Top Flite Staggerwing
02-20-2010, 12:29 AM
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RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
ORIGINAL: Thunderlips5491
Well I got the second one yesterday, damaged upper weing half, damaged cowl.
Was able to swap a wing from the fiorst damaged one so that took care of that problem.
They are sending another cowl.
They mailed me a return shipping label and said to call UPS and they will come and pick it up, I said to her that UPS charges to pick up, she said no that the contract they have with UPS says they will not charge to pick up.
Well I did as she said and UPS will not pick up without charging $6.30 to pick it up.
I called Tower and asked about this and differnt lady she this was how it was but I could load it in my car and take it to a UPS store, I told her ''lady this thing cost me $70.00 to ship it to me because it was so big it does not fit in my car'' she said to see if I COULD GET A FRIEND TO TAKE IT IN A TRUCK, This is how you treat a customer ????
So I asked who was going to pay me the $6.30 I will be paying to return their product, She said no one.
Now this was not a cheap purchase in the first place, it was not my fault the first one was damaged or the second one and now it will cost me $6.30 more to boot.
So if a damaged Staggerwing shows up in Tower's bent & dented section contact me and I will tell you the true damage it had when it left here, who knows how much more it will get in the next trip back.
And yesterday was my 65th birthday, darn.
Well I got the second one yesterday, damaged upper weing half, damaged cowl.
Was able to swap a wing from the fiorst damaged one so that took care of that problem.
They are sending another cowl.
They mailed me a return shipping label and said to call UPS and they will come and pick it up, I said to her that UPS charges to pick up, she said no that the contract they have with UPS says they will not charge to pick up.
Well I did as she said and UPS will not pick up without charging $6.30 to pick it up.
I called Tower and asked about this and differnt lady she this was how it was but I could load it in my car and take it to a UPS store, I told her ''lady this thing cost me $70.00 to ship it to me because it was so big it does not fit in my car'' she said to see if I COULD GET A FRIEND TO TAKE IT IN A TRUCK, This is how you treat a customer ????
So I asked who was going to pay me the $6.30 I will be paying to return their product, She said no one.
Now this was not a cheap purchase in the first place, it was not my fault the first one was damaged or the second one and now it will cost me $6.30 more to boot.
So if a damaged Staggerwing shows up in Tower's bent & dented section contact me and I will tell you the true damage it had when it left here, who knows how much more it will get in the next trip back.
And yesterday was my 65th birthday, darn.
So you purchased a LARGe Giane scale aircraft?
How were you expecting to bring it to a flying field to fly it, if you cant even get the box in your car?
I have had to send many planes back to tower hobbies....
They always had me print the shipping label out, place it on the box.
I would then drop it off at any Shipping store.... These all have UPS pick up from there stores....for free...
They have them at nearly every small strip mall, or small town shipping/packing store..
YOu are lucky that they even give you a shipping label to send it back to them....
MOST ONLINE stores make you go through UPS and have them pay for the plane.
OR they have you ship the part in question on YOUR OWN COST to them!>......
Then there isn't any garantee that they will even send you a new one!
Hey,... while there at it, they should get that other cowl from you as well!....
I bet you can easily fix up the cracked cowl??
Now you have a extra one for freeeee!.......
You have'nt got it that bad!.....
Now, If your plane is all F'ed up , I am sure that mine will be as well....
I saw that mine shipped out of RENO....dang.....
They usually come out of IL. and they are here on stand. shipping w/in 3 days!....
I wonder what it would have cost to do priority??....
I would think that it would have arrived in one piece!....
I will work something out with them.....
I have purchased many many items from them FOR YEARS AND YEARS, and I think
you can't get much better service from any one
else....
All the hobby stores that were close to me closed up....
Don't have a choice...
Mine will not arrive until the 24th...
02-20-2010, 12:34 AM
#1352
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RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
On a side note....
I have a feeling that the reason GP discontinued this plane was because they were not making enough money on it!...
There is a lot of scale detail on this plane....IT cost do that ...
Geebees mentioned AW cesna..... It's a WHOPPING 800$.... WOOHAA...
This stagerwing is a healofa deal... IMHO....
