Advice on Buying Used Hardware

[from the May-June 2001 Newsletter]

by Ned White

One man's treasure in model airplanes could be another's trouble. If you've been in this hobby for any time at all you know just what I'm talking about. It starts off by getting what you think is a great deal on a used airplane, radio, or engine or in some cases all three. Three words for you, Buyer Be Ware. I've seen this happen over and over and that just with me! We should be careful when we get these deals. Take one good deal that I made on a complete airplane, radio & engine. New batteries, new engine, and a never flown before airplane -- New. The airplane just needs to be charged up and she is ready to go. "Yeah Right" I get the plane out to the field, spend 45 minutes putting it together, turn on the switches and TROUBLE. One aileron goes up and the other one just twitches ONCE-in-awhile. All I can say is that I'm glad this happened on the ground, because when I opened up the servo hatch I was shocked to find a splice in the servo lead, held kinda together with scotch tape. Needless to say, I will be going through the whole airplane in the near future.

I have heard all sorts of stories after sharing my tale with fellow flyers. So, please remember you get what you paid for, when you get those great deals.

Look 'em over, and over again. Have a Bud look it over, and never assume that it's ready to fly. if you do fly it without checking it over -- you may be stuck with one man's JUNK!

BE SMART!

LOOK IT OVER....