Bent wings, missing gears and others: Rants on recieving damaged models.

[FireAngelZero]

I started this thread as not only a rant, but as a way to inform and get feedback from you guys.

I recently received my Gemini 1:400 787-9 in Air New Zealand "All Blacks" it's a great jet, the quality is amazing just one small problem. The right wingtip (raked wing end) was bent downward in what looked to be a 60 degree angle. The box it shipped in as well as the box the jet was in were both immaculate, and it didn't look like it was handled improperly. After looking at this eyesore for a better part of 3 minutes I took needle nose plies and straightened it out as best I could. (it chipped off a small amount of paint on the raked wing portion but it's barely noticeable unless you point it out). The next model I received was a Condor 767-300ER (also Geminijets 1:400) and when I opened the box which again looked immaculate the nose gear wheels were loose all over the inside of the box. Luckily I took some needle nose pliers (seems like needlenose pliers are my tools for fixing damaged models) and after putting the wheels back together and little bit of pressure it's back to normal. My question is this... How is it that there seems like there's no quality control? And then if we buy a model for a specific price and we get it damaged why are we paying that price? I feel like if your getting damaged goods you should pay damaged goods price... And lastly what can you do if your model which is damaged is no longer made? I mean do you bite the bullet and accept it? Do you contact the manufacturer? What are your rants on this topic? I know this topic has been brought up before but I was curious to see how our newer members fared with this great question...

[JAL1628]

The dihedral is a little bit off on the horizontal stabs of the AF 744 I got last month. I can live with that. Others, like my Kalitta 744BCF, I successfully used pliers to straighten the gear..

I have rec'd 1., an AM DC-9 in pieces, and 2., a CO Q400 , and 3., a LAN 777F in pieces, all three of which I repaired. I rec'd a QX Q400 with a bent wing tip, and I just let that be.. All of the above from GJ.

Probably 5-10% of the models I receive are broken.

Pliers and the hands of a surgeon - that's the best I've been able to offer.

[FireAngelZero]

Now that you mention it JAL most of the models I've recieved with either scuffs or bent parts are GJ, I've never had this issue with Phoenix (although I only have 4 models from Phoenix right now). I'm not sure if it's a Quality Control issue they have, but I've seen my share of jets with missing vertical stabilizers, or engines off the wings in die cast stores I've been to. I've been told time and time again this is an issue with the manufacturer and not an issue with the reseller. So hopefully if there is anyone here who is either friends or works for GJ this is a subject you guys should be listening to...

[JAL1628]

The first Phoenix model I got was missing wheels.. The retailer sent me some wheels and I repaired the model. Since that time I've bought two dozen more and had zero problems. I've been buying more Phoenix models lately.

This might sound petty, but I like their boxes much better too.

[FireAngelZero]

The first Phoenix model I got was missing wheels.. The retailer sent me some wheels and I repaired the model. Since that time I've bought two dozen more and had zero problems. I've been buying more Phoenix models lately.

This might sound petty, but I like their boxes much better too.

That is one thing I like if the model you are purchasing is still in stock with a re-seller they are willing to exchange the model at no charge. I've never had a model with an issue with Phoenix.

And I agree, I like the boxes Phoenix offers, yea they don't show you the jet unless you buy it, but it's one less thing to go wrong. Don't get me wrong I like the information GJ includes with their pop open box, but the information is too generic. If they showed the information of that specific airline your purchasing or a little bit into the history of the airliner it would make things more interesting.

[JAL1628]

If they showed the information of that specific airline your purchasing or a little bit into the history of the airliner it would make things more interesting.

Yes! That is absolutely true!

Mostly the GJ boxes are hard to put back together after removing the model. The cradles are too brittle and inflexible.. The Phoenix models I can look at and the box shows no sign of wear because the cradle slides in/out easily.

[FireAngelZero]

I think it's because Phoenix the box is slightly bigger than the plastic casing that goes inside, while GJ makes theirs on point and at times squeezing the plastic casing inside of the box.

[foundation]

I prefer the Gemini boxes hugely because of the ability to look inside. The trouble I find is that the plastic cradle hits the folded box flap on the other side, so I open both ends slide it back in close both ends. I have similar troubles with other boxes from other manufacturers but they don't provide the look in window. Also the Gemini 1:200 boxes for mid size and smaller planes are way better than inflight/aviation and others with just Styrofoam. I have had a lot of trouble with damaged inflight 1:200 models. the Styrofoam doesn't provide enough support/shock dampening and it is hard to get in and out of the box and also squeaks!

[@CLT✈]

I have received a couple models from diecastairplane.com that were broken, but when I emailed them, they sent me new ones. The only really weird problem I've had was with a GJ Lufthansa A340 1:400 I got from Diecast Airplane. The nose gear was broken, so they sent a new one, and it had the same problem! Luckily, Diecast Airplane refunded me on PayPal. Also, with the GJ models with rolling gears, I have noticed that lately, on their newer models, the wheels come right off after lightly rolling the wheels for a couple seconds. Like JAL1628 & FireAngelZero, I don't have this problem with any other brand.

[fleetlordatvar]

1/200s; I'd guess about 10% have issues, but mine are from JC Wings & metal planes. The only plastic i had an issue with had obvious damage to the model box. Usually it's the landing gear that fell off during shipment (maybe not enough glue or rough handling)...i got to get me some testers glue.

[@CLT✈]

The glue problem has happened to me a couple times!

[foundation]

Waffle suggested to me a dot of white glue for loose metal parts that come out in shipping