3DHS and Extreme Flight Merger?

Thank you guys for the support and mention!

Both 3DHS and Extreme flight have set some standards in this industry and have done some impressive things. I'm glad to be mentioned along with them. Good luck to Chris and Ben and all involved in the merger. That can be a tough thing for 2 small businesses to mesh if each has strong personal mission statements.

There is a big difference between a strategic alliance, merger, and partnership. A partnership means that debt is also shared. A merger means one brand goes away, as in a take-over, or both go away for a new one. A strategic alliance means two separate companies come to an agreement to create leverage by agreeing to work together on a specific issue.... like shipping costs, or getting a better price for material by combining orders, or negotiating intellectual property rights with overseas manufacturers, etc.

I'm very curious how the merger (if it happens and isn't a rumor) would play out as both companies design to different goals. Lately EF has really been ramping up their airframe selections, and I have been loving their planes. Their 64" and 76" MXS are incredible. And there is a reported 94" version coming that will be great on a DA-70. I've owned a ton of 3dhs airframes, and I loved most of them. I still like their 51" Slick and 70" Velox as my two most favorite ones. Those are probably also two of the most violent/loose/tumble happy planes in their lineup, and the closest to the offerings/designs that EF puts out, so I suppose it's no surprise that I like them. My flying style has come to favor the faster more aggressive aerobatics rather than the low and slow 3d that I did 3-4 years back. So back to my original point... 3dhs tends to go for lighter wing loadings, a bit more floatiness and better post stall 3d capabilities. And EF tends to be a bit heavier wing loading, and better at XA style flying. Yet is still quite good at harrier/hover stuff. So with different design goals I'm very curious how any new planes would be. I hope that many of the current offerings would continue on under any new company.

I like most of the 3dhs schemes, especially the new 75"/108" Extra scheme, and I also like some of the EF schemes. The yellow/blue MXS in particular is a nice scheme, as is the new 74" Edge in orange/blue, though others of theirs I'm not as fond of.

I've heard many reports of bad 3dhs customer service, but I've also been hearing tons of good stories in the last year or two as well, so perhaps that trend has already reversed itself? Always heard good things of EF's customer service.

I'm excited for what the future may hold. Only good things can come of it I think! Between the 3dhs/EF thing, and all the improvements Redwing is making I'm thrilled. And Redwing is so close to me that I can attend many of the events they sponsor, which is a huge plus. Not often that we get to see 3dhs in this part of the country, and never have I seen EF out this way. It's nice to be able to buy airframes at an event and save shipping!

If this proves to be real and not just rumor I would think a strategic alliance would make the most sense. Sub'd to keep up to date.

Hmmm, I've read tons of threads here. I only just now realized I've never posted in the 2 years since I joined.

I can't really add anything new to what was said but it will be interesting. I see a tremendous amount of fanboy stuff from both camps that I have never been able to prove with either of my planes from each brand. But I would say that 3DHS definitely has schemes that I think look better than EF so I hope they continue but the biggest thing is this for me. Outside of the hobby business when these corporations combine it is almost never to make it better for the customer. I see a lot of comments that are hopeful, the only thing we have as customers is hope, that combining will take the best qualities of both but this rarely happens in real life. The other interesting thing will be how all the fanboys will react in forums and at the field. A good side effect will hopefully be to stop it but I understand the real world. They are both pretty good. Will say that 3dhs support is non-existent unless you have spent a lot with them but EF has answered every phone call and email I have made to them.

I will be and was (in my first post) the first to say it's all speculation from rumors and what's posted from two other forums that published the rumor (GSN and the Flying Circus) last month. Could all just be smoke or could be something to it. We won't know until the camps let's us know. Hope you all are having a great day!

Yep redwing is real good also at bringing value and having replacement parts avail. I like redwing a lot
but 3dhs and extreme flight sell all there most popular planes out before anyone else does.
price doesn't seem to be a issue with anyone buying them . and I don't think it ever would

Mike, I think this thread is great and no one doubts your motives for letting people discuss it here.
This is a site where unfamiliar members tend to communicate with the same level of respect as they would if speaking in person, which is uncommon these days.

3Drew said:

Mike, I think this thread is great and no one doubts your motives for letting people discuss it here.
This is a site where unfamiliar members tend to communicate with the same level of respect as they would if speaking in person, which is uncommon these days.

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Ah man... That means a lot to me. Thanks much!

I think we'll find out the answer to this in about 17 more days.