ORIGINAL: blw
Mark,
I know what you mean. I've seen a couple of good flying aerobatic ARFs fly but didn't want to buy them. There are some things about the construction that I don't like, such as the wings breaking off, etc. I actually found plans for one of them that a couple of people took the time to do great jobs on. One is so detailed that you can't tell the difference between his and a manufacturer. I plan to build one before Christmas.
The Showtime really interests me, it is a great flying plane. But I have seen enough build issues with it (and it's a "very good" ARF in terms of the quality) that I am very wary of buying one and seeing what comes out of the box. If I could buy a kit or plans, I would be building it right now... It may be the plane that makes me break down and try an ARF, though. Hear that Hangar9? One Showtime kit customer waiting right here! Just send me the box of ARF parts and the plans I will sort the rest myself.
Care to share the plans with a fellow scratch builder? PM me if you want to keep it private.
Mark