not have retracts and has a Kaos 60 wing and the P51 was my aircraft too.

I hope UPS is not as heartless as they appear!

MHester

My Feedback: (1)

Want a quote for a 3rd party repair? I'll write you one

-Mike

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Duplicate post deleted

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Duplicate post deleted

MHester

My Feedback: (1)

BTW, it's legit, I build planes professionally. So I wasn't just teasing, I'll be glad to help.

-Mike

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Thanks. Depending on the response from UPS I might be able to use your help.

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Would anyone be interested in a new topic/thread that details the repair of the Kwik Fli III fiberglass fuselage, building the new wing, installing the retracts and finishing of the airframe, etc?

Deadstik

My Feedback: (8)

8178,

I would like to get one of the glass fuselages if possible. Let me know ....

thanks,

Dan

Carolina Custom Aircraft....

8178

My Feedback: (17)

With some creative persuasion we might get the manufacturer to do a limited production run on the kit. He still has all the molds and foam wing templates. His glass work is awesome! The nice thing about the glass fuselage is it adds a great deal of longevity to the completed airframe and the retracting nose gear is easy to mount as well. I expect that today it would be a builder’s kit with the glass fuselage, foam core and plans but I’m not sure what he would be willing to produce.

Deadstik

My Feedback: (8)

Thanks for the reply. I produce 13 vintage pattern ships from a T2A MK I thru IV to the Brushfire... so perhaps we could make a trade???? I appreciate the help... nice to see somebody else can keep old designs flying.....let me know if your "manufacturer" is going to make a limited run.


Dan

Carolina Custom Aircraft

8178

My Feedback: (17)

I thought I would let everyone know that UPS paid the $250 insured value of the Kwik Fli III, refunded the shipping cost and I keep the smashed Qwik Fli. Of course that doesn’t go very far to replace all the smashed parts.

I’ve got the fuselage damage repaired and it turned out very well but it was a lot of work. I found a clever way to get all the broken parts lined up before starting the glass work. My friend cut a new foam wing core for me and I’m using the original 30 year old plans to build a new wing. We have the technology to rebuild her and the Kwik Fli III will fly! I managed to rework the engine mount so one of my Irvine 61 ABC engines can take the place of the original Webra 61 Black Head.

8178

My Feedback: (17)

The Kwik Fli III has wings!

dustbin

Just a small addendum. A few months ago, an original Graupner (all wood) Kwik Fli III (NIB) went thru eBay Germany for a "paltry"/measely 600+ EUROs (about US $730+).

Pete

perdo

My Feedback: (61)

try tihis site http://www.members.aol.com/skylane42a/price.html/


it has a value of new/discontinued, kits..

dustbin

H'mmm. Wonder what my Top Flite (greenbox) Kazmirsky "TAURUS"NIB might be worth....?