I crunched my plane while landing and decided to rebuild the wing instead of just buying one and also install flaps. It's a World Models Paulistina. I took most of the covering off and started to remove the damaged parts of wood and discovered that there was virtually no glue on at least 1/2 of the ribs. This was not from the crash, there was no glue. When putting an ARF together, I always epoxy what I can get to before assembly but was surprised at what I found hidden in the wings. Might do a scratch build next time.

Harry<br type="_moz" />

Ever wonder what it must be like to work in an Asian ARF factory? ....Hop Hop, Faster - faster - faster!!! You only build 32 planes???? You Fired!!! No 3 dollar pay!!!

Actually, I do know what its like. I manufacture ceramics in China. I have spent many months working with factories getting our product to what they call "A" grade. You would be surprised (at least with our factories) at how clean and organized they can be. The workers make far more than you realize and are housed, fed (3 times a day) and clothed. It is up to the individual factory to have proper QC and the workers only do as they are instructed by the owners. For example, we once had a small flaw in a prototype that ended up being repeated 30,000 times before it was caught. You can get very good quality from China with the proper factory.

Harry

I wish Ready to Cover (RTC) was offered in more models. That way you can reinforce where needed and add any modifications before applying your own cover scheme. Would help to diversify ARFs a lot more too.

I once heard that the arf manufacturers don't do arc's specifically so you do not see the construction.

World Models has a very strong reputation for quality ARF's so that is surprising to hear.

I am not sure if I would have ever noticed the missing glue had I not cracked the wing in half. I have flown this plane about 15 times with no issues and had some hard landings that had no damage at all. This would not deter me of purchasing another World Models product. I still really like this plane, I'll just add more glue..

Harry<br type="_moz" />

I saw this on a another brand of ARF that I was going to recover the wing. The whole wing pretty much fell apart when I was peeling the covering off. Kind of disappointing.

If you think about it you are getting an airplane that is built, covered, packaged, shipped across the water, marketed, warehoused and so on for a ridiculously low price. Someone has made money on it during at least a couple of steps along the way too which means the airplane is built for almost nothing. It isn't surprising that there is an occasional QC issue.

I agree. For what I paid for this plane ($140) it is a bargin. That most likely means the cost at the factory is about $2

Harry<br type="_moz" />

Sometimes, the best ARF builder is you. I always reinforce my ARFs at some time during their life and I always use epoxy and not CA (CA is used for tacking). It adds weight but pays off

I have a Topstar60 (Flip3d, H9 Frenzy, UCD60 clone) from Phoenix, it already has the tail reinforced with fibreglass cloth due to its reputation to breakoff the tail. The build is very light (its mostly hole than airplane). But I have had so many hard landings with it, everytime, I just make a cut in the transparent covering and fix it. Just yesterday, trying to do a harrier roll at 40ft, it finished half the roll and headed for the ground (my bad). But the time I levelled out, it hit the ground on the landing gears, I heard a whack but was heading towards the pit so applied power and flew out. After landing, I checked everything. Not a crack anywhere (which is surprising, everytime I take this airplane out I break something, but the important areas are strong). Only broke the tailwheel wire which was weak anyway. A lot of pepole have told me earlier that Phoenix (Vietnamese) ARFs do not last but I have found that with proper reinforcement and care, they are second to none.

You can get good quality products from us Asians, for that you need to allow more time just as you would in the west. I am with flyallday in that regard. Its the greed to get more profit or a lower price that you pay for

Without getting into further geographics, WM has a reputation, so send them your problem and they will most likely replace it. And note, you dont get light ARFs that can 3D if you are going to scratch build unless you go for a profile

Ameyam

Exactly. Ihave noticed people want the airplane for the lowest cost possible. Unfortunately labor, materials, equipment, energy, etc. cost money, regardless of the country something is beign produced in. There may be some differences in those prices of course but some level of cost is still there. If we demand ultra-cheap ARF's then there will be some things that are scarificed.

Still, I am amazed at the quality we do get. When you get into the more expensive ARF's they are down-right impressive for the money.

I am always suprised when I read a thread that someone built his ARF in an afternoon. It takes me many nights just to go through and add glue and supports where I think it is needed before assembly. My last ARF, a H9 Camel, took me 3 months. Go ahead and laugh now...

Harry
<br type="_moz" />

Yeah i have a worlds models cub, iv had nothing but issues all the way through assembly. i noticed there is not a sign of any glue in the fus of it. heres the link to my story and problems with the same company http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_10350724/tm.htm

OK, you made me feel better.. Thinking back, I put a load of glue in the fuse, but silly me, I didnt bother to strip the covering and check the wings

Harry

Well the cub i have has airlerons in each wing, looking into the wing i can see a big blob of glue about 10mm big in the very center of the sheeting and main spar. and same on the other side. i bet they are just tacked in place like spot welding but with glue instead. All i can say about the cub is after all the **** iv gone through geting it right and geting its aerodynamics right i hope it flys as good as it now looks. Its definatly geting stripped at the end of the flying season and a very thorough inspection of the airfraime and some seriouse strengthening to be done, thats if it sees end of the season. I dont think i will buy another arf after this latest experiance. Going to stick to building from kits, least we have control of what glues is used and how its applied and in what quantity.

Hey, I've got the same blobs! One in each wing, only mine are about twice that size. You should post a photo of your plane. Would like to see it.

Harry

as soon as i find my lead for my phone il be able to upload some of the photos of the construction. sadly when i came accross all the faults i lost intrest in taking photos of it and concentrated on fixing them., il find the lead out at some point later and get them uploaded.

well i found the lead and have since test flown the model. it flys very nice but second flgith was cut short due to cowl and cannopy failure. heard vibrations on second flight and strange noises so got it on the ground nice and easily to find canopy cracked and cowl disitigrating. cracks all over it. i new it was very soft plastick for a cowl but it certainly takes the biscuit. emailed world models about this now awaiting for a reply. il take some photos of the damged windscreen in a short while and get them posted. those photos where taken after 2 sucessfull maiden flights of my cub and friends thunder tiger. We both had issues with our engines that day too. as you can tell by the pil streak mine is caput. Just rebuilt it with asecond handcrankcase off fleabay. cost me 5gbp to fix the engine.