That's interesting that they rely on tape like that. I had the NexSTAR trainer, RTF. It had a steel spar and a plastic gizmo that the wing halves slid into and, I believe, four screws to hold the two wing halves into the plastic gizmo. The gizmo was a cup like device that each half slid into. It was very strong, well, strong enough to put up with the abuse I gave it while learning to fly. I sold the plane to an elderly gent who still fly's it. I solo'ed four years ago.

Easy for us to hind-sight for you, but to be truthful, I probably would have followed directions and used the tape, without knowing any better. Now, of course, we all can say it would have been better to epoxy the two halves together and glassed the joint.. but as I said, beginners don't know these tricks. Tough way to learn, though. I hope he gets a new model and continues to fly. It's worth the time and often the heartaches to learn to fly RC.

H9 should really consider working with you and replacing this.

DS.