First Ducted Fan ??????
 

Tony,

Actually, in the past 12 months, I've been to four countries in Europe, and three in Asia. I get out plenty. Maybe you didn't see the same JHH bird I did, but there are a couple out there that are astounding to see. The owner/builders might even grace this page with a photo or two.

Anyway, glad to see you're still alive. I've emailed you a couple of times with no response. I hear you're getting taller and taller. So, how 'bout a phone call or an email? I don't mind the shots in here, but you used to be good for at least a return call, so what's up?

650-556-1214

First Ducted Fan ??????
 

Texan,

Here we go again!!! I never said that BVM was the only manufacturer to provide these goodies. I recently acquired an Avonds F-16. Good kit. We also have a couple of Avonds F-15's in our group. Having built that model too I'm experienced enough to comment on it. Don't you think that the fiberglass fuse is a little flimsy in places? I believe that some manufacturers go a little overboard to save a few ounces. Also included is a VERY thin fiberglass bypass instead of carbon or kevlar. Fiberglass was used instead of carbon or kevlar to save money---period. This kit is not that inexpensive either. Price was $2250 shipped to my door with Robart retracts and some 1/4" wire for struts. Add in an additional $350 for scale gear and $200 for wheels and brakes (conservative figure) and also a scale cockpit and a few other scale do-dads and then figure up the price. Faster than Gomer Pyle could shout "Surprise---Surprise!!!" you come shockingly close to the Brand "X" "Go Fly Price" for many of Brand "X's" kits.

My point being that there are other good alternatives to BVM products but you will pay almost, if not as much, as BVM to get good quality. Why aren't people compaining about this? At least with BVM I get all of the carbon fiber servo trays (instead of a bunch of plywood that I have to glue together) and other carbon fiber goodies that make building so much easier.

Kevin

First Ducted Fan ??????
 

Kevin,

Thanks to you too, but you see why I'm through? I'm the jerk remember?

Scott

First Ducted Fan ??????
 

Scott,

I know what you are going through---I was the jerk in a recent thread. Ya know another point that has yet to be made.....Look at the resale value of BVM products. The kits on the market go for almost as much as the original selling price. A properly built and finished BVM model will bring considerably more than most others out there. Take my HotSpot for example----I sold my HotSpot for less than what I could build it for. It is the norm for BobCats to bring more than what it costs to build a kit. (A lot more depending on the finish.)

Kevin

First Ducted Fan ??????
 

Kevin

Before citing my name in a message, you would do good to yourself to actualy READ my messages. I bought 2 BVM planes, and have not said ONE word about BVM costing too much !

What I said is I was tired of the kind of attitude where it's said buy cheap, buy twice, as it's simply not appropriate.

Bernard

First Ducted Fan ??????
 

Bernie,

MY BAD!!! I, too, agree that the phrase that you mentioned does not pertain to all kits. There are some out there that are questionable and leave a lot up to the modeler to figure out. Some of you may remember that I was a jet columnist for R/C Report. Just prior to me being hired a ducted fan model was built by one of the columnists. It was a 45 size machine primarily constructed of balsa. I believe that the finished weight was around 8 lbs. or a little less. This plane was advertised as a beginners ducted fan. To make a long story short it was the fastest car that I have ever seen. It absolutely would not fly!!! More recently, another model that goes on my "Piece-O-Crap" list is the Kyosho F-86. Out of the box, this airplane will barely fly. What we, and most other experienced modelers, are trying to convey to the beginning jet modeler is that there are better machines out there to spend your money on. Heck, if you are going to spend XXX amount of dollars---here's what you get for only XXX more. I'm very happy to see that lately most of the models that are being made today perform as advertised. This was not the case only a few years before. When I was writing my motto was, "See it fly before you buy!!!"

I wish that I could afford to buy more of BVM's jets, but sadly I can't due to a new son and other commitments. (I do have a Super Bandit on the way.) I really like what I perceive as excellent value. If JD Power and Associates were in to jet models for customer satisfaction I believe that BVM would get their nod. Just my .02 Kevin

First Ducted Fan ??????
 

Shaun,

What shot? Oh wait, I didn't use that smiley face, just like you didn't when you posted that pic of "Yellow's" landing gear. Sorry, I'll try not to forget in the future.

I just think that since you haven't been out at the last few rallies, you've missed a lot of really great, detailed models that have been showing up. Planes like Mark Taylor's BVM F-100 and Dave Fusinato's BVM F-4 are not only looking great, but they're flying up a storm. And though I haven't yet had the pleasure myself, everyone I've talked to that have witnessed Joe Grice's BVM F-100 say it is a flying museum piece. I guess progress just continues to march on.

First Ducted Fan ??????
 

Tony,

Well, I'm sure that those planes you mentioned are astonishing. Some of the coolest looking planes on Earth are built from BVM kits. Of course, to me, ANY BVM F-100 in flight is astonishing. And that whistling noise that BV's makes! Whooo! Nobody's saying they aren't awesome scale subjects (duhh.....)

Anyway, you're right. I haven't been to a meet in several months. Gotta get back out. I've just been doing a lot of traveling that keeps falling on meet days. Been working on the big Hornet lately, so that's coming up.

