Gees....I take a couple of days off and find three pages on a thread I want to follow (I have one of JHH's Hawks).
One thing that no one seems to ask is why JHH discontinued importing the Hawk.
It's documented that things were going out the back door.....but how about the other issues? I have seen early editions, and flown Larry's original prototype with a .48 (NICE!!)...I've seen mine, and some even later versions, and when you look at the rear end you can see the differences. Now if the difference is visible to the eye, hopefully the hardware (stab joiner/pivot) was changed too....gee I like slop (on som of the later ones I've seen...) Would I sell one with my name on it with a known problem?....(Not in our land of lawyers!)
Manufacturers change things all the time to maximise production benefits....but not all the changes are good (remember the *brand-deleted* pickup's that burst into flames?
I've seen stuff in these three pages talking about how to get the best deal.....sure, and I've got some illegal copies of CD'c and DVD'd made in Asian countries that I'll pretend to sell you, and that the Fed's would like to catch *us* selling do to their illegal nature.
My two cents: If you've got an original JHH, or a copy, and you like it and it flys well.....go for it! Just remember that the intellectual material could have just as easily been yours. Are you going to support someone stealing your name/reputation? Would you knowingly support/sell a product that has factory changed issues imparting possible contol issues........ask your local surgeon about that one!
My last two cents....Why do several of the posters feel it necessary to slam/bash/be derogatory ...Please grow Up! We all want information, not diatribes!
Greg