I wonder how many??? TF C/L ARF Count...

Hi Y'all...

A fellow club member and I already have our names on the waiting list with a local hobby shop, and the owner said he'd bring in a total of 5 TF C/L Noblers cover our 2 to put a few on the shelf, He used to keep the Sig kit's in stock, when they were available...and this is a predominantly RC shop too. Things are looking up people!

As long as we are on the subject, how many here would like to confess they are on the waiting list for one of the 2 new (Nobler or Streak) CL ARF'S?????

I think it might be an interesting number, so...

Why not take a head count right here???

I'll start :

EricV (2) Noblers on order

One of each Dennis

One of each.

Tony Elmore

(I'm still waiting to see whether they're going to be imported to th UK!)

i ordered 2 of each and asked the hobby shop to get a dozen of each. neal beekman,new york

No way.
Dave Day

Nope, not me. Not against the concept - I'd buy 'em if I could, but they're way out of my price range (especially with the exchange rate)...

I might tumble for a Nobler if they are decent but I am still in the wait and see mode.
Local hobby shop guy says the Top Flite RC ARF's are the best of the breed and he expects top quality,etc. etc. He also says a $100+ RC ARF he sells a lot of have a cost of $12.50 when they leave China or Indonesia or wherever.
I think my real question is how well the CL version is going to be engineered.

>I might tumble for a Nobler if they are decent but I am
>still in the wait and see mode.
>Local hobby shop guy says the Top Flite RC ARF's are the
>best of the breed and he expects top quality,etc. etc. He
>also says a $100+ RC ARF he sells a lot of have a cost of
>$12.50 when they leave China or Indonesia or wherever.
>I think my real question is how well the CL version is going
>to be engineered.
This post will be slightly off topic (my feelings won't be hurt if it gets zapped). But the ratio of final price to the price paid when they leave China is not out of line with other industries: RC arf: $100/$12.50 = ratio of 8. Average retail selling price today of my 1993 Ford Aerostar $3325.00. Trade in $300.00 (price to original owner). Ratio = $3325/$300 = 11 (approx). I read somewhere that the ratio for a new Korean made car is about 10 (unconfirmed)i.e. a $20,000 car costs about $2000 when it leaves the manufacturer. The profit margin for arf models is not out of line with other industries. Lots of people make a living out of the infrastructure between the manufacturer (or original owner) and end user. The system only works with enough volume... Soooo, I don't think that we as end users of the Top Flight ARFs are being ripped off.

Hi Tim, would you buy the nobler kit though? Even if you scratch built it you would be hard pressed to build it for under $200 cd. At todays exchange the nobler arf from tower hobbies would be $160 cd then add shipping and tax and you'd still be under $200.

I have a Nobler ARF on order from Virginia Hobbysport

I received my ARF Nobler from Virginia Hobbysport last week. The plane over all is much better than I expected! Now after reading some of the posts I'm wondering if I need to put another on order as a backup for when my leadouts break and the pushrods fail? I will most likely change the leads and maybe even the pushrods, but over all I think the plane will serve its purpose just fine. If it lasts till I can finish one of my kits and get airborne I'll be happy. Would I buy another....YEP

Kirk

One of each.

1 each

One Each.

Mel D.

Nobler...

One Nobler but after seeing them at Toledo I think I might get a Streak also.

One each, Nobler and Flite Streak. Ordered from Tim's Hobbies, Everett, Washington.

At the least, should my ARF Nobler end up with tire tracks across its nose, I won't be near as upset as Ted must have been...

That was dirty, Dan!

De,

That was not dirty. But this might be...

Unfortunately, the timing won't work out this year, but wouldn't it be great to have access to a couple crashed 'n trashed ARF Noblers, fix 'em up just enough to look presentable and place one each in front of right front and right rear tires on Ted's van just as he is pulling away from the 2003 NW Regionals?

As I would be in charge there would be no complications. And a great many still cameras and video recorders aimed at the point(s) of destruction. In order to add some drama, how about hiring a couple urchins who would be instructed to wail and cry over loss of their very first CL model aircraft? And irate parents, set on revenge. Maybe even call in the police.

Bellcrank pivots which are actually sharpened lengths of 1/8" piano wire would (ideally) result in Ted finally getting out of Roseburg, only to find himself alongside I-5, Memorial Day weekend traffic howling by, first wondering how to gain access to the spare tire, then realizing he needs two spare tires. (Not incidental to this scenario, he would be headed south while I would be going north. Pinned. Flat. Pedal to the metal. WFO. Etc., etc.)

This is a plan which shows some serious potential for mischief. Maybe I should make plans to attend the Nationals this year. Given enough models we could make sure that every time Ted moves his vehicle one would get squished. Might even toss a couple out in front of his already moving vehicle.

Who says there is no good use for CL ARFs which some RC Dude has "flown" for approximately 8.57 seconds?

