My FEJ story
#1
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My FEJ story
Gents,
Last winter I bought a pre honeycomb FEJ 1/5.5 F-16. It was originally purchased by Jerry Hinshaw, who sold it to Mark Gabel, who then tragically passed away at way too young of an age. I bought it, still new in the box, from Marks estate. This was before Dantley's crash, and the whole ensuing drama that followed with FEJ.
While it was being built, by a pro, Dantley lost his Tomcat, and I considered walking away from the whole project. I decided, since it was pre honeycomb, and my builder reinforced the fuse with carbon, and the stab mounts, I would continue.
The airplane turned out to be one of the nicest flying scale jets I've ever owned. The maiden flight is on youtube. Unfortunately, on the 10th flight, I experienced a structural failure, resulting in a total loss, as has happened to others. By this time, Nir Schweizer, a personal friend of mine was involved with FEJ. I met with Ken, James, and Nir, at my home field in Hamburg, and explained the situation. James told me that was an early version, and contrary to some things posted on the internet, they have been listening, and learning, and improving their construction techniques. Since then, Nir has visited the factory, and built some of their latest production models, and has noted a marked improvement with some of the methodology in question. I have looked at the construction of their demo models, and they seem as well built as comparable offerings from other manufacturers.
My replacement F-16 recently arrived at Nir's shop. Nir is doing the build. He sent me pics of the construction from the factory, and you will see that the bulkheads are all plywood, and the glue joints appear to be well done. I am giving them one more chance. I am not a shill, and will tell the whole truth about my experience with this jet, good or bad. For those that don't know me, I don't baby my airplanes. It will be flown like a fighter. It will be P-200 powered. At this point, my opinion is that FEJ has stepped up, and I give them credit for that. I have either seen, or personally had airplanes come apart in the air, from almost every jet manufacturer to date.
Before you start flaming my decision to press on here, know that it has been a well thought out, reasoned one. I have been assured that the airplane was built well, reinforced, and it is being built by my friend, a professional builder. Again, I will honestly report the good, bad, and/or ugly here. I'm not sponsored or coerced by anyone. I am an airline pilot by profession, AMA leader member, Large model inspector, I cd the Hamburg Summer Afterburner, and have been flying rc jets for over 20 years, turbine powered for 13. My current fleet includes a JMP Firebird, a Comp-Arf Ultra Lightning, and a Fei Bao F-18F. The flamers may be correct, or maybe FEJ is moving in the right direction. Time will tell. Happy flying season to you all.
Erik Rudjord
P.S. I can't seem to get the images to load. I will ask Nir to post them here
Last winter I bought a pre honeycomb FEJ 1/5.5 F-16. It was originally purchased by Jerry Hinshaw, who sold it to Mark Gabel, who then tragically passed away at way too young of an age. I bought it, still new in the box, from Marks estate. This was before Dantley's crash, and the whole ensuing drama that followed with FEJ.
While it was being built, by a pro, Dantley lost his Tomcat, and I considered walking away from the whole project. I decided, since it was pre honeycomb, and my builder reinforced the fuse with carbon, and the stab mounts, I would continue.
The airplane turned out to be one of the nicest flying scale jets I've ever owned. The maiden flight is on youtube. Unfortunately, on the 10th flight, I experienced a structural failure, resulting in a total loss, as has happened to others. By this time, Nir Schweizer, a personal friend of mine was involved with FEJ. I met with Ken, James, and Nir, at my home field in Hamburg, and explained the situation. James told me that was an early version, and contrary to some things posted on the internet, they have been listening, and learning, and improving their construction techniques. Since then, Nir has visited the factory, and built some of their latest production models, and has noted a marked improvement with some of the methodology in question. I have looked at the construction of their demo models, and they seem as well built as comparable offerings from other manufacturers.
My replacement F-16 recently arrived at Nir's shop. Nir is doing the build. He sent me pics of the construction from the factory, and you will see that the bulkheads are all plywood, and the glue joints appear to be well done. I am giving them one more chance. I am not a shill, and will tell the whole truth about my experience with this jet, good or bad. For those that don't know me, I don't baby my airplanes. It will be flown like a fighter. It will be P-200 powered. At this point, my opinion is that FEJ has stepped up, and I give them credit for that. I have either seen, or personally had airplanes come apart in the air, from almost every jet manufacturer to date.
Before you start flaming my decision to press on here, know that it has been a well thought out, reasoned one. I have been assured that the airplane was built well, reinforced, and it is being built by my friend, a professional builder. Again, I will honestly report the good, bad, and/or ugly here. I'm not sponsored or coerced by anyone. I am an airline pilot by profession, AMA leader member, Large model inspector, I cd the Hamburg Summer Afterburner, and have been flying rc jets for over 20 years, turbine powered for 13. My current fleet includes a JMP Firebird, a Comp-Arf Ultra Lightning, and a Fei Bao F-18F. The flamers may be correct, or maybe FEJ is moving in the right direction. Time will tell. Happy flying season to you all.
