The one thing that I should say that in regard to building kits, a person really has to think about what the initial cost is for doing the building itself. I mean, when I started with my ARF, I had a basic tool kit, but then after my first crash, I had to start getting a "few things here, and few things there" to do the repairs on it. Don't get me wrong, I like getting new gadgets but pretty soon, my better half is going to want an accounting of what I've got.

An ARF only needs a few basic things and a working knowledge of basic woodcraft, which some folks may not be able to catch on to. I mean, with the way some schools are today, there aren't too many students learning the wood or metal shop basics, like I was back in the day. Also, in todays world, some folks just don't have the time to sit down and build something like they did in the 50's & 60's. I remember my Dad making things around the house, but he didn't have to work more than one job to keep a roof over our head and food on the table. He also made plastic models with me when he wasn't working.

With kits, you still have to be able to measure and read directions (which some youngsters can't do, thank you public school systems), let alone set some time aside away from the family to punch out the parts from the sheets and put them together. This is pretty easy and you can still say that you "Built it Yourself". Just remember to use a different color scheme than what's on the box.

And if you want to move on to scratchbuilding, you have to seriously think about investing in some bigger power tools than your everyday jigsaw and dremel tool. I can say one thing, scratchbuilding has been a great way to meet and interact with my retired neighbor who has a full wood shop in his basement. He shows me his projects and I show him mine. He doesn't do too much building anymore due to failing eyesight, but he is more than willing to let me use his drill press and bandsaw and other tools. The way his wife talks, he can't talk about anything else for at least an hour after we're done cutting pieces for my plane. He even keeps an eye out for things I may be able to use when he goes shopping at the local hardware store or the local junkyard (he brought back a huge bundle of balsa wood someone had gotten rid of, that I'm still using).

I just think that it's a question of a perceived initial cost in both time and money that's keeping some folks away from the Kits or scratchbuilds. When speaking to people at a recent community function where my Club was invited, one of the first things asked was "How much does it cost to fly one of these?", that raised some eyebrows, especially when it was a child asking with the parent standing behind them. They'll pour bundles of cash into sports programs, but nothing into something like our hobby.

Anyhow, I'll shut up for now. Hope I didn't go off on too much of a tangent.

Don