Thanks to Espirit Models for the fast shipping, they seem to be good people. I ordered it on Mon. and received it today.

Now...as for the quality of the plane...well It is overall a nice plane but there are problems. The first thing I saw was an insert stating that they were out of the advertised leaf spring tail wheel assy. They gave a coupon you can send in and get one ...in July! The one they sent with the plane is way too small.

Upon closer inspection I saw that the main brace for the landing gear assembly was RUSTY and the paint was falling off. Not too big of a deal but I have never purchased a plane from hangar 9 with rusty hardware. The brackets that hold the wheel pants on are poorly welded and loose, repairs will have to be made before mounting the wheel pants.

I then noticed that a brace on the fuselage was broken and the covering was ripped.

All of these issues may seem small but this is a 600.00 arf. Is it worth the money?

I was going to buy one,I sure am glad I waited now.
No its not worth $600.00 in that kind of shape.

keep in mind that DPM or Espirit Models have not had the chance to correct these issues yet. I plan on calling tomorrow. I've read some negative comments regarding DPM customer service but I'll not rush to judgement yet.

It is still an expensive but beautiful plane

its time for a return lable and a new one sent out[&:]

the condition of this plane is not acceptible i would want them to send me another plane, i mean new planes shouldnt come with broken pieces and rusted parts.....

Nope, that sucker would be back in the box and on the next truck back to Espirit for a replacement. That kind of quality on a $600 plane from ANYONE is ridiculous. I think I would send those pics to DPM just to let them know about it also.

Good Luck trying to get that gear repaired. I had all the issues you mentioned plus the wing struts had ca finger prints and drips all over them. I also had a wheel pant mount broke. This must be a problem because I was quickly a rudely informed by Sandy of DPM that it woud not be replaced that I could fix it myself or send it in to have it glued by Dave. Pretty shotty for a $600.00 kit. I will never by another DPM airpplane. I also had Landing gear painted over rust and paint chipping off. The more you assemble on the gear the more the paint flakes off. Good Luck.-J

I called Espirt today and he said that he had the same problems with his plane. He offered a fix on the wheel pant brackets ( JB Weld). He also said that DPM was of no help to him either. I did not ask to return the plane, I'm sure he would have swapped it out if I had asked.I beleive that these problems will be on any of these particular models.

I also called and talked to Sandy with DPM. She was not rude to me but did say that if I sent the parts to them they would JB weld it also, I got the we have the right to repair or replace speech. I did mention to her as tactful as I knew how, that she was quickly building a bad reputation within the RC community. I'm not sure but I think she started crying. I certainly did not mean to hurt her feelings but I think I may have. My apologies to her if she was offended. I'll repair the parts and fly the plane. Maybe Sandy is in a no win situation and is struggling with how to handle it.

I hope her feelings were not hurt either but even still they are getting a good buck for the airplane. I was willing to pay a little extra thinking I would get top notch quality. I really thought for $600 it just has to be good. This kit should be in the $399.00 Range. There is nothing special about this kit verses other manufacturers that sell for alot less than the landing gear which has proven to be Sub-Par before it is even used. I think it should be DPM models problem to get there manufacturer to replace the items that are not up to par. It is not too much to expect the wheel pant mounts to stay on at least thru the building sequence. It makes me wonder how the rest of the gear will perform at the field. I have no problem sending the item back for replacement but not to glue them back together. I will fix the gear myself. I also will fix the side that is not broken since it seems to be a weak spot.-J

My wheel pant bracket broke off in the back of my truck on the way to the field for it's maiden flight. I tried to JB Weld it on but it didn't hold at all. The rest of the landing gear works well.

This is EXACTLY why I wont order a kit through mail order anymore. If I order it through my LHS, I can at least inspect it when it comes in and if something is wrong, I dont have to go through the hassle of phone calls, runarounds, repair or replace speeches, and all the general BS that seems to be the norm with most companies these days. If it doesnt meet my standards, I dont take it, plain and simple. Both of the shops I deal with stand behind this practice 100%. There is absolutely no excuse for paying $600 for a plane with painted over rusty landing gear struts, and wheel pant attach points that fall off with the slightest touch. But even that is not as bad as DPM offering to "JB Weld" the parts back together for you!! Hurt feelings or not, Sandy and the rest of the DPM staff should be falling over each other trying to satisfy their customers, especially at the price they are asking for this plane. That satisfaction in my book definitely DOES NOT include making a JB Weld repair to a factory new piece on a brand new aircraft that construction hasnt even started on yet. Satisfaction to me means REPLACING that part with a part that is on par with the quality I would expect for the $600 investment made, no more, no less. Dave Patrick (and some other companies as well) have totally lost sight of the fact that without us as RC fliers out here buying their products, THEY would not exist.

well spoken and jb weld man something is wrong frank

I agree completely. For 600 bucks, they should certainly back up their sale. It's tough in this day and age to sustain a buisness with the emegence of the internet. I use the internet to locate the exact part I need, then ask my LHS to get it for me. Besides having a local supply, it's nice to have a place to go to in the rainy season that you can hang out and discuss flying. We just had a new LHS open near my house, and it was the primary reason that I got back into the sport after 15 years. When I bought my ARF Seagull PC(, they opened the box and we inspected it before I even paid for it. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL HOBBY SHOP!
John Dominick
Covington, WA

My LHS would have wanted the money up front before ordering the plane.

There are some things that I pay up front for, like parts, accessories, etc. But when it comes to kits, My LHS orders the kit, and when it arrives, we check it out. If it is okay, I pay for it. If not, it goes back. Maybe you need to check around on other shops!

Frank, I hope you didn't change your mind about the Cub. This plane is still going to be sweet with the OS 160 twin in it. This will be my first plane with a twin, I can't wait to hear it. I would like to find a deal on a used engine.I looked at the Saito 182 twin but I don't want to mess with 2 carbs.

no way [&:] just got a 1/3 bob n. cub and a os 320 this came from a estate sale and it is framed up but is going to be a bear to finish need two of the os 1.6 one for the dp cub and a top flight stenson cant find one used but never qive up thanks frank[&:]

saito is ok but the carbs and needles are a pain have a satio 100 twin and well os is the only way to go tower has 25$ off right now but 04-15-06 is coming, need to get the stension in the air but there is allways a new plane ,never qet finished

I decide to go with a cheaper engine than the O.S. 1.6 Twin. I do have a New Kaeleo Header that is designed for the O.S, 1.6 Twin and the DP Cub. It is New I just got it for $85.00 Shipped. I will sell it for $55.00 shipped if you are interseted. Check it out on the there web site. It looks great!

edge, what website? I'd like to see it

sold

and need your address to mail a money order thanks frank

Frank that header looks nice, I saw one on their web site. I want one too but have to swing the money for that 160 first

i should have passed on the big cub but it was nice, will go one piece at a time on the p-18

Here's a few pics of the progress, it's slow going because I still have to "sneak" the engine into the house . The wheels that came with the plane just won't do. I think the 1/4 scale du-bro wheels are too big for the wheel pants. When using the predrilled holes, the cowl is a little offset I guess because of the right thrust built into the firewall.