Hideho all,
Now that I have your attention, I want to get a couple of things off my chest, so to speak.

It is my personal opinion that the ARF forum is the busiest/most read forum at RCU.
Furthermore, you, the membership make my job the easiest moderating position here.
Why?
Class. Compassion. Patience. Unselfishness. Generosity.
You modelers here in the ARF forum, tend to stand on principals rather than personalities.
What I mean is, other than the good natured ribbing (most, well deserved) I do not see any slams, flames and or personal attacks here in the ARF forum that I see elsewhere.
Thank you.
OK, not strong enough.THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

I have been a ARF moderator online for 6 years or so, and you folks here in MY forum consistently amaze me with your willingness to help, and answer the same question over and over without complaint.
There are no kit VS ARF debates here. (Another thanks)
Only a person living under a rock would not know that there are many ARF forums "out there" on the 'net.
The fact that you have chosen to participate here, at RCU makes me very proud, and humble.
I have often seen kudos thrown to Marc, and the admins here for what they have provided, and just for good measure, put me on the gratitude list, too.
But more importantly, the thanks goes to you, the membership.
What good is a million square foot store, stocked to the ceiling with every goodie known, without the customers/members to breath live into it?
Nuttin'.
Zero.
Zilch.
Nada.
I raise my cup O coffee and salute you all, mah brothers from other mothers!

always a pleasure sir!!

Bashing, Clashing, and Smashing just ain't our style Mike...it's just there are so many ARF'f out there now we often have a tuff time making heads from tails.

oh yeh right Mike, quit yer whinin!
These ARF guys are the biggest, lousiest
bunch of.........oh wait, sorry wrong forum!

Good Job Mike!

Todd

You know I have noticed that the kit vs ARF thing is starting to go away. It is becoming much less of an issue.

People can build ARFs these days and be very proud of the quality and we have to admit that some people just don't have the time or inclination to build and there is nothing wrong with that.

I started off with ARF's, tried a few kits and now have come full circle back to ARFs as I just can't invest the time required into a kit. (Work and young family! )

I think the biggest thing is that ARFs are becoming much better quality and much more widely accepted. So we don't have to apologize that we build ARFs anymore.

BTW thanks for being a moderator. I was one for a few months when this site first started and I know it is a thankless job.

*sniff* Why, thanks pardner.

I roll my own, but buy ARFs too. I am always more relaxed and just enjoying the whole flight when it's an ARF.

Maybe that's why we're such a nice bunch? Less stress in our lives.

Big thanks to you, Mike, for your talents and moderations.

Hey Mike, What did I tell you about drinking all that coffee!!!

Thanks Mike!

FWIW the ARF forum here on RCU is the only one I frequent on a daily basis. I occasionally visit the heli forums here but I usually go to RR for what I need heli-wise.

I agree with you that this is one of the most civil forums I have ever participated in (I'll also include the e-zone forums too). I've gotten much good information. Even though I've been doing the R/C thing going on 20+ years now I can always find something new to learn here. Plus I am always happy to help out a fellow modeler.

And, hats off to you Mike for being a great moderator.

just my .02 cents.....

Jeff

i bet i can make your job stressful.LOL LOL LOL.....

THANKS MIKE

HaHaHaHa ARF!! bite the big one. (don't tell anyone I'm on my 3rd )


(let me correct myself 6th one. Ugly stick, Talon 40, Cap 231, Aspire, Zen 50, and now a SeeBee.)

The reason that we are less mean than othewrs is that like our ARF's we are more fragile too.

Mike, congratulations on a joob well done, but I have confession to make: I HATE ARFS!!!!

Just when I get my juices flowing ready to start an another of my built-it-yourself kits, out comes another manufacturer tempting me with the plane of my dreams. And all it takes is the old slap of plastic on the counter and a week of evening in the workshop.

AAARGHHH!! I can't resist the new Cermark Pitts has me droooling over the adds, my hand trembles, I'm about to pick up the phone........... NOOOO! STOPPP!! BREATHE! Ok, I better now - ready to start laying-out ribs on my new kits wing spars, but JEEEZe I almost lost it there.

Hey LuvBipes, let me guess......you love bipes?

Thanks guys, I apreciate your comments.
And fwiw, I too am totally dedicated to ARF's....that is untill I retire and am able to afford "turnkey"

For me, I'm hoping when I retire I'll finally have the time to build.

MIKE
This forum is the BEST I have many people point me in the right direction on so many issues. I certainly would have been lost in the woods without their sharing of mistakes and expertise on those issues. Thanks to you AND everyone else who make this forum possible.

AJT :thumbup:

Hi Mike. I met at the Ram's field. Keep up the good work.

Sure I remember you Ron...did you get that beautifull GeeBee up yet?
How'd she fly?
Great time at your flyin!

Sorry Mike, I had the WM Extra 300S w/ZDZ50. I am the RAM's saftey officer. Brn hair /beard.
We have a "Fun " Scale meet this weekend. You can enter any type of plane.

Now I know why I quit reading the news in the morning and come here. I get to hear something good and positive for a change

....I hate to admit it....but I've been putting up ARF's
now....like their going out of style, 3 already this year.
A WM Dago Red, a Twin Star, and an Arresti. I can build
and fly just as good as the next guy....but shoot....the
quality of todays ARF's....vs the time/money to build,....
it's getting harder and harder to justify building the
darned things anymore....

And yes....alot of mistakes can be avoided by reading
up here a bit....before cutting the top off that CA bottle.

Dave.

Mike:

I am deeply shamed, having to admit the purchase of three ARF's in the past 12 months.

They are a Global "RCM Trainer 40," (got it with the free engine deal) a Modeltech "Magic," and a Hangar 9 "Ultra Stick 120."

I am even more ashamed to admit that if my favorite types were more readily available as ARF's I'd probably be as lazy as you and never build any planes.

Build planes currently on boards:

Twin-Air 45 - final adjustments and test flight
Bridi F7F Tigercat - major assemblies finished, nothing installed or connected
Twin-Air 15 prototype - just started.

These three listed have two things in common - all are twin engined, and none are ARF planes.

All the available ARF twins have either too much plastic to suit me, or the price is more than I want to pay. Must admit I'm really tempted by the $500 KMP P-38, and I will not consider spending the $1000 for the VQ P-38.

Before anybody screams at me, consider this. The KMP includes the Spring-Air retracts, they're another $200 added to the $800 Morris gets for the VQ, so the real price to compare is KMP - $500, VQ- $1000. Twice as much money for essentially the same plane.

So the VQ is more true to scale? I can make the KMP equal the VQ for a hell of a lot less than the $500 difference.

I have only one sticking point, and that's only with the people who say they "Built" the things. Arf's are built at the factory, the flier assembles the ready-built parts.

Anyway, happy ARFing, everybody! I enjoy it too.

Your ARF, you claim you built.
Your brain, sir, is somewhat a-tilt.

Figured I'd stick a couplet in here. Haw.

Bill.

Alright guys, this is the ARF Patrol...

YOU'RE BUSTED!

I agree! I have 'assembled' a number of ARFs and always follow this naming convention. I do think assembly of major components is more descriptive of what is done to an ARF.