TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

I work in a hobby store and last November I ordered the new TF P-51D ARF.Well I knew it was on back order and GP gave us a delivery date of Dec.Anyway it is now late April and in the last several months GP has given us as many as 5 delivery dates and all of them have been pushed back.So the last straw was yesterday. At the Toledo show we had been given a firm commitment to the late April delivery date and yesterday 4/26/08 we noticed that delivery is now not expected until late June. My understanding is TF had a problem with the landing gear mounting points and has been reworking the problem.But I am tired of waiting and all my buddies have there warbirds complete and ready to fly and here I sit with just a date of late June[:o]Having been it the hobby busniess for the last several years I have found that dealing with GP to be a excersize in fustration for the most part and this situation is no exception.And if I could get everything I need from Horizion or MRC I would gladly go that direction.So for any of you waiting like me I suggest going to your local hobby store and canceling you order for the TF P-51 arf and go for either a Hanger 9 or world models warbird arf.

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

I believe there is a whole 'nother thread dedicated to people crying about the delivery date of this ship. Just as in the past there have been many many threads full of complaints about lack of r&d on these planes. Be glad they are trying to fix any potential problems pre-release, quite a few other companys would just release it and let you deal with the problems. Odds are you will go out and buy the H-9 ship (which I have owned in the past) then be really dissappointed when your buddy shows up at the field with a new TF-60 P-51. Truly, how many guys cry about release dates, threaten to boycott, then rush down to the hobby shop the minute it is released and buy one anyway? AND THEN, the ship sits in the garage for months afterwards!

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

Its one thing to push back a release a couple months, its entirely unacceptable to give several months of release dates with no product.Yes it is true that repairing the problem before the release is a good thing.But I still think TF totally dropped the ball on this.And you are correct in that guys complain then don't back up there complaints and this is how these companies get away with this sort of thing. And I don't really care about these other guys anyway.But trust me when I say that I will not own another TF product and I will take it one step further.I will go out of my way to not sell product from GP .

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

George,

You should relax a little. This is a hobby.
Rest assured that when you finally do get it, and you will eventually, it will be right and you won't have to spend 80 hours re-engineering it to make it airworthy.

I'm sure GP and TopFlite would rather take a little Flak for being late than take lots of Flak for releasing junk.

My $.02

Bob

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

So you think it's ok for TF to take peoples money ahead of time and them make them wait for seven-eight months for their plane?

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

I don't know where you ordered your's from, but Tower Hobbies does not collect payment from a charge card until the item is shipped. Mine has been on backorder since late Jan, and it has not cost me a cent up to this point (except for all the accessories that I bought for it).

I am frustrated, because I was hoping to be able to bring it to a couple of warbird events this spring. And I am a little ticked off that neither Top Flite nor Tower Hobbies has stepped forward and made a public announcement concerning the delays.
And I have considered getting the Sig Mustand ARF instead.
But the Sig (1) costs more AND (2) will take more time and work to get it looking like I want it to look.
When I finally get the Top Flite, I am sure that I will have it flying withing 2 weeks. That is a very short time for me, because I usually make so many changes (even to ARFs) that it takes a long time for me to get new planes in the air. I feel that the Top Flite looks so good out of the box, that only a few small changes will need to be made by me.

I am frustrated, but I'll wait it out.

BTW: here is another thread on this ARF:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6969829/tm.htm

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

If Top Flite had announced it with a release date of July and delivered it in July - I would still be in the market for it. With their announcing it for January when they started advertising it and then constantly pushing back the date while giving no information regarding the delays and blowing me off when I emailed them about it - well - I'm out.

It's bad customer service to advertise a product as almost available when in fact it doesn't exist.

Lately I simply haven't been impressed with Tower's organization my buddies and I were lamenting it this morning at the field. It appears to me (as well as others that I know) that since the organization was turned over to the employees things have not been as good.

It may be other factors that are affecting the world right now but I really don't know as they have not communicated to us about it. I am relying more and more on my local shops (which I have always relied on) but now I'm more inclined to order stuff from them if they don't have it in stock rather than order it from tower. I get the benefit of living extremely close to Hobby People's distribution center so I can order from them and have it within 48 hours without paying any extra.

