ipmsusa2 Posted November 7, 2017 Report Posted November 7, 2017 (edited) I spoke today with Merit International, the U.S. distributor (the only one in the U.S.) for Kinetic kits. I learned that my canopy short shot was not an isolated occurrence. They have at least another four requests for replacement canopies with the same problem. Mine makes five. How many exist in unopened kits is unknown. However, according to Merit, Kinetic appears to have some significant quality control issues. Merit currently has no kits in stock, nor any spare parts from broken kits. Replacement canopies have been requested from China but when they will arrive is unknown, though Merit is suggesting a month or more. I have emailed Kinetic with my own request and have heard nothing from them. But their website states that they will have no spare parts for a particular kit until they do another production run and they ask those needing parts to "be patient". I would suggest that anyone with an E-2C 2000 kit in their stash open it and check the canopy carefully to see if they have a short shot. If so, call Merit and add youir name to the replacement list. It also wouldn't hurt to go to the Kinetic website, http://kineticmodel.com , find the parts replacement link and send an email request directly to them. It can't hurt and might help. Edited November 7, 2017 by ipmsusa2
WildBill50 Posted November 9, 2017 Report Posted November 9, 2017 Rich, Can you build up the missing area on the canopy and then vacuform a new one as an option if the timeframe becomes a problem for you? Just a thought. Bill
ipmsusa2 Posted November 16, 2017 Author Report Posted November 16, 2017 Bill, No chance. The short area is at the rear of one side. This forms part of the fuselage and then extends forward to the side window that is a separate piece. There are also two hatches on top of the canopy. If it was my model I might try it, but not for a client's. Appreciate the suggestion, though. Richard
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