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A Main Hobbies . Boca Bearings . Modefo's RC Helicopters

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Off Topics > Graupner Terry broken in mid air
 
 
helicopter34
Veteran
Location: New Jersey, exit 82

I bought a Graupner Terry from Hobby Lobby and I has just completed it and gotten a few flights and all seemed good. On my 3rd flight I was flying by and at about 100 ft in the air the wing snapped. I have no idea why it snapped. Isn't the plane suppose to withstand simple flying. Why would it just snap apart on a non-user-assembled part of the plane. Does anyone know if theres anything I can do about this. Does anyone think that Hobby Lobby would replace the plane and the motor that got destroyed ($70).
06-16-2003 Over year old.
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Wally
Veteran
Location: San Diego, CA

Did a post-crash inspection show any manufacturing defects?

At a minimum if you are confident you were not pulling out of a mach 1 dive or something , I would give them a call, and offer to ship it to them for inspection.

The Big Wally
06-16-2003 Over year old.
 
 
Woody218
Veteran
Location: Bismarck, ND

Hobby Lobby is excellent at standing behind their products, I'll bet if you send it to them, they'll send you a new one.


Gravity Always Wins!
06-16-2003 Over year old.
 
 
helicopter34
Veteran
Location: New Jersey, exit 82

Inspection

Well I tried to repair it a little by epoxing some some of the pieces back together, but that soon became obvious. I was a good 100 150 ft up when it happened too so when the fuselage and the other wing still attached hit the ground there was quite a bit of damage. What are they looking for anyways on inspection. I mean you can see where the wing split in a straight line but for the fuselage, I tried epoxing it a little and then I find out later that the motor is bent so that had to be ripped out and it became obvious that salvation was futile. The tail is perfect but the it split mid fuselage by the servos. I had to rip out the servos though so I can at least use them for something else. I couldn't imagine how they could tell the wreckage from any other dumb thumbs crash, except maybe it is unusual for the wing to split the way it did if not for on upward force that could only have come from air force. If the wing broke in the crash it would have been a force pushing it to the tail. I don't know, im not a forensic scientist, but if you guys really think I have a chance, it can't hurt. I already ordered another one from them, so maybe ill send it out and see if they can just refund my money later if they choose. Do you think its possible to just ship them the wing, because I can still use the fuse for spare parts for the new one.
06-16-2003 Over year old.
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FinnDave
Elite Veteran
Location: Kouvola, Finland

Quote 
Why would it just snap apart on a non-user-assembled part of the plane.

Because it was made from poor quality materials by underpaid transient workers of very little skill.

David S., Kouvola, Finland
06-16-2003 Over year old.
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helicopter34
Veteran
Location: New Jersey, exit 82

Hobby Lobby

The sent me email back and they were very helpful. They sympathized with my situation and worked out a deal for me. I will definitely order from them again in the future.
06-17-2003 Over year old.
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DrScoles
Veteran
Location: Redmond WA

aileron flutter??? Did you seal the ailerons???

Mike
06-17-2003 Over year old.
 
 
melsman
Senior Heliman
Location: Atascadero, CA

"Aileron flutter... did you seal the ailerons?" That's funny, Mike.

Actually, my Terry does have ailerons. Makes for a cool little kick-back electric when I've crashed all of my helos.

(I wish that was a joke...)

helicopter34 - Use about 18" of packing tape length-wise along the underside of the new wing. I used two strips of reinforced tape and have tried to snap the wing! The tape makes a big difference. You can also use the reinforced tape along the belly to prevent damage during landings. I also use a strip of clear packing tape along the leading edge of the wing to keep it from getting damaged easily.

Ashley
06-20-2003 Over year old.
 
 
Jim C
Veteran
Location: Indiana, PA

hmm.. funny to see graupner have a failure.. hell.... my graupner 65 trainer is built like a tank... ive put it thru its paces that a trainer shouldnt take and its come out strong.. im not sure what the terry is but i guess every manufacturer has defects.. dont give up on graupner products... i found them to be one of the better products out there.....

jim

http://jimsrc.com
06-20-2003 Over year old.
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Jim C
Veteran
Location: Indiana, PA

are you sure you didnt overspeed the airplane??? it is only styrofoam.. and if you pull out of a power on dive... something is gonna give.... as i said before.. dont give up on graupner... the terry is styrofoam... and cant take the same stresses as balsa or plastic....

jim

http://jimsrc.com
06-20-2003 Over year old.
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