From my understanding, when you build a kit, it comes with nothing much more than the wood and plans as well as instructions? In other words no gear, wheels, control rods or things like that?

On a 4star, how much can you do without having to order those items(tank, gear, wheels, rods, etc...?)

A few hours? 10+?

Reason I ask is because of our financial situation I don't spend a whole lot except what my wife gets me for my birthday and other special days(father's day most recently).

Anyways, I can afford a kit now but my birthday is another month away. I'm still swaying on whether to get the kit and start or get an ARF for one more plane and then get the kit for this winter around Christmas.

I just don't want to find myself spending an extra hundred dollars right now on the extras, plus the coating. I have a feeling that's where I'll be at though in terms of costs after the kit.