Hello,

Is it easy to get replacement parts for NitroPlanes? For instance, I have an extra from GP and even though they do not make the airplane anymore, I can still order a wing set or a fuselage through different online stores. Is the same true for NitroPlanes? I didn't see any replacement parts on their website. The NitroPlanes forum seems to have mixed opinions so before to buy an airplane from them, I would like to get some feedback.

Thanks,

Le fou

You get some mixed reviews. I had a Super Chipmunk I got from Nitro. Will never buy another plane from them. You are much better off staying away from Nitro if $$ will allow it at all. They do sell CHEAP but there is a reason they do also.

This is a trick question, right?

No for the most part, replacement parts have only spotty availability.

If you are at the point that replacement parts is a big issue for you, you are advised to look at planes from the "big boys" who provide parts stocking...

But be advised that often a major part ( e.g. a set of wings, or fuse ) can cost more than just buying a new plane...

Many Asian ARF's from different manufacturers and vendors, do not have replacement parts available or are easily obtainable.

If you have an accident, it's up to you to fix the damage. After you've been at it for a little while you can do most of your own repairs.

Though at the cost of some of the planes, sometimes it's cheaper and faster to buy a replacement plane instead of worrying about parts.

I guess I wouldn't buy any ARF with the expectation of being able to get replacement parts.

Many of the low price importers have the reputation of selling a run of ARFs and having zero parts availability. They do not have warehouses full of parts and accessories. They are in the business to sell planes, not parts and accessories. Nitroplanes is one of many that seem to follow this business model.

Even the 'big boys' like the Ace, Global, Hobbico and Horizon conglomerates (or mid-size operations like SIG that concentrate on just a few brands) only have a certain number of spare parts built for any particular model while it is in production. When a model is discontinued, and those parts are gone, it is very unlikely that more will be made.

I think that's one of the reasons why so many people consider ARFs to be disposable. If parts are available, the cost is often close to the original ARF price. Since there are no plans or templates, you can't always make your own parts, so the whole thing goes in the trash.

This is another side to the argument or discussion regarding ARF vs. kit (see the post about the H-9 P-40 POS elsewhere in the ARF forum) Some parts, like control horns, engine mounts, etc, are fairly generic and no problem when something breaks, or, heaven forbid, missing from the box when you get it. Other parts, however, have to be fabricated or done without, as the mfg doesn't have the parts support. I bought a Cox ARF a while back, and the wire landing gear broke at a welded point. Cox had no replacement available, and said that what they had to do was take a new-in-the-box ARF and turn it into a parts plane. This is fine, as long as one person need a landing gear, another needs a wing, and another needs the fuse. But if the same part fails on several, or many, of the ARF's sold, it isn't economically prudent for the mfg. to keep parting out their inventory. This just leaves them with lots of boxes they can't sell because they are incomplete, and they themselves don't have the system in place to replace the parts.

Even good quality mfg's (such as Sig and Great Planes, to name but a couple) who do sell parts get a premium for them. Like already mentioned, a replacement wing might cost 75% of what the entire plane cost. If you really like that model, it's almost worth it to buy the second complete ARF and have spare parts for a while, as long as you don't break the same thing over and over. But economically, most hobbyists can't afford too much of that, nor do they want a lot of pieces lying all over the place.

As much as you are correct, carrellh, that this makes ARF's sort of disposable, I certainly would prefer that something I might have $500-$750 invested in not be considered a disposable item. The mfg's have pretty much ensured that it is, though, by not offering parts availability.

But, then, most of these companies can keep making a living off of one-time sales, as many of us are still willing to tolerate the industry practice of not supporting the product after the sale.

I agree that parts should be available but the manufacturers and distributors have designed a system that is the opposite.

I currently have 3 ARFS. None of mine are high dollar.
GP Big Stik 60 - fuselage, wings, gear, and tail are available. Prices are fairly high.
SIG 4*60 - most parts available. Prices are higher than the ones for the Stik.
Sportsman Aviation Waco 60 - no parts available. The plane was distributed by Global and was discontinued a few years ago. I bought it (new in box) a few months ago and if anything is missing or broken I have to figure out how to deal with it.

I have 2 flyable kits and 2 more under construction. I would not 'want' to hand cut parts for them but I do have enough info (plans and manual) to do it if necessary.

I just wish plans with part templates were available for arfs...would make those repairs so much easier...

dont ever buy a nitro airplane they are junk

I have 3 Lanier Stinger .60 ARFs. One for flying, one for a spare, and one for parts.
It's a shame that these are discontinued. It's my favorite Plane to fly.

Yea know not of which you speak.

These are NOT junk:

Let's be honest here, NitroPlanes and all their 20 plus AKAs like RaidenTech, Xheli, bananahobby, etc etc (they all have the same phone numbers or online chat) has high-end planes, mid-market planes and their main product line - Foamy junk from the knock-off companies in China. I have an all balsa Ultimate Bipe and I really like it (not Love it) because it's pretty nice as an ARF with no electrics. I also have their exclusive $95 Guanli A-10 which is a piece of ***** and nearly unflyable in stock form (just look at the $95 NitroPlane A-10 forum string.)

I also bought my grandson their styro Exceed RC J3 Piper to learn to fly, it's OK, but accidents happen and we needed parts including a new fuselage, which NitroPlanes advertises they carry. EXCEPT it's never in stock! As are many other crucial and easily breakable parts! Hell they can't ever get in the battery or replacement props! See the complaint posting I have to Nitro - http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_7669917/tm.htm

Just page thru the NitroPlanes or RaidenTech, or Bananahobby, etc etc etc AKA sites and notice that most parts are "SOLD OUT" ALL the time and that applies to cheap models to the very expensive models too. This is just incompetent management, OR they really only what to sell finished plane and then leave the buyer high and dry for parts. Imaging Ford, GM, Toyota or MB doing that?

Look, if you (any dealer) are going to sell models and advertise you have parts; HAVE the damn parts or don't carry the models.

I just bought the Nitro Models Extra 330 90 - 63" ARF ($119.00), for the price it's worth a try. A couple guys on another link said it had fairly good quality. BTW They charge $35.00 foe S & H, so the posted price is not as good as it seem. And there salesmen know zero about the hobby. I'll let you know how it is when I get....

One good thing I like about ARFs IS the replacement parts IMO. Great planes, Hanger 9, and others do a very good job supporting their products with parts at reasonable prices to boot. I even fixed my Carl Goldberg Ultimate this way (bottom wing and both I struts for $35 I think, and had them in a few days). And the parts fit. Nitro Planes sells a lot of good planes but this is a weak point about them. Seems like they could just have extra of each type set aside for parting out when needed, but they are too cheap and don't seem to care. We should all know this by now and not be surprised or disappointed. If customer support is important to you, stick with Great Planes and those like them. If you can build and fix, then you have more options.