I understand that this thread is years old but I thought the answer would be clearer than this. I had 2 Darts and 1 of the Royal trainers in the 80s-90s era. But I really think the ARF that really transformed, or truly started the ARF era was Hangar 9 Matt Chapman Cap. I think the ARF craze jumped to a new level with that plane and I am astounded that it has not been mentioned earlier. (or has it and I just missed it?)

It's weird but for me, I was strictly against ARF's. I had gone into the local hobby shop to place an order for a Sig Kavalier kit and got talked into an Avistar ARF. Never regretted it. Although the monokote is awful on the fuselage, the Avistar is a good plane. In fact, I'm in the process of putting my second one together right now just for fun.

32 years old, and counting.

My original question (remember all in fun ) is all about when or what plane was it that you went into a shop and all of a sudden your eyes lit up because there was this huge box and it was a plane that was almost build one that was nice enought for you to stay -wow I need that

It was something like a Lanier Jester in the late 60's but I believe they were only considered Prefab and not ARF?

I missed a period in the mid 80's thru early 90's because I had a terminal wife and kids to take care of.

When I came back in '97 ARF's were all over