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DC-3 from HPH


Flipper

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Yes, Its been being talked about on the "NEWS IN HpH" Thread.

 

It is going to be an interesting build for sure with all those raised rivets. Im not sure how many Id want to replace when destroying the usual number of them during assembly, but it should make the purists happy.

 

One may have to have a supply of Archer/Micro-Mark rivets for this one!

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After what they've pulled with the Tigercat I doubt I'll ever buy another HPH kit, at least not at full price...

 

 

I can see how some feel that way for sure.

I myself have the F7F to go, and intend also on eventually building their La-7 and definitely their Me-410 both of which I already have in my stash.................and of course I have to finish my stalled Walrus.  Im not sure (depending on subject) Id buy another though. 

I just have to be honest in the fact that their QC and techniques for getting strong gear on some models (especially larger ones) has not really improved in my view.  Although I dont think the La-7 nor Me-410 have that issue to my knowledge.

 

I think one just has to understand what you are getting into with one of their kits, and be prepared for a kit that is well detailed, normally highly complex, but will also take some average to above average modeling skills to complete (which I think most all the regulars on this site possess for sure) depending on how detailed or thorough you want to be. Unfortunately I also have to say you have to be prepared in some cases to fix things that should have been taken care of before the model ever left the factory. This part can be a big turn off. 

 

I also have to acknowledge that fact that HpH kits are taxing. I personally cannot go from one, and right onto another, its just too much work involved from my point of view personally. 

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After what they've pulled with the Tigercat I doubt I'll ever buy another HPH kit, at least not at full price...

 

I agree...

 

I've read the huge issue about the wing halves recently on Brian's build topic, and what they did answer and i should say i'm quite shocked.

 

Not sure i'd want to buy anymore HPH kit unless they decide to make a new mould for the Tigercat wing, and replace the defective parts to every customers. Including myself, of course.

They have a master, they just have to fill the wrongly placed rivets and panels, re-engrave them and make a new mould. Instead of that, they ask dozens of customers to do it themselves even if they paid more than 300€ for that kit...

 

And i'm not a bad HPH customer, i have almost all of their kits, except the gliders and the DH hornet, but i must say i was very disappointed.

Edited by Zero77
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I agree...

 

I've read the huge issue about the wing halves recently on Brian's build topic, and what they did answer and i should say i'm quite shocked.

 

Not sure i'd want to buy anymore HPH kit unless they decide to make a new mould for the Tigercat wing, and replace the defective parts to every customers. Including myself, of course.

They have a master, they just have to fill the wrongly placed rivets and panels, re-engrave them and make a new mould. Instead of that, they ask dozens of customers to do it themselves even if they paid more than 300€ for that kit...

 

And i'm not a bad HPH customer, i have almost all of their kits, except the gliders and the DH hornet, but i must say i was very disappointed.

 

 

Well said Nick.

I agree that the F7F was a bit disappointing in the way that HpH have chosen to handle certain things. I also have never actually heard back from them on my request to get new MLG either, but it will not stop any of my work on the model. 

 

To me QC is one of those things that should be priority #1 in my book, followed closely by customer support. Those two can go a long way to fixing the feelings customers who purchase their products feel about said products, and can have a direct impact on future sales from repeat customers like some of those in this very thread. 

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I'm actually not too bothered about the landing gear, I knew that before I bought the kit. It's mainly the problem with the wing, the shoddy fit of those tubes in the wheelbay and their attitude towards those issues. To me it comes off as "we're not gonna fix it because people will buy it anyway because we're the only game in town." Sadly this attitude is way too common among certain manufacturers these days and I don't feel like it should be accepted, especially not at this price. You could maybe argue that for a resin kit they're not THAT expensive but the issues with the kit have nothing to do with the material used.

Edited by EvilCarrot
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I'm actually not too bothered about the landing gear, I knew that before I bought the kit. It's mainly the problem with the wing, the shoddy fit of those tubes in the wheelbay and their attitude towards those issues. To me it comes off as "we're not gonna fix it because people will buy it anyway because we're the only game in town." Sadly this attitude is way too common among certain manufacturers these days and I don't feel like it should be accepted, especially not at this price. You could maybe argue that for a resin kit they're not THAT expensive but the issues with the kit have nothing to do with the material used.

 

 

Yes, I do agree its not the response nor the attitude I was hoping for when I engaged them about it. It was also unexpected from my point of view, as I have not really seen that on any other HpH Kits. 

 

I also agree that the cost of resin kits like this is a bit off set by the fact that they do come with so much stuff like HGW seatbelts, metal barrels and resin wheels, but when you have to re-fit, replace or scratch parts having to do with these, those bits do not off-set it as much as I would have liked.

 

But the F7F wings....................those are in fact a bummer. Im about to pick up that stage on my F7F and to be honest, Ive been dreading it a little bit. That is the lacking QC that I was talking about earlier and have not seen in any other models.  Unfortunately, from looking at the problem from all angles, if I want to save all the detail on the upper wings (both lower wings appear to be off a bit now that I look at each side), I may have to bite the bullet  and re-scribe the whole lover wing. :(

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I'm actually not too bothered about the landing gear, I knew that before I bought the kit. It's mainly the problem with the wing, the shoddy fit of those tubes in the wheelbay and their attitude towards those issues. To me it comes off as "we're not gonna fix it because people will buy it anyway because we're the only game in town." Sadly this attitude is way too common among certain manufacturers these days and I don't feel like it should be accepted, especially not at this price. You could maybe argue that for a resin kit they're not THAT expensive but the issues with the kit have nothing to do with the material used.

 

Still agree 100%.

 

And the issue is definitely not expensive to correct as it would be for an injected plastic kit.

 

For me the worst thing in this case is their attitide. Only a few years ago, it was not the same, and for example they replaced my L-29 broken fuselage (precisely broken in box).

Today with the forums and social network, everybody knows everything, so they must be careful as a reputation is difficult to build up but can be damaged in a very short time.

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But the F7F wings....................those are in fact a bummer. Im about to pick up that stage on my F7F and to be honest, Ive been dreading it a little bit. That is the lacking QC that I was talking about earlier and have not seen in any other models.  Unfortunately, from looking at the problem from all angles, if I want to save all the detail on the upper wings (both lower wings appear to be off a bit now that I look at each side), I may have to bite the bullet  and re-scribe the whole lover wing. :(

 

Honestly Brian i dont think the wing issue is related to QC. They must have known it from the very begining when they built their 1st one for the pictures. I just dont understand how it is possible from them...

 

 

It's already slightly noticeable on this picture :

F7F_1_32_HpHmodels_10-1.jpg

 

 

 

Real thing : panels aligned :

f7f-3_06.jpg

Edited by Zero77
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Honestly Brian i dont think the wing issue is related to QC. They must have known it from the very begining when they built their 1st one for the pictures. I just dont understand how it is possible from them...

 

 

It's already slightly noticeable on this picture :

F7F_1_32_HpHmodels_10-1.jpg

 

 

You could be right Nicolas. Although I still consider QC part of the factory process itself, and part of the issue that started seemingly before they even built the display model. IMHO, it should have (and COULD have) been found by not even making a full display model, and only putting two wing parts together dry fit. 

Its not going to be fun to basically ruin all the wonderful detail on the bottom of the wing. It does have to be said that the HpH detail there and in most parts like it is in fact wonderful; its just not in the right place.  Agreed, no matter what, should have been taken care of on any kits shipped after it was found, and should have replacement parts sent out to those who got the initial parts that were off. 

 

 

Sorry we have strayed so far OT here on the DC-3, but it does to me relate to the possible issues with the DC-3. 

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