actually, an AT 450 needs about 160oz to get around 8 minutes of flying time with about a 2 min reserve. ofcourse that depends on how heavy your thumb is.

centerline tank might have to be carried, if we can't get it all intenal.

The answer would probably be YES, they ARE getting cheap rates from DHL. It's not the US Mail service, it's a private company, and they make deals all the time, rates for companies like DHL and UPS are not standardized, and the box that costs you or me $20 to ship with UPS might cost Tower Hobbies $2.
I guess JetLegend struck a deal, they will ship at least x amount of boxes at $150 a month. Skymaster does not deal direct so much, they have their dealer network, so they don't have the same deal, because they are not giving as much money to the carrier.
Also...that box is HUGE. And $600 is not out of line at all. I think you are just being misled because $150 is so damn CHEAP. $600 normal, $150 abnormally cheap. I've paid over $150 for LITTLE arfs coming direct from China.

Anyway...plane looks great. Fills a big gap in the market. I see a hole for a smaller Phantom, too, don't know if anybody is working on one.

Eric,

I'll take one in a jolly roger's scheme. Right now. I'll easily and happily pay $600 to have it shipped to me.

Adil,

How does that elevator mechanism hook up? I can't quite see how it works. I have quite an interest in how SM is doing their elevators.
Sorry to keep bugging you.

Rafael

Curtis, you hit the nail right on the head. I work for FedEx, and we constantly gain new business by offering cheaper rates than the competitor they currently use. On the flip side of that coin, we constantly LOOSE business to competitors doing the same thing. It basically comes down to what's important to the customer, trackability or just downright cheaper rates, or even a combination of the two. If you've ever tried to track a postal or even UPS package, you'll know what I mean. Regards,

Richie

Hi Rafael,

I honestly have not gotten to any assembly etc. but will shortly

Just looking at the assembly, I would guess that the 1/4 former attached to the elevators fits in between another assembly inside the fuse and gets bolted or glued. I imagine that assembly holds the elevator servos as well.

As in a side note, as I understand it, this production run is/was small and SM is very interested in any opinions from the current builders for improving this kit. The later productions will incorporate them just like they have done in the past. I did send some of my opinions already as well.

Fuel tanks look to be easily over a gallon but there is ample room to fit more if needed without going external.

I am planning on posting more pictures once I get on with the building and opinions/impressions. Right now I'm researching some colorful paint schemes and am amazed by all the nice ones out there. That is going to be a tough decision !!

Adil

Thanks Adil. I thought a little about it and that's what I had concluded. Is the 1/4 former attached by a plastic piece? And supported by ball bearings?

Eric,

My credit card number is

1651 1413 2111 0190 Exp 10/08 security code 049

I know you know my address!

Rafael

Rafael, ARE YOU NUTS? No insult intended...I hope you didn't post your REAL credit card number for all here to see? Man, you are too trusting. Would you mind if I used it to order one for myself? (Just kidding!!) regards,

Richie

ERIC:

I'll have one too, just put it on Raf's credit card number above

Phantom's for everyone!!!! Muuhahaahaaahaaa!!!! The bill goes to Ehab anyways!!![sm=greedy.gif]

Raf

Oh yeah, I got that credit card from someone who worked at some comapany I've never heard of before....ummm let me think....Yes, it was called Enron!! Give it a try!!

Raf

Sure thing. send me the bill. My address is:

Ehab

10 Downing street
London, England

Please ship air express!!!

Thx!!

BTW: any landing gear pics????

Pretty sure the elevators are driven by Nyrods.

Yo ET,

What's a nyrod?

A nylon rod?

Raf

That's OLD SCHOOL, kid. Before your time. Maybe some day when you are older I'll tell you about them.

10 Downing St? Hey, my old girlfriend Margaret used to live there!

Guys, forgive Raf. He is just trying too hard to fit in the jet community....

Raf: call me dude!!!

Hey ET:

Man, she was your ex???? I feel sorry for you dude....That's why you picked up jets afterward, a lot less nagging

Ehab,

You back stabbin little @#$%&^&^%$#!!!!![sm=punching.gif]

Who's the ONLY one who has let you even back in the jet community???!!!!!! ME, THATS WHO!!!! Do you even have enought flights to renew your waiver?? And 10 bounces on 1 landing with my TRAINER JET, A-10x DON'T COUNT!!![sm=lol.gif]

I may not know what a nyrod is but, I know exactly where to put a nyrod, DO YOU HEAR ME!!!???!!!

Don't make me get Gordon!!![>:]

Adil,

Never mind Ehab. He is just mad, cause he can't get any jets in the sky. . He has to fly mine. Please keep posting pics of your F-4. We are all salivating.....

Raf

I'll happily donate one, just to see if you will follow up on the above !

Lots of love in the air!!!!

We want F4 landing gear pics!!!

Ehab,

My phone died......OR ELSE!!! I'd say something really mean....or maybe I should write you a letter telling you how much I want to call you and tell you all sorts of mean things!!!

See what you did??? Now Gordon is in on it!!!

Raf

Hey Raf; 10 bounces that is 10 landings so now I need to fly "my" kingcat, oh sorry, "your" kingcat two more times to qualify for renewal!!!

Ok Ehab, We'll settle out of court. We can be friends again!!

Raf

No Raf, I want to go to court!!! more money for me that way...

LG pics please!!!!

If you two fellows enjoy THAT kind of relationship, that's fine. I won't judge. California is full of all SORTS of sickos, but I don't judge you two guys, live and let live, I say.