I have been a customer of tower hobbies long before the Internet existed, I hope that the problems they are having are the result of world economic issues rather than organizational issues. The value of the dollar is way down, inflation is rising and the cost of manufacturing in China has gone up due to recent events regarding lead in toys and such. Exporting product out of China is becoming more and more expensive (wouldn't it be great if things came back home?).

For me I decided to go with the Sig rather than wait. We have our scale competition in early August and I wanted the TF for that event to compete in Fun Scale, I'll do that with the Sig instead. I ordered it from Tower however, they haven't lost me as a customer but I won't be buying this ARF. I do hope that this is just the start of their arf offerings from the TF line of airplanes. I just hope they get their act together and put out release dates that are bankable instead of hopeful. They make themselves look bad over something stupid - especially since this wasn't even going to be available for Xmas. I'm sure they filled up on back orders as it is a beautiful airplane in the pictures. Too bad it doesn't exist.

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

I feel for you. Gosh! Harken back to the "old days" when we flew what we built. If it troubles you so much I feel pretty sure you can get the TF kit and build the thing yourself. Then you would have no one to complain to if it doesn't turn out right or you find you do not have the skills necessary to actually build a plane rather than just repair them.

Squire

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

I do build kits I actually would prefer the kit but these days the ARFs are cheaper very often (and in this case). I've been doing this since the early 80's and I have build plenty of kits, have one on the building board right now in fact. But with a 3 year old and another on the way - ARFs are helpful for me. I had been doing a lot of them but noticed I would get bored very quickly with them. So I stopped buying them and went back to building about 18 months ago. I haven't had an ARF since (except the little Phase-3 P38 I got for my birthday last year) This mustang is the first ARF I have had since I swore them off. I was going to use the Cessna I'm building for the Scale contest and if it is done by then I may still.

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

Guess it is best to just not announce any new models until they are on the boat headed to the warehouse...
This way no one will know it is coming...and then no one will be able to complain...
Delays are delays...It stinks for everyone... I know TF/GP would rather be selling these ARF's than being a TARGET for bashing on RCU...
IF you cannot wait... don't wait and buy another product...
I personally am glad that they are taking their time to make sure it is right...

-THIS is a reason Manufacturers Try their best to not announce upcoming models too soon...or give out ETA's....
general public nowadays is not so forgiving...

I hope everyone gets the model they wish for... I hope TF makes many more of their Gold Editions into ARC's and ARF's.... they are fine flying Warbirds....

-CHEERS

nemesis4u

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

Ok my bad, I don't ever backorder stuff so didn't know.

As I understand it, it is a problem with the retracts. Like I said before, I would have taken the plane for full price without the retracts because I am going to use Lado electrics anyway.

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

"And if I could get everything I need from Horizion"

You would be no better off. I've worked in a local hobbyshop here in Alaska and hate dealing with Horizon. Their website is the absolute worst, and they do the exact same thing with delivery dates as well. We don't have very many issues with GP. I've been waiting for the Hangar9 B-25 for months. We had one on pre-order (placed the minute we got the notification) for the first batch and didn't get sent one. I've been waiting so long now I've given up and cancelled the order. Now we are waiting on the Eflite beaver arf, the date has been changed on it again. I think they all have their downfalls, but my experience is Horizon is the worst. Later Jon

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

I don't care for Horizon either.
Tower is a different story, I think their customer service is second to none. When I call them I get someone fast, they are American so I can understand them and they don't play around.

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

I'm waiting for this plane as well as I'm also waiting for the Hanger 9 Piper Pawnee. I'm with the majority here and would rather wait for them to work out the kinks before they release it. If you can't wait, go with the World Models 60 size P51D. Mine was great while I had it. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend that plane in a heartbeat.

Good luck,,

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

There are so many P 51 ARFs available. If the wait for the Top Flite is too long for you, Order one from another brand.

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

Look if you don't know for sure you don't give a solid date.
GP has been giving dates all along.
Gee how many of you would have your job if you made a commitment then missed coming to work?
And who is this clown telling me to relax?
I have been very relaxed since November. Now that our 6 month flying season is in full swing it sure would be nice to have or know for sure when I will have the plane I orderd last november.
Sure I will relax, dickhead.

