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skyshark kits no more

Old 06-20-2007, 06:39 PM
  #26  
LDM
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more

Let me put my helmit on for this one , I like the kits , do agree the planning and lasor cut quality is first class , read all the post on the new ARF p40 , good and bad , only thing I could see and experience first hand from sitting back and watching was the responce from RCU members to the owner . Either way and regardless of what side you voted for in the fight , it was a fight and that is never good for business . RC modelers are pickey , and before they take out there almighty dollar , they comment , pick on and disect every plane in the same manner . They dont care if they cant build it for less or more , they dont care who did , if they have an opinion they express it . Looking back and trying to advise Mr G to professionally respond to the negative posts (not by me ) I was simply bewilderd at his responce and personally I get paid too much to give my advice out for free when it certainly was not asked for or appreciated .
In this world of microwave , arf, fast twich muscle pumped life we live in , competition will get better and the customer intamicy business model will meet the product excellant business model in the middle , the company that get that program correct first will win the game . KMP is certainly a front runner .
Old 06-20-2007, 08:14 PM
  #27  
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more

Well, I just got off the phone with Mike and he still had the 190A8 kit I had meant to order for the last few months.

So at least I will get to add that plane to my flying stable.

Those of you builders that have not yet experienced a Skyshark kit are really missing out.

The loss of yet another USA based business due to cheap overseas labor spitting out cookie cutter ARFs is especially troubling.

So now our choices are even more limited when it comes to quality warbird kits to build.

And no, the Top Flite kits are no comparison in my opinion.

Good Luck Mike and Angie.

Old 06-20-2007, 11:23 PM
  #28  
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more

Sorry if this isn't clear to me, but are only the kits being discontinued and the ARF's still being sold, or is Skyshark entirely going out of business? Just curious...
Old 06-21-2007, 05:06 AM
  #29  
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more

The loss of yet another USA based business due to cheap overseas labor
Yet, they say there are 11 million illegal workers here...I am assuming working for cheap (cheap foreign labor)...since they claim to take jobs "we" don't want anyway. Which is BS! That's all I'm going to say about that. It is an evident problem.

Build more kits...buy fewer ARFS...buy American when possible. Secure (control) the borders! Enforce the law! Real Americans need to wake the F'k up! Wish I had built a SS kit now.
Old 06-21-2007, 06:33 AM
  #30  
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more

"jcflysrc":

Political and social comments here in RCUniverse?. You will be soon the target of any Moderator, my friend. I only hope the Moderator is a Real American and not "foreign labor"...........

Regarding the thread, it is just a sad -and that it is really how I feel- epitome to the previous thread regarding their formidable price increase last year.

My most sincere best wishes for the future bussiness of SkyShark.

Jesus Cardin
Old 06-21-2007, 08:34 AM
  #31  
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more

I knew I should have bought the stuka when I thought about it. I got the Dauntless just a few weeks ago and have only seen it in pics from the wife.( I'm currently overseas till Feb.08) I can't wait to get back home and see that kit ( and the wife of course). The only trouble is I probably won't build it now since it will be a collectors item one day. Sorry to see them go out of business. jcflysrc.. I'm with you man, you want to run for president???
Old 06-21-2007, 09:36 AM
  #32  
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more

There were a lot of people here in Europe than stopped buying Skyshark kits after the last big price increase. We have to add to that expensive plane taxes and transport cost. For that amount of money I can buy a full composite model that is more scale and more detailed.
Old 06-21-2007, 03:35 PM
  #33  
jcflysrc
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more

Political and social comments here in RCUniverse?. You will be soon the target of any Moderator, my friend. I only hope the Moderator is a Real American and not "foreign labor"..........
Real Americans...you know who you are. jescardin, "my friend", I too hope the moderators are NOT part of our illegal "foreign" workforce...

Social and political issues affect every endeavor, including the production, and flying of model airplanes.
Old 06-21-2007, 03:50 PM
  #34  
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more

I just got off the phone with Mike (the owner, for those of you who don't know).

