I consider myself a "builder." I've struggled with this whole issue of "ARF"s for a number of years, then recently I saw a magnificent Sopwith Camel at my local field. The details were incredible right down to the wicker seat and stick that moved with the controls. I asked the owner if it was scratch built or a kit. He replied that it was a Hangar 9 ARF! I was stunned. The owner/pilot /(builder?) had gone to incredible lengths to upgrade and personalize this ARF. I asked him why he didn't just start from a kit. His answer has changed my ideas on ARFs. "Building airframes has become boring for me after 40 plus years of modeling, but I really enjoy the challenge of adding scale detail. Sometimes you have to be very creative because there isn't any off-the-shelf stuff."

I can relate to his feelings. I can't remember the last time I read the building instructions for a kit. Once I look at the plans, I pretty much know how to proceed.

So who is the true builder, somebody who slaps together a kit while displaying no imagination or someone who skillfully details out and ARF? I know my answer.
Walt