RE: Handwriting on the wall?
Rob, A yes to each of your questions. And I agree, technology has changed major aspects of our lives. When I started building model air planes back in 58, we had three types of glue. Ambroids, Elmers and Testors Plastic Cement. CA was not even thought of yet as was 5 min epoxy. We had only one type of "Hot Fuel Proof" paint, Butyrate Dope. Nitrate Dope was and is not fuel proof. We only had two types of covering, silk span and silk. I don't used Ambroids much anymore, because CA is so much faster. I still use silk and dope on some planes, but mostly Monokote.
I only have glow engines and probably will as long as they are available. Ihope to get some larger gas engines someday.
Iam afraid that when China comes to the realization that they can charge more money for labor like Japan did, the cheap ARF and RTF will become too expensive for the noobie as well as the rest of us. Ithink you will see kits coming back on the scene.
That could be in 5 or 10 years, but it's coming.
Frank