I may have offended some with my previous posts on this subject. That was not the aim, merely to focus on this issue of HotSpot delaminations and get it fixed before there is a serious accident. Clearly Graupner and their agents are burying their heads in the sand as nothing has been heard from the manufacturer or their agents, regarding a solution to the problem, since this thread was started.

I know what would be done in fullsize aircraft operations if a similar problem were to be discovered: The whole fleet would be grounded until the manuacturer and the regulatory authorities had fully investigated the problem and devised a solution.

Clearly this latest incident shows that the problem is serious and continuous and needs to be solved once and for all.

Its time Graupner recalled ALL hotSpots for a detailed airframe examination and if neccessary replaced the models with new kits (or, if at all possible, devised a modification programme for existing airframes ) which have been so modified as to eliminate the possibility of in flight delamination.

Should Graupner fail to take action then there is a further possibility and that is that the AMA in the US and BMFA in the UK and DMFV in Germany should remove insurance cover from these models, effectively grounding them, until the problem is fixed.

High speed gas turbine models some of which are KNOWN to have a serious structural weakness simply cannot be allowed to fly unrestricted, its a form of Russian Roulette the hobby can do without.

And if the manufacturers distributors, agents and owners don't like what I say I think they would find it preferrable to hearing that someone had been killed or injured following an inflight breakup with all the consequences that might bring.


Before Graupner and all HotSpot owners get too upset perhaps they could recall the Comet breakups in the early fifties. The Comet airliner was redesigned and restressed to make it incredibly strong and the basic airframe continues in service almost 50 years later as the Nimrod. A hotSpot fix should be failrly straightforward but urgent action is required.

I have no personal agenda other than to speak out to protect the hobby BEFORE there is a serious accident, which could have been avoided, with all the consequences that could bring to all of us who so enjoy the hobby.

David Gladwin