Something that I feel every kit builder should be doing today with every kit they get there hands on, that's making a template of every part in that kit. As the kits are no longer produced at least we can share these templates and plans with other builders so the planes can keep marching on. Just think about the loss we have had not too long ago, the Goldburg kits like there Sukhoi and Extra are no longer with us, a very sad thing for such great kits. Like a nut case I didn't make templates and can't afford the ebay prices people are getting for these kit today. It would be nice to have the plans, instructions and templates for these and others.
As for designing my own Iused to design many of my own control line and free flight planes but that was before computers. Itried doing it with a computer but I'm computer stupid and didn't do too well, the program takes a lot more learning and understanding then Ican come up with. Give me a Vemco Drafting Machine and I can still do it.
Just a few years ago the magazines all had building articles in them each month, a very loose build along then you could buy the plans for that months build. Idon't see much of that anymore but it could just be people not designing for them any longer? Not many magazines left either, well, ones worth reading. RCM and MAN both have there plans service going so there are hundreds of planes we can build. When you order you get the plans and a poor copy of the article. Lke most magazine plans there are some mistakes or parts drawn out wrong or just a bit off but nothing you can't catch and correct. Ilike to redisign them a bit or even enlarge the plans so Ican make different sizes of planes for the engines I'm going to use.
It's fun to build my own kits and very easy to build them the way I like. Well worth the little extra time.