I agree. There are Builders and there are Flyers and there are "Modelers". Nothing wrong with being any one that you wish. "Elitist" only if you think that there is some higher rating for being a builder. Personally, I would rather fly than build any day. But if it wasn't for the flying I never would have had the motivation to do all the building that I have done over the last 45 years. But if it wasn't for the building, I wouldn't have nearly the grandest memories and accomplishments that I now enjoy. Getting back on track, this discussion is about the albeit few ARFs that might be considered as belonging to the classification of Classic Pattern. My only point is to attempt to explain why there are so FEW and that is something of what delineates the Classic Pattern era from just the old memories.

The Classic Pattern era saw the introduction and refinement of "Precision Aerobatics" as well as the evolution of Radio Control Systems. At the same time the "modeler" was designing and building his aircraft that he would use to master the discipline. Those designs were an extension of the personality of the competitor. For many they were a trademark of a champion. Planes like the Chidgey Tiger Tail or the Don Lowe Phoenix series that made Dave Brown famous. How about the Jim Martin Banshee or the Don Coleman Cutlass, the Kraft Kwik Fly, the Cliff Wierick Candy and of course the Bridi Kaos. You could go even farther back before the Ed Kasmerski Taurus. The point is even though there were a few "ready built" models in the later years of the Classic Pattern era, the thing that separates then from now is that the champion was not only a great pilot but a craftsman and sometimes an innovator. Patience was shown in the workshop not at the dock waiting for the boat from China to arrive.

Classic Pattern is not a contest between "Builders" and "Buyers". It is a trip down memory lane. Enjoy it.