Gone are the days were you get sooo much for soo little...
Untill the companies pack up and start making ARF's in Vietnam.....Or singapore....
Then the price will come down. but so will the quality....
Just like JAPAN had started out.....Now look at things...??
What do you know?? You know? HX does repeat it's self!....
I have a feeling that the reason GP discontinued this plane was because they were not making enough money on it!...
There is a lot of scale detail on this plane....IT cost do that ...
Geebees mentioned AW cesna..... It's a WHOPPING 800$.... WOOHAA...
This stagerwing is a healofa deal... IMHO....
Gone are the days were you get sooo much for soo little...
Untill the companies pack up and start making ARF's in Vietnam.....Or singapore....
Then the price will come down. but so will the quality....
Just like JAPAN had started out.....Now look at things...??
What do you know?? You know? HX does repeat it's self!....
02-20-2010, 12:37 AM
#1353
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RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
I saw a OS200 fly the stagerwing, and it just seemed ENOUGH......
I am going to place the biggest engine I can in this bad boy....
Heck, ITS a 1.60 Size plane!.....\
Thats is 50cc size aerobatic!....
This plane is suppost to be as fast as the warbirds in it's day!!!
IT won air races!....
20lbs!....
That is 50cc warbird weights...
I am going to place the biggest engine I can in this bad boy....
Heck, ITS a 1.60 Size plane!.....\
Thats is 50cc size aerobatic!....
This plane is suppost to be as fast as the warbirds in it's day!!!
IT won air races!....
20lbs!....
That is 50cc warbird weights...
02-20-2010, 12:54 AM
#1354
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RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
Kochj,
You are right, it IS a heavy plane, but I fly mine with a Evolution 35GT gasser and it's really quite nice with that engine. It does weigh a full pound more than my AeroWorks P-51 and that has a DA 50 in it - but that's a warbird. I'm very happy with the 35 in the Staggerwing, but I like to fly a scale-like as possible. In my opinion, I think a 50cc might be just a bit big in it, but like I said, just my opinion. Still, one of my favorite planes to fly.
You are right, it IS a heavy plane, but I fly mine with a Evolution 35GT gasser and it's really quite nice with that engine. It does weigh a full pound more than my AeroWorks P-51 and that has a DA 50 in it - but that's a warbird. I'm very happy with the 35 in the Staggerwing, but I like to fly a scale-like as possible. In my opinion, I think a 50cc might be just a bit big in it, but like I said, just my opinion. Still, one of my favorite planes to fly.
02-20-2010, 01:17 AM
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RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
ORIGINAL: knucklebutt
Chris I certainly appreciate all that info. Thats the stuff I attempt to find when flying my models. My fun comes from flying ''scale Like'' I also try to build true to scale. Not sure how True to scale this staggerwing is though.
Denis
Chris I certainly appreciate all that info. Thats the stuff I attempt to find when flying my models. My fun comes from flying ''scale Like'' I also try to build true to scale. Not sure how True to scale this staggerwing is though.
Denis
I have not went to compitions for scale aircrafts... But one of the things that I see with the real aircrafts, and the really BIG models is
that they seem to be going VERY SLOW, and FLOAT......
It seems that the best way to duplicate this in a smaller models is to place a VERY BIG, over kill engine
in the plane.....
What I mean by this is that you can fly slow, and then go verticle, slowly, giving the impresion it is a real aircrft....
And when you use a larger engine, you get a more scale prop, and you are able to fly at lower throttle setings....
( the engines seem to sound more scale when there at the lower throttle settings.)
I do understand about flying with the wings, and not the prop though....
It makes things a challenge to get the plane to do what you want it to do....
THis also, works to the rule ....bigger fly better.....
When a plane weights 50+ pounds, you can under power it, and use the momentum of the wieght and the light wing
loading to pull throught the manuever....
02-20-2010, 05:47 AM
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RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
ORIGINAL: kochj
You didn't just buy the one from the classifieds?
You didn't just buy the one from the classifieds?
02-20-2010, 05:51 AM
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RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
ORIGINAL: kochj
I saw a OS200 fly the stagerwing, and it just seemed ENOUGH......
