Like MC, I've more kits but I've a couple of ARFs that are treasured. And... sometimes ARFs have something that needs corrected to make them lovable. For example, I've a Hanger 9 PT-19 1.20 that had very poor gear mounting. One main didn't even have plywood false ribs for the hardwood block mount. The mount was simply glued to cut outs in two balsa ribs and of course failed quickly. The other main had light ply false ribs and was better but eventually failed as well. There was nothing but balsa to screw the tail wheel into. With the issues corrected the plane is a favorite.

This sets up the point... that some building or repair skills are valuable. If the PT-19 were cast off after the gear failed, some wonderful flying would have been missed. It is a great flier and capable of wonderful triple tumble lumcevaks and landing glide slopes with flaperons set and nose up with a slight bit of power on, looking like the real thing making a landing. I've gotten more comments from other fliers about the beauty of that planes flight than any other plane I've owned.

So, while I enjoy building a good bit and have built many planes, ARFs can be loved too. The favorite plane in my hanger is the Ultra Stick Lite... another ARF.

On the other hand, the best trainer by far that I've observed and subsequently built for my grandkids is not available in an ARF. IMHO most of the ARF trainers with engines powerful enough to get out of trouble are also too fast and get into trouble because of reduced reaction time. Better in my opinion for a trainer to fly slow on the wing and I've not seen many ARF trainers so designed.