Hello,

I think that for SEASONED builders, no ARFs can come close to kit built because the ARF engineering is based on SIMPLICITY so factory workers can crank these out by the hours with very few exceptions. 3 Sea Bees is one. Their ARFs are more correctly called "custom built". However, with the majority of us (>80%) are not seasoned builders so ARFs are are better than we built themselves. I have examined Pacific Aero Models Tiger Moth, GP DR-1 and I say that I can't built better than what I see. So whether or not ARFs are better than kit built depends on who buys it. For the pros, ARFs are junk, substandard products (because they can built better) but for me, ARF are built better than I can do it. So the views on ARFs differs pending whether the flyer is a pro or an average modeler. I totally agree on ARFs should be also offered in ARC form so we can make chages as needed. The problem is ARC is not much cheaper than fully covered/decorated version. I am building now an FunAero Albatross DIII and I am enjoying the process because I like the plane and no one makes ARFs. Other than that, ARFs are what I do nowadays. DP