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Hi Jani

Thanks for the compliment

Yes, I have to agree that unfortunately Tian Jie are lacking in a few departments, which unfortunately is a little sad as they are so close!

There is no doubt in my mind that the kits do build into very nice models, but bearing in mind that they are sold as kits, you would have thought that they would have ironed out the issues and got it right by now.

The Sovremenny I built had parts that were so fragile as to break if you even picked them up. The Arleigh Burke I had was a great improvement in this respect in that the parts were far more sturdy.

The S-100, from previous build threads, suffered from very fragile parts too but I have to say that I have not found this to be the case at all.

All of the Tian Jie kits do seem to suffer from the same basic failings

1. Poor quality instructions. Often confusing, frequently in error and often contradictory
2. Poor illustrations. I have had to use alternative sources frequently, particularly when working on the masts, to be able to complete
3. Instructions do not match the parts on the cut out or etched sheets
4. Parts are frequently wrong size, wrong shape (ie corners cut off) or just plain missing. On-the-fly scratch building of some parts is frequently required.
5. Insufficient parts supplied to build as per the instructions. An example is my A.Burke where it quite clearly shows where to put life pods but supplies insufficient to do this.
6. Poor (awful) drawings. The S-100 is particularly very poor quality and the plan and profile view do not match, contradiciting each other in a number of places.
7. Poor customer support.
8. Poor QC. Initial kits were supplied with poor fragile parts / parts missing. My S-100 had a very poor hull molding and the deck was very poorly fitted to the hull. The rudder posts and stuffing tube fittings were poorly installed. It required a LOT of work to put these things right to an acceptable level and its still not perfect. Incorrect centre prop was supplied with this kit too.

I have some ideas that can save them a lot of time and money, as well as improving things considerably for the buyer/builder, which I offered to discuss with them. They haven't even taken the time to acknowledge me and see what I have to suggest!

Cost? As can be seen by the attached bank transfer I paid 1,820RMB (Inc P&P) for my S-100 (about US$270)



Not a fortune but I still don't expect some of the issues I have had to deal with!

I want to build a 1/100 Arleigh Burke soon, but what do I do? The final result of a Tian Jie kit is good, but you never know what you are going to get! If their QC and service was better then I would happily use them again. Trouble is, if it turns up with parts same as the Sovremenny, then I am in a fight straight away to get new parts out of them.....

As 24 hours after sending my email for the simple basic parts I was promised AGES ago, I am STILL awaiting ANY response, what would it be like if there was some kind of dispute over the poor quality of parts?????

Hi Lee

I bought the 1:144 Arleigh Burke from Oliver, http://www.wmunderway.8m.com/cgi/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1232398716

The S-100 I got from them direct.

I do not know if Tian Jie are still doing the A.Burke on 1:100, just going by their site http://www.tjmodels.com.cn/product.asp?id=58 they are showing two kits, which would be the 1:100 and 1:144. As an aside this is a new revamped site so it looks as if they are trying to kick on and expand. All I was trying to say is that in the future I want to build a 1:100, and although their models can be made to come out good, why should I buy from them with such poor service!

Great job Steve, Looking fantastic, Not bad for a "scratch build" LOL

Thanks guys.....

Hopefully within the week!!!!!

Steve

Hi Chuck! Good to speak to you again, hope you are well. Too be honest, having got them its a shame that you didn't give them a go. Whilst the kit certainly has its floors to be sure, it does build into a nice model!

Steve,
Try here: http://www.imexrc.com/servlet/the-Boats/Categories. About half way down on the right you'll see a set of props for their S-100 boat. They are plastic, but they will work, same scale as TJ's boat with a slightly different pitch. It's what I run on my TJ - 100. The kit props kept dropping blades. Not a bad price for a set of three.

Jared

Well the wife telephoned Tian Jie yesterday and today, all she gets is a ringing tone and nobody answering! Just another reason for people not to buy from them, THEY CAN'T!