I would say... go with the kit. I dont really know anything about biplanes, but i do know that you get a great feeling of satisfaction when you build it yourself instead of letting some poor person build it in a factory who lacks motivation and just builds for the money. The first flight with your new personally built custom made plane makes you very proud to see it fly. Everyone tells you how good it looks and how well it flies. Also, you are aware of all the problems that may exist, and you know to look for them, unlike an arf, unless you rip of the covering. Also, I am poor and i dont like to spend money on an arf when you can build it for a third of the price of the arf with a kit. But that is just me.