Since I haven't written the review yet it seems a bit premature to criticise it! However, talking in more general terms and not about this specific model, if the parts supplied are not fit for purpose then they won't be used. White metal running gear is usually serviceable but it is nowhere up to the same standard as purpose designed gear, either in quality or in robustness.
In this particular instance the kit was not supplied as a freebie by the manufacturer, it was purchased at full price and is being reviewed as it would be supplied to any customer, in this case me! White metal is a real boon to manufacturers as it permits small production runs of various items very cheaply compared with injection moulded items. Sometimes this is not the ideal material to use although it will do the job. In this case, as in others, the manufacturer themselves offer uprated items such as brass props in place of white metal ones so I have no compunction about making changes of that nature. As far as the rudder arrangements are concerned, yes, those supplied in the kit will work as specified, but the nature of the materials used makes them heavy and prone to damage if, for example, the boat should hit a concrete bank in reverse, maybe because the radio has developed a glitch. I like my boats to be reasonably robust.
When writing reviews I always use the supplied parts if possible and when I do not then I explain exactly why so that the reader can make up their own mind whether to stick with the parts supplied or make improvements. The fact is that few kits are made 'straight out of the box' as most people like to customise and improve their models and some even use the kits as a basis for constructing something else entirely! It is also frequently necessary to make changes to accommodate the power setup and any extra functions the builder might want to install.
So no apologies from me I'm afraid, the review will describe the kit fairly and explain any departures from the supplied parts, or indeed the instructions, together with the pros and cons of doing so. The reader can then make up their own mind as to how they want to construct their own model.
Not quite sure what to make of Ian's comments about having little experience given that I have been building scale boats for 50 years, reviewing kits since the 1980s and over the last few years visited a number of the kit manufacturers to discuss their businesses and production techniques for a series of articles in Model Boats. Clearly, Ian has very high standards indeed!
Colin
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