damaged Canopy. Shipping UPS or from Align

[CoronaL]

Not sure what to think. Got my canopy out today and noticed a big dent in it. Few cracks in the paint. Align box is intact, but the shipping box from my vendor is a little beat up. Not sure if this is from Align packing and shipping or from UPS.

See pics. I got most of the dent out prior to pics and I kinda freaked, but now I'm a bit mad I have to deal with this. Rest of build is going well overall though.
1st 2 are hard to see b/c of angle, but pretty much in center of pics you can see the weave of the fiberglass through the paint, due to the damage and how it was dented. 3rd pics shows the dent better
http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=55474&stc=1&d=1216501593
http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=55475&stc=1&d=1216501593
http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=55476&stc=1&d=1216501593
http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=55477&stc=1&d=1216501593
http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=55478&stc=1&d=1216501593
http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=55479&stc=1&d=1216501593

[jet22b]

CoronaL;
I am so sorry to see the dent in your canopy. My kit is due in next week and I hope I will not find anything like you found. Maybe Align will replace the canopy for you?? It won't hurt to ask!!
Have a good build!!!!

[CoronaL]

CoronaL;
I am so sorry to see the dent in your canopy. My kit is due in next week and I hope I will not find anything like you found. Maybe Align will replace the canopy for you?? It won't hurt to ask!!
Have a good build!!!!
thx
well I emailed All-E-RC and I'll see what they think. Whether it was UPS or Align's problem. Will pursue a fix with what they think is best. Worst case I just deal with it.

[jet22b]

All-E-RC is the place I put up my 700N kit!! Please let me know what happen with your canopy, just in case I have to go to the same thing.

jet22b

[Symon]

The canopies are very tight in the box so it doesn't help when they're shipped. So it could be a bit of both.

We put an extra cardboard strip (inside) across the canopy and down the sides so it gives some extra protection. Then we wrap the whole box in huge bubble wrap to protect further.

We know how gutting it can be to get a damaged piece of kit.

[cbdane]

My canopy is damaged in two places also. Looks like local trauma caused by the items shipped inside the canopy. Fortunately not as bad as what you are showing. The gel coat is shattered in a couple of places. The box looks pristine but the damage was clearly from the "inside out." I'm going to stabilize the spots with thin CA and it should be okay until replacements are available.

Replacements may be slow in coming since I was told by a local hobby shop dealer who is close to Align (Perry at AeroMicro) that the delays in kit shipping have been related to a shortage of painted canopies. I guess we should be happy for what we have. Honestly, I must say I am!

[rl_sexton]

I just got my T-REX 700 from ALL-E-RC and there was damage to it packing was great. It is a tight fit in the box.

[4cyclic]

I had the same flat spot on mine. I applied a weight inside the canopy suspended on 2 pieces of wood, so it would force the flat spot back into a round shape. Took 2 days, but it is now 95% back to original shape.
Hope this helps

[jratliff]

My 600 had a damaged canopy new out of the box. Align completely agreed to send a new one. I decided against it though! I figured if I sent it out I'd crash that new one immediately. So I'm running the original 3 cases of fuel later with no crashes to speak of! Its karma...... its the forever canopy! :thumbup:
Honestly if you want a new one call Assurance and they take care of it. I think Align packs those kits too tight. You obviously aren't the first with a damaged canopy from packaging and I'd bet you won't be the last.

[Arcus 4]

Started my build today. When I inspected the canopy I found cracks around the bottom edge and some flaws in the paint. It sucks but I'll fly it. My 500 canopy didn't fit without a lot of dremal work. I hope this one fits better.

[harryboe]

The canopies are very tight in the box so it doesn't help when they're shipped. So it could be a bit of both.

We put an extra cardboard strip (inside) across the canopy and down the sides so it gives some extra protection. Then we wrap the whole box in huge bubble wrap to protect further.

We know how gutting it can be to get a damaged piece of kit.

Yep, I can confirm this packaging and my canopy is in perfect shape thanks to Sy and theModelHeliStore ;)

.. unwrapping the package was more challenging than building the bird .. but it was worth ;)

Harry