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

Because, as I stated in the other thread:
"I am not a huge Mustang fan",
but:
"this appears the be the best looking/ most scale accurate '.60 size' Warbird ARF ever made, bar none"

It may be awhile, but I am pretty sure it will be well worth the wait. And hopefully: I'll have my electric powered one ready for the Sundowners WarBird day in late July, in northwest Indiana.

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

I've seen this plane at the iHobby show in Chicago and at Toledo and it looks like it's worth waiting for.

I am expecting one myself.

GP is being tight-lipped about it, but they have said that there is some sort of production issue. Once that's resolved, they will be shipping.

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

cruzomatic,

How was the covering on your World Models P-51?

Mine is down right shameful out of the box it had loose edges that wouldn't iron down, I ended up using thin CA to get em stuck down.

I have to continuously iron wrinkels out, and the trim is coming off, with more loose edges after each flight.

For $250.00 I just thought the covering would be better.

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

It wasn't as bad as you're describing yours, but it wasn't perfect so to speak. I did have to do some CA'ing myself, but nothing out of the ordinary from my other ARF's. I also had to use my heat gun and trim iron as well every now and then. The plane does fly great though, loved the flaps and very effective on landings. I'm just holding out for the TF P51 just to get a different plane I guess, but if it wasn't around at all, I'd buy me another World Models.

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

When was the last time a new plane was announced and it was immediately available??? When was the last time a newly announced plane shipped without unannounced delays?? When was the first time??? You gripers should be used to this sort of thing by now. When I saw the prototype TF B25 flown by Greg Hahn at Top Gun '05, I knew it'd be awhile before it was released. I got one from the second boatload last November. Same goes for most any new release...the E-fly L39 was announced when...last fall? I ordered mine from Tower the day I heard about it last Sept. 7. It finally arrived from the first shipment three weeks ago. I'm surprised that since you work in a hobbyshop you aren't used to this sort of thing by now. If you want it so badly...build one from the kit...you'll be flying it before the ARF gets off the boat...otherwise...good things come to those who wait!!:D

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

Cruzomatic,

It does fly very nice, and World Models does do a lot of the work for you hinges glued etc.

Maybe mine came with defective covering, as the issues was greater on this model then say a monokote, or ultrakote covered ARF.

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

My World P-51 60 size covering was bad too. Not enough sticky mojo. The invasion stripes started falling off while still in the box.
I immediately stripped it to do in a Reno Racer scheme.

The hair on the back of my neck stands up and feels like my fur is being rubbed the wrong way when some of you guys are thinking of replacing the TF with a World.

The World flys GREAT.

. . . but it is no where near as pretty as the TF, that is if you like the scheme. The World cowl fit is goofy, the bottom edge on the fuse behind the doghouse is a sharp 90 that looks B A D to me.

Your sister could land the WM, but it looks like she did the covering also.

Bill

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

I guess I'll get involved in this - I order from TH, Horizon and LHS. I had my LHS order my Pawnee the first day I saw it on the website (3 months later) I had it in my hands - after 2 delays. Ended up having to have the cowl replaced, HH told me backordered til June, I got it two weeks ago. I've had the same thing happen with TH. Part of the time, a kit is so popular before it is even released that the initial production runs cannot keep up. And if you figure that that initial run might be for 500 shipped and there are 2000 more on order, it takes awhile for it to arrive. The Pawnee is a great example - it has taken off like a rocket and I know that H9 never expected it to be so popular. For the guy that looking for a E-Flite Beaver, my LHS has one for sale for a least a month(send me a PM and I'll get you in touch with the LHS).

After getting off the subject- I agree that it is better that TF correct the mistakes before shipping instead of having to put up with the flak from modelers and replacing of defective parts.

RE: TF P-51D ARF 60 SIZE CRAP
 

I agree as well that it is better to fix problems before shipping but Tower has not given us any official communication that there are problems. Plus it's been more than 6months of delays.

IF something isn't ready, they shouldn't advertise it as being so. Advertise it with a long lead date and then have it ready early.

THAT makes you look good.

Be on time or be early...when they do this it does nothing but harm to their credibility.