Keep in mind that the magazines are taking into alot of things when they review a model. Usually with v-mar and most of the low end arfs are just that low end. For 90-100 dollars do not expect this plane to be aero-works or carden quality. They are the ford escort of model airplane arfs. They do fly, some of them well, quality is that of what you would expect from a 90$ arf. Magazines do keep this in mind when they review. The 100$ arf is not going to be looked at the same way as the 1000$+ ARF. And yes they are paying advitisers. My experience with them is a low end aircraft below my standards but it flew and for a novice it would probably be ok just not to my liking. I have in the past not had many good things to say about them but I must keep in mind it is a 100$ airplane and an ok one at that.