Diablotin Warning
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From: Chantilly, VA
I have the JR Models Diablotin JR63. I got it from Esprit models for $279.00.
I really loved the plane untill the wing separated from the fuslage when performing outside loops.
I have contacted Esprit Models and the man that answered the phone told me to email him the photos and he will contact the manufacturer about replacing the airplane.
I will update post with results of his efforts.
I will attach several photos that show the cause of the failure.
The first is a scan of the plans provided with the plane to show how the wing is attached.
Joe Brannon
I really loved the plane untill the wing separated from the fuslage when performing outside loops.
I have contacted Esprit Models and the man that answered the phone told me to email him the photos and he will contact the manufacturer about replacing the airplane.
I will update post with results of his efforts.
I will attach several photos that show the cause of the failure.
The first is a scan of the plans provided with the plane to show how the wing is attached.
Joe Brannon
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The next photo shows the fuslage with wing attachments as I found it after crash. You can see parts of the wing sheeting, the wing reinforcement blocks and the wingbolts.
The wing separated because the wing reinforcment blocks were not glued to anything and the only thing holding the wing on was the wing sheeting, which failed.
The wing separated because the wing reinforcment blocks were not glued to anything and the only thing holding the wing on was the wing sheeting, which failed.
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Here is a close up view of the wing reinforcement block. You can see there is no evidence of any glue. Also if there had been glue you would have seen some tearing of the wood, but you dont because no glue was applied to this structure component at all.
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The next photo shows the wing at the point of failure. You can see again there is no eveidence of any glue being applied to wing or wingblocks, the sheeting was the only thing holding the wing on the airplane.
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I have many more photos available but I think these show the lack of glue and the that I built the plane according to the plans.
If I was building another, and I hope Esprit will replace the plane so I can, I would remove the sheeting on the bottom of the wing where the wingbolts go thru, sqiurt some thin CA in, and replace with lite ply.
If I was flying one that was already built, I would remove the sheeting from the top of the wing and get some glue in there asap.
Of course the fuselage suffered major damage as it lawndarted in. The ground was soft so I dont think there is any damage to the engine, but I will have to check the crank for straightness.
Joe Brannon
If I was building another, and I hope Esprit will replace the plane so I can, I would remove the sheeting on the bottom of the wing where the wingbolts go thru, sqiurt some thin CA in, and replace with lite ply.
If I was flying one that was already built, I would remove the sheeting from the top of the wing and get some glue in there asap.
Of course the fuselage suffered major damage as it lawndarted in. The ground was soft so I dont think there is any damage to the engine, but I will have to check the crank for straightness.
Joe Brannon
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From what I see in the photos, this one is a no brainer. I can't think of any reason Esprite should have to contact the manufacture to ask permission to replace the plane. THEY are after all, the ones who sold you a defective airframe......right?
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Still no response from Esprit Models. I have emailed him repeatedly and all he says is he is waiting for the manufacturer to respond and he will get back to me. Which he hasn't He is probably hoping I will just go away. I wont.
Joe Brannon
Joe Brannon
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I talked to Esprit Models today and they say they are replacing the airplane. They say they will ship a new on to me today.
I will update when I receive the new plane.
Joe
I will update when I receive the new plane.
Joe



