QMX Mk II Viper Unboxed - PIC HEAVY

[Legion]

Email from FX:
Hello, this is John Eblan, the head of the model shop that built your Qmx Artisan Viper. We were contacted by them about concerns you had with your Viper. We are here to help with any issues with the Viper. We are in the process of re designing the cockpit for a better fit. As soon as they are ready we will ship out a replacement to you. The guns may have bent in shipping due to extreme heat that it may have encountered. They can be moved back into their original position with a little bit of applied heat. If this solution does not work, we are happy to exchange your Artisan Viper for a replacement. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I'm enclosing a picture of your Artisan Viper just prior to packing and shipping.

I had issues, big ones, when my Blackbird arrived from FX. An engine/wing fell off, there were foam bits blown all over inside the cockpit, which was sealed, and the plexi case literally finished falling to pieces as I took it out of the box. However, after a panic e-mail (with pics) to QMX, I got a phone call from John at FX, who not only fixed and sorted everything out, but added one of the coolest display bases I've ever seen! So, yes, John will certainly make everything right, have no fear.

Cheers,

Guy

 

[tnaig001]

I had issues, big ones, when my Blackbird arrived from FX. An engine/wing fell off, there were foam bits blown all over inside the cockpit, which was sealed, and the plexi case literally finished falling to pieces as I took it out of the box. However, after a panic e-mail (with pics) to QMX, I got a phone call from John at FX, who not only fixed and sorted everything out, but added one of the coolest display bases I've ever seen! So, yes, John will certainly make everything right, have no fear.

Cheers,

Guy

You and me both. John is definitely one of the reasons why i consider Qmx to be a notch above the rest :thumbsup

 

[GF]

Great customer service!:thumbsup

They could have done a better with the light plug, they should have put a jack into the base, the exposed wire just ruins the effect

GFollano

 

[sellgeek]

When they redesign the canopy, I hope they throw the rivet detail on it as seen in "He that Believeth in Me." Otherwise, it isn't a "Starbuck" Viper, IMO.

File:4x01-HeThatBelievethInMe-ApolloStarbuckAnders.jpg - Battlestar Wiki Media

Also, not impressed with the fact that the nose looks drooped (no doubt heat warped) and that the guns didn't have metal rods inside for better support. If they did, they wouldn't have warped, IMO.

There are other features that make me pause, such as the configuration and layout of the cockpit. Sad really, since I was looking forward to getting one of these.

 

[JiminSTLouis]

Not every scene of the Starbuck Viper had the fasteners showing on the canopy. As pointed out previously, the CG model and the studio props have differences. However, the fastener heads would be a nice touch.

Also, the nose section of the FWD fuse looks correct. Maybe Wolvester1 can chime in and let us know.

 

[sellgeek]

True, and that's because they were added to make the magical "pristine" Viper pop. So, it is a fourth season thing.

You are correct that there are differences between the studio full-scales and the CGI models, considering that many of the designs were modified when the production began using its own in-house studios.

There is only a slight droop on the nose, but it's very noticeable on the QMx model. Perhaps it's how the photos were taken.

 

[Jediguy]

I'm gonna get me one of these!

 

[DanY]

Adama Edition #8 Viper arrived yesterday.

The problem with the canopy is that it is vacuformed. The only
cast piece in it is a bow at the rear edge on the inside.

To get the canopy to line up with the cockpit outline, you need
to press it down so that the bottom edges spread out over the
edge of the cockpit a little. The problem is that it won't stay
that way.

Does anyone know how to reform a piece of vacuform plastic
to permanently reshape it?

I may be able to fab a canopy since most of it is flat sheet.
The problem is that the front and top panels have a slight
curve to them. I assume if I use thin plexiglass that I can
oven heat the sheet over a wood form to curve it.

The other problem with my replica is that the corner supports
on the base between the 2 deck plates were all snapped off.
Also a bunch of the thin strip pieces that run along the lower
plate were broken out. Seems like all this webbing is resin and
pretty thin and fragile. Cut sheet styrene would have been
much more durable. I think UPS shipped it on its side and the
edge of the base was bouncing off of the wooden crate all
the way from Florida.

Contacted QMX about the base. Hopefully based on past
experience with their Blackbird acrylic cover, they will replace
it.

 

[DanY]

>Great customer service!

>They could have done a better with the light plug, they should have put a jack into the base, the exposed wire just ruins the effect

>GFollano


My Adama display base has a ragged hole in the upper plate toward
one corner of the base. I assume you're supposed to fish the power
wire between the upper and lower plates and take it up thru the hole
right to the jack. The problem is that my base is pretty messed up.
3 of the 4 corner bracing between the 2 plates is broken out and
a bunch of the fiddly trim is also broken. I spent 2 hours with superglue
to get it mostly back together. An email to QMX should get a new base
shipped to me.

I think UPS (Ur Parcels Suck) shipped it on it's side and the base
rattled against the edge of the wooden crate from FL to PA.

