WHAT YOU WILL FIND HERE
Occasionally, after a new product is introduced, the manufacturer finds a better way to do something, a part that works better, a part that was left out of the first shipments of kits, etc. Reputable manufacturers normally send bulletins to hobby shops who have purchased these new items. TeleHobbies R/C immediately updates any kits in stock and contacts persons who have already purchased the products from us.
Below are such bulletins. Some may appear to be old, but many hobby shops may have old stock on their shelves. We applaud the manufacturers who send us these bulletins.
The metal can he was trying to open had been in storage for over 20 years. There is no evidence of an external spark or ignition source other than the container itself. Consultation with experts in the field indicates that materials, such as ether, propylene oxide and nitro methane, commonly used in model fuels may become destabilized and shock sensitive over a period of time. As best we can determine, this fuel, whose composition included two of these substances, was in a state of change. It is probable that this change in combination with the heat generated by the friction (metal to metal) in trying to open the container initiated the explosion.
AMA advises that it would be unwise to open fuel containing these products that have been stored for some period of time in metal containers. Such fuel should be taken to a Hazardous Waste disposal facility. (Any fuel stored for over 5 years would be suspect.)
ALWAYS USE FRESH FUEL!!!
D U B R O G A S C O N V E R S I O N S T O P P E R
Dubro has recently mislabeled some gas conversion stoppers for their fuel tanks. The older gas stoppers have a very small o molded into the stopper. Both the glow fuel and gas stoppers were black. The new gas stoppers are red! Glow fuel stoppers will soften and dissolve very quickly when used with gasoline.
G R E A T P L A N E S C U B 2 0 L A N D I N G G E A R
The main landing gear block that was enclosed with the original Cub 20 airplane kits was incorrectly made. The block was not grooved to accept the landing gear wire. If you purchased this kit, check the landing gear block immediately. If it does not have a groove cut in it, contact the hobby shop where you purchased it or Great Planes Product Support for a free replacement.
G R E A T P L A N E S F U E L T A N K S T O P P E R S
Great Planes has improved the rubber stoppers supplied with their fuel tanks. This applies to tanks purchased separately as well as to those included in Great Planes airplane kits. If you have the black stopper, you have the OLD one. The new and improved stoppers are beige. The upgraded stoppers are available FREE OF CHARGE from the hobby shop where you originally purchased your fuel tank or airplane kit.
G R E A T P L A N E S C U B M I S S I N G P A R T S
The first shipments of the new Great Planes Cub airplane kit was shipped without a package of wing webbing. When purchasing this kit, be sure to ask your hobby shop if the missing parts have been replaced. If you buy from mail order companies, good luck! All TeleHobbies R/C Cubs have been updated.
S I G 4 - S T A R 1 2 0
SIG has notified us that the first few hundred kits were shipped with THREE sheets of 1/16 x 4 x 30 balsa but the kit requires FOUR. If you purchased the kit and are missing this sheet of balsa, you can call SIG and they will ship it to you free, or any reputable hobby shop will give you the sheet immediately if you purchased the kit from them.
H O B B I C O U L T I M A T E B I P E
We received the following notice from Hobbico on December 21, 1995: The Hobbico Ultimate Biplane has been shipped from the manufacturer with defective wing joiners. The size and strength of the wing joiners are inadequate and WILL MOST LIKELY result in a wing failure in flight. YOU MUST NOT FLY THE AIRPLANE WITH THE SUPPLIED WING JOINERS. Contact the hobby shop where you purchased your kit. They should be receiving the correct parts. You may also contact Great Planes Model Distributors directly.