RE: Dwindling kit suppliers
I would much rather build than have a plane that looks like every other popular ARF at the moment.
I have assembled a few ARF's ( did not say build ) and all could do with some real plywood and good glue joints and not just thrown together to get it on the market.
I would like to see one of the manufacturers sell their ARF and also a Kit or short kit of the same plane and see which sells more.
Ron