Hezik ... yes I agree with the fact that the current 1st batch is touch and go, or gambling as you call it. That is most correct. We can actually, get it weighed before we purchase it off the LHS. There are laws about trade description and fitness for purpose (implied contractual terms).

What I am getting at is that your posts sound like (not saying that you intend for it to be) its just bashing a brand on the basis that your friend's plane is overweight, along with a few here on RCU. Hell, mine was overweight too!

I agree, FAI rules DO NOT allow for the planes to be 1g over 5kgs. But it is not that all the Elements are overweight and they happily are misleading the consumer. Some in RCU have owned it and flown it and its as per advertised by the manufacturer. Do those planes not get any credit. Also, by replacing mine Fliton has shown that they are solving a problem that I have with my Element, not to forget that they know why it got overweight. Its not a design problem, I can tell you that much. Well, if the next one comes and its OVERWEIGHT, then I will start the bashing, you can rest assure I will do it.

Hey, how did an Element cost between 1,000-1,500 EU?

TN ... I think you missed the point, please don't say I am a rare form in that sort of patronising manner. In my personal experience about the Element problem, Fliton has not ignored me. An explanation was given and a solution along with it, to my satisfaction. Please note I did get an Element much earlier and I stated clearly on RCU it was overweight. I am not bias in favour of Fliton. You call them lead sleighs, what about those that are not overweight? You think its because they could not care less? If they could not, I will not be getting a replacement of which they assure will weigh in as advertised. Perhaps maybe 1-2g heavier but I can live with that.

Let's see what RCU has been saying about these ARF planes:

Modeltech Magic Extra - fuse will break into 2 on a slightly hard landing ... learn to reattach your plane
GP Lancair - wing tears apart often ... learn to glass and fabricate metal bracket for 2 piece UC
H9 F40 - UC rips out easily ... learn to glass or add more wood
H9 F90 - severe flutter, wing blows apart ... learn to fly slower than slow
Aeroworks Edge 540 (I think) ... fuse will break just behind former that meets wing leading edge ... mix some epoxy put more lite ply on that plane
EF Extra 300 45" - servo wells are a tad too small, H stab is weak and need to use supplied CF strip, firewall needs to be reamed out etc ... learn some hobby skills to fix all that in a 95% ARF
Xtreme Composite Edge 540 2x2 - composite material shearing off from wood ... learn to fix it but more importantly, learn to spot it early
Kyosho planes (earlier models) - covering comes off into nice ribbons ... learn how to cover a plane and be a pro at removing residual solar film colour on balsa

Despite all the above problems ALL the above sold like hotcakes.

Fliton's main problem is their failure to handle customer service properly. That is why its boiled to a point that people feel they are trying to rip hobbyists off. But are they? Let's be fair.