Well I bit the bullet and began the build without this thread. So far I have made every newbie mistake possible but have managed to recover from them. I really think that the build instructions are about as bare as they could be without being useless to a new builder. (The photos are very helpful but there could be more) Basics such as glue application, temporary taping, and some jig construction hints should be included with every foam plane kit (assume that the customers are all new builders, everyone else can skip the basics). It is not like they would have to re-write the basic instructions every time they release a new plane. With the CNC cutting system they use they could even include a few jig pieces as part of the kit for no cost increase.

After all the talk on the Z-bend connections I did a little sanding on the outside of the bend and it still takes a lot of pressure to get it in but it never came close to braking. The hinge clips on the other hand are not as resilient as I would have expected. I broke two of them just fitting things together. They should include half a dozen extra clips in the parts and cut back on the 20 or more servo arms they include.

3 hour build? How on earth could you even come close to building this plane in 3-4 hours. I would pay to see a video of that being done without jigs. How about a build-to-fly competition at the next ETOC? You have to build it and put it through some type of flight test and then get judged on your build quality, time and flight performance. That would be a competition.

Now that I have that out of my system, I still like the plane and look forward to finishing it. A real build thread would be appreciated.