I dont know how I MISSED THIS THREAD. All I can say is thatthis is a question that would not be well received over on the jet threads.We all need to agree what is the definition of an ARF. Once the level of prefabrication has been determined either by the CD or the AMA rule book then what is left will be is how they will or wont be penalized. Top Gun has expanded the ranks of competitors to include arfs and past planes to keep interest in the event growing...face it new blood is needed and this is probably the only way to do it. To think also that Top Gun would heavily penalize hi dollar prefabs would be cutting the throat of some of his major competitors and sponsors(BVM). I am sure that some past winners of Top Gun havent always been the builder of their kits but what proof does anybody have or is willing to bring forth.When does this stop being a hobby and start becoming a pain in the ARSE? Top Gun is the"Special Olympics" of the scale hobby. They have their own rules , tricks and foibles that you wont see down at the local level but it has served a purpose in the hobby....it has injected some needed enthusiasm into the hobby. I have asked this same question in the past . Here on RCU and in some of the magazines. Only in RCReport were they brave enuff to respond in print but they took the safe way out. So what do we hope to accomplish with this thread? make change or noise? AS far as I can see, right now its noise........ Just enjoy the beautiful planes and keep it a hobby and it will always be a world we will continue to escape to and not from. Just my .02 worth