I am going to place the biggest engine I can in this bad boy....
Heck, ITS a 1.60 Size plane!.....\
Thats is 50cc size aerobatic!....
This plane is suppost to be as fast as the warbirds in it's day!!!
IT won air races!....
20lbs!....
That is 50cc warbird weights...
I saw a OS200 fly the stagerwing, and it just seemed ENOUGH......
I am going to place the biggest engine I can in this bad boy....
Heck, ITS a 1.60 Size plane!.....\
Thats is 50cc size aerobatic!....
This plane is suppost to be as fast as the warbirds in it's day!!!
IT won air races!....
20lbs!....
That is 50cc warbird weights...
02-20-2010, 05:53 PM
#1358
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RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
Kochj
You may not know the rules here in New York State, all our trailers require new regs on Jan 1st of each year, but each month you wait after that you save 1/12 of the cost.
Now with that said, I do not use my car to haul my GIANT size planes to the flying field to fly, I have a custom built enclosed trailer 7' x 14' that can haul 4 of my GIANT planes plus all other required materials at the same time.
I have been in this hobby since 1991 and this is the first ARF that I have purchased, all my other planes have been either kit built or scratch from plans.
Also this is only the second purchase I have made from Tower Hobbies, all others have been from local hobby shops.
So this is why I made the statement about what has happened, I received the new cowl today and it was great, so now I have a complete ARF with no problems till it is flown (LOL).
So because my trailer was not registered is the reason I could not haul the box to a UPS store, plus the one to be returned is still sitting in my shop for UPS to pick up after two calls for a date for them to do it.
Hope this answers all the questions.
Happy flying
You may not know the rules here in New York State, all our trailers require new regs on Jan 1st of each year, but each month you wait after that you save 1/12 of the cost.
Now with that said, I do not use my car to haul my GIANT size planes to the flying field to fly, I have a custom built enclosed trailer 7' x 14' that can haul 4 of my GIANT planes plus all other required materials at the same time.
I have been in this hobby since 1991 and this is the first ARF that I have purchased, all my other planes have been either kit built or scratch from plans.
Also this is only the second purchase I have made from Tower Hobbies, all others have been from local hobby shops.
So this is why I made the statement about what has happened, I received the new cowl today and it was great, so now I have a complete ARF with no problems till it is flown (LOL).
So because my trailer was not registered is the reason I could not haul the box to a UPS store, plus the one to be returned is still sitting in my shop for UPS to pick up after two calls for a date for them to do it.
Hope this answers all the questions.
Happy flying
02-20-2010, 06:35 PM
#1359
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RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
To GaGeeBeesThanks for view & info, will look into Byron. Also looking at a Vintage RC plan & kit (64") from Precision Cut Kits, anyone else checked into this one?
02-20-2010, 11:18 PM
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RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
Thunderlips5491
In Minnesota, we were lucky enough to have a Gov. named Jesse Ventura, who did some pretty good things:
We only register our trailers..1-time, and it's good for the life of the trailer!....
Pretty cool....and very fortionate....
I didn't know that this was your 1st time purchasing a ARF!.....
I could see why you would become frustrated....
The issue with most of the planes that are shipped is that they must meet a Weight Bareing Requirement.!....
As you would expect, most if not all the planes shipped DO NOT MEET that requirement
the UPS expects them to have....
THe result is that usually, the aircrafts can get pretty beat up...and UPS will NOT COVER it because
it didn't meet THERE requirements.....
I usually Get my planes in 1-piece.....
I had recieved some 94" Lanier yak 54, and a Extra, that had Each part shipped sepparately..COWL, FUSE, and wings all separate
boxes.,,,,NO support or very little FOAm....and they arrived in PERFECT condition!....
I can usually cont on all the products comming from IL. to be in Perfect shape....because it doesn't have far to go....
I remember I waited like 3-4 months to send back a Fusulage on a GIant Super Chipmunk, that they had sent for a replacement of a previous
Fuse, and the 2nd one was cracked as well....
They even sent a NEW shipping label, as the otherone expired.... so they really are a good company....
The issue wasn't enough padding, it was that the box couldn't support itself, so the box would crush the fuse....
