Art Hobby Ibis - extremely poor documentation

[GBR2]

Just got this glider today. The major parts are nicely done but the documentation is really poor. There is nothing to explain how to assemble the T-tail elevator servo structure. There are pictures but nothing that even identifies any dimensions whatsoever, including how deep the whole assembly is suppose to go into the T-tail. Not to mention the poor identification of the small parts. From the pictures it appears that I'm missing 2 blocks. I also have a piece of ply with a hole in it that is not identified. For over $300 I would expect decent documentation and assembly instructions. I'm sure I can figure it all out eventually but for this price I shouldn't have to.

Basically, it looks to me rushed out the door. The Electra 3M is the same plane, probably with the same poor documentation. Won't ever be buying another product of his.

[Ollie]

First:

http://www.arthobby.com/support.html
E-mail them and ask them.

Second:
Joint a club. Show the kit to members. Ask the members' advise.

[Ollie]

More:
"Kit contains: model, plans, step by step instructions, and all necessary hardware."

Packed in the kit?
Stolen?
Lost?
Assumed guilty or finding the whole truth?

[A6INTRUDER]

I have purchased several kits and replacement parts from Art Hobby, and have spoken to Andre several times through Email and on the phone. He is a very nice guy and very helpful too.
He even called me one time to help me with an order.
Give him a call or email him, and I am sure he will help you out.

TIM

[Ollie]

A6INTRUDER has good advise!

[slopemeno]

Actually Arthobby is one of the best values you'll find. I have a Whip-It (remember those?) thats just waiting for some new radio gear. Patience.

[Prawnik]

My experiences with Andrzej echo those of A6Intruder. When I wasn't clear on something, Andrzej has called me and worked with me until I understood how best to proceed. Once he even took some additional photos and emailed them to me to make sure I "got it".

[vol-haut]

I just ordered an Ibis. Andre called me at home to help me with the order. He said the tail has many assembly steps that he was documenting with digital photos. He said he would email me the photos to supplement the building instructions. I think I might do a build thread, it seems that there is some interest in this new model from Art Hobby.

[fly1milehi]

Art Hobby planes go together so well that I would never consider not buying another one just because the "instruction manual" or "instructions" are less than you might be expecting. Remember most of the new 'pre-built' air frames have very little left for the modeler to build and generally assumes that installing radio gear and pushrods has a lot of "personal preferences" so specific instructions would only work if you purchase the exact same radio components shown in the instructions.

Ollie, Prawnik and A6Intruder all have good advise in regards to simply asking Andrej for help. If there is any manufacturer representative out there right now that I would like to deal with its definately Andrej......... Try getting a response from the Chezch Republic "molded" manufacturers!!! It could be six days, six weeks, or six months.
Greg

[vol-haut]

Andre just emailed me a pdf of the assembly manual. Yea, its really incomplete. There is no way I would be able to put together that T-tail from these instructions. I'm almost sorry he talked me out of the V-tail version for $299. He did also send me 36 jpegs of the T-tail assembly. It’s actually a lot of work but I’ll be able to but it together now. If you want me to post the pictures I will. I’m sure Andre will email the same pictures if you ask.

[SkyKing RC]

I can't even count all the Art Hobby stuff I've purchased since they appeared on the market. I also cannot think of a better value in the kit market. There is so little building required that I am guessing you do not have a great deal of experience building kits.

I certainly wouldn't blast Art Hobby but I would do as others have suggested and that's get aligned with a club for help.

Once you get past your frustration of what you have described as inadequate directions and actually start flying this bird, you'll see why so many modelers speak so highly of these kits. I've never had one that didn't impress me.

If you have ever purchase a scale glider kit from any of the European makers you will find that there is little or no documentation. The DG800 I purchased from Hobby Lobby had not a single drawing or text to help with the building. This is not unusual. I do agree that Art Hobby's kits have brief directions and photos but there has always been a sufficient amount to get a plane built and in the air.

Good luck with yours.
Ed

[vol-haut]

There is so little building required that I am guessing you do not have a great deal of experience building kits.

I certainly wouldn't blast Art Hobby but I would do as others have suggested and that's get aligned with a club for help.

Once you get past your frustration of what you have described as inadequate directions ... bla bla bla

I too have built several Art Hobby kits and the T-tail on Ibis requires the most building for an Art Hobby glider that I've seen yet. Andre apologized to me for the inadequate directions. The section on the T-tail construction is blank! He just hadn't finished translating them yet.

I would never blast Art Hobby either, Andre is just too nice of a guy! :)