I don't think that aspect was overlooked, it was brought into the discussion by reference to unsafe ARFs on the market....I agree, as you infer, safety cannot be determined by a casual "look".

As was answered, the question cannot be answered without knowing context. A casual modeller may truly be interested in getting a clone of your model while a good builder friend may be razzing you.... Granted, it's an over-simplification but I can generally tell an ARF from a build by attention to detail and quality of covering. The high gloss plastic printed coverings and sub standard hardware along with the half dozen clones sitting beside it on the flightline generally give an ARF away. If you're really not sure, check out the owner, if he's busy chewing glue from his fingers, or has matching paint marks on his clothing, it's probably not an ARF, if he's wearing a polo shirt with a turtle logo ... it's an ARF!

Oh, and to stay on topic with the Forum, my Waco is coming along nicely thank-you! She's all covered and I'm working on the lower wing farings now... %$@%-ing plastic [:'(], if it gives me anymore hassles fitting, I'll be scratching up a nice pair of wood fairings.