ALL OUT OF KITS!!!! [&o]

Too bad, I've built three & I have two more on the shelf, so I know what I'm talking about - I would put SS kits in a scale contest with TF any day!

Mike is a great guy with a quality product, I hate to see it go. I threw my name in the hat to buy the rights to the kits ... who knows, maybe myself or someone else will keep em flying.

It's a sad day for me ...... sooner than later I'm afraid there won't be any warbird "kits" left.

Mike

Old 06-21-2007, 03:54 PM
  #35  
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more


ORIGINAL: Messerschmitt

I just got off the phone with Mike (the owner, for those of you who don't know).

ALL OUT OF KITS!!!! [&o]

Too bad, I've built three & I have two more on the shelf, so I know what I'm talking about - I would put SS kits in a scale contest with TF any day!

Mike is a great guy with a quality product, I hate to see it go. I threw my name in the hat to buy the rights to the kits ... who knows, maybe myself or someone else will keep em flying.

It's a sad day for me ...... sooner than later I'm afraid there won't be any warbird "kits" left.

Mike


Sad but could be true, hold onto your plans guys!!!
Old 06-21-2007, 04:32 PM
  #36  
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more

Several of you mentioned Top Flite. When's the last time they introduced a new warbird KIT? The Sea Fury back in 2001? That was six years ago! The kit business is dying fast, regardless of quality or price.

Like many of you, I've got my plans stash, too. If you want to scare yourself, think about how many new plans designers have joined the game in the last several years. None! The majority that are still out there have slowed WAY down on new releases. Not to mention balsa suppliers are drying up fast.

Scary times. Guess I should start planting balsa trees in the backyard.

- Jay
Old 06-21-2007, 10:20 PM
  #37  
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more

The future of kit building is custom laser cutting.. nothing kept in stock, the cutter has standard plans for a 190 lets say and when you request one it gets cut, packaged and shipped.. all the cheap arfs are laser cut nowadays so the cost/speed of lasers must have come down.

Short kits are fine, with a COMPLETE list of wood and accesories needed, print your manual off the internet and go at it... and offer different sizes of each kit, should not be too hard to scale up and down.
Old 06-22-2007, 01:37 AM
  #38  
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more

I would imagine the kits from skyshark are on disk and as the kit market dry's up and demand increases there will probably be a new run of kits to order from these guys.
fact is they priced themselvs out of the market,I have several TF kits they are not bad at all,die crunched I don't think so at least not the ones I have and am building, and at 1/2 the price there fine for me.
being in the service industry it's about pleasing the customer and providing a competitivly priced product which skyshark didn't do.
the only response from the owner was "it's my company and I will run it like I want" in the "wine about skyshark thread" which is what I would call it.
if it's about making money I am not sure why they didn't outsource there kits like they did there ARF's if you think there made in the USA your kidding your self.
on a personal note I wanted to get one of the kits but when they went up almost 100$ I decided to buy something else, I have other expensive things in my life like kids
Old 06-22-2007, 06:39 AM
  #39  
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more

I think you miss the big picture "bigtim" SS never wanted to go mainstream like TF. SS produced high quality kits for discriminating modelers. That's not a big market, since most people are too cheap, or simply don't have the rescources to be "discriminating".

I wonder why you take the time to post, since you have never built a skyshark kit?
Old 06-22-2007, 07:56 AM
  #40  
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more

Yes I am sure the illegal alien working in the potatoe fields had something to do with Skyshark going out of the kit making business. It wasnt the cheaper asian kits or outrageous kit prices from SS. Hey jcflysrc im sure the illegal alien will switch jobs with you since you want it so much. It is very simple economics. You already have a small niche in which to sell your kits to. If you overprice a box of cut wood when someone else sells a larger kit for almost half your price you will not be selling too many kits.
Old 06-22-2007, 09:04 AM
  #41  
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more

Your reply is right on the mark. My biggest problem with SkyShark, after the cost, was the size of the planes. Nothing was really big enough to fly well at the weight. Perhaps the Avenger, but everything else needed to be about 25% bigger.
Old 06-22-2007, 10:26 AM
  #42  
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more

