Plane builder, you're not sick,
I flew Stunt for 40 years and labored over balsa and tissue hand rubbed dope, DuPont lacquer, detailed cockpits, all of it. Soooo...
I have a Kaos ARF with a 46AX!
I have a H9 Denight because the Sterling kits are gone! Hacker A-50 on 5S.
I like old stuff and build them still, but I'm not about to quit buying my ARF's. Too many good ones that are easy to buy, easy to assemble, and easy to fly all day long.
When I want to tinker, I do, Sterling Scale models, old Stunt kits made by modern manufacturers like a Gieseke Nobler, Shark 45, Derringer 46, and a couple of Paul Plecan 40's and 50's C/Lers from plans, cutting out the parts after tracing them with carbon paper, FUN! Even Maxey's Sterling P-63, Sig's ST and Yak 18PM, how about a Don's Custom Models Super Chipmunk? And glass and foam Classic Pattern ships, all good with my Tipo, UFO, Atlanta 60, Arrow and Phoenix 8. FSR's, Rossi's and YS short strokes, yeah!
But I'll not give up my ARF, too good. Just like electric, I do it. I like 3S foamies, 3S balsa, and 5S 60 sized jobs. Nice, good flyers, gets me to the field fast.
Not to mention my ARF Pattern ships, 3DHS Osiris 62, you gotta be kiddin' me, that thing flies so well I couldn't ever build that straight, that light, or cover that well, ever!
I think it's a balance of the good of both that keeps me interested.
Chris...