Please don't miss my point about the JHH plane I saw. It wasn't that they're better kits, just that you don't have to spend the kind of money they were talking about in the thread to have a beautiful and worthy model. That was also my point in showing those landing gear on my F-16. You don't really think I wrote, said, implied or whatever, that those are stock gear do you? C'mon, Tony have a synapse! Those gear have been in at least four other threads, some that were specifically talking about dressing up landing gear! Anyway, I'd posted several pics of my F-16 during construction, with clear pics of the naked, yet still impressive, stock landing gear. So, if anyone other than Tony and Co. thought I was saying those gear are out-of-the-box, sorry!

I don't know if you ever saw the JHH plane I'm referring to, but my statement about it's beauty was just my own opinion. I mean, think about it, you HAVE kissed a girl, right? Isn't that proof enough that it's 'in the eye of the beholder'? :D

Just kidding! Hope to see you soon.

First Ducted Fan ??????
 

Did I start this pot a stirring? Did I really get this much going with my comments about BVM stuff being the best out there?

I'm gonna have to be more careful about posting my opinions in the future.

Scott

First Ducted Fan ??????
 

Shaun,

So now I don't have a brain? I wasn't the only one who saw your landing gear post as trickery. Maybe you ought to develop a conscience. Regarding any planes you may have seen, my measure of a truly worthy scale model is both what it looks like, and what it flies like. It's a combination. IMHO a "museum quality" model that never sees air under it's tires is nowhere near the same as one that flies well and flies often. Not to say that a gorgeous shelf model isn't an accomplishment, I just don't hold it in the same regard as a frequent flier.

I think I'm going to do what others have done re discussing things with you. So I'm finished, you win, I'm gonna go take a shower.

RE: First Ducted Fan ??????
 

THE A7 DUCTED FAN RC PLANE IS GREAT, FAST AND GLIDES SMOOTH
MAKE SURE YOU BEND UP THE ELEVATOR LEFT AND RIGHT UP ABOUT 2 DEGREES.
HAND LANCH AND HAVE FUN THIS IS A 2 CHANNEL RC BUT IT REALLY FLIES WELL THE ONLY DRAW BACK IS ABOUT 4 MIN. FLYING TIME THEY NEED TO PUT IN LiT BATTERIES TO GET AT LEAST 10 MIN ON A FLIGHT. WHEN YOU FLY IT MAKE SURE YOU ARE AT LEAST 50 FT UP BEFORE TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT ALTITUDE IS CONTROLLED BY ENGINE SPEED SAME AS A REAL PLANE. JET FLIGHT ON THE CHEAP ABOUT $89.00 FROM WWW.RCDISCOUNTS.COM
AND THEY ARE IN STOCK ALSO BUY AN EXTRA BATTERY FOR NOW IT ONLY TAKES ABOUT 10 MIN TO RECHARGE ON A CAR CIG LIGHTER

RE: Getting Along
 

THE A7 DUCTED FAN RC PLANE IS GREAT, FAST AND GLIDES SMOOTH
MAKE SURE YOU BEND UP THE ELEVATOR LEFT AND RIGHT UP ABOUT 2 DEGREES.
HAND LANCH AND HAVE FUN THIS IS A 2 CHANNEL RC BUT IT REALLY FLIES WELL THE ONLY DRAW BACK IS ABOUT 4 MIN. FLYING TIME THEY NEED TO PUT IN LiT BATTERIES TO GET AT LEAST 10 MIN ON A FLIGHT. WHEN YOU FLY IT MAKE SURE YOU ARE AT LEAST 50 FT UP BEFORE TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT ALTITUDE IS CONTROLLED BY ENGINE SPEED SAME AS A REAL PLANE. JET FLIGHT ON THE CHEAP ABOUT $89.00 FROM WWW.RCDISCOUNTS.COM
AND THEY ARE IN STOCK ALSO BUY AN EXTRA BATTERY FOR NOW IT ONLY TAKES ABOUT 10 MIN TO RECHARGE ON A CAR CIG LIGHTER

RE: First Ducted Fan ??????
 

THE A7 DUCTED FAN RC PLANE IS GREAT, FAST AND GLIDES SMOOTH
MAKE SURE YOU BEND UP THE ELEVATOR LEFT AND RIGHT UP ABOUT 2 DEGREES.
HAND LANCH AND HAVE FUN THIS IS A 2 CHANNEL RC BUT IT REALLY FLIES WELL THE ONLY DRAW BACK IS ABOUT 4 MIN. FLYING TIME THEY NEED TO PUT IN LiT BATTERIES TO GET AT LEAST 10 MIN ON A FLIGHT. WHEN YOU FLY IT MAKE SURE YOU ARE AT LEAST 50 FT UP BEFORE TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT ALTITUDE IS CONTROLLED BY ENGINE SPEED SAME AS A REAL PLANE. JET FLIGHT ON THE CHEAP ABOUT $89.00 FROM WWW.RCDISCOUNTS.COM
AND THEY ARE IN STOCK ALSO BUY AN EXTRA BATTERY FOR NOW IT ONLY TAKES ABOUT 10 MIN TO RECHARGE ON A CAR CIG LIGHTER