I will tell ya why I took the time Messerschmitt I have seen a skyshark and I also happen to be a kit builder,something it seems is becoming rare in the hobby, and am one of those who likes a quality items no matter what they are.
Skyshark not wanting to go mainstream thats a bunch of bunk,if thats the case why have they done so much to promote there products in the mags,trade shows,and the internet.
discriminating is what you do when you price a item out of reach of the masses.
but the fact is if they wanted to provide a quality kit at a resonable price then outsourceing the manufacturing is one way to do it,lowering the price and increasing the volume of units sold is part of buisness, making it available to people who do want to build a quality kit but can't afford 400$ for a box of wood and a spinner.
having larger volume sold does not diminish the quality of a item,it just increases revenue.
Old 06-22-2007, 11:36 AM
  #43  
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more


ORIGINAL: bigtim

having larger volume sold does not diminish the quality of a item,it just increases revenue.
Take a look at car makers and tell Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Porsche, BMW, Jaguar, Lotus, Bently, Rolls etc. that their cars are no better than Ford or Chevy.

In my opinion, lower production means better quality control and almost aways results in a better quality product. I would rather pay more and have something of good quality than be a cheapskate and have to fix it later.
Old 06-22-2007, 12:01 PM
  #44  
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more


ORIGINAL: Nakajima


ORIGINAL: bigtim

having larger volume sold does not diminish the quality of a item,it just increases revenue.
Take a look at car makers and tell Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Porsche, BMW, Jaguar, Lotus, Bently, Rolls etc. that their cars are no better than Ford or Chevy.

In my opinion, lower production means better quality control and almost aways results in a better quality product. I would rather pay more and have something of good quality than be a cheapskate and have to fix it later.
Lets see, doesn't Ford own Jaguar...


Anyway, I can say that if you want to be considered a Ferrari or Bentley, then the company needs to have the complete package, not just the price. Take a look at skysharks spinners for their kits...two blade only for the me-109???? But they are for the discriminating modeler?

I have one of the 109E, wanted a scale three blade spinner from them...they told me no, maybe someday if we feel like it. Then, they raised the prices a huge amount.

I was going to get the 109G, but the price increase nixed that, the kit was just not worth it to me.
Old 06-22-2007, 12:48 PM
  #45  
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more

It IS a shame that they're discontinued. I count my 109E as the best flying warbird I've built. Absolutely love it. If anyone is interested, I could be swayed to part with it.....It flies awesome and has seemed to get looked over pretty well everywhere I've ever taken it.

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Old 06-22-2007, 01:05 PM
  #46  
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more

I also would have preferred a bigger plane at that price, but the kits as built flew very well.. a friend has built several of them and just raves about them.

Apparently they aimed for a discriminating modeler with lots of $$, but forgot that kits builders are cheap ****** .. maybe one day we will have another kit company with high quality laser cut kits at low cost.. but it will never beat an asian made arf. You are lucky if your kit+materials is less than a comparable ARF.. usually the kit will end up costing more.

Well, its not hard to make your own kit from plans.

ORIGINAL: larry@coyotenet

Your reply is right on the mark. My biggest problem with SkyShark, after the cost, was the size of the planes. Nothing was really big enough to fly well at the weight. Perhaps the Avenger, but everything else needed to be about 25% bigger.
Old 06-22-2007, 01:12 PM
  #47  
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more


ORIGINAL: P-51B

Lets see, doesn't Ford own Jaguar...


Anyway, I can say that if you want to be considered a Ferrari or Bentley, then the company needs to have the complete package, not just the price. Take a look at skysharks spinners for their kits...two blade only for the me-109???? But they are for the discriminating modeler?

I have one of the 109E, wanted a scale three blade spinner from them...they told me no, maybe someday if we feel like it. Then, they raised the prices a huge amount.

