Boy, I've been working too late tonight. I just spent 15 minutes typing a reply here, then blew it away. Let me try again before my boss or smebody shows up.

I think anybody who has read my previous replies should understand that while I prefer kit, plan, and scratch built models, I think there is a very definite place in this Hobby/sport for the ARFs and RTFs. I might even buy a couple more if they ever get to match the quality of assembly I put into mine, which is definitely not a master builder level, but good enough that nothing falls apart in the air or in a normal landing.

I have had more than a few over the last 50+ years (ARFs are not new - - there were some available even before WW2) not all of which were even remotely flyable. They are getting better.

Without ARFs, I wouldn't have been able to do what I just did a half hour ago during a break at work. I flew an RTF helicopter an E-Flite Blade CX. It was my first flight on any kind of RC heli, except for a Kyosho Hyperflite. I have built and flown a number of rubber powered FF helis, though.

I may not ever get another helicopter, but I just felt I had to try the challenge of one. This RTF gave me that chance. After the battery cools down, I may just charge it up and get in another flight before I go home.

I just don't feel those of us who prefer to build should put down or limit ourselves by rejecting ARFs, nor should the people who prefer ARFs put us down or limit themselves by not at least considering doing some building.

Don't think you have the skills to build? I didn't have much in the way of skills in 1948 when I built my first models at the age of 4, either. But I learned and got better. And the instructions weren't as good as they are now, the parts fit was usually a lot worse, and I didn't have the assortment of tools to make things easier than I do now, but with a little bit of help from m dad, when he wasn't working 12 hrs/day, 6 and 7 days/wk, and lots of model airplane magazines. And the skills I learned and developed have been of great use in every job I ever had, from working through college as a janitor to my current engineering job.