Started flying models in 1952 -- gas &/or glo-powered free-flight at that time -- crashed the first one & every one after that. Started U-control in 53 -- crashed the first one & every one after that, as well. Started RC in 57 -- crashed em all & kept on going. Then, in the 60's, I took a long non-flying holiday & returned after the advent of proportional radios & servo motors -- things got much better -- I now have some models that are at least a dozen years old. I still crash occasionally, but it is usually because I'm doing something really hairbrained, like rudder touches on an inverted pass. Occasionally I lose one to a mechanical failure, or to radio interference.