I was going to get the 109G, but the price increase nixed that, the kit was just not worth it to me.
Yes, Ford owns Jaguar but they use a different manufacturing process for that car. Limited production and hand built components. That is what makes them different from normal stuff coming off the assembly line. That is why they cost more and are usually better quality.

Funny thing, I purchased a BMW M3 a couple years back but I didn't like the factory wheels or stereo system that came with the car. You know what the dealer told me? They gave me a list of AFTERMARKET suppliers and a hearty pat on the back. I still believe that the M3 is build for discriminating car enthusiasts - even though they didn't manufacture the wheels or radio I wanted. After all, they are a car manufacturer not a stereo or wheel company.

I have only built their FW190 kit but I felt it was the best kit I have ever built and well worth the money. Oh, and I fly it with a 2 blade spinner without complaint! To my knowledge, Skyshark is the only one to even offer aluminum spinners with their kits.
Old 06-22-2007, 01:49 PM
  #48  
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more

I like my Hanger 9 planes... but that's just me. I've been talking to Horizon Hobby in producing some Axis planes, they didn't get in to detail, but they are planning in doing so in the near future.

It's sad to see SS having trouble, I just don't like seeing Hobby Shops close (especially OLHS) I hope that SS is going the ARF route like so many are.

If anyone is to blame I think we are to blame who don't like to spend many months and money to build a plane, for what ever reason we have.

Everyone wants good quallity for a cheaper price. If anyone ever has done that, we should blame ourselves to the declining market of kit building.

I'm a New AT&T Sales Rep/ Generation Lead... I know all about adapting and changing to the customers needs, or else die in our American Market. It's all about supply and demand, and make it affordable... leaving the customer with the availability to modify a product.

Sure it's sad. I feel that Sky Shark was a little stubbern with there pricing, and not being as competitive as the other manufacturers.

We all have to stop blaming, and start finding solutions.

Besides, Hanger 9 can Utra-kote better than I can... maybe one day I can do it better? ( That's another Topic I guess)


Ford has the GT-40... If I was Rich, I'd buy one of those Foreign Hot Rods. But right now with our Gas Prices being so high, I'll settle with my Escort for now.


Luftwaffe Oberst
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Old 06-22-2007, 02:17 PM
  #49  
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more

I personally think the Skyshark kits were a good value, even at the higher prices.
The fit of the parts and ease of assembly as well as the general scale outline were all the best I have worked with.
The size of the 109 and the 190 were just right for me as I like to pack up to five warbirds to the field in my Chevy truck bed for a day of flying.
Some of you may be tired of these links, but here ther are anyway!

http://media.putfile.com/SSBF109
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Old 06-22-2007, 04:43 PM
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Default RE: skyshark kits no more

Hi Guys,
I always stay out of arguments on RCUniverse. But for the first time I feel compelled to say something. Skyshark has done an incredible service to the warbird side of our hobby over the short time of their existence. Many of you have already noted that Mike's kits were not your cup of tea so to speak...too small, or too expensive. However, there is also a significant number of us that really like the Skyshark product. So, to each his own. But, I do want to point something out. We all collectively benefited, either directly or indirectly from the fine work that Mike and his company have done over the years. I say we collectively, the RC Warbird community, owe a great deal to Skyshark. Really and truly, their line of products filled a void that had existed for quite some time. True, some other companies produced similar products but Skyshark made available quality kits that were simply not available - FW190A, Me109E & G, FW190G to name a few. Moreover Mike also significantly advanced the hobby by producing a range of quality spinners that had always been missing. I know, because I have 12 of them going on such planes as my Don Smith HS129, CMP Zero and of course my Skyshark kits. This is just a small bit of what Skyshark has provided. But thats the product side of the hobby. There is the quality side of the hobby as well. Mike's passion for quality has forced the hobby in general and the competition in particular to produce ever more scale products. Thats a very important legacy when you think about it. Finally, Mike has been a heck of guy. Passionate about his company and its mission, supportive of his customers to a very high degree and a leading advocate for ever greater scale in our hobby. Mike, you and Skyshark will be missed!

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