Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Helicopters / June 2007

Some f.cking big tits. Oh, as you were, they're usually full of them anyway,
specially at weekends.

Beav's humor not withstanding.  ;-)

Since this is a model helicopter forum, I'm assuming you're talking about
what I'd like to see in a good model shop from the perspective of a model
heli pilot.

That's easy!  A full selection of kits from the most popular manufacturers.
For me, that would include, Thunder Tiger, Hirobo, Miniature Aircraft,
Align, etc.  There are many more out there that can be included in the list
but these are the one's that immediately come to mind.  They should also
stock a "full compliment" of spare parts for every kit they stock on a
routine basis.  That would include a LOT more then just a set of rotor
blades, main mast, cross shaft, and tail boom.  It would also be very nice
if the people running the place actually "know" something about the models
they sell.  Nothing pisses me off more than to listen to some ignoramus try
to BS his way through a customers question.

Having said all the above, most model shops you're likely to walk into,
especially the average shop located in a shopping mall, don't have the
resources to make that kind of investment.  Model helicopters are still a
relatively exclusive segment of the RC hobby (although they're a lot more
common than they were just 5 to 10 years ago) so it's hard for most local
model shops to make much money off them.  The only shops I've seen that do
support model helicopters in the way I tried to describe above are those
that deal pretty much in helicopters only and do a lot of mail order
business so they're not relying solely on local customers.  The closest one
to me is Rick's RC Helicopters in Corpus Christi, Tx.  In the south central
US, these guys are pretty much it as far as I'm concerned.  They've got as
complete an inventory as I've seen in a long time.  Almost all the guys that
work there are active heli pilots and the two main ones (Ron Lund & Nathan
Spencer) KNOW what they're talking about when it comes to the products they
sell and best of all, they won't BS you.  If you do hit them with a question
they're not sure of, they'll admit it and work with you to find the answer.

"That," to me, is the mark of a good, no, GREAT hobby shop!

JMOOC!  :-D

Fly Safe,
Steve R.

PS:  I have no affiliation with Rick's RC Hobbies beyond being a very
satisfied customer!  :-)