I saw this arf and wanted to know if anyone here has had any experience or even heard of this brand? Thanks in advance.

http://www.lightinthebox.com/KATANA-...;in_page_idx=2

not sure but looks like models nitromodels sell. be careful!

light in the box is also where alot of e-bay planes come from, as said, be careful

Ok I hear the warnings. What's there to be careful about? Are these arfs no good,substanard,need lot of tweaking? Please understand I just want info as to why use caution on these arf kits. Thanks

What to be warned about?

"You get what you pay for." is often quoted by people who bought Chinese ARFs at prices too good to be true.

Fairly decent 30cc gas ARFs usually don't sell for $180'something. The quote really should be, "you aren't going to get what you don't pay for." especially when it comes to an ARF that is marketed like that one. I just did a google on "Katana 30cc" to see if any of the reliably good mfg's offered one and discovered pages of hits that mostly went back to one website. They're offered by a bunch of different retail fronts that don't even offer their own website.

With most ARFs nowadays, even the best will have at least one major flaw that needs rework, rebuilding, or redesign. The cheaper the ARF the more experience you need at building, repairing, or designing model airplanes. The fact that you're asking the question you are suggests you're somewhat new at this. The cheaper the ARF the "older" you need to be at this to turn any "too good to be true price" into a model that lasts you more than a couple of trips to the field.

However, I hope you get a response soon from someone who has actual experience with whatever brand ARF your link points to. Or any of the dozen other "brands" that seem to offer the same model.

bought a bananahobby RTF J-3 cub.   came with out the manual, can't complete for flihgt   ...... any one know where or how I can get a copy, or an on line version?


Tried banana hobby PETE!!! he looks good in the video and can fly but there lack of service SUCKS  no one answered let alone responded with a  called back or email  


Need help


thank you

Even if the plane is fairly decent, the hit you take replacing all the cheap unusable hardware will make you wish you went ahead and purchased a brand with quality hardware sized to the airframe and engine requirements. Been there, done that....

Just looked at that link, and here's what I see:

Advertising description:
"KATANA-Acrobatic in 26-30CC gas as real airplane (JF-KATANA-70)"

(comment: "gas as real"? What's that mean?)

Price $187.99 USD (comment: plus shipping, I presume)

Status: Unassembled Kit (comment: usually, this would be called an ARF)
Wingspan 70"
Weight 10.4 lb
Wing area 976 square inches (comment: wing loading about 24 oz/ft²)

Height: 385 (comment: 385 what? 385 mm would be 15"... ok.)

Radio: pcm&2.4G (comment: maybe "or" instead of "&" ?)

Landing gear "Tricycle Landing Gear" (comment: Nope. It's a taildragger.)

Servo: Standard

End of Specs

Looking at the writeup, the hardware may be great, or it may be substandard. Pictures don't show much detail on the structure.

I suggest from the items in the writeup (see my comments above) that the seller is not completely familiar with the product. You can draw whatever conclusions you like from that. Personally, if I was sending them money, I would be prepared for less than stellar product and support. (Yes, I've done that, and not always with awful results.)

Good luck
Dave Olson

maybe its a BARF
an ARF that starts with..B

Bad
Bullsh-t
Broken
Busted
Boo Boo
Buggered
*******
Bent
Bewildered
Beastly
Bummer
Base
Budget
Bargain Basement
Banished
Battered
Bedraggled
Blemished
Banged up
Beat
Burned
Beneath
....

If you go to the bottom of the page and click on "Customer Service" you will
see that this plane would ship from China....bet the shipping would hit the wallet
a bit also, plus no customer support from across the Pacific.........take your
chance you have been "Cautioned".............

Ditto!!!!!! RUN do not walk away from this one.

I like how it rates 4 stars, yet has no reviews.

Took a shot and looked at the Katana listed below it. Rates 5 stars. I good review, and a whole bunch of a not happy customer who can't seem to get his money back.


Heaven forbid it shows up damaged or is missing parts.