Hey, grab a couple of those toss offs, and tie the wings together for a twin fused Nobler.

Nobler Bipe?

Dirty Dan's showing his roots. Building whole planes out of garbage can wrecks is a favorite pastime among Combat fliers.

One Nobler for me
mcm ordered 1 of each

looks like there will be at least three or four at the Gluedobber field

I haven't ordered a Nobler, yet, but I do have two of Kaz
Minato's 15 size ARFs and John Grigsby has one also.
Neat little planes; they come with wheels, tank, and spinner.

Jim P,

While made as a simple comment, the retail pricing of a $100.00 ARF which is obtained for $12.50 from the producer is probably a bit low. But not by much.

These types of good are bought and sold on approximately a ratio of 6:1 to 8:1. The price to producer includes their profit, of course. And it is an in-country price.

Before anybody squawks, this is common practice, and not just in the hobby industry. Take a look at the shoes you're wearing. Same deal, sometimes with a higher ratio. No rip-off going on here. Remember, price to producer is a completely unburdened price and it takes a whole bunch of money to get the product in your hands.

Regardless of what the producer is being paid, we the consumers are, I believe, going to be receiving quite a lot of value for the dollar. And that's the name of the game, is it not?

(Mr. Cunningham, that's your cue!)

Probably one of each. That makes 8 N's in the basement, though.

And I've gone through a number of Streaks, but only have one right now, so another won't be so bad. Currell

2 Noblers for me..

>While made as a simple comment, the retail pricing of a $100.00 ARF which is obtained for $12.50 from the producer is probably a bit low. But not by much.

>These types of good are bought and sold on approximately a ratio of 6:1 to 8:1. The price to producer includes their profit, of course. And it is an in-country price.

Dan:
Being a true believer in free enterprise, I would certainly agree and I never object to someone selling something for a profit-that's what makes the world go round. And BTW, no one guarantees a promoter/mover/shaker a profit when this type venture is undertaken so his risk is worth some reward should the project succeed.
I was still a little surprised at the ratio though. I would have thought maybe 25 to 40% of retail price. It's interesting that you have more or less confirmed the hobby shop owners observations as to relationships of prices to cost at origin.

The Nober price is cheap, cheap, cheap!

Listenin to Clark Howard on the radio from time to time, he recomends that if you cannot get at least a 4 to 1 ratio on a product that you developed/produced/supply, forgetaboutit! Less of course it's your hobby adn you are the retailer as well, otherwise there is no profit to be made.

Well, I did say show me the flyer. You did and tomorrow I go to the hobby shop and see if they will order me a Nobler. Other wise I will try some other hobby shop. But just out of morbid curiosity I will obtain one. I just love the way Dirt thinks. He must have been a sailor once.

>I just love
>the way Dirt thinks. He must have been a sailor once.

Ty,
If someone thinks that would make them an airman.

just kidding...as a former USAF crew chief I have the utmost respect for Naval Aviators, they aren't afraid of anything except running out of ammo.

I think I will carefully look over our GlueGlobber's (Bob Reeves, Catdaddy and our resident shyster Mitch) ARF Noblers before I buy one.

Wonder when the first purchaser of a Nobler Arf will try to pass it off as his own construction at a contest? It looks like it would be very easy to spot with that cowl construction and mounting.

I still think that you could sell the fire out of an ARF S-1 (original)Ringmaster. It would be legal for old time stunt.

Actually - come to think of it.. why not organize contests or classes JUST for these planes? In fact, the club could buy several, set them up the same, and have everyone fly the club planes. Get Top Flite to sponsor it.. ^_^

Isky, I think Da Dirt beat ya to the punch with this idea, ceptin course the part bout Top Flite sponsering it. I wonder how much effort will be required to remove the plastic covering and replace it with Japanese tissue or silk span?????????

I suppose I *ought* to be interested, since I don't build much nowadays. I've nothing against the idea (I think it will be good for promoting CL), but I'll still build my own.

So I guess put me down for 0.

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"A lot of people are afraid of heights. Not me. I'm afraid of widths." -Steven Wright

>I suppose I *ought* to be interested, since I don't build
>much nowadays. I've nothing against the idea (I think it
>will be good for promoting CL), but I'll still build my own.
>
>So I guess put me down for 0.
>
>[photo not recovered: 3e69bb3870f12ad5.jpg]
>
>"A lot of people are afraid of heights. Not me. I'm afraid
>of widths." -Steven Wright

Right, Larry!

Isn't it disgusting to see all these people buying ARF's?

What a shame! As a strict BOM'er I hate to see this horrid thing going on!

Hey, I'm just kiddin' folks!

