As for ARFs, I like them too. I originally got into the hobby in the late 70's. (Yes, I'm that old. No such thing a computer radios or ARFs or 3D anything back then.) I took a 25 year hiatus for marriage and raising a family. When I got back into it a few years ago, I immediately bought a kit and an ARF. It took me a year to build the Pup but I was flying the ARF in a week. I have nothing against an ARF or those that fly them but I must admit, and ARF will never give me that same enjoyment and pride and connection than I get with a kit. That is just something that those that only fly ARFs will miss out on.

< Message edited by Chevelle -- 3/6/2007 10:38:15 AM >

As the message above states I originally got into the hobby in the 60's and everything was a kit and most were good designs. I remember the Lou Andrews kits when the came out and your local hobby shop had trouble keeping them on the shelf. They were well designed and modelers just loved them, a builder could build one in 2-3 weeks because they were well designed. The kits were also designed very well (Bridi for example) and were easy to build. Then came the big companies ( No Names ) that either bought them out or made it so the little guy could not compete and that was the end of good kits that had parts that fit and you enjoyed going to the field with a plane that was not the same as the others.

ARF's are fine to get you into the air in a hurry but the quality is just not in the product. The last one I had (50 cc Yak) on the first landing the gear tore out, after inspecting there was no Plywood and very little glue.

I am looking at getting some of the older Bridi Kits and going to Kit cutters for Andrews kits to get airplanes that are fun and don't look like cookie cutter copies that have to be reinforced and reglued befor you want to fly them. ( not all ARF's are built lousy but some should not even be sold for what they are asking.)

Ron