RE: How Many Builders Are Left?
I'm also a kit builder and scratch builder. To me, that's half the hobby. I have a stash of kits and plans, and of course balsa. With the demise of kit manufacturers and dwindling supply of old kits, I've taken to coping the kit I want to build. I have the plans copied and make duplicates of all the parts. This gives me the plane I want and preserves the kit. It's not for everyone, but it works for me.