[hawkonevoodoo]

Hobby Master has shipped out new propellers for the 1/32 HA0200 SBD and they should be available in a couple of weeks through the retailer that sold you your model. Contact him and ask him to send you the corrected propeller when they are available. Hobby Master apologizes for any inconvenience this has caused.

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by hawkonevoodoo

Hobby Master has shipped out new propellers for the 1/32 HA0200 SBD and they should be available in a couple of weeks through the retailer that sold you your model. Contact him and ask him to send you the corrected propeller when they are available. Hobby Master apologizes for any inconvenience this has caused.

Now that is some great customer support!

[smartd]

It is really good that HM are indeed doing this. However, let's not lose perspective on the fact that this was a much anticipated model where they had lots of feedback before final production and it still got released as a $170.00 flawed dud.

[PappyB]

Flawed, yes. Dud, ...definitely not in my book. Let's not lose perspective that these are mass market models, not museum show pieces. This is a complex model to pull off in 1:32 -- wonder why no one else has "gone there"?

And $170 is the MSRP -- who's actually paying that? They've been available for $110-124... and I've not even looked hard. At least that's what I paid for mine, and I don't regret it.

[smartd]

Originally Posted by PappyB

Flawed, yes. Dud, ...definitely not in my book. Let's not lose perspective that these are mass market models, not museum show pieces. This is a complex model to pull off in 1:32 -- wonder why no one else has "gone there"?

And $170 is the MSRP -- who's actually paying that? They've been available for $110-124... and I've not even looked hard. At least that's what I paid for mine, and I don't regret it.

Ok dud it is not, but why should we pay that sort of money for a model that some worked on to correct then be overjoyed that the factory is giving the retailer replacement parts so we may get it and can work on the model some more. I want diecast because I can take them out of the box and display them. What about the folks with no modeling skills or who will never hear about this improvement/replacement part? How does the factory part get to those folks?

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by smartd

Ok dud it is not, but why should we pay that sort of money for a model that some worked on to correct then be overjoyed that the factory is giving the retailer replacement parts so we may get it and can work on the model some more. I want diecast because I can take them out of the box and display them. What about the folks with no modeling skills or who will never hear about this improvement/replacement part? How does the factory part get to those folks?

Well, you don't have to pay that sort of money, you can pass on it and wait for improvements, which will surely come. As for being overjoyed, well, how many companies put something out with flaws and never address the issue at all? Too many in my book, so to me HM does deserve some credit for owning up to it and trying to make it right. Software makers often ignore major bugs only to release fixes a year later in the form of a new version you have to fork out the same $ for. (Microsoft, anyone... )

Overall, I hear you, I have no modeling skillz whatsoever, believe me, and that's still one big reason I still like the SBD -- flaws and all, I still couldn't do a better job myself and I just really like the airframe and historical significance of this livery. As for the folks that don't hear of the replacement prop, well the vendors should be able to proactively send them out without the customer's need to know... wonder if that will happen? But how many products do you think you have in your house right now, or have owned, that you missed recall info on? Probably more than you'd think. I spent $26K on a minivan and have had it back to the dealer for a couple of recall issues...

And I think the model is worth what I paid for it even if I don't do a thing to improve it myself -- right out of the box. The prop droop isn't so bad that you can notice it on the shelf, it's only when you pick it up to admire or "play with the moving parts" that it stands out. The pilots, to me, are the worst issue and if you give 'em some 1/32 phonebooks to sit on they can pass muster... barely. I just leave 'em out.

[kb466]

I agree that there might be some flaws-- the drooping prop comes to mind. But the positives clearly outweigh the negatives in my estimation. It is a very accurate and large diecast SBD-3. Of course, it has the flaws inherent in almost all diecast models. However, I am quite pleased with mine. I have always been a fan of SBD's and a student of the carrier battles in the Pacific, particularly Midway. I feel like I am sufficiently informed to pass judgment on this SBD and I have to say that Hobby Master did a pretty credible and accurate job. Does it cost a lot? Yes, it does, but it is a lot more airplane than your average 1/72 diecast airplane. To put things in perspective, the Trumpeter 1/32 scale SBD kits that the HM diecast SBD was based upon retail for over $100-- and this is for an unbuilt, unpainted plastic kit. Personally, I don't think the HM Dauntless is overpriced, all things considered. That being said, I freely acknowledge that some might feel that spending over $100 for any diecast airplane is excessive-- Lord knows, my wife certainly feels that way. Each person needs to make their own decision on whether this plane is worth it to them. For me, it was clearly worth the money and I am quite happy with my purchase.

On the subject of my SBD, I had mentioned that I was doing some detailing work on mine and I would post some pictures. Though it is not finished, I am posting some pictures of the progress to date in a new thread.

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by kb466

That being said, I freely acknowledge that some might feel that spending over $100 for any diecast airplane is excessive-- Lord knows, my wife certainly feels that way. .

Amen to that -- LOL.

[jim]

Originally Posted by hawkonevoodoo

Hobby Master has shipped out new propellers for the 1/32 HA0200 SBD and they should be available in a couple of weeks through the retailer that sold you your model. Contact him and ask him to send you the corrected propeller when they are available. Hobby Master apologizes for any inconvenience this has caused.

How a company sorts out problems is a good indication of just how good that company is.

OK we all agree that there should not be problems, but to err is human.

I say well done HM for sorting this out quickly and without fuss.

My money is with you guys.

Now just where am I going to put that huge SBD, I just have to get to grips with my shortage of display space.

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by jim

How a company sorts out problems is a good indication of just how good that company is.

OK we all agree that there should not be problems, but to err is human.

I say well done HM for sorting this out quickly and without fuss.

My money is with you guys.

Now just where am I going to put that huge SBD, I just have to get to grips with my shortage of display space.

It's simple, Jim, just get rid of some of those P-40s you've got laying about -- you've too many of 'em anyways... right?