This post is going a little towards the ARF Vs Kit (Scratch Build) argument which was not the original question…

Having almost completed my first kit I was shocked at the price difference between building it and Buying an ARF… But when I really thought about it… Remove the costs of Engine, Radio, Fuel Tank (Which I replace in an ARF), Push Rod gear (which I replace be it ARF or Kit) and the price difference was not too bad…

Also… If I had used some China coat, wood glue instead of CA and cheap fibre glass products it would have been even closer to the ARF cost… But I have a better Airplane so it one half dozen or 6 of the other…

Plus in NZ RC Airplanes are expensive what ever you do... (US$99 for a kit) HAHAHA Try NZ$275-300 for a 4 Star 60 Kit!!! And a NZ$1 in NZ is worth a much as a US$1 in the US as far as working for your money goes...

But price is not the object... If I did not want to spend money on Airplanes I would not have started...

As for ARF v Kit discussion… Which I can’t help but comment on… It’s completely superfluous!!!

You start this hobby for fun so there is not right or wrong answer as to what you should do when acquiring Airplanes… If you’re happy with your decision… Then no amount of comparison between ARF’s and Kits matters…

It’s only logical (unless you’re wealthy and retired and can build all day) to have a mix of kits and ARF’s…

In my 12 Months in the Hobby I have acquired 5 Airplanes… 2 Kits and 3 ARF’s…

I would not go back and change this choice… I have a Airplane on the board all the time but only need work on it when time allows and I don’t have to rush. Meaning Quality… While my ARF’s satisfy my need for more and more Airplanes…

Please not though that all the comments on collecting tools, building experience, pride in work etc etc etc when it comes to kits is very much true!!!

Matt