I have seen and fly a new VMAR planes and other high dollar planes not a plane out there no matter who builds it can take punishment that a newbie gives it vmar planes needs a chance i own 2 and love them both but i am not the crazy type person that thinks there plane is made out of steel and woint break as far as the covering goes if you take care of it by reading the instructions that came with it will last a long time.sure you will get dings but easy repair like any covering.and as far as people buying a VMAR plane from there walk in hobby shops most shops will open the kit or arf box just to let you see if there is anything wrong before to buy it or leave with it or that shop not worth buying at.