When I started flying RC in 1969, two kits, a K&B .40, the covering and all hardware to get the planes flyable cost about one month's gross pay for me... the four channel proportional radio cost about three months. At the time I did a lot of swapping of radio gear and engine. I'd fly one plane (Sweet Stick) for a month or so (presuming no major crash damage), switch the equipment over and fly the other (Kaos 40) for awhile. Several years later I got into Quickie 500 racing. By then I had acquired three complete airborne systems (the second two each cost about 1/2 of what my orignal radio did) and three new K&B 40s (Tower had them on sale $23.95, in 1979). And, they were needed because I almost always crashed at least once at a race....and, once, three planes during one race day.

Times have changed. Now I have more 'spending' money and it takes less percentage of that to achieve a flyable model with engine and airborne radio equipment. In fact, I paid less for my 'Funtana S', ARF, Magnum 52, and JR 4-channel radio then I paid for that original radio. So..... I no longer swap equipment. I have/keep two planes flyable and one at the ready, two are under construction, and two are semi-retired. All of these have their own servos, although I don't (yet) have engines or receivers for all of them (the two semi-retired).

Each RCer best chooses the method which suits their time, area of interest (build, fly, both), and budget. So do what provides the most enjoyment for you!