Swift

[jack726]

I was asked to move this post here from another forum. Before you trash me for it, realize that it was an attempt at satire. Also I do not monitor this forum, so I will never see your comments.

I have built two Century scale models, with good results. I have worked with a Swift and a Hawk. The following were my satirical comments on the Swift.

"Flew my swift for the 4th time today. Boy is the Align 600 fun to fly. The tail slider on the Swift broke before I got off the ground; should have expected it as this was my 4th flight. I know wear happens.

This was the second time I had to order a part from Century. The first part was a pinion that I neglected to order with the kit; after all the Align comes with such stuff. The graciously shipped me a new one for $8.00 + the little amount of $12.00 for shipping. Good deal as it would cost more than that for gas to drive from LA to San Jose. The slider being worn out was a good deal at less than $5.00; Again a good price for a part; Again the $12.00 shipping from San Jose to LA. Must be next day "huh". OPPS no that is for 3 to 5 day shipping. The last one took 7 days. It is a long way from LA to San Jose.

Now if I had broken a part on my Align I would have been forced to drive a mile and a halve for it. There is 4 shops that carry full stock of Align within a 8 mile radius. I would not have been able to write this Little dissertation and thus have no where to take out my frustration. WAIT: there wouldn't have been any frustration. Oh well I can't have it all. "

[Finless]

I was there and Jacks link on the tail pitch slider to the grips split.... I have seen a lot of people complain about this so CHECK your links to the tail grips!!! You cant EASILY see they are split and you have to physically see if you can open them...

Century does need to fix this in my opinion!

Bob

[Greybird]

The Logo ones work with some filing and fitting.

[staplegun]

My final fix for the problem is going to be simple - Sell the Swift.

I have a few minor complaints about the Swift itself, but those had easy work arounds. (Tail Slider and Tail hub/grips is one example) The Heli itself flys beautifully.

Lack of replacement parts, lack of good suppliers for Century products and lousy customer service are the reasons I will not buy a Century product again. My local hobbie shop also will not deal with Century for the same reasons.

[Century Heli]

New tooling has been made for the pitch slider links and are currently in production.

What lack of replacement parts are we missing with the Swift line up? Also, if you have a complaint about customer service, please PM me and I will try to resolve the problem.

If a part did ship out and it took 5 to 7 business days to get from San Jose to Los Angeles, then that's a shipping fault of UPS or FedEx. Those charges can be claimed back as they guarantee ground service to be 2 days from us if you're in LA. Please PM me or call us and we'll take care of those shipping charges.

[Greybird]

Hey Century Heli, since you are looking at this thread, I love this heli. I can't wait till the next batch of 550 carbon Swifts arrive. One will be mine. Better tail pitch links and tail thrust bearings would be nice though.. It also would be nice if the tail grip bolts tightened on the tail shaft. I did these 3 things to my tail and I think they are worthwhile for you to consider.

[AV8TOR]

New tooling has been made for the pitch slider links and are currently in production.

Any dates on when these will be out? 5-months ago on RR you mentioned these would be ready in December. This is not a new problem and Century's lack of action is sad.

[Steve Rogers]

Since were on the topic I have to say I love the way the Swift flys but... I've built one for mysely and am now working on one for a friend & the whole tail pitch slider & links need to be looked at. On mine & the one I'm building I have broke the links poping them on to the balls (using the proper tool of coarse) & out of 5 sliders I finally got 2 that move smooth on the shaft, & 2 more spares on the way. It seems that when the bushing is threaded into the plastic if its not perfect its naturally not straight causing it to be very tight. When I got that sorted out I found the ball links need to be sized but I'm afraid to take a tool to them because there so brittle.
If theres a metal upgrade for this it will be the first thing I buy!
As much as I love the way it flys I'm going to be patient & see what Century comes up with. After all thats alot cheaper than selling for less than you have in it only to buy something else ( for alot more $$) that will have its problems as well