I've flown an ARF or two and feel they have their place. Everybody needs an "everyday" airplane, one you warm up with for a day of flying, or one you get a bit crazy with when the urge strikes. However, there are also special models and these are built by the flyer. Really special models are designed and scratch-built by the modeler, very special models are scratch-built from plans. Kits are the easy way to go.
BUT kits are disappearing at an alarming rate. The only way we're going to have them available next year or next month or next week is to order one now. I've just ordered the Thomas-Morse Scout from Balsa USA. Please post a reply with your new order. Thanks!

If there is a demand for kits...there will always be kits..me thinks

I just ordered 2 Short kits from Lazerworks, They have a whole range based on RCM and MAN plans plus other plans that are easy to get.

http://lazer-works.com/index.html

A place where plans are :- http://www.trentonrcflyers.com/patte...structions.htm

Johnkpap

I have about 25 kits (mostly old classics) that I have saved up for retirement. I continue to scratch build (just finished a Flea Fli) and will do so for who knows how long. I have an ARF Electostick from Tower that is OK, but it lacks the personality of one you build yourself.

John

I just ordered a Ziroli Stuka Fiberglass fuselage kit from PCK and then the fiberglass fuselage, canopy, cowl and wheel pants from Ziroliplans.com. I would think that the fuse and all accessories will be here sometime in the next couple weeks, but the kit itself may be 8 weeks or so depends on if they have it cut or need to cut a kit out. Well its time to get ready to go to my first fly in event, Its going to be a long dirve but should be lots of fun.
Jordan

I have two kits on deck to build  a Sig King Kobra and a Tri-Star. Had a stroke but once I am better I will build the KK first.  </p>

LOL, nice try DPDW but looks like the guys understand the concept.

Don has the best post that is grounded in economic reality.

I love to build kits and have been stock piling my garage with discountinued kits that I find here in the Market Place and the Bay. There are so many planes from years ago that are just hard to match with todays planes. I also save all my plans and make all the patterns I might need to scratch build my favorite planes. Show me someone that has been flying RC as long as I have who has not built and flown an Ugly Stick and I will show you someone that has missed out on one of the best planes ever made.....Good Luck, Dave

Yes, but did you fly the Canard stick?! (Now if I could get it together and learn how to post shots).

Building the BUSA 1/6 Nieuport now. Was hoping to kitbash the Four Star60 into the Mister E from the AMA mag a few months ago but the 4 stars are almost impossible to get these days. I do have the plans fropm the 40 size so may have to cut my own kit. The BUSA DR1 will be the next "kit"

I too have a couple arfs... and they're great but my true passion is building

Mike

I too love to build kits.  I am in the finishing stages of a TF P-51.  I have the fuse built already on a 92 in span Giles 202.  And I just recieved my new Tiger 60 from Tower today to replace the one I totalled last month.  The Giles will have to wait on a $700 motor.  But the I will start on the Tiger tonight!!!

Covering a Pete N Poke now and will start a P-51 Gold kit this winter! Keep building the kits!

You can get any of the sig 4 star kits at gravesrc right now. They have them in stock.

I have been purchasing kits and plans during the last five years. The majority of the kits I have are now discontinued. As of today, I have a total of 34 kits and 6 plans and still counting. No ARFS on my collection. I am also buying engines as opportunities/bargains arrive.

My new Astro Hog from the Sig kit is such a sweetheart. I'd hate to see it "updated" or discontinued.

If the question is about kits, here is my most recent completion from my secret stash. A 1965 Midwest AristoCat controlled with my 1970 Orbit converted to 2.4. Maiden was about eight or nine days ago and about 15 happy flights completeted:

John

I'd like a Piper Cherokee, anyone know where to find one?

Not to reiterate what Dave said, but he is right; if you find a kit and you can buy it grab it. I spoke some years ago with Don Anderson(GP) and he was intent on arfs since that would make GP the importer and not have to hire kit guys, box guys wood cutter guys, etc. Get em while you can.

Hey guys;

There are still a few kit cutters out there - but you have to LOOK for them and (hopefully) support them... I don't know how much they sell but I'm sure that they can always use some extra business...

