Thanks for the replies / opinions.

Yes thats right - it was an ARC model when I bought it. I have abused and neglected this model for years and years and it still looks spotless (apart from the hole I carved in the side about 5 years ago for aerial photography).

I flew it for a couple of years in a small field of mine where the only approach was downhill approaching 4 feet ovr a wall in between 2 trees often downwind and it almost flew itself in.

I really wish the ARC range was bigger, for my next model Id like a gas engine (os gt55) in a large tricycle model. I like the graupner robin. cant bring myself to buy anything at the moment but if it were the same ABS material as the cessna id buy it tomorrow.

But it kind of makes sense your point that it doesnt suit beginners due to lack of repairability. But to be honest i snapped one of the rear gear legs after a very hard landing and a local shop had a spare in stock! cant believe only one has broken in all this time of heavey arrivals.