Erik Rudjord
P.S. I can't seem to get the images to load. I will ask Nir to post them here
#4
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My Feedback: (32)
Bud,
I'm going to have to keep the answer to that question private, between FEJ, and myself. I can tell you that James said that they will evaluate each claim/complaint on an individual basis, and if they feel a loss is a result of a manufacturing defect, they will take the appropriate action. Bottom line, I'm not dancing here, it's just not my place to say. I can also say that I am very satisfied with their response to my situation. Regards,
Erik
I'm going to have to keep the answer to that question private, between FEJ, and myself. I can tell you that James said that they will evaluate each claim/complaint on an individual basis, and if they feel a loss is a result of a manufacturing defect, they will take the appropriate action. Bottom line, I'm not dancing here, it's just not my place to say. I can also say that I am very satisfied with their response to my situation. Regards,
Erik
#7
My Feedback: (11)
Bud,
I'm going to have to keep the answer to that question private, between FEJ, and myself. I can tell you that James said that they will evaluate each claim/complaint on an individual basis, and if they feel a loss is a result of a manufacturing defect, they will take the appropriate action. Bottom line, I'm not dancing here, it's just not my place to say. I can also say that I am very satisfied with their response to my situation. Regards,
Erik
I'm going to have to keep the answer to that question private, between FEJ, and myself. I can tell you that James said that they will evaluate each claim/complaint on an individual basis, and if they feel a loss is a result of a manufacturing defect, they will take the appropriate action. Bottom line, I'm not dancing here, it's just not my place to say. I can also say that I am very satisfied with their response to my situation. Regards,
Erik
Best of luck in your endeavor.
I hope all the best for you!
All that said, to even try to compare the failures of ANY other reputable Jet manufacture to FEJ's is a bit unreasonable.
Yes, we've seen Shui's ultra bandit blow up at joe nall, we've seen the elevator blank out with flaps with the Flash and the SM F-4, etc..... but the repeated, over and over (coupled with the repeated lack of customer service) structural failures we've seen come out of FEJ is frankly just sad and speaks volumes regarding the business model of FEJ.
My FEJ F-14 makes my heart flutter it is so pretty, but as a flying model? No, chance.
#10
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
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I suppose airex would be asking too much....
#11
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Should just go back to plywood and fiberglass, the honey comb texture shows up in the scheme I don't like the way it looks, this is only if you look close at the right angle, but if they are planning on changing construction they should just go back to regular fiberglass & plywood. Would solve one of the major issues.
I suppose airex would be asking too much....
I suppose airex would be asking too much....
I'm happy with the finish on my Hawk but I think if they went back to fiberglass their plane will come out a lot heaver and I've seen a few FB with airex skin I think its a lot hard to get a nice finish
Damo
#12
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Raf,
Thank you for your non-antagonistic response. I actually agree with much of what you say. I was on the fence about pursuing this, but ultimately, everything considered, it made sense for me to go ahead. I also was on the fence about bringing it up here. There has been much bloviating, and trash talk from all sides. I am not biased. I will tell the truth about this airplane going forward. The only manufacturers I would recommend without hesitation at this point are JMP and BVM. I am very excited about my Ultra Lightning though.
Fender,
Thank you for your service to our country. In the relatively short time since your F-16, you have evolved into a self anointed expert, racking up 3600 + posts here. I'm hardly beating a dead horse. I am going to fly a replacement for a failed jet, and I'm going to be honest about the results. What was true yesterday, may not be true today. No one here can speak to my individual circumstances regarding this decision. If it fails, I will post it here, and you can all give me your "I told you so's".
Erik
Thank you for your non-antagonistic response. I actually agree with much of what you say. I was on the fence about pursuing this, but ultimately, everything considered, it made sense for me to go ahead. I also was on the fence about bringing it up here. There has been much bloviating, and trash talk from all sides. I am not biased. I will tell the truth about this airplane going forward. The only manufacturers I would recommend without hesitation at this point are JMP and BVM. I am very excited about my Ultra Lightning though.
Fender,
Thank you for your service to our country. In the relatively short time since your F-16, you have evolved into a self anointed expert, racking up 3600 + posts here. I'm hardly beating a dead horse. I am going to fly a replacement for a failed jet, and I'm going to be honest about the results. What was true yesterday, may not be true today. No one here can speak to my individual circumstances regarding this decision. If it fails, I will post it here, and you can all give me your "I told you so's".
Erik
#13
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (32)
I actually owned and flew the CAI Raptor that Voy is currently flying. It has honeycomb skin with carbon bulkheads. I had a 36 lb turbine in it, and the jet was pushed very hard, for many flights, and shows no signs of wear. Voy still flogs it once in a while. There is no doubt that the honeycomb spars, and the inadequate construction shown in Raf's xrays were major issues. The men looked me in the eye, and said they changed all of that. I then looked at their demo models, and they were carbon reinforced, and appeared very robust. I don't know how this will turn out, but I'm giving them one more chance. Bottom line,
Erik
#22
My Feedback: (57)
I would only give FEJ a chance if they give me a free model with free equipment, 100% risk free at my end.
Good luck with your F-16 Erik, I really hope this works out for you.
David
Last edited by FalconWings; 04-03-2014 at 01:10 PM.
#25
Erik, glad to see FEJ stepped up for you. I really wish my experience with them was as positive. Still hurts to think about losing the two Jetcat P-140rxs... I could use those right now.