_GOTOBOTTOM
General Aircraft
This forum is for general aircraft modelling discussions.
Hosted by Jim Starkweather
Airfix spare parts
james84
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Roma, Italy
Joined: January 28, 2006
KitMaker: 1,368 posts
AeroScale: 377 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 13, 2015 - 08:00 PM UTC
Hi all,
long has passed since my last post... my modelling activity is almost idle as real life calls, but passion is still alive!
Yesterday I found myself at a big toy shop and they had Airfix's Vampire T.11 at a good price so I could not resist. But when I got home and opened the box the main canopy (part D1) looked partially moulded


I already e-mailed Airfix in order to see if I can get a replacement. I read good opinions about their Customer Service, but all the customers were from the UK and had their requests fulfilled in a few days. Do you think Airfix can mail such a small (though "vital") part to another European Country?
Thanks,
Giacomo
Bink123
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Quebec, Canada
Joined: June 23, 2008
KitMaker: 414 posts
AeroScale: 364 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 13, 2015 - 09:04 PM UTC
I've requested a replacement part for the 1/48 Hawker Fury 1 - i live on the other side of the Big Pond. I hope I can get a replacement -I'll have to wait and see.
Jessie_C
_VISITCOMMUNITY
British Columbia, Canada
Joined: September 03, 2009
KitMaker: 6,965 posts
AeroScale: 6,247 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 13, 2015 - 09:44 PM UTC
As long as Airfix has the parts available, they are usually quite fast in getting them to you. I live on the Left Coast of Canada, and it takes about 3 weeks or so to get here. Airfix may charge you a nominal fee for the service, or they may not. They'll tell you before they do if they have to charge it.

You could always make your model into a vignette of the erks changing the canopy if they don't send you a new one, or perhaps a poor abandoned, unloved Vampire in a junkyard?
james84
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Roma, Italy
Joined: January 28, 2006
KitMaker: 1,368 posts
AeroScale: 377 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 13, 2015 - 10:38 PM UTC

Quoted Text

As long as Airfix has the parts available, they are usually quite fast in getting them to you. I live on the Left Coast of Canada, and it takes about 3 weeks or so to get here. Airfix may charge you a nominal fee for the service, or they may not. They'll tell you before they do if they have to charge it.

You could always make your model into a vignette of the erks changing the canopy if they don't send you a new one, or perhaps a poor abandoned, unloved Vampire in a junkyard?


Thanks Jessica, let's see what happens... As for the fee, I was actually wondering if they asked for something but considering that that the part was badly moulded (maybe some kind of production fault occurred, and I also sent them a link to see the very photo I uploaded) I expect them to replace the part for free.
Otherwise, I will see if it is worth spending more as the price of the kit was just €8. In case I should not get a replacement (it also seems there is no vac-formed replacement around) a diorama with an abandoned aircraft is just what I had in mind!
Removed by original poster on 06/14/15 - 18:06:46 (GMT).
Robbd01
#323
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Arizona, United States
Joined: February 13, 2013
KitMaker: 791 posts
AeroScale: 213 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 13, 2015 - 11:07 PM UTC

Quoted Text

As long as Airfix has the parts available, they are usually quite fast in getting them to you. I live on the Left Coast of Canada,


Had replacement parts sent to me down here in the desert southwest -dodges a tumbleweed while writing this post- no problem.


Cheers

Berwickboy
_VISITCOMMUNITY
England - East Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: April 27, 2013
KitMaker: 450 posts
AeroScale: 387 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 13, 2015 - 11:22 PM UTC
Following on from Jessica's thoughts I took this at the Midland Aircraft Museum at Coventry Airport, you don't even need the fuselage for this
phantom_phanatic309
#372
_VISITCOMMUNITY
United Kingdom
Joined: March 10, 2010
KitMaker: 2,568 posts
AeroScale: 1,619 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 14, 2015 - 01:22 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Following on from Jessica's thoughts I took this at the Midland Aircraft Museum at Coventry Airport, you don't even need the fuselage for this


Mike, that's one of the museums on my must-visit list. I hope their other aircraft are better cared for than this sorry pair!

Giacomo, Airfix spares service is fantastic. They'll sort you out with a replacement.
WildeSau
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Blekinge, Sweden
Joined: July 01, 2006
KitMaker: 20 posts
AeroScale: 19 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 14, 2015 - 02:00 AM UTC
I have three of those in my stash and they all have the same cold shot problem shown here.


