Country of Manufacture for ARFs
#1
Thread Starter
Country of Manufacture for ARFs
These days I feel I should consider WHERE a product is manufactured before I buy it. With ARF planes, there are many companies but how do we know where they actually come from? Is there a listing of some kind? If not, maybe we can generate one here.
#3
My Feedback: (29)
I’m not overly concerned as Scale has said most are out of China although I don’t exactly like sending money to China. The fact is that it’s a necessary evil to participate in our hobby. The bigger issue for me is the low grade materials used. Most ARFs start looking shabby fairly quickly.
#4
I’m not overly concerned as Scale has said most are out of China although I don’t exactly like sending money to China. The fact is that it’s a necessary evil to participate in our hobby. The bigger issue for me is the low grade materials used. Most ARFs start looking shabby fairly quickly.
#5
My Feedback: (29)
Hydro, unfortunately that brings up the topic of kit availability. We only have a fraction of what we used to be able to get. There are a few on my list that have some sentimental value to me. The Bridi Rearwin Speedster being one of them. My dad bought one back in 1979, the two of us worked on it and got it to the point of covering just before I moved out on my own, sadly he sold it instead of finishing it. Recently I was able to find a kit but payed more then double what it originally cost. This will actually be my first go at a detailed scale build as I have a full scale example just 30 miles away.
#6
Trust me, I'm well aware of the lack of kits. That is why I said kits or plans, plans are easily obtainable. My two Kadet Jrs are both being built from plans from a long ago destroyed kit build. Granted, I don't normally build anything stock which is why I prefer to build from plans than buy a kit. With that said, Sig has several good beginner kits, starting with the tried and true Kadet Series of trainers. You just pick the size and complexity and go to work on it. As I see it, if I could build a Kadet kit, using the bare minimum of recommended tools and not having a clue as to what I was doing, anyone can
#7
Thread Starter
My question isn't about kits. I have built several and done some scratch building (starting with a 3 view and photos, which is true scratch building as opposed to plan building). That is not the point of this thread however.
Whether a product is from Vietnam or China may well be an issue, the former being somewhat less of a problem for me. I also assume some models are from Europe but maybe that is just the really hi-end ones?
Whether a product is from Vietnam or China may well be an issue, the former being somewhat less of a problem for me. I also assume some models are from Europe but maybe that is just the really hi-end ones?
#8
My Feedback: (29)
Trust me, I'm well aware of the lack of kits. That is why I said kits or plans, plans are easily obtainable. My two Kadet Jrs are both being built from plans from a long ago destroyed kit build. Granted, I don't normally build anything stock which is why I prefer to build from plans than buy a kit. With that said, Sig has several good beginner kits, starting with the tried and true Kadet Series of trainers. You just pick the size and complexity and go to work on it. As I see it, if I could build a Kadet kit, using the bare minimum of recommended tools and not having a clue as to what I was doing, anyone can
#9
Thread Starter
Yes, I would like to avoid Chinese companies when there is a good alternative, even from other Asian countries. Nonetheless, I can see still supporting one of the better Chinese manufacturers with which I have obtained quality products (FMS comes to mind).
Here is a partial list of companies, some are ARF makers, some probably not. In many cases the company gets its products from China anyway.CARF Germany/China?
Great Planes
Hanger 9
Troy Built
CY Models
Seagull Vietnam
Black Horse
Top RC
ESM
TopFlite
Freewing
Nexa
VQ Vietnam
Sist
TBM
Phoenix Vietnam
KMP
Kangke Vietnam
Maxford California
Airworld Germany
Dynaflite
Yellow
Vogelsang North Carolina/?
BVM Florida
Skymaster
H-King
Fliteline
Skynetic
Dynam
Nitroplanes
Here is a partial list of companies, some are ARF makers, some probably not. In many cases the company gets its products from China anyway.CARF Germany/China?
Great Planes
Hanger 9
Troy Built
CY Models
Seagull Vietnam
Black Horse
Top RC
ESM
TopFlite
Freewing
Nexa
VQ Vietnam
Sist
TBM
Phoenix Vietnam
KMP
Kangke Vietnam
Maxford California
Airworld Germany
Dynaflite
Yellow
Vogelsang North Carolina/?
BVM Florida
Skymaster
H-King
Fliteline
Skynetic
Dynam
Nitroplanes
#10
From my experience, I have found ARFs from Vietnam are far superior than those from China. My second Tower Kaos and my Goldberg Eagle both came from Vietnam with zero issues. My first Kaos was out of China with covering issues and the right aileron glued in upside down. Every ARF I have owned has had warp issues that cannot be avoided from sitting in a hot and humid container for weeks on end.
#11
Thread Starter
The Dynam Waco I am currently working on has that issue you mentioned (sitting in a container for weeks on end). Although actually rather well packed, I thought, the tail of the fuse was distorted. I tried a heat gun (not successful) and hot water (a little better) but could not get the end straight enough to avoid the entire fin/rudder from being crooked (I don't need THAT much right rudder even on takeoff).
I took an exacto and cut the last two inches off, sanded on a corrective bevel and epoxied the thing back onto the fuselage. Not very pretty but, with the decals, it really won't show.
I took an exacto and cut the last two inches off, sanded on a corrective bevel and epoxied the thing back onto the fuselage. Not very pretty but, with the decals, it really won't show.