The fuse was Fiberglass and it broke in the same area 3-times from shipping.....
They let me keep the original, and the replacement!..and 2-cowls.....
the Fuselage went around 125$ and the cowl was 35$ so I do not want to complain at all....
The damage was quite minor.... but when the gel coat cracks, it is a hastle to repair properly...so it will no split in the same spot latter on....
I have sent a busted up 1000$ plane on Monday and recieved a brand new on Friday, FREE ...... I have many other things they have done for me
They back there product, even if it may be inferior one....
They are not perfect, but what Company is?? For me, they are about as good as it gets...
BLAHH BLAHHH BLAHHH BLAHH....
In Minnesota, we were lucky enough to have a Gov. named Jesse Ventura, who did some pretty good things:
We only register our trailers..1-time, and it's good for the life of the trailer!....
Pretty cool....and very fortionate....
I didn't know that this was your 1st time purchasing a ARF!.....
I could see why you would become frustrated....
The issue with most of the planes that are shipped is that they must meet a Weight Bareing Requirement.!....
As you would expect, most if not all the planes shipped DO NOT MEET that requirement
the UPS expects them to have....
THe result is that usually, the aircrafts can get pretty beat up...and UPS will NOT COVER it because
it didn't meet THERE requirements.....
I usually Get my planes in 1-piece.....
I had recieved some 94" Lanier yak 54, and a Extra, that had Each part shipped sepparately..COWL, FUSE, and wings all separate
boxes.,,,,NO support or very little FOAm....and they arrived in PERFECT condition!....
I can usually cont on all the products comming from IL. to be in Perfect shape....because it doesn't have far to go....
I remember I waited like 3-4 months to send back a Fusulage on a GIant Super Chipmunk, that they had sent for a replacement of a previous
Fuse, and the 2nd one was cracked as well....
They even sent a NEW shipping label, as the otherone expired.... so they really are a good company....
The issue wasn't enough padding, it was that the box couldn't support itself, so the box would crush the fuse....
The fuse was Fiberglass and it broke in the same area 3-times from shipping.....
They let me keep the original, and the replacement!..and 2-cowls.....
the Fuselage went around 125$ and the cowl was 35$ so I do not want to complain at all....
The damage was quite minor.... but when the gel coat cracks, it is a hastle to repair properly...so it will no split in the same spot latter on....
I have sent a busted up 1000$ plane on Monday and recieved a brand new on Friday, FREE ...... I have many other things they have done for me
They back there product, even if it may be inferior one....
They are not perfect, but what Company is?? For me, they are about as good as it gets...
BLAHH BLAHHH BLAHHH BLAHH....
02-20-2010, 11:21 PM
#1361
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RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
ORIGINAL: rslstft
Kochj,
You are right, it IS a heavy plane, but I fly mine with a Evolution 35GT gasser and it's really quite nice with that engine. It does weigh a full pound more than my AeroWorks P-51 and that has a DA 50 in it - but that's a warbird. I'm very happy with the 35 in the Staggerwing, but I like to fly a scale-like as possible. In my opinion, I think a 50cc might be just a bit big in it, but like I said, just my opinion. Still, one of my favorite planes to fly.
Kochj,
You are right, it IS a heavy plane, but I fly mine with a Evolution 35GT gasser and it's really quite nice with that engine. It does weigh a full pound more than my AeroWorks P-51 and that has a DA 50 in it - but that's a warbird. I'm very happy with the 35 in the Staggerwing, but I like to fly a scale-like as possible. In my opinion, I think a 50cc might be just a bit big in it, but like I said, just my opinion. Still, one of my favorite planes to fly.
