Hesagawa hellcat 1/32 Am I nuts?????

jspitza · 20-03-2008

Hi all: Ok either I'm nuts or does this mold of the flaps look like its completely reversed? The correct fit should be on the top photo looking down on the right or leftwing on the aircraft. Look at how the left side fits when assembled! Boy, if I've screwed this one up.........

**GEEDUBBYA** · 20-03-2008

Howdy Jeff,

Well, unless you see something I dont see or have already found alternative method of affixing the flaps, I wouold say that this is a manufacturing or engineering flaw.
Now, as to how to fix it? Lol, short of possibly creating a new flap from stock plastic like "evergreen sheet plastic", I would look over the instructions, determine the correct part numbers needed and contact the company for replacement parts. However, I wouldnt actually "ask" for "replacement parts". I would on the otherhand request something like "missing parts", give the model name, kit number, sprue and part number.
I would also suggest that you start off "polite" (if they give you trouble, then you can get ugly) but more than likely they will be more than happy to give you the parts especially if you happen to mention that you belong to this forum which boasts over 4000 members world wide and that their response and as well as a review of the model will be posted for all to see.
I have gone ahead and gotten the contact info for you for hasegawa you can contact them here:

This is the US Distributors contact info:

U.S.A.
Dragon Models USA, Inc.

ADDRESS
1315 John Reed Court

City of Industry, CA 91745

U.S.A.

PHONE
(1) 626 968 0322

FAX
(1) 626 968 0234

E-MAIL
[email address]

As for the office in japan, there is no email address for contacting the main offices, but if the US distributor doesnt help (although i am sure they will), here is what little info I have on the main office in Japan:

HASEGAWA CORPORATION
3-1-2 YAGUSU YAIZU SHIZUOKA 425-8711 JAPAN
TEL : 81-54-628-8241 FAX : 81-54-627-8090

I hope this helps, I have dealt with companies Like Testors, fujimi and minicraft, but as of yet had to deal with hasegawa.
I wouldnt include any photos, only the information i stated above ie...name of model, kit number, scale, sprue number/letter part numbers.

Anyway, Like i said, i hope this helps, have a good day,

Greg

jspitza · 21-03-2008

Thanks Greg: I'll be calling them tomorrow and as soon as I get a response, I'll let the group know. I also just verified the parts reverse with my Wife. The parts did come right off the sprue so I'm really puzzled???? I thought these were all cranked out at once from the same machine.

**GEEDUBBYA** · 21-03-2008

Howdy again Jeff,

Now this is only a suggestion so think about it and i hope you have read this before you do anything Friday concerning this subject.

I realize that a phone call is alot faster than an email, however, during a phone call you sometimes get sidetracked because you have another person speaking, where-in with an email, there are no interuptions to cause you to lose your train of thought. Also with an email, you have complete control of the situation at the time, you are able to give as little or as much information as you see fit.

Personally I am fond of the email or written correspondance when dealing with "customer service representitives", but thats just me, I explain the situation, submit my desired settlement, drop a name such as this forum and the fact that it boasts over 4000 members worldwide, point out that those 4000+ ppl are "eagerly awaiting" the outcome of this "conflict" and await their reply.
So far, with out fail, all of the companies I have had to deal with (Minicraft, Testors and Fujimi) have all replied within 2 days with an offer to replace the parts I needed free of charge.I write back, thanking them for their prompt and timely handling of the situation. And within a week, the parts arrive (even the ones from fujimi....they are in japan).
Also once I recieve the parts, I always write another email to the contact person thanking them and letting them know that I appreciate their efforts and assure them that their response has
made them look really well in the eyes of the 4,000+ members of the forum.....oh yeah then i usually throw in something like "tell your boss I said you could take and extra 15 minute break" or "tell your boss that I said you have done so well, you should get tomorrow off".

Anyway, thats how i have handled the various companies in the past, how you handle it is up to you, what works for some might not work for others. I just thought i would pass on my method.

have a good evening,

Greg

jspitza · 21-03-2008

Thanks Greg-I'll let you know how it goes. Have a great eve!

jspitza · 22-03-2008

Ok, I just spoke with Dragon support and they are going top send my both sides-eight parts total which make for Right and Left flaps! It was very cool for them to actually pull up the instructions and literately go over the problem step by step with me on the phone. They also expressed great concern for this issue so in around 3-6 weeks the parts will be shipped to me directly from Japan. So, I'll follow up in a bit once the parts arrive! Thanks, Jeff

**GEEDUBBYA** · 22-03-2008

Howdy Jeff,

Well, glad you were able to get some action taken by the distributor. As for the 3-6 weeks, I know that seems "way out", but, I really doubt that it will take that long to get the parts once the company is informed of the problem. Now on the otherhand it might since you are afterall going thru a "middleman" so to speak (the distributor), but I know back when i dealt with Fujimi, I had the replacement parts very quickly, I want to say within a weeks of speaking with them.
Now.....onto something we all can use. As i have stated before, I have had to contact manufacturers on several occassions, Fujimi, Testors and Minicraft.....I was wondering if you might let us know who you spoke to at Dragon USA. I am trying to keep a list of customer rep contacts for future use not only for myself but for others who, in the future may have need to contact customer service of various companies.
I realize that over time, the various customer service reps will change, but i have considered beginning a thread with information on how to contact the various companies and who to "seek out' at each company. I have the phone numbers, email and mailing addresses of most all of the manufacturers, but only a few actual contacts (people to ask for).
Anyway, like I said, hopefully you will get your parts sooner rather than later, I know i hate stopping a build waiting on parts, but sometimes thats just what ya gotta do.

Have a good day,

Greg

jspitza · 23-03-2008

Sounds like a good plan, Greg and one that all of us here could use!! I'll post all of the info once I get things in order.