RC India

Hi,
i have been bitten by the bug! the RC bug! recently!!! Its a whole new exciting world out here!!! Wow!  :salute:
A beginner here!!!

my prob stmt : I was referred to this  P-51 Mustang Mk II PTS RTF made by Hangar 9, by a friend. Being an avid WWII scale enthusiast, i am heads over heel about this model. A ww2 scale model trainer and a mature model in one!

i live in chennai and am wondering how do i get this!??  ??? ??? ???
Amainhobbies.com ships it to india and their shipping rates seem fine but am confused about the Customs+tax part of the whole deal for which the shipper has a disclaimer in BOLD that they dont handle it.
I also looked at 20north options ...whoa! they charge a whooping 15k on top of the 21k model

Now my questions!
How do i go about it? Is Amain hobbies a good choice to buy from!? what kind of Customs+tax should i being charges should i be aware of?  8-)

HELPPPPPPP!  :banghead: :help:
 :banghead:

Please search the forum. Importing ARF/RTF/Radio has been largely discouraged due to Customs hassles. If you  not keen on the manufacturer, there are other P51 Mustangs available at Local Hobby Shops (LHS) in India only, which would deliver the plane at your door.

http://www.rcdhamaka.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_47&products_id=358
http://www.paylessflymore.com/proddetail.asp?prod=G2%2FAE%2F0010
http://indianhobbies.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=31_3_57&products_id=181

These RTF/ARF are offered at very reasonable price in India,  when you consider the original
 price, shipping and Custom (if you get thru) of the plane from Amainhobbies. Please also be informed that a RTF would accompany a Transmitter,  complicating existing problem manifold as such transmitter are scheduled * Restricted* item to import under Indian Customs rules.
 

amainhobbies.com is a trusted shop, have ordered from them multiple times, so have others on our field in Qatar.

The issue is importing radios into India.  Based on previous experience, this would be strongly discouraged. It may work, and it may even work well.  But the risks are deemed pretty high.

Ujjwana & Anwar : Thx for that!
The whole reason i went beyond LHS options ( i did some homework by calling them n visiting their stores/websites) is that this Progressive Trainer System concept. Two aircrafts in one.... slow trainer model with the droops and mature sporty one w/o it. I LOVED that idea.... n all that on a scale mustang....!!!
I am not sure if mybelief is right...!? You guys tell me....
Apparently, for a beginner it is a quite a step-up from high wing trainers to low wing models! so with this in mind when i looked at the claim of a wildcat Thunderbold Trainer! I just knew that is the ONE i want!!!

So much so am willing to risk the customs part of it!

@Ujjwana - i went through your links list and are they beginner level models - IF so? What would i need to add to get them to a flying STD.

Lately I have stopped assuming skill/experience of a person based on the post count (One the most skilled flyer I know has just 8 posts here), so I thought that you know what are you looking at. Mustang is an extremely maneuverable plane and too agile for a person haven't flown a real plane before. People still do wonders by starting with a Delta Wing (Abhay!!), but still its better to start safe. A low winger sports plane is not recommended even you have been faring excellent on the SIM. a High Winger Trainer/slow Stick is way to start.

please visit:
http://www.rcindia.org/beginners-zone/what-is-the-simplest-foam-plane-design-for-beginners-to-build-from-scratch/
 
If you are not keen into building your plane, I would suggest a EP (Electric) J3 Piper, Cessna , Birddog etc which are available thru same LHSes I mentioned.

I have a F-22 Raptor ready with all electrics, Extra 330S just joined, and a L-19 Bird Dog ARF unassembled, but I am still taking reverse gear and doing a quick 'Blu baby' build for my real maiden flight...

Keep posting your doubts.. there many here who would be happy to help.

@Ujjwaana:
So posts # can be decieving huh? Will keep that in mind?

About flying EP foamies, i live quite near the bay in Chennai and its mostly breezy!

Am taking your advice and went online hunting for some high winger trainers. Spoke to RCDhamaka (errr.forgot his name) had some good advice for me. I looked up Indian hobbies and liked the reviews on their "Seagull BOOMERANG Glow 0.46 size High Wing Sports Trainer" - solid tough build and easy to repair ... is what i heard! What is your opinion on that ?
Now for the radio and engine part -

Radio - futaba 6ch? or spektrum 2.4g 6ch
Engine - JBA .46 F or OS ???

What else is good n economic combo?

1. Any balsa plane (especially with a glow engine) for an absolute beginner WITHOUT LOCAL ASSISTANCE is asking for serious trouble. If you have local assistance, please proceed with the above plan, otherwise seriously reconsider it.

2. If you are willing to spend a bit, you can get bigger foam trainers that are electric powered, like the Multiplex Mentor, since you are particular about the wind handling.  BTW, even many small foam planes can handle a decent amount of wind, so that is another route if you are patient enough to wait the very high winds out.

3. If you do decide to go for a highwing trainer, the Boomerang has a pretty good name.

4. Radio - Is the Futaba 6ch a 2.4Ghz radio or the 72Mhz one ?  A 2.4Ghz one would be preferred.  If your circumstances allow, consider a 7 channel, and you will be set for a life time.  Either brands are good.

5. OS, if you can afford it.

There is a Futaba 9CAP for Sale. This is FM Tx and with a Rs 5000 worth Assan 2.4 hack (Tx module + 2 Rx), it becomes a killer combo:

http://www.rcindia.org/for-sale/futaba-9chp-for-sale/new/#new

FYI... On the EP episode - i have been burnt already thanks to a bad experience with jackshobbies.in ( i got a  defective product easy bee foamy EP that i ordered , the wing was crushed in one end, chargers rusted, control hooks damaged...etc) This was more than 4 weeks back i sent it back to Jack and am still awaiting refund :(  >:D

@Anwar - I should thank you first for a very very helpful n informative post @ http://www.rcindia.org/rc-outlets-and-resellers/mega-list-of-all-rc-outlets-in-india/    :bow:
i did a roll of calls Indianhobbies,paylessflymore,jrrhobbies
 :thumbsup:  {:)}
Indian hobbies was interesting - he gave me good info on trainers and even etched out a RTF package for me. I was particularly interested on his trainer Black horse 2000 ARF and .52 engine . But when i got back to him asking for only his ARF and engine , he refused to sell it to me :headscratch:...citing low stock (not NO stock !!!). BAD EXPERIENCE AGAIN.... >:(

Jr hobbies gave me some insight and offered his world models Wing-man 1 (http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=1108#report) and PRO .46  engine ??? (IS THIS GOOD Plane / Engine ???)
Status - Awaiting his courier price n final pricing!!!

i was able to source a new futaba 6ch for a good price locally ...phewww! atleast something in place?

Overall it is a damn difficult experience to get a trainer package complete kit!? seriously! Unless someone is really committed to getting into this hobby , they would just drop off!  :banghead: >:(

:( :( :(

@ujjwaana
I missed that ... was busy at work and got a call from a relative confirming my FUTABA purchase! :(

Well ... Do you know of a .46/.52 engine? and trainer for sale!???? i couldnt find any!

Also any idea about jr hobbies??? and the product i listed on my previous post!

If you are in Chennai, why not try the stores there ?  Like Rotor, who had balsa trainers ?  Of course, there are many fliers here from Chennai, so you should visit Sholavaram (or one of the other local fields) and seek the help of established folks in getting started ? 

Been there ...done that... one of the first things that i did several weeks back!

Just browsing through winghobbies.com ..