02-21-2010, 09:25 AM
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RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
Thunder:
welcome to the ARF world. The Staggerwing was my second ARF, The Great Planes Curtis P6-E was my first. Said I would NEVER do an arf !!!! All my aircraft are kits or plans built, However I reciently realized I just wonr have enough lifetime to build all the PLanes I want to fly. That Curtis or the Staggerwing would most likey be a two year scratch build. Now I am flying both while building one that isn't made as an ARF. My staggerwing had several broken parts, but I only returned the cowl, the other were so minor I fixed them. However its good you got one when you did (me too for that fact) as these scale ARF's dont seem to sell well and dont last; The Curtiss Hawk has been discontinued for a while now. Too bad ::: TRAILER: I also had to have one made, too many large scale plane and no way to transport, "I Love My Trailer !!! My Staggerwing always seems to attract attention when I fly it: just fun to look at
Denis
welcome to the ARF world. The Staggerwing was my second ARF, The Great Planes Curtis P6-E was my first. Said I would NEVER do an arf !!!! All my aircraft are kits or plans built, However I reciently realized I just wonr have enough lifetime to build all the PLanes I want to fly. That Curtis or the Staggerwing would most likey be a two year scratch build. Now I am flying both while building one that isn't made as an ARF. My staggerwing had several broken parts, but I only returned the cowl, the other were so minor I fixed them. However its good you got one when you did (me too for that fact) as these scale ARF's dont seem to sell well and dont last; The Curtiss Hawk has been discontinued for a while now. Too bad ::: TRAILER: I also had to have one made, too many large scale plane and no way to transport, "I Love My Trailer !!! My Staggerwing always seems to attract attention when I fly it: just fun to look at
Denis
02-21-2010, 10:35 AM
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RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
Yes...
I have a NIB Curtis p-6e hawk biplane as well.....
That is a cowl that although is very big, isn't wide enough for a boxer twin....
Now that I have shifted to a siedel 7-70 (started making them again) I can have one for 3-hundred more
than the satio 200ti inline....so it looks like the hawk will have a gas engine 2-or 4-stroke...
I have a NIB Curtis p-6e hawk biplane as well.....
That is a cowl that although is very big, isn't wide enough for a boxer twin....
Now that I have shifted to a siedel 7-70 (started making them again) I can have one for 3-hundred more
than the satio 200ti inline....so it looks like the hawk will have a gas engine 2-or 4-stroke...
02-21-2010, 08:08 PM
#1365
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RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
ORIGINAL: knucklebutt
Ya know I have an O.S. 120 in my Hawk and fly it at half throttle, never go any higher unless I do a loop or roll
Denis
Ya know I have an O.S. 120 in my Hawk and fly it at half throttle, never go any higher unless I do a loop or roll
Denis
02-24-2010, 08:25 PM
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RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
I recieved the REd STAGER WAGER!.....
I can't believe how nice this plane is for what it cost....
Looking at the Aeroworks cessna and cub for 900$..!!???
Too see this plane, is to want to have it...No joke....
Everyone else has there cowl misshaped?? I see no other way it can go in w/o deforming it during shipping...
I will call them up, but everything else is FLAWLESS....
Not sure why this plane would even remain instock??>..surprised it wasn't sold out...
perhaps it was the retracts???/
But look at the competiion!.... They are 3-Times the price!!!.....
all the covering is perfect... except for the rudder, there is some wrinkling in one area..NO biggy...
I will recover that TINy area....
What it lacks in length, it makes up for in width....(yah yah, that's what she said!)
Great job GP...Gorgeous is what comes to mine...
I can't believe how nice this plane is for what it cost....
Looking at the Aeroworks cessna and cub for 900$..!!???
Too see this plane, is to want to have it...No joke....
Everyone else has there cowl misshaped?? I see no other way it can go in w/o deforming it during shipping...
I will call them up, but everything else is FLAWLESS....
Not sure why this plane would even remain instock??>..surprised it wasn't sold out...
perhaps it was the retracts???/
But look at the competiion!.... They are 3-Times the price!!!.....
all the covering is perfect... except for the rudder, there is some wrinkling in one area..NO biggy...
I will recover that TINy area....
What it lacks in length, it makes up for in width....(yah yah, that's what she said!)
Great job GP...Gorgeous is what comes to mine...
02-26-2010, 11:56 AM
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RE: Top Flite Staggerwing
I am very glad I have it .....
At that price?>? seriously....
If another manufacture would produce this plane, it would come out at the very least double the sale price...
I am in ahh...really...
At that price?>? seriously....
If another manufacture would produce this plane, it would come out at the very least double the sale price...
I am in ahh...really...
