Well it had to happen once I guess. Ordered the KLM Orange Pride from Aviation Megastore during their Christmas sale, it got delivered to reception at work - and I picked it up yesterday. But...the horror:
Seemingly the box has been dropped during transport. The tail has pierced the packaging foam, the cardboard Inflight200 box, and even the Inflight product sleeve around the box has a hole in it. The (regular brown box) that Aviation Megastore used to pack the model shows no damage whatsoever. No bubblewrap or anything like that was used to protect the model...and obviously without it a drop causes major damage.
The tail itself doesn't have obvious damage. However the wings are fully disconnected from the body. They were in the box still at their original location, but picking up the model made the wings 'fall out' immediately. I can sort of put them back in their place and the model looks fine at that point...but a slight touch and the wings would fall off.
I've asked the store for help, but since the 14 days return time have passed I am afraid that they may be unwilling to help. Though I guess we will see when they reply. If I do end up having to repair this myself though... any tips on how to do so? Specific kind of glue to hold the two wings together?
Well it had to happen once I guess. Ordered the KLM Orange Pride from Aviation Megastore during their Christmas sale, it got delivered to reception at work - and I picked it up yesterday. But...the horror:
Seemingly the box has been dropped during transport. The tail has pierced the packaging foam, the cardboard Inflight200 box, and even the Inflight product sleeve around the box has a hole in it. The (regular brown box) that Aviation Megastore used to pack the model shows no damage whatsoever. No bubblewrap or anything like that was used to protect the model...and obviously without it a drop causes major damage.
The tail itself doesn't have obvious damage. However the wings are fully disconnected from the body. They were in the box still at their original location, but picking up the model made the wings 'fall out' immediately. I can sort of put them back in their place and the model looks fine at that point...but a slight touch and the wings would fall off.
I've asked the store for help, but since the 14 days return time have passed I am afraid that they may be unwilling to help. Though I guess we will see when they reply. If I do end up having to repair this myself though... any tips on how to do so? Specific kind of glue to hold the two wings together?
Thanks!
If I understand correctly, the model is still fine (despite lose wings), right? Good for you, since the wings could’ve left scratches at the wing roots or the fuselage itself; the model would be worthless then. Now, you only need to “snap-fit” the wings into position. You can use a small portion of super glue in order to fix them - perfect.
I once had an Inflight model with the horizontal stabs detached. The roots left scratches on the rear fuselage and the model was garbage.
__________________ My 1/200 Wants List for 2021 Gemini200:Condor 757-300 (1999 delivery cs.), Condor 757-300WL (2004 white/blue/yellow cs. with 'Condor' titles) Inflight200: Martinair 767-300ER (1990's 'Martinair Holland' c/s), Hapag-Lloyd A310-200/-300, LTU-Süd Boeing 757-200, Swiss A330-300 & A340-300 (both in 2003 c/s) NG Models:Binter Mediterráneo CASA CN-235 HerpaWings:Spantax Dash 7
Never had any problems with the customer service of AMS !
Henk, Carina and Marcel are always very quick in answering and very kind when it comes to replacements and free return shipping labels.
Therefore I am pretty sure that there might be a technical communication problem behind this and I would suggest that you just give them a call to clarify the situation...
If I understand correctly, the model is still fine (despite lose wings), right? Good for you, since the wings could’ve left scratches at the wing roots or the fuselage itself; the model would be worthless then. Now, you only need to “snap-fit” the wings into position. You can use a small portion of super glue in order to fix them - perfect.
I once had an Inflight model with the horizontal stabs detached. The roots left scratches on the rear fuselage and the model was garbage.
Indeed, when I piece it back together it doesn't have any visible damage. It will definitely need some glue to be fixed, but I'm reading warnings that super glue (or the fumes) can damage the paint. Would buying epoxy or something more specialised be better?
Quote:
Originally Posted by StillAir
Never had any problems with the customer service of AMS !
Henk, Carina and Marcel are always very quick in answering and very kind when it comes to replacements and free return shipping labels.
Therefore I am pretty sure that there might be a technical communication problem behind this and I would suggest that you just give them a call to clarify the situation...
They just replied to my email, saying that I can just glue them back in place. While true, I'd much rather have it replaced if they allow that. The box has been pierced as well which will make it less than ideal, possibly vulnerable to the same problem if ever transported elsewhere. I've asked them if replacement is an option but awaiting an answer.
Just glue the wings back in and move on...Not worth the hassle, cost and aggravation to send it back..This is no big deal as long as there is no fuselage damage.
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Just glue the wings back in and move on...Not worth the hassle, cost and aggravation to send it back..This is no big deal as long as there is no fuselage damage.
Although I do understand your point, Xandrios, I am with Crownvic concerning this topic. Be happy you did not receive a model with damages and production defects. I have always been a very - VERY - critical customer when it came down to any kind of damages or faults but if I’d receive a model with lose wings - but in completely immaculate condition - I would simply glue them into position. I don’t pay too much attention to the models’ boxes, so I could live with a damage to that one. I would not bother the guys at AMS with such a minor problem... I’d keep this option for more severe cases. However, this is my opinion only.
__________________ My 1/200 Wants List for 2021 Gemini200:Condor 757-300 (1999 delivery cs.), Condor 757-300WL (2004 white/blue/yellow cs. with 'Condor' titles) Inflight200: Martinair 767-300ER (1990's 'Martinair Holland' c/s), Hapag-Lloyd A310-200/-300, LTU-Süd Boeing 757-200, Swiss A330-300 & A340-300 (both in 2003 c/s) NG Models:Binter Mediterráneo CASA CN-235 HerpaWings:Spantax Dash 7
Agree with the above posts, as long as there's no fuselage damage I'd just put some super glue on the wing joints and good as new.
Strangely enough during Aviation megastores November sale, I ordered the Gemini 200 United 787-10. It came missing most of the antennas on the upper side of the fuselage, no loose ones to be found in the box unfortunately. I e-mailed Gemini Jets customer service who were excellent and sent me some replacement ones, which arrived with me in the UK just a week later. I was very impressed.
I'm sorry to read about the damage. I wouldn't use Super Glue to reattach them. Ordinarily, I'd use Elmer's (school) glue but given the wings are larger and heavier than other parts needing to be reattached, I'd explore using an epoxy. Just search for "glue" in the 1:200 section of the forum and you'll see recommendations.
I have had the same thing happen many times as I bet most here have also.
I always make sure I scrape off any residual glue (with a sharpe blade) that would be on the tabs that go inside the fuselage and then I have never had any issues with the brush on super glue. That way I can control how much glue goes on and where it goes.
Thanks guys. To their credit, aviation megastore did indeed offer to replace the model if I would send it back (or replace in-store). Though I'd have to pay for shipping costs as these things happening is unavoidable according to them. Not sure if I totally agree on that principle (This model was shipped without any kind of protective bubblewrap and I do believe they could have done better on that aspect) but at least they did offer to replace it.
However with the recommendations here I decided to have a go at it myself. Used a toothpick to put just a very little amount of superglue on the wing roots, and that worked quite well. Was very careful to not get any of it on my fingers or the model. It seems sturdy so far. If it turns out to not hold I'll look at getting some epoxy, unfortunately I did not have any to use today.
Better pics with proper lighting another time, but yay! Back in one piece! Thanks everyone
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Transport damage ..fixable?
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