I am beginning to think it's the end of the line for Kalt helis. Even Heliproz has stopped advertising Kalt helis or Kalt parts. I think HPI saw a way to make a quick money grab by liquidating Kalt.
It's really too bad, because Kalt had some of the finest flying helis around.

I receive this info from HPI regarding Kalt helis................Its look like Mirage USA is the same people of Rickysrccar.com.


I’m sorry but we no longer handle the Kalt line. The distribution of the Kalt line here in the US has been handed over to Mirage USA.

Mirage USA
27469 Colt Court
Temecula, CA 92590
Telephone 909.296.9968
Fax 909.296.9343

Troy Lyman
E-Commerce Director for Buy HPI.
HPI Racing, USA
[email protected]

The attached word doc will shed some light on why you do not see any further information about Kalt on our HPI web site.

Feel free to call me if you would like to discuss this matter further.

Best Regards,

David Kouche
Sales Manager
949.753.1099 ext.111
HPI Racing.USA



To all HPI/Kalt Dealers,

On January 22, 2002, HPI will be transferring the Kalt helicopter line to Mirage. This move is being made so that HPI can concentrate on cars, allowing HPI to stay competitive in the radio controlled car market. 2002 should be a great year for HPI and we feel it will be our most exciting year yet. We feel this is the best move for our customers and our ability to support them.

Mirage is an up and coming company that is looking to expand their product line and will continue to support the Kalt helicopter line with both kits and parts support through our current dealer network.

Please contact them for any further questions at the address below.

Mirage USA
27469 Colt Court
Temecula, CA 92590
Contact - Yuko George
(909) 296-9669


Best Regards,
Dave Potter
General Manager
HPI Racing

Both Heliproz & Rick's list Kalt in their online stores...

Yes, Heliproz has Kalt stuff, but in their ads in RC Modeler, there is no mention of Kalt, whereas, they always used to have a box that said "Kalt Specialists" Also, the list of Kalt parts that are out of stock at Heliproz is getting bigger all the time.

That's really going to torque me off seeing as how Eric from Heliproz told me last winter that parts were back into production and they were getting a big shipment in.......so I bought me a brand new Baron that I have flown once.!!!!!!! But I am not getting mad until it is fact.!!!!!!

When he told you that it was as far as he knew the truth, your beef is with HPI they claimed they were going to manufacture kit's and parts and then decided they didn't want to.

I have gotten some parts for my Baron 30 S in HPI packaging, but I'm sure it was left-over Kalt production. What really torques me off is, I have a brand new Baron 46 that I am selling because there are no parts to be had for this fantastic heli, and I'm not going to take the chance on flying it, do a dumb-thumbs routine, and have no way to fix it.

Was told the same thing by HPI. Was assured that they had big plans and were going to continue with the line and were working on a new heli. Seems to me that they defrauding the public. Tried calling Mirage USA (Rickys RC) yesterday and was told that they would have some info on it when they got back from a show in Las Vegas and would call me back. Will see if they follow through.

Had a major rebuild on my Baron and decided to rebuild it due to the reassurances I had recieved. Should have known better and switched brands then as I have been through to many changes with Kalt over the years.

Hope someone gets their act together with Kalt as I do love that Helicopter.

Jimm...have you heard back from them yet about the Baron situation? I am deciding whether to risk flying my NEW Baron and ruin all the good parts if I crash or sell it to someone who has lots of parts and wants to keep up with it.

I was told by a source that was at the dealers show in Las Vegas that all the Kalt line of heli stuff needed was a tombstone. This source talked to the one of the head guys at HPI. Rickys RC Car/ Mirage USA is a sudsidrary of HPI. So why would HPI hand it off to a company that is part of them if they still planned to do anything with the KALT line. This source told me that there would not be anymore Kalt line.

David

<<Was told the same thing by HPI...>>

Me too. In March of last year, Dave Kouche told me all about HPI's plans, that they (HPI) had lured two of JR's top heli designers away, watch for some new scale offerings, etc., etc. When I called back in August, the tone was decidely different. About the the only direct answer I got to many questions was "HPI is pursuing other priorities at this time."

In my profession, that's called a clue...<G>

Steve

No, have not heard back from Rickys R/C yet. Will see if they bother to call, guess we can tell if they are serious or not. From everything I have ever heard about HPI, thought it would have been a good thing having them take over Kalt, but as it seems to be turning out they are starting to look like a very Disreputable company. Hope they have someone monitoring these lists so they get the message and clean up their act.

Think it is time to move on to a new brand, JR's new Venture looks very appealing, plus it will be easier to get parts for it from my LHS.

That show in Las Vegas was early last week, it was over on Wednesday I believe. The person I was talking to got home late Wednesday night from it.

David

I wouldn't go so far as to label HPI "disreputable". They have a good reputation in regards to their other products. I'm betting that they got in over their head, so to speak. IOW, they jumped into this with both feet before testing the water.

HPI is mainly r/c cars and trucks. Helicopters are much more complex. Mr. Kouche had no reason to lie to us. I think that once they had this tiger by the tail, HPI management realized there was more to it than they originally thought, and decided not to pursue it.

HPI is currently having problems getting some high-use replacement parts into the US for several of their staple land vehicles. I've been waiting on a spur gear for my grandson's truck for over a month. While I've been waiting, several other "critical" parts have become unavailable.

There can be several reasons for this; HPI says it is because of an unanticipated increase in demand. Other rumors have it that their purchasing controller in Kalifornia left unexpectedly. Personally, I find it difficult to believe that one guy leaving can screw up the supply process for a multi-national comglomerate, but you never know.

And it might be a vendor problem. Look at the 401 gyro situation; Futaba's inability to get one critical component caused that popular product to in short supply for a time. How many times has MA had hundreds of kits waiting to be shipped, for lack of one or two parts?

Whatever. I think it is safe now to say that Kalt helicopters have become another footnote. Too bad; they had some good stuff.

Steve