Mode One

So, let me get this straight, when I make a suggestion, I'm supposed to think about the marketability of the selection? I thought that's what Mike was doing, by asking this question.

Also, since when did building a kit, become scratch building?

tailskid

My Feedback: (34)

Maybe since the ARF movement

Jerry

SpitfireMKI

My Feedback: (2)

Mode man.....I agree, they are asking what we want, not asking for a marketing miracle. I cannot imagine in this day of ARFdom that they would ever have a problem selling off an order of Giant Hurri's or Tiffie's or Dauntless' or whatever, though I would imagine the P-51 sales are a little slow [sm=lol.gif]

I also agree with the scratch build, I only consider true scratch built airplanes to be done from plans the builder drew up him/herself. I know of one guy in my club who has done that and the results are awesome. He took measurements off old revell plastic models, chosehis airfoil/s and went to it. Building from plans and cutting your own parts is close, but still, it's someone else's design.

Cheers,

S1

proptop

My Feedback: (8)

Let's face it...H9 probably ain't gonna mass produce an ARF that only a "handful" of people find appealing, right?!

If you were asking for opinions, you'd weigh the practicality of them...

I'd like a "Rex" or N1K1 (early ) "George" or "Oscar" or "Jack" or "Tony" but I am pretty sure I'd only have a few others interested in that.
The La-5 would be cool too...

But, if you're making tooling for a new plane, you need to amortize the costs involved.

The only way you're gonna do that is sell a boatload (or more ) of 'em...



A nice version (like H9 makes of most of what they do ) of a 60-1.00 size Hellcat or Hurricane...
Maybe a P-38 or F7F if feeling ambitious?

JMO

edit: oops...forgot the Tempest or Typhoon

SpitfireMKI

My Feedback: (2)

I bet the whole idea behind this thread revolves around a Hanger 9 coffee room bet to see who gets the most request for what they already have in the plans

Will they really build what we ask for ? [8D]

or are they just reassuring themselves that our pre-cooked dinner being fed to us will be eaten ? [&o]

The lack of input from Mike seems to tell us this thread has done it's job and is dead......

tailskid

My Feedback: (34)

What would like him to say?

Jerry

Mode One

Why put much thinking into this? Hanger 9 couldn't be smarter then to see what people want and then make it available! I would guess Mike is a busy guy, so hanging on our every word might not be practical or a good use of his time, also, the idea he's going to come back on here and let us know what their decision is, ain't likely. Tooling up is an expensive proposition and a smart company isn't going to tip their hand so every Tom, Dick & Competitor can jump on the band wagon and and beat them to the punch.

Maybe this thing is a joke, maybe it's a way for Hanger 9 to promote themselves, maybe it's a legitimate attempt to find out what we want! Who knows? At least they communicate with their clientele and in this day and age, that should be admired.

SpitfireMKI

My Feedback: (2)

I thought a pole with choices might be more useful and more exciting for us, might give a hint as to what they have in the oven.........

Mode One

A poll might be tipping their hand and certainly would lead to a lot of unfounded speculation on the part of it's participants (us)! This would be fun, however! Let me start; I think they're going to do a WW1 1/5th scale Pfalz DIII! It will be and ARF and will cost $2.50!

tailskid

My Feedback: (34)

Well, I heard it was a B-36 and was going to cost a buck $3.98!

Jerry

Nerevar

Nope - You guys are ALL wrong!

It's a 1 to 1 scale P51-Z Moustang to be powered by a Chyrsler 426 HEMI with a 671 GMC blower with twin Holly Dominator carbs.
The hard part is trying to fit a radio in somewhere.

edited for; Heh!! What happened to all my smilie faces?!?!?
Dag Nab It!

SpitfireMKI

My Feedback: (2)

A hemi !?!?! That's blasphemy ! At least put a V-12 Jag in it !

Mike Sieniarecki

My Feedback: (3)

Hi guys,

My name is Mike Sieniarecki, and I am the Marketing Manager for H9 here at Horizon. Sorry Mike McConville was very busy this week; He didn’t much time to get back on the thread. I want to thank you all for your opinions and contributions to this thread. Yes, in fact, we are very perceptive to your requests. As you know H9 has a really good series of popular war birds, but are interested to see what our customers want next in our line-up. Of course we can not make everything right away, but we are certainly dedicated to answering our customers' needs.

I can assure you that your feedback has been a valuable tool to help us decide what to consider as we get rolling in 2006. Once again, thank you all for your part of this thread, and I believe you will be pleasantly surprised as we continue to expand H9’s war bird series.

Take care,

Stickbuilder

Hello, Mike (either one) I have just begun to assemble my first ARF (60 size P-47) I have been building and flying model airplanes for about 56 years now, so please don't think that this is coming from a rookie. But how about some quality control on the planes that you already sell. Mine came with a very visible broken longeron (they used it anyway) The belly pan was badly skewed to one side (frame and fiberglass cover not matched (I debonded it and re-did it) The firewall to fuselage attachment is very suspect (I added triangular stock and epoxy)

While these things are not a blanket condemnation of your products, I cannot help but wonder how long this bird would have lived had I not been observant enough to notice. Of course that would enable your company to sell another model would it not?

