The best way to get your message through that SM is too expensive is to buy something else. And really guys do that or you end up talking about the same issue next year when the prices went up another 10-20%. So funny if you are thinking that the turbine prices have been going down in the longer run but the airframes and getting more expensive every year.

I have quoted many non painted jets to customers, if you want send em an email and I will see what can do...

Michel

Quote sent....

Got it!

I guess for some people the dealers are important and for others no to much. Todd, in your case you are a very well infomed person with access to many products and extras so definetly a dealer will not do much for you in some areas...

But in general what can a dealer do:
1- Deal with all comunication with the factory, making sure questions and customer requests are answered. This is not always easy for customers who go direct.
2- Give customer support in case any aid is needed in building, CG, throws, first flight, etc.
3- In case of problems which require a warranty claim from the factory the dealer will be of far more weight with the factory than a single customer.
4- Give good customers a discount price.
5- Participate on events promoting the brand.
6- In case of problems not affected to warranty help customers get all the necesary parts asap. A good dealer should not make a huge margin on this as there is not really a big market for replacment parts, the bussiness is on selling the kits not the replacment parts, this should be looked as a service more than a bussiness in my opinion.
7- I am sure I forget a few other things....

In general when orderring replacment parts it is better to order exactly what you need, if you just need the retract air cylinder, don't order the whole retract it is going to be much more expensive. If you are specific on what you want you will find out that replacement parts are not always that expensive.

In general terms a good dealer is one that is on the customer side and will help them get what they need. The factory can't handle to go direct worldwide it is just too much information and customer requests to handle, remember the US is not the only market and sometimes it is not even the biggest for a company, so having to deal with every customer is not always easy for a factory. A good dealer network will do the job easier and more quickly.

Got the names mixed Michel.... user has similar name, we are not one in the same

HAHAHA... sorry for the mistake Todd.....

Michel,

Nice - hope to see you in Florida...

Here is Likai testing the 25kg A10 fully loaded Landing Gear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE6bMVH3Ul4

Regards

Morne

Nice test, I hope I never land mine like that but it is good to know it will handle the impact...

Anyone seen the small F-4 fly on youtube

Hi, artchristic1

We have no test flight the F-4 small again before we completed test flight the Prototype of F-4 aready, but we just finished test the small F-4 by EDF,

here is video:

http://www.skymasterjet.com/F-4EDF.wmv

Best Regards

Anton

thats considered testing? hmmmm []

Thats what I was thinking. No forward or side loads, just dropping. Ok, so they can handle the weight of fuel and the plane.

Why are people so eager to jump on and have a bash recently? Is it just the nature of what RCU has become?
I dont think anyone was saying this is the definitive testing on the gear or the mounts. Just a drop test thats all.
The real testing is done, when the gear is in the plane, and flying. This was just a short video, done more as a promo I think. Lets see this done with some of the other arfs of this size on the market shall we?
I am not saying that Skymaster is perfect, but at least they do publish videos of test flights, and things such as this drop test.
Regards Al

Al,
Its winter time, what else do we have to do?

Lol, true Thomas.

Ali, I don't really see it as bashing, more I think people are a little shocked that this is a major airplane manufacturer's "testing" regiment, that's all. If they do more complex testing then that is what they should be posting don't you think? I would think that for the prices they charge for their gear you would get a little more complex process than picking up a plane and dropping it. Also the videos are nice too but usually they post video of prototype flights and the gear never retracts during those and some of them are even fixed versions. But that's just me and my opinion means nothing.

Ian, Your a modeller and a potential customer, so your opinion means allot ( Even though I know your too mean to buy the last life jacket on a sinking ship.. only jesting. Presta told me to say that)

I will be honest with you and say I really dont know what the testing regime is with Skymaster, but I bet my left nut, that its a darn sight more than some. Which manufacturer do you know that posts any video, of any of the test flights? No one from Skymaster came on here and said that this was all the testing thats done to the A-10 gear. Hell! For all I know this could be it. My main gripe is with the fact that one supplier goes to the effort of showing a test ( Which actually for me was impressive, as I know many of my models, inc my Mibo A-10 where I would not feel confident enough to drop it like that) and people jump on it and assume thats all the testing done, and suggest thats no way near enough. Relax a bit guys, its just my observation but RCU seems to have changed from a forum where we could share general jet information, to one where some people are just so keen to start a row... Could just be me that sees it this way?? If so.. sorry.
Regards Al

very well sed mate

Hi SM;

Thank you for your fast response on the small F-4.
I guess what I say and request on the forum is read.
Just to add my 2 cents, it seems that SM do take
each critic at heart. Not, to my knowledge, there
isn’t many model companies out there that take the time to
read the forum and answer questions. If pricing was
held down by one meager company like SM then all will
follow and maybe the average modeler will feel the need to go with
a bigger model. Finding an engine at low price is hard enough
but when the price of a plane surpasses the price of an engine
by 1.5 time, staying at the smaller jets is more fun.
If prices on the large jets will stop rising, you will probably
See an increase in sales.
My opinion.

The f-4 has a very cool sound for an EDF, what fan setup are are you using in the video
Thanks,
Vin...

V.. its still a Wooo-Wooo
Semper fi

Ya Joe, but it doesn`t sound like a woo woo !!

V..

HAHA, he's such a titty twister!!

No, I see where you're coming from Ali. I also think during these times when people shell out that type of money they want to be assured of some quality. Everything is being opened to more and more scrutiny these days, just my observation.

+1 And with the issues that have been showing their faces over the past year with some of Skymaster's QC and design idea's aren't helping with the abundance of criticism. Yea i know, I HAD to bring that subject up again.. sorry

Thomas, you're such a $*** disturber!! haha