AW planes are built using the same methods but with a lot more care, better grade of wood but still use the hot glue. They just get it on the parts a lot better. From the ARFs I have assembled for people the quality of the AW is just a lot better. Things fit very well. I don't know if there is different types of hot glue used by different manufactures or not but AW is one of the top ARFs I have seen. So is Wildhare. The price of an AW is a lot more then other manufactures but they do make a quality product compared to other ARFs I have seen. The QB series is a very easy assembly. I'm not 100% sure but with AW it seems you are getting what you pay for. They still need a bit of help in the LG block area but there planes are built for a better pilot then I am, someone that doesn't bounce the landing like I tend to do.
However they get the covering on it is usually second to none. I have never heard of cold covering???