K&C Warbird Swordfish Repair (1 Viewer)

[MCKENNA77]

Hey everyone:

Got the Swordfish today and put the prop in the plane and in an hour discovered that the prop had fallen off leaving the metal rod inside the plane. The metal rod that attaches to the prop is buried in there deep dude and I'm taking ideas to get it out. I'm thinking I might try a big magnet or maybe some sort of screw extractor process. Anyone have any ideas?

Take Care
MCKENNA

 

[Njja]

Boy is that a tough one!

Here are two suggestions, first a strong automotive magnet you can probably pick one up at Sears.......I use them all the time to retrive small screws and washers that always seem to fall to the most impossible places. Only problem is, it will probably not have enough power to pull it free.

Second suggestion is far more difficult.....but it would work. Use a dremel tool to drill a small hole in the rod, then use an easy out which screws into the hole in the oposite direction which would draw the rod out of the hole. This works all the time on auto projects......but you have a delicate situation there.......best of luck!

Njja

 

[OzDigger]

A simple fix which I have often done in this circumstance is to glue a rod of the same diameter in the hole and push the prop on it.

 

[Capitolron]

Or for all the money you spent on that Warbird - you can send it right back to K&C and ask them to repair the item for you. Thats what I would do.

 

[MCKENNA77]

Or for all the money you spent on that Warbird - you can send it right back to K&C and ask them to repair the item for you. Thats what I would do.

Capitolron:

Thats certainly a very valid point. But the way theyre packaged and how much the shipping costs I'm not going to send it back for something I might be able to fix myself. If it was a major league defect I would but I'll give it the college try on the home repair first and see what happens. Maybe the dudes in the mechanic shop were I work can give me a hand.

Take Care
MCKENNA

 

[Alexdakar]

I've removed a broken screw by adding a bit of super glue on the tip of a toothpick let it dry then I turn the toothpick and unscrewed the broken screw.

 

[Njja]

Let us know how it works out, you also might contact King & Country and see what they suggest!

Njja

 

[MCKENNA77]

Yeah I'll everybody know how it goes. I'm going to bring it into the mechanic shop tomorrow.

Take Care
MCKENNA

 

[maddadicus]

A 1/2" drill to make the hole bigger, then you can tip the plane to drop the rod out....I know...I am not mechanically inclined.or very helpful.Michael

 

[MCKENNA77]

Hey all:

Gave it a shot last Friday and the screw extractor I bought was 3mm and too big. The hardware store didnt have a smaller size so today on line I purchased a 2mm and 1mm screw extractor from a catalog gun-smithing outfit. Trying to get that thing out with a magnet didnt work at all. The only other thing I can think of if the new extractor doesnt work is to try putting a very small nozzle on a shot-vacuum then running the vacuum in reverse. Well see how it goes once I get new hardware.

MCKENNA

 

[Beaufighter]

Any update on the Warbird surgical procedure? I have been lighting candles all week for a successful outcome.

All The Best,
Beaufighter

 

[MCKENNA77]

Any update on the Warbird surgical procedure? I have been lighting candles all week for a successful outcome.

All The Best,
Beaufighter

Beaufighter

Thanks for your concern dude. The screw extractors that I ordered were too big to do the job. I might try the glue and swab technique but recently I have put an email into K&C to see if Gordon can try to repair it at the Westcoaster.

Take Care
MCKENNA

 

[jazzeum]

McKenna,

I think this is something that should go back to the Factory. I don't think I'd mess around, even with Gordon's capable hands.

 

[Beaufighter]

McKenna,

I think this is something that should go back to the Factory. I don't think I'd mess around, even with Gordon's capable hands.

At this point I must agree too MCKENNA. Wishing your Swordfish a full & healthy recovery so she can return to your on base museum ASAP! Could not hurt to hand deliver her at the show though!

All The Best,
Beaufighter

 

[MCKENNA77]

At this point I must agree too MCKENNA. Wishing your Swordfish a full & healthy recovery so she can return to your on base museum ASAP! Could not hurt to hand deliver her at the show though!

All The Best,
Beaufighter

Well thank you both again for your concerns. I received a response email from K&C this morning and Gordon is going to take a look at it at the Westcoaster. As I will be headed down there by car it shouldnt be an issue to box it up and secure it for the ride. I do understand where you both are coming from( the whole high potential risk in damage thing) but I guess I'm just a firm believer in that everything can be fixed or repaired. After seeing some of Gordons unbelievable dioramas that guy has to have hands and skills like a surgeon - if he cant fix it, its hopeless. I'm still getting pumped up for when that Lancaster bomber will come out - 4 Rolls Royce engines and a 4' wingspan - wow baby look out, Daddys home!!! I'm going to put the over under on that thing at $1500, who wants to make bets?

Take Care
MCKENNA

 

[jazzeum]

McKenna,

That thing will be awesome. I'll take the over on $1,500 I would love to have something like that but no room (forget the money ).

Wait till you see Louis' Warbird collection (old and new), you'll be blown away.

 

[PolarBear]

I would say that the fact that the plane is damaged has already lessened its value on the market and even if K&C repairs it they should refund some of your payment. For the price you paid it should have been perfect and you should not have to go through this. Perhaps they could give you a discount on the upsoming Lancaster as compensation for your troubles. I'm sure Andy with his strong customer service philosophy will want to you continue to be a happy customer.

Randy

 

[MCKENNA77]

I would say that the fact that the plane is damaged has already lessened its value on the market and even if K&C repairs it they should refund some of your payment. For the price you paid it should have been perfect and you should not have to go through this. Perhaps they could give you a discount on the upsoming Lancaster as compensation for your troubles. I'm sure Andy with his strong customer service philosophy will want to you continue to be a happy customer.

Randy

Well Randy thanks for your concern and you do have a good and valid point. If K&C can repair it at the Westcoaster I will be a very satisfied customer. As far as a "lessened" value, I will never sell the Swordfish so the value of it doesnt really concern me. I guess maybe I'm just too laid back. I have realized in my life experience that rarely do things go as planned and sometimes things get broke(especially in shipping). With that being said, on words and up words to all the new and exciting Warbirds being released in 2008(I'm still hoping we'll see a Japanese Warbird in 2008).

Take Care
MCKENNA

 

[jazzeum]

Only 20 of the Swordfish were made. In years to come, it will probably increase in value. Although Chris' may not be perfect (whether Gordon or The Workshop fix it), it will still go up in value and be rare. I think it will need to go back to The Workshop and once it's fixed, it will be in new mint condition.

 

[red devil]

You know the way round this might be to order a whole bunch of these warbirds and then fly to HK and pick them up direct. Did u know u can fly London to HK for £75 with Oasis Airlines these days if you book in advance enough?
I hear all these stories about broken warbirds and its a real shame because for the money you need them to be perfect and I know if I open the box and its broke it kinda' ruins my day! I know its not Andys fault and he has no control over this kind of thing but maybe he could start making them with the undercarriage up and figures inside as I believe the undercarriage is the main breakage area? I know that some planes have undercarriage down as a matter of course like the Stuka and it would be a logistical problem getting pilots made separately in China and then put into the planes (after production in the Philippines) but I'm here for any technical guidance he needs!
RD