Wow never thought this would happen!!
Flair models http://www.flairproducts.co.uk/ is BUST!
They made some of the best kits and artfs!!!
Any1 got info on this?

It doesn't say anything on the site. Where did you hear this?!? []

Do the Brits celebrate April fools day on the 14th ?

no.
IM dead serious!
I was told by craig lipsett when i got home!
So i rang up Ali Machinchy (snr) and he confirmed it.

The hobby buis is a rough one. Only the really big guys make real money at it, and the competition is fierce. It doesn't help that in may places (espeically the USA), your average hobby shop has to compete directly against their own suppliers. Tower Hobbies, for example, is owned by Great Planes, which is the same company the LHS has to get their OS, Futaba, etc stuff from.

I'm sorry to hear this volkan. I recently purchased my first Flair Kit, a Fokker DVII. It will be a while before I get around to building it. But I went through the box and think it will be a fun build. I'll have to take care of this one.

Do you know if Flair is closing up for good or is it for sale? It sounds like Heritage RC is doing OK these days as Sky Shark. Hopefully Flair will meet a similar fate.

I certianly hope that someone or something happens to keep them going. They are one of the best out there. Sure would hate to loose them.[&o]

Well, I hope this is just bad information, as I was REALLY looking forward to the Chipmunk kit that is supposed to be released this year.

Well,

I e-mailed them to find out if the rumor is true. And, sadly it is.

I have also found out (from another source) that this may not mean the end of the Flair kits. Flair PRODUCTS is closing, but apparently they have a "sister" (Flair Direct??) company that they are hoping will buy out the business.

Not wanting to take any chances however, I ordered the Stearman while I am sure I can still get it.

http://www.flairdirect.com i think it is
There ARTFs will survive.

Fellow modelers,
On behalf of Dave, who is in Florida for Top Gun, I would like to make a statement regarding the crisis at Flair. Much to our surprise and dismay, we were informed last week that Flair Products has "ceased trading". Flair Products had created Flair Direct in order to "sell direct to the public" via "internet sales", apparently to no avail. (see link from Flair's web site to Flair Direct). We were also informed that Flair Products is no more, and that they hope their "sister company" will buy Flair Direct and resume operations in May.

We have enjoyed many high compliments from Flair enthusiasts over the years, and hope that this "interested party" will save Flair from an unfortunate demise. You can still send emails through their web site, maybe if enough of you put your two cents in, this "interested party" will get the message? Let your voice be heard, and we'll keep you posted with any news.

Blue skies,

Lisa
on behalf of Dave

Hi,
Thanks for that, which Dave is that?

Lisa, just point the "interested party" to RCU. There is more than enough praise on here of Flair kits and ARF's to make an "interested party" even more interested. I personally have only delt with Flair once, great customer service made sure it only took once to get a resolve. I can not say that about some of the other manufacturers or distributors.