If you have an excellent mechanical setup (i.e. completely symmetrical) you can get away without a matchbox. If you want to run 4 individual servo leads to your RX (i.e as in quad flaps mixing) you can use the radio to do the work of the matchbox.. but then you connect 4 leads every time you assemble the plane .. PITA.

I have found that with very careful placement of the holes in the hard points and some care in adjusting the linkages you don't need the matchbox. That is on ailerons. On ganged (i.e. hard connected) rudders.. use a matchbox or you'll burn up your servos.

I approach it this way - if I can set up the wing using a current meter and at any point in the travel or at rest there is not excessive current draw or noise I won't use the matchbox. If however I cannot get the linkage adjusted to the point of little or no noise and little or no current when the surfaces are at rest.. I use the matchbox. One way or another what you want is as little current draw as possible while the surfaces are not in motion.

To date, 2/3 of the planes I have built do not have matchboxes or programmed servos if I used Hitecs, 1/3 does have them. It really depends on how accurate you get your mechanics and drill your holes in the hard points!! I also tend to not use them on built up wings as much as they are more flexible than Composite and Sheeted wings.

DP