Sewerdude

My Feedback: (20)

Im just starting to get hooked on Warbirds after many years of flying giant sacale acrobatic planes. Ive looked at Hangar 9 and Topflite. I did go to Troybuilt Models site and noticed the ESM brand. They seem to pay attention to detail and are some nice looking birds. I'd like to know from you vetern warbird guys what you think about the quality and parts availability of these aircraft? Also, how is Troybuilt's customer service compared to the bigger companies? I'd just dont want to buy one, then not be have parts readily available if need be.
Thanks

irocbsa

My Feedback: (12)

Troybuilt has always been good to me as far as customer service goes.

I used to be a big fan of ESM when they were about $100 cheaper. With this latest price increase, I no longer think that they are a good deal at all. They take about twice as long to built as a TF/H9 plane and you have to purchase all new hardware because what they give you is junk or not appropriate for that size plane. They also don't provide a spinner so you're out another $60-$100. The way they're priced now, it will cost you almost as much to get a 30cc ESM plane as a 50cc Top Flite or Hangar 9.

For example:

ESM 30cc Fw-190: Airframe ($400) + Hardware ($40) + Spinner ($60) + Shipping ($120) = $620.

Top Flite 50cc Fw-190: Airframe that includes good hardware and a spinner ($750) - Current Tower Club Discount ($100) + FREE Shipping = $650.

The choice is clear to me. It's a shame that ESM can't keep their prices down because they have so many cool planes. Before you buy, also consider the fact that you might have a very hard time getting ESM replacement parts. I waits 14 months to get a new wing set for my Fw-190.

tevans55

Wow...where to begin. I am currently flying their 74" Corsair, B-25 and 71" Spitfire, and I am building the 85" Corsair. ESM planes can be made to look good and fly well. You have to throw away most or all of the hardware. You have to go over the planes with a fine tooth comb to prep reinforce and finish bad ply throughout all the planes. The covering is strong and can be painted easily including adding rivets and panel lines for a nice standoff scale look. Many vendors make parts specifically for these planes but if you want reliable availability of parts buy 2 planes. The assembly instructions are really only valuable for looking at the order of assembly and sometimes that order is bad so study the manual for a while before you start. These planes can be made to look very good and fly well. I repaint and/or weather mine and have often been asked who's kit did I use. I know of four companies that sell ESM planes and TroyBuilt is the inporter. My suggestion would be to decide which plane you want to build and then find the thread on RCU that discusses the plane specifically. That way you will have many and varied opinions and options for building the plane you want.

Prekin

My Feedback: (19)

I´m flying with ESM Dauntless and La-7 which I remade to La-5FN. Two years ago I had ESM Stuka and she was something as training airplane. Those are very good warbirds and fly as well. But with Dauntless I had two problems with ESM retract. If I were you, I would choose some 80" ESM warbird (Spitfire, La-7, FW-190D, Stuka), because the weight of 80" and 70" warbirds is too close, so 80" ESM warbirds have smaller wing load. There are also some scale accessories for these warbirds.
I don´t have any experience with Top Flite or Hangar 9 warbird, but ESM warbirds are much better than CMPro.
Here is a link with my ESM Dauntless. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STO4-ps72Tk

70 ragtop

My Feedback: (24)

I have a 190A, 190D, Tigercat, and a Skyraider. Troy built was great when I purchased them, no complaints at all. Prices WERE good, shipping was expensive, but quick. Customer service at that point was great. Planes look good and fly great (Tigercat and Dora still in the shop)

I have been in need a replacement wing half for a 190A since last fall, still no spare parts. The Tigercat came with a defective center wing, still no replacement. I call and check in every so often, and pretty much get blown off. The retracts are very soft, and wear quickly. I would not buy their gear. Hardware is all junk, plan on replacing everything. I needed to re-glue formers and firewalls. The glue ESM uses is not too good

With the price increase they just had, I would stick with Hangar 9 or Topflite, or any numbers of kits out they. No more ESM planes for me

ForcesR

I bought the ESM 50ccSpitfire three years ago when it was first released; the repairs I had to do just went on and on like reshaping the ailerons, elevators, flaps etc. Filling in the predrilled hinge attachment holes on all flight controls because they were all drilled off center. Engine mount tube/cylinder to large in diameter to fit into the fuselage mounting hole. All hard ware that came with the kit was crap and had to be replaced. Three years later, and I still haven't flown the Spitfire, I got so fustrated with fixing things that I put it aside and went on to other project aircraft. Two of my flying buddies bought the same Spitfire and neither of them have flown theirs, mainly due to many of the same problems with the aircraft. One needed a wing replacement and he is still waiting for the replacement wing two years after ordering it. I and my two buddies recommend you stay as far away as you can from purchasing an ESM aircraft

Roger

Sewerdude

My Feedback: (20)

Wow! Thanks for all the responses! Thats what I was worried about, getting replacement parts. The time you guys have been waiting is ridiculous. The crap hardware can be expected, but the poor fit and other issues is unacceptable for the price. They are nice looking planes though. Im seriously thinking about getting either a Topflite P-47, Mustang or Corsair kit and build it this Winter. Im just not too in love with the ARF versions. Thank you all for taking the time to post.

warbirdfan2

There is also a rumor that ESM is looking for a new distributor in the US, and that the parts situation isn't going to get any better, and any new planes is a long way off. They have had 2 price increases in 2 years, and nothing has been changed to make the quality any better. Without improvements in quality and customer service, and reliable source of parts, I don't see how they will be able to compete in the market