Pilott, May I answer your points:

1 You are right, it should be that unbiased comments be treated equally, that's an issue for Marc. to address.

2. Build threads are just that, the build begins in the factory, and that is precisely why failure of the structure which is the subject of the build thread needs to be addressed and this IS the only place to do it ! What is the most vital aspect of any build ? structural integrity/ airworthiness, I would argue ! Right ON topic. Anything else is secondary to these aspects.

3. I most certainly did not say that because stabs failed on ONE model (actually there have been two, if my info. is correct ) that the model is a complete failure, to suggest that is absolute nonsense. Many Lightnings ARE flying with great success.

What I DO say is that a complete stab. failure, such as I witnessed, and particularly on a new model, needs close and careful consideration and based on my past personal EXPERIENCE of C-ARF they would have blamed the customer for the problem had we not persued it here on RCU. AG certainly blamed me for all of the hydraulic problems on the Mig 29, but all I tried to do was solve the problems, which was done, but only after a considerable expenditure of time and money and with the help of some very capable people who were also unable to get it to work to an acceptable standard of reliability using the original design and components. People whose abilty is enough to redesign the system and get it to work with total relaibility. Please see my comments on the Mig 29 threads if you need convincing.

I don't own a Lightning, nor will I, but I have examined the failed structures and they did not impress. I DO however own a CARF Eurosport and a Mig 29 both of which were seriously deficient in SOME critical aspects of construction, and if uncorrected, would have caused early loss of the models. Other aspects of these models were absolutely fine and they both fly very well, but the weakest link etc ....................

I do know that at least some of the incoming emails/PMs ARE from people who DO own Lightnings and who have dicovered problems such as cracking around the rear fuselage. So, not all of them own Lightnings but almost all, perhaps all , have experience, like me, of CARF structures. I believe that the comments are MOST credible as, most importantly, they are exactly in line with my own real world experience with the Euro and Mig.

I belive there has been a succesful resolution of this issue so hopefully we can wind it up in the very near future, but if my input has helped to get this conclusion, even in a small way, then I feel it has been worthwhile. I stand by every word.

Regards,

David Gladwin.