"it's better to fall from the clouds than from a third floor"

As per my post under the "ARFs from Great Planes", 1 x Nobler and 2 x Flite Streaks.
Krgds
Andy Sweetland

Just put in dibs on one each Nobler....Tower Direct less a "We haven't seen you in a while"... $10 discount gets one to your door (when the container gets here, they say late June) for $107.99!

By the time the RSM I've been working on gets it's final color coats and trim I may have a side by side comparison test....

ARF C/L and Nitro Fumes!....... Hib

PS... the count here so far looks like 19 Noblers....11 'Streaks??

Well, so far we have:

19 Noblers & 11 Flighstreaks on order for flyers on this list, and:

17 extra Noblers on order for various hobby shops inventory.

I would think there has to be more than this on order, but not everyone subscribes to this forum, or participates in surveys I guess.

It's still not a bad count so far. We have a couple of wait and sees on the list and there might be a lot more of those out there too.

Perhaps a few subtle hints to loved ones for gifts for various occasions are waiting out there too?

I saw it at Toledo. It looked very nicely built and hopefully they will be like it in production. I just added one to my wish list.
Bill

I plan to buy one each. If they fly well, I might buy another of each, and put them in my personal stock. I think Topflite/ Great Planes should be commended and rewarded with our support.

Make that 12 Flite Streaks. When I placed my order for the Nobler I said, "Oh, while your'e at it, go ahead and order the Flite Streak for me too". I couldn't resist. Now to build the Flite Streak I have under the bench. It's a partial kit that I have made parts for, so it is not any collectors item.

I've also ordered a Nobler, so the count is now at lucky 13.

:-) I have one of each on order and I Will be glad to have them.

My wife has ordered two Noblers for me for Father's day. She knows I have avoided trying to learn stunt again (after trying to come back to it 10 years ago) because I crashed two nice models due to engine problems and was disgusted at the loss of all that building effort. These Noblers will have no emotional or time investment, and cost not much more than a Nobler kit in today's market. I can fly and practice with a lot less anxiety this way.

I might add that I have told several people I know, that used to fly C/L in the 60's, about the new ARF Noblers, and they are very interested. More retreads, especially those still in the middle of child-rearing and/or time-demanding careers, might come back to stunt this way. I think this is a great leap forward for C/L.

That'd be pretty good, practice with the ARF while you're building your BOM Nobler.

>My wife has ordered two Noblers for me for Father's day. She
>knows I have avoided trying to learn stunt again (after
>trying to come back to it 10 years ago) because I crashed
>two nice models due to engine problems and was disgusted at
>the loss of all that building effort. These Noblers will
>have no emotional or time investment, and cost not much more
>than a Nobler kit in today's market. I can fly and practice
>with a lot less anxiety this way.
>
>I might add that I have told several people I know, that
>used to fly C/L in the 60's, about the new ARF Noblers, and
>they are very interested. More retreads, especially those
>still in the middle of child-rearing and/or time-demanding
>careers, might come back to stunt this way. I think this is
>a great leap forward for C/L.

Where do you get wives like that? Two (2) Noblers for Fathers Day! You must be doing something right. I havn't ordered any, I'll wait for the verdict to come in.

John "Broken Wings" Jolley

You can add one each, Flight Streak and Nobler for "Swordsman 18". Maybe we need to set up a new forum topic for setting these up, once they start arriving?

1 Nobler for me.Never flown a flapped stunter-can't find time to build one,and besides I have wanted one for at least 35 years!!

>A fellow club member and I already have our names on the
>waiting list with a local hobby shop, and the owner said
>he'd bring in a total of 5 TF C/L Noblers cover our 2 to put
>a few on the shelf, He used to keep the Sig kit's in stock,
>when they were available...and this is a predominantly RC
>shop too. Things are looking up people!

RC people promoting CL stunt!!!!?????

CL stunt guys buying ARFs????

It's the "demise of the event".

Next, someone will be advocating fuel with no castor oil and abandoning dope finishes!!!

No! No! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! (screaming into the night)

Our club is ordering eight Noblers for the membership through our local hobby shop in the hopes of getting a ninth one for cheap as a contribution to our contest raffle in September. We are also planning a one round ARF Nobler event for Saturday after Classic. Anyone can fly, anyone elses model...with permission of course....no appearance points naturally, and the name of the game is fun. Like Bill Groman, I hope this ARF contribution will spark a little enthusiasm for the event with those that hate to build and or dont have time to participate. Capital City Championships in Columbus Ohio...September 27 and 28, 2003.

I HAVE ORDERED ONE EACH. LONG TIME COMING! FREDERICK

One Nobler ordered for me!

Nobler..... BEN

Yes, one of each on order through Tower Hobbies. Never have bought an ARF before; however, everyone at our club tells me they would start flying C/L if they could find a decent ARF. Well, I am buying these to show them that ARF C/L is now available.

I got one this sat. I paid 107.00 with tax.
I LIKE IT:)

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air field. My Email is [email protected]