RE: ARF's
The one thing ARFs do better than me is build light. I can make a nice model from a kit - but it always comes out 20% heavier than it should because I beef up structures and work in extra thoughts.
I have had some great ARFs. Some I had to tweak a bit. Others that were delightful just as they came. I wish I could still get the Goldberg Hot Stik.
And I also used to poo-poo foamy electrics . . . until I started flying a few around my yard. Opened up a whole new world for grabbing a quick flight when I could. The little four channel 15" wingspan models fly pretty darned good anymore!
This year I'm flying an ARFtwin-enginedG-44 Widgeon flying boatwith a fiberglass fuselage, wing floatsand nacelles. I'm pretty sure I couldn't make a one-off hull that nice.
And check out some of the ARFs from Wild Hare or Chief Aircraft. Never in my life could Ibuild like that. Or even Precision Aerobatics - some airframe no matter who made it!