Since you asked, How about something that while not unique, would be a welcome break to the endless parade of P-51,s and Corsairs, and P-47's. Maybe something like The Russian Yak, or the Japaneese Zeke or One of the Italian fighters? I think that one of these would be a welcome change.
Thanks,
Bill

SpitfireMKI

My Feedback: (2)

In support of H9, I've stripped and glassed two of their Mustang 1.50's and found nothing but very nice wood work and good solid construction. I've had two of the 60 size P-51's and a Corsair and they were nicely done as well, only the covering on the P-51 had seperation problems.

Balsa, you must have gotten the Friday afternoon build or the UPS Go-rilla gave it a toss !

Mike/s - glad to know you are really listening to us, still think you should do a pole ! That'll get us really going

Cheers,

S1

isaacsgs

I would really like to see something different also. Maybe a P-38, P-61, or maybe something different in the bad guys line. A nice zero, or even better, maybe a Stuka. That's it a Stuka would be perfect!

Thanks for asking!!!

Mode One

You know, I think a Zeke is good choice also! However, I still think the Spitfire is the absolute most beautiful WW2 warbird, ever!

I'm really suprised at the lack of interest in a Spitfire from you all!

isaacsgs

The lack of interest in the spitfire is probably because there is already several out there. I think you need something new to perk some interest.

Mode One

Who has Spitfires in the Hanger 9 P-40, P-51, AT6 and P-47 size that are ARFs? I see some kits, but don't see many ARFs.

isaacsgs

just quick off hand, how about world models 60 size spitfire. Here is the link:

http://theworldmodels.com/para/produ...?airplaneid=35

They also have a giant scale (80" wing) spitfire too.

Stickbuilder

Well, I didn't really expect an answer to the question I asked regarding the quality control. As usual, when a manufacturer asks for input, they want input regarding new releases, not input in respect to what is already in the marketplace. So, to both Mikes: Since you can't or won't address the concerns that I voiced, I will not bother you with profits from my doing business with you again. Free enterprise at it's finest. I wish you both well.[8D]

Mode One

balsabandit, I think you are way to quick to judge! Your original statement was posted on the 29th and you expect them to answer and take corrective action for you by the 31st? It's likely nobody from Horizon has even seen what you've said, yet! Also, have you taken your complaint through the proper channels? I'm certain any answer you might get from them would be answered personally and not publicly, here. Making disparaging remarks on a forum seen by 100s, maybe even thousands of other potential customer of Hanger 9's is a hostile action! Given this, personally, I'd let you twist in the wind. However, I have always understood Horizon/Hanger 9 to back their products with superb customer support and it's likely they will still help you out if you follow the proper procedures.

The damage you've described certainly may have happened in transit. Are you absolutely certain it is a quality control problem?

Mike Sieniarecki

My Feedback: (3)

Balsabandit,

Just getting back on the forum from the weekend here. I want to thank you for your input. I am sorry to here that some of our product did not meet your satisfaction and that there may have been some quality issues regarding your new Hangar 9 P-47 Thunderbolt 60 ARF. There truly is no excuse for any product of ours to be unsatisfactory to our customers. Fortunately, Horizon backs their entire H9 product line 100% from manufacturer’s defects.

I do know that we have had very good results with the P-47 Tso far, and I would like the opportunity to help make sure you are satisfied with yours. Feel free to contact me directly, and I can help walk you through the process to get the parts you need that were defective in your model. You did mention that you corrected some of the problems; however, if there is anything further I can do to help you, please contact me. I am confident that we will be able to get you safely and happily in the air.

I have also listed the Hangar 9 warranty information that is listed on page 5 of the manual for the P-47 Thunderbolt 60 ARF for your future reference:

Horizon Hobby, Inc. guarantees this kit to be free from defects in both material and workmanship at the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover any parts damaged by use or modification. In no case shall Horizon Hobby’s liability exceed the original cost of the purchased kit. Further, Horizon Hobby reserves the right to change or modify this warranty without notice. In that Horizon Hobby has no control over the final assembly or material used for the final assembly, no liability shall be assumed nor accepted for any damage of the final user-assembled product. By the act of using the product, the user accepts all resulting liability. Once assembly of the model has been started, you must contact Horizon Hobby, Inc. directly regarding any warranty question that you have. Please do not contact your local hobby shop regarding warranty issues, even if that is where you purchased it. This will enable Horizon to better answer your questions and provide service in the event that you may need any assistance. If the buyer is not prepared to accept the liability associated with the use of this product, the buyer is advised to return this kit immediately in new and unused condition to the place of purchase.

Horizon Hobby Service Department
4105 Fieldstone Road
Champaign, Illinois 61822
(217) 355-9511
horizonhobby.com

Thanks again for you support and please let me know if I can assist you any further.

My direct line at Horizon is (217) 403-3299 Don't heistate to call if you need my assistance!

Stickbuilder

To Mode One,
Not trying to make disparaging remarks, but no, the problems with this model were obviously not incurred in shipment. The broken longeron had glue (hot melt) in the break. The Belly pan was built warped. (glue still attached) and the firewall is attached using a very few small pieces of square stock. This is my first ARF and I do not profess to know that much about them. I decided to try one after looking at one closely. The one that I looked at in no way looked like the one that I purchased. So I have to assume that there is something going on here that requires someone's attention. Perhaps you are right in that I did not give Mike enough time to respond. He did so today. For any angst that this might have caused, I hereby apologize.

Mode One

No angst was caused to me! I know Hanger 9/Horizon to stand behind their products and thought you needed to give them a fair shake. I hope it all works out for you!