IF you like BIG planes - look here;

http://www.amr-rc.com/

Other sizes - including custom orders try;

https://mraerodesign.securicom.ca/en/index.cfm

I like the Gold Finch - they produce it in a 40 size as well as a 50cc size - nice sport flier.

Amen brother!!!

PRG

Heck Yeah! Puck those guys and their American families.

Dave Platt rule number 7

1 All of the best information on a subject arrives the day the model is completed, and proves conclusively that what you have done is wrong.

2 You never finish a scale model. You just stop working on it.

3 Those subjects requiring the greatest number of working channels have the least room for radio gear.

4 How right it looks matters more than how right it is.

5 Competitive scale modeling is about replication, not authentication.

6 Given a choice, judges will believe wrong information over right.

7 Live by the principle of scarfology. Things disappear from the marketplace, so scarf them up while the scarfing is good.

8 Experience has demonstrated that the worst 3-views of any subject are the ones that came form the factory. The best were done by some careful modeler who wanted an accurate model and made his 3-view a labor of love.

9 Never, ever, use color photos in documentation.

10 The weak link in the RC Scale reliability chain is still - the engine.

11 A fair model with a good docs-book will outscore an excellent model with a poor docs-book.

12 Scale RC is a very relaxing hobby – if you can stand the pace.

13 Big models fly; small models flit.

14 First, it’s got to fly.

15 No amount of flying will improve your static score.

16 It’s a mistake to take a scale model out to fly while you still like it.

17 Whenever a manufacturer improves his product, the old one is much better than the new one.

Keep your eye out on the market place and ebay. The old Great Planes Cherokee 40 kit pops up from time to time.

We must strongly disagree. Great Planes will staff as necessary to produce whatever the modeling customers are buying. GP has gone to a lot of ARF models because that's what people are buying. Nothing more, nothing less. Kits are money losers as a rule. However, the kits that sell remain in production. Here are the Great Planes kits currently available because people are buying them:

GPMA0050 FUNDANGO AEROBATIC PARK FLYER
GPMA0090 DYF BUTTERFLY TRAINER KIT
GPMA0160 PIPER J-3 CUB 40 SIZE KIT
GPMA0162 PIPER J-3 CUB 60 SIZE KIT
GPMA0175 P-51D MUSTANG 40 KIT
GPMA0177 CORSAIR 40 KIT
GPMA0180 RV-4 .40 SPORT KIT
GPMA0210 SUPER SPORTSTER 60 KIT
GPMA0116 PT-20 MKII TRAINER KIT
GPMA0118 PT-40 MKII TRAINER KIT
GPMA0119 PT-60 TRAINER KIT
GPMA0155 T-CRAFT .20 KIT
GPMA0156 ELECTRICUB II KIT
GPMA0236 EXTRA 300S .60 SIZE KIT
GPMA0240 ULTIMATE BIPLANE .40 SIZE KIT
GPMA0420 US60 ULTRA SPORT 60 KIT
GPMA0493 PETE-N-POKE SPORT 40 KIT
GPMA0510 DYF SUPER DECATHLON GIANT KIT
GPMA0530 SPIRIT 2-METER SAILPLANE KIT
GPMA0535 SPIRIT ELITE 2-METER SAILPLANE
GPMA0540 SPECTRA ELEC SAILPLANE KIT
GPMA0570 DYF BIRD OF TIME SAILPLANE KIT
GPMA0952 GBG SUPER CHIPMUNK .45-.61 KIT
GPMA0955 GBG EAGLE 2 .29-.49 KIT
GPMA0960 GBG GENTLE LADY GLIDER KIT
GPMA0961 GBG EAGLET 50 .09-.25 KIT
GPMA0963 GBG ANNIVERSARY CUB .40-61 KIT
GPMA0966 GBG TIGER 2 .40-.46 KIT
GPMA0968 GBG TIGER 60 SPORT .60-.65

Unfortunately, If people stopy buying the kits, they will be dropped. No manufacturer, of any product, will keep items in their product line that do not sell. That goes for any market. If the Pontiac Aztek was a hot seller, you can bet they'd still be making them.

If the demand for kits goes up, then kits will be made. Manufacturers are in the business of providing their customers with the items those customers are actually buying. It really is just that simple.

Looking for kits? check out this link;

I make Laser Cut short kits for the following planes. These are all 3d,IMAC capable.
30% EDGE
30% CAP