Where's the hype about HL Pilot-1 offering?

[raptor046]

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/champ_1_4_scale_arf_rc_plane_airplane_18112_prd1.h tm

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/pilot-1_pa-12_1_4_scale_arf_airplane_21664_prd1.htm

[Scott Morgan]

I'm Hyped Big Time! I have the 1/4 Champ and just got the PA-12 as well. Very Very nice quality and construction not to mention the outlines and overall lines of the airframes are pretty close to full scale. HL is going to break my wallet if they continue to produce these beautiful airframes. I LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Scott

[raptor046]

I'm excited about the 1/4 PA-12, though the Champ does look good also.

[Yak18]

The 1/4 scales are very nice models indeed but I feel they are kind of overpriced for such a simple airplane when you compare them to other more complex (biplanes, twins etc.) scale ARFs from Great Planes and Hanger 9. If the 1/8 scale goes for $149 then why the huge jump to nearly $600 for only twice the size?

If the 1/4 scales went for $399.00 I'd have bought both of them, and all future releases most likely.

Oh well if HL can sell them at $589.90 plus $40 for shipping, they are just being good businessmen. I will hope for a "crash" sale someday.

[Scott Morgan]

You get what you pay for IMOP! Look at the H-9 J-3 arf now. I paid 445.00 over a year ago at my local HS, and now the average retail for the arf is 599.00 at Horizon. I paid 545.00 in 2005 for my Dave Patrick PA-18. Retail on the PA-18 at the time was 599.00, the only reason I got a discount was because I bought it from Dave himself at the Joe Nall flyin.* Are they priced a little high, yea I would agree 600.00 is kind of steep, but it goes right back to you get what you pay for. I do not mind paying for a high quality product when it is really worth it. :)

[raptor046]

I agree. They look like great models. Hoping to hear some first hand experience soon. the only aircraft which I am also looking at that is a greater value is RC Guys Decathlon at $399.

[Yak18]

Yea you get what you pay for I agree...it just looks like from the few pictures available it's just another Chinese ARF. Nothing special other than they are of rarely done subjects. At the this price point it should be exact scale with a finished interior, scale wheels/functioning landing gear not soldered music wire. At least the Hanger 9 Cub and Big Cessna have those features. Those are $600 airplanes. These are $399 airplanes. IMHO.

[Tipover]

I was pretty excited about the ¼ scale Champ until I looked through the online assembly manual. Other than laser cutting, they look like old school construction designs. As mentioned before, scale detail is lacking and things like strut and windshield mounting methods look rather crude. I’d venture the $600 price tag is more related to small production runs.

Kevin

[raptor046]

I could only find the 1/8 scale instructions on the HL site. Where did you see the 1/4 scale version. I'd like to see them.

[Tipover]

Yes, the assembly manual link seems to be missing now. I looked at it about a month ago, possibly on the old website.

Kevin

[datazman]

Hi All:
If you want a few more pictures of the big Champ, here are three that I took at the 2008 NEAT Fair.

Ta Ta for now.
Paul

[Yak18]

On the other hand, I think the 1/8th scales are a great value for $139~$149! I'll be sneaking the small PA-12 in the house. Sneaking is not about the money, it's about the wife thinking I'm nuts!

[raptor046]

Thanks for the additional photos!

[Scott Morgan]

Yak, You will love your PA-12. She is dead on the money. And flies like a dream boat. You can really slow her up.

[Scott Morgan]

I was pretty excited about the ¼ scale Champ until I looked through the online assembly manual. Other than laser cutting, they look like old school construction designs. As mentioned before, scale detail is lacking and things like strut and windshield mounting methods look rather crude. I’d venture the $600 price tag is more related to small production runs.

Kevin

Kevin, The design and construction on the 1/4 scale Champ is far from "old school construction designs". The formers and other structural members are rather unorthodox compaired to normal old school stick built structures. They did a superb job of engineering to have come out with a structure that is very scale in shape and outline and light weight to boot so that it can be powered by electric and glow or gas.

[pitviper51]

the new 1/4 scaler looks great, wish it was super cub or husky, ( perfer husky) but there is little detail on gas setups on all of the HL stuff.. on the flip side the 8 ft geebee.. OHHHHHH :D i want
mike

[raptor046]

I really wish there was a more "bells and whistles" with the PA-12. I love the look of the plane, but when compared to the Hangar 9 cub there are many details missing for the same price.

[pitviper51]

true that!, that detailed cabin is great, i wish h9 would bring back the supercub done up like that,, if its a cub it has to be a super cub,, j-3s are wimpy looking hahah withthe narrow nose.
mike

[raptor046]

Anyone order one yet?