(this may not be valid for everyone)

Let me clarify the issue:
I got the Seagull Edge 540 new in box from the LHS. When I opened the box, there was not a smooth area on the plane. A prune is smooth compare to the way the covering was on the plane. Also the fuse was warped, the ailerons were bent, the rudder and the elevators were curved. Not to mention that a wing was shorter and thicker than the other one. After a very long time of working on it (could have finished a kit faster than getting the ARF together), it was in a somewhat flying condition....
At the beggining it was fitted with an OS .91FX but I put the OS 1.08FSR on it later. I had about 8-9 flights on the plane with no problems (bouncing, hard landings, mild crashes) till that last flight when the whole back end of the plane came off in the flight.

The conclusion:
The plane is made in Vietnam, in a very humid and warm place. Balsa is a pulp wood with little fiber in it as oposed to oak that is mostly fiber and a bit of pulp. By this nature, balsa is a wet type of wood. When a plane made from this material and in those conditions is brought into a very hot and dry place (Phoenix Az - 110F), the wood starts to lose the water in it and it shrinks (hence the very loose covering on it), and also the glue (that is poor quality to begin with) starts to crack. What happened to my plane was due to structure failure from the above mentioned factors.
I am not crazy about all those Asian made planes (where else), but I will have more confidence in a plane made in Northen China as opposed in Vietnam or any similar located countries.

Have looked at another identical plane in the LHS and it was in a similar condition. Even if Horizon will replace the plane (I would much rather have the motor, servos, battery, receiver, TT spinner replaced) I will NOT build it or fly it. Not mad about loosing the plane ($175.99) as I am about loosing every thing else along with it. From now on I will not buy, build or fly any Seagull model unless is made in a dry place (ya! right...)

If you have good experience with your models, enjoy them! but I did not have with mine.

dc