I don't feel the "problem" is that people don't want to "work" on the models, so much as it is they don't have the available free time and feel they don't have the "skills" for building.

While MOST ARFs are a "good value" for the money, you learn nothing about repairing them when that time comes. If you figure it out, what a kit costs, plus building materials (glue, #11 blades, covering, accesories such as fuel tank, wheels, etc) NOT INCLUDING YOUR TIME, an ARF USUALLY saves 25% or more over doing it yourself.

I like building. Some of the reasons are: I KNOW the quality of the construction and when "that time" arrives, I know how to repair it. The biggest reason though, is I want something "different" from the rest of the people at the field. When you go to the field, how many Cubs, Caps, Mustangs, PT-19, etc. do you see ? Have you ever seen an FW-56 (Stosser) or a Hawker Tempest at your field ? How about some of the other "common" planes - TaylorCraft, various Grumman warbirds, Beavers, etc ?