<<If you are not an accomplished builder/flyer then I don't think ARFs are for you...>>

Disagree strongly, Ric; UNLESS you are talking about BIG ARFs. The .40-.60 size models have gotten lots of folks started who otherwise would never have, since they didn't want to take the time to build a model at first. The ARF hooked 'em.

I have been building and flying these things since 1987; well over thirty different airplanes, about half ARFs and half I built from kits. But nothing larger than a Goldberg Ultimate; this is why I was asking about possible problems with the CAP. Weak construction, etc., that wouldn't make a difference on a smaller airplane could be catastrophic on one this size. I had heard that the H9 CAP had a weak firewall and gear mounting set up. Yesterday, when I picked the kit up, the hobby shop guy said that early versions suffered major wing failures. First I'd heard of that.

I know some of the tricks like pinning the firewall, tri-stock, 1/64" ply inlays under the control horns, etc. And I will closely inspect the parts to see for myself. I just thought there might be something endemic to this model that I might miss.

As for the need to strip the covering off, etc., if I have to go to that much trouble I'll just build a kit. The whole idea behind an ARF is to minimize building time; and the fact that there is no way I could build a comparable model for $225.

Steve