I've got four replacement canopies but they weren't any better than the original ones'.

If you can find the old Airmodel Vampire NF.10/T.11 conversion for the Heller Vampire kit, then you have replacement vacu canopies of both types.
Berwickboy
_VISITCOMMUNITY
England - East Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: April 27, 2013
KitMaker: 450 posts
AeroScale: 387 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 14, 2015 - 11:39 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Following on from Jessica's thoughts I took this at the Midland Aircraft Museum at Coventry Airport, you don't even need the fuselage for this


Mike, that's one of the museums on my must-visit list. I hope their other aircraft are better cared for than that sorry pair!

Giacomo, Airfix spares service is fantastic. They'll sort you out with a replacement.
Please be assured the museum exhibits are in a far better condition than this sorry item.
phantom_phanatic309
#372
_VISITCOMMUNITY
United Kingdom
Joined: March 10, 2010
KitMaker: 2,568 posts
AeroScale: 1,619 posts
Posted: Monday, June 15, 2015 - 12:38 AM UTC
Cool I'll have to check it out one day. That Phantom by the vampire wings looks in a bit of a mess too!
JollyRoger
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Istanbul, Turkey / Türkçe
Joined: December 22, 2004
KitMaker: 1,241 posts
AeroScale: 616 posts
Posted: Monday, June 15, 2015 - 01:30 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Cool I'll have to check it out one day. That Phantom by the vampire wings looks in a bit of a mess too!

Mess? What about the one on the right? It only has a ladder!...Har har har! . Seriously, wouldn't it be cool if that was the kind of display they were putting on? Well, at least they don't paint F-104s on display to white so that they won't remind anybody of war...I've seen that happen here...
phantom_phanatic309
#372
_VISITCOMMUNITY
United Kingdom
Joined: March 10, 2010
KitMaker: 2,568 posts
AeroScale: 1,619 posts
Posted: Monday, June 15, 2015 - 03:10 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Cool I'll have to check it out one day. That Phantom by the vampire wings looks in a bit of a mess too!

Mess? What about the one on the right? It only has a ladder!...Har har har! . Seriously, wouldn't it be cool if that was the kind of display they were putting on? Well, at least they don't paint F-104s on display to white so that they won't remind anybody of war...I've seen that happen here...


Really? I'm sure that went down well with former crews and pilots!
Berwickboy
_VISITCOMMUNITY
England - East Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: April 27, 2013
KitMaker: 450 posts
AeroScale: 387 posts
Posted: Monday, June 15, 2015 - 03:29 AM UTC
Well, the Starfighter wouldn't be White, it is a Danish version. If you want a quick look around the museum use Google Earth, it gives some idea of the outside exhibits. The Coventry and Warwickshire branch of IPMS are holding their annual show there on Sunday 21st June, unfortunately I shall not be going, Austrian Grand Prix, Fathers Day and wedding anniversary
Bink123
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Quebec, Canada
Joined: June 23, 2008
KitMaker: 414 posts
AeroScale: 364 posts
Posted: Monday, June 15, 2015 - 11:45 PM UTC
On Sunday i sent an email to Airfix requesting a spare part. Today I received an email from them that the part will be in the mail tomorrow. Not bad.
james84
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Roma, Italy
Joined: January 28, 2006
KitMaker: 1,368 posts
AeroScale: 377 posts
Posted: Monday, June 22, 2015 - 11:39 PM UTC
Hi all,
and thanks for your replies
I got Airfix's reply today and my request is in the waiting list since the part is not available at the moment.
It took a few days but I'm glad they replied. I'll keep you updated.
Kind regards,
Giacomo
almonkey
_VISITCOMMUNITY
England - East Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: March 23, 2003
KitMaker: 2,124 posts
AeroScale: 788 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 23, 2015 - 02:56 AM UTC
Airfix spares department are a top notch outfit, a while ago I asked them for the glazed part for a Stirling rear turret, I think I did have to pay a nominal charge, but the part arrived safely within a week and was well packaged, so I shouldn't worry about your canopy Giacomo.

P.s. the vampire is a lovely kit, I built one last year oob, and it still has pride of place in my display cabinet.
 _GOTOTOP