With few exceptions a kit does not end up a tank unless you make it one.
The title of this thread is "What is it that you DO NOT like about ARFs?", let's keep it at that.
I disagree. Every single kit I've ever seen or flown, has been 20-30% heavier than an ARF counterpart. Example, the GP Tracer. A 40 sized pattern/sport plane. Flew great on a tower 46(not the most powerful engine, but certainly enough to fly any 40 sized plane). This thing struggles to get off the ground. Once in the air, it's great, heavy planes track better in the wind. But aerobatics suffered, landing distance/speed suffered, and if it went dead stick anywhere but right over the runway, it was done for. Now lets compare that to a crappy Spectrum ARF. Basically the same design. With a little TLC, it was a great flying plane, and weighed about 1.5 lbs less, WITH RETRACTS! It's performance was Leaps and Bounds beyond that kit. It was def a P.O.S. in a quality comparison, but it lived just as long, and flew allot more because of its performance.
You're right about the title of the thread. .................... yes, and let's stick to that subject Moderator ................
mitchell170, sounds like you got a lemon. Glad to hear they stepped up and replaced the defective parts. Yet another reason to stick to the afore mentioned companies.