Hi,
The following might be interesting ;
Current average ind,, wage is 615 Euro/wk. Ireland
Average (high end model) is 2000Euro = 3.24 wk's.
Average engine/motor is 615 Euro = 1.00 wk's
Average servos/rec etc is 750 Euro = 1.22 wk's
Average (high end) radio is 750 Euro = 1.22 wk's

Total cost is 6.68 x AIWW - With Very high end stuff say 10 to 11 x AIWW.

The cheapest ,that works very well, is less than 3 x AIWW (for the items listed).

When I started work as a quality tech I got 115 / wk
The shop floor employees were on 89 / wk - so say 100/wk - Early 80's Ireland

Model kit + finishing materials (paint) 450 = 4.50 wk's
Engine 60 ABC + retracts 200 = 2.00 wk's
Servos (BB's) and reciever (DS) 350 = 3.5 wk's
Radio-Royal MC ( 1st modular) 425 = 4.25 wks

That's a total cost of 14 x AIWW . The cheapest, that would work, cost 10 to 12 x AIWW.

I have ignored things like props ,exhausts etc as these were hand made then and really expensive.

Also in the early 80"s a RTF fron Japan was 3000 - ie 30 x AIWW.

Back then when these things were 'simple and cheap' only the Japanese and a select handfull of Europeans and another handfull of Americans + a few others had models that would compare with today's normal for fit and finish.
The rest of us were not able money or ability wise.

What you can get now for 2 to 3 weeks wages is far superior to what you could get then for 10 wk's wages.

So in conclusion I am saying that this talk of increased cost is a myth.
Yes we could have cheaper models - right now - they are there but who really wants them.
The more power / better equipment argument is of no relevance what so ever.

Why ?? - This is going to happen anyway - so long as there is a customer - and there is clearly a customer. Take the radios as THE example.

Just stop and think about the number of high end /top quality F3A models that are out there compared to how it was in 1980 to 1984.

I hope the big picture trend continues as is or better if rule changes accelerate it.

Brian