 

[JiminSTLouis]

Do you have any pics Dan? Would love to see the pristine Viper. Too bad about the base. I'm sure theFXco will take care of you though.

 

[DanY]

Do you have any pics Dan? Would love to see the pristine Viper. Too bad about the base. I'm sure theFXco will take care of you though.

The base is also weird. It has the BSG-75 marking on it, but if you put it so
you can read the logo (hole for power cord is in the proper corner) you don't
see the 2 red fuel? hoses coming out between the plates. These hoses exit
on the back side of the base. Seems like they put the top deck plate on
rotated 180 degrees when they assembled it.

I'll try to get some pics tonight. It's not exactly pristine. There are some
weathering effects around the reaction control thrusters and such, just no
battle damage burns or smudges.

Can you point me to a FAQ on how to post pics on this forum? Never mind,
I found an FAQ about albums.

I've been lurking here on and off for a couple of years but today I finally
registered on the site.

 

[kosh_2258]

Hi all,

Infrequent poster here but wanted to contribute on this thread.

I received my Viper yesterday, Starbuck #12, and had to ship it back for repairs the same day. As I was unpacking it I found the left outer gear door laying in the baggie the Viper was wrapped in. Looking closer I found the entire left gear assembly including the inner gear bay was nearly detached from the body. Something beyond my capabilities to fix.

What's interesting is that my Viper was packaged somewhat differently than the pictures posted here. Rather than bubble wrap over the top, mine was inside a baggie, then the expanding foam top packing placed over that.

I think the gear damage being experienced is due to there not being a pocket created under the gear assemblies so the legs are hanging without any pressure on them. When they pack the Viper the pressure exerted to shape the foam around the contents is putting too much pressure on the gear and it can give way. The main gear are relatively fragile and shouldn't have any contact or pressure on them during packing or shipping.

Anyway, to QMX credit they immediately issued me a prepaid UPS return label so I could ship it back for repair.

To say I'm bummed after waiting so long for it to be delivered is an understatement, but I'm also glad that QMX is not hesitating to make it right. I have no idea how long it will take to get it back but after looking the Viper over before returning it I think it will be worth the wait.

 

[DanY]

Hi all,

Infrequent poster here but wanted to contribute on this thread.

I received my Viper yesterday, Starbuck #12, and had to ship it back for repairs the same day. As I was unpacking it I found the left outer gear door laying in the baggie the Viper was wrapped in. Looking closer I found the entire left gear assembly including the inner gear bay was nearly detached from the body. Something beyond my capabilities to fix.

What's interesting is that my Viper was packaged somewhat differently than the pictures posted here. Rather than bubble wrap over the top, mine was inside a baggie, then the expanding foam top packing placed over that.

I think the gear damage being experienced is due to there not being a pocket created under the gear assemblies so the legs are hanging without any pressure on them. When they pack the Viper the pressure exerted to shape the foam around the contents is putting too much pressure on the gear and it can give way. The main gear are relatively fragile and shouldn't have any contact or pressure on them during packing or shipping.

Anyway, to QMX credit they immediately issued me a prepaid UPS return label so I could ship it back for repair.

To say I'm bummed after waiting so long for it to be delivered is an understatement, but I'm also glad that QMX is not hesitating to make it right. I have no idea how long it will take to get it back but after looking the Viper over before returning it I think it will be worth the wait.

Mine was packed the same way. Bubble wrap covering the base in the
top of the crate. The the top layer of expanding foam. Bagged Viper and
a bottom layer of expanding foam. The box with the canopy and fobs along
with the powerpack box were under the bottom layer of expanding foam.
For some reason they sprinkled packing peanuts around the edges of the
expanding foam sandwich.

Did your Viper have a square styrofoam brick under the center fuselage and
on top of the lower expanding foam gray barrier? This may have kept mine up
high enough to protect the landing gear.

QMX needs to take a lesson from Master Replicas and EFX with their
packaging. Solid foam inserts which are cut to fit the model are what
they need. Both the MR Enterprise/X-wing/Snowspeeder/Y-Wing and
EFX X-wing were packed this way and were perfect.

My QMX Serenity had an incomplete expanding foam job and the rear
was contacting the side of the crate. The big engine ring with the 2
rear facing ribs was broken loose which then broke some of the engine
piping. One engine fell off the pylon with only the wires holding it on.
The second engine pylon was loose at the fuselage.

Very disappointing and frustrating to spend $1500 for a nice quality
replica only to spend time repairing it as they can't figure out how to
package it correctly.

I just received an email from QMX saying that they will send a new base
and are also working on a new canopy design. I replied with the suggestion
about the cut foam packing. Hopefully they take this to heart. Even if
if cost me $20 more I would prefer to pay that rather than the crap shoot
of getting a damaged replica from them every time I order.

 

[Medusa]

Actually this is really bad news for all waiting for their Vipers.
I am even from europe and I wonder if I only will receive a bunch of broken pieces at all ? I thought they have experience packing up their items ?!
Also the canopy thing is inacceptable ... it should be our choice how to display the item - canopy open or closed and for that price the canopy should be a snug fit. I was really looking forward to it but now I fear the arrival as I might become disappointed. And from germany shipping it back ( for replacement or repair ) is not that easy as you will have to handle customs as well when you ship it out again or you will have to double pay ...

... I really hope they fix the canopy and packaging problems BEFORE they ship mine :/

 

[JiminSTLouis]

Actually this is really bad news for all waiting for their Vipers.

... I really hope they fix the canopy and packaging problems BEFORE they ship mine :/

Medusa, hopefully lessons learned on the first deliveries will make the next deliveries better. I'm expecting my Starbuck Viper sometime next month and I'm confident that theFXco will make the appropriate improvements.

 

[Medusa]

What I still do not understand what is the problem with the canopy ...

the eFx X-Wing canopy is also completly removable and still fits very good to the model. And these two pieces even should have a similar size ?!

Again if they do not manage to fix this I will be very disappointed as I do not think this is the most challenging part in creating such a prop ?!

 

[DanY]

The canopy is vacuformed and a bit too narrow at the bottom
making it sit too high. The only way to get it to sit flush on top
is to press it down so it slips to the outside of the cockpit.
Unfortunately it won't stay in this position.

 

[JiminSTLouis]

It looks like the size of the mold for vacuforming the canopy is not sized properly.

 

[kosh_2258]

Mine was packed the same way. Bubble wrap covering the base in the
top of the crate. The the top layer of expanding foam. Bagged Viper and
a bottom layer of expanding foam. The box with the canopy and fobs along
with the powerpack box were under the bottom layer of expanding foam.
For some reason they sprinkled packing peanuts around the edges of the
expanding foam sandwich.

Did your Viper have a square styrofoam brick under the center fuselage and
on top of the lower expanding foam gray barrier? This may have kept mine up
high enough to protect the landing gear.

QMX needs to take a lesson from Master Replicas and EFX with their
packaging. Solid foam inserts which are cut to fit the model are what
they need. Both the MR Enterprise/X-wing/Snowspeeder/Y-Wing and
EFX X-wing were packed this way and were perfect.

My QMX Serenity had an incomplete expanding foam job and the rear
was contacting the side of the crate. The big engine ring with the 2
rear facing ribs was broken loose which then broke some of the engine
piping. One engine fell off the pylon with only the wires holding it on.
The second engine pylon was loose at the fuselage.

Very disappointing and frustrating to spend $1500 for a nice quality
replica only to spend time repairing it as they can't figure out how to
package it correctly.

I just received an email from QMX saying that they will send a new base
and are also working on a new canopy design. I replied with the suggestion
about the cut foam packing. Hopefully they take this to heart. Even if
if cost me $20 more I would prefer to pay that rather than the crap shoot
of getting a damaged replica from them every time I order.

Yes, mine was packed as you described with the Styrofoam block under the fuselage, but probably not located far enough back and not large enough to prevent the foam from expanding against the gear.

The problem with the expanding foam is that until it's fully cured it continues to expand. So once the lid is on it has no where to go but inwards.

I agree with you regarding the cut foam packing. I have the MR Enterprise as well and it arrived in perfect condition. Using the cut foam may cost more but it would definitely eliminate this sort of shipping damage. Really, depending on how many they end up getting back for repairs, the cost of rework could easily out weight the additional cost of the cut foam packing.
At the very least they should create some sort of mold that they could use to preform the lower bag so the necessary voids would be there before they placed the model in the packing rather than using the model as the mold.

I share your feeling about the frustration.

 

[DanY]

Yes, mine was packed as you described with the Styrofoam block under the fuselage, but probably not located far enough back and not large enough to prevent the foam from expanding against the gear.

The problem with the expanding foam is that until it's fully cured it continues to expand. So once the lid is on it has no where to go but inwards.

I agree with you regarding the cut foam packing. I have the MR Enterprise as well and it arrived in perfect condition. Using the cut foam may cost more but it would definitely eliminate this sort of shipping damage. Really, depending on how many they end up getting back for repairs, the cost of rework could easily out weight the additional cost of the cut foam packing.
At the very least they should create some sort of mold that they could use to preform the lower bag so the necessary voids would be there before they placed the model in the packing rather than using the model as the mold.

I share your feeling about the frustration.

I pointed out the potential cost savings to QMX of cut foam. I also
mentioned that I think they are being stingy with the expanding foam
because they are afraid of overfilling and crushing or capturing details
on the model. Hopefully they will switch to cut foam and lower their return
rate and our frustration. I also said that they really need to solve this
before they start selling the movie Enterprise for megabucks. $4K Enterprise
with 1 nacelle snapped off and a broken saucer neck, I can see it now.

I also forgot to mention here, but not to QMX, that my Serenity BDR had the
large ring around the engine broken loose when I received it. Seems they
didn't have it positioned right on the lower foam layer and the 2 rear facing
skids were sitting against the side of the wooden crate for the entire trip.