GBR2 makes an excellent point in his 2nd paragraph. I think I'll write to Fly RC and Model Airplane News, and suggest that they begin evaluating quality of (1) building materials instead of just the hardware package and (2) airframe construction instead of only the covering job.
Thanks, GBR2.
Mike
This thread has become very interesting!
ORIGINAL: GBR2
The real problem with ARF's is the way they are reviewed. With a kit what we were paying for was the quality of the wood and the quality of the die cutting, laser cutting and so forth. With an ARF what we are really paying for now is the quality of construction.
The problem is the reviews of ARF never strip them down to their bear bones and do comments on the quality of the construction. So you end up with a variety of quality from cr_p to pretty good, it depends on the manufactuer. If ARF were reviewed for the quality of constrution as well as flying abiltity, ease of assembly, etc., then this might force the manufacturers to do a better job. No one like to have the quality of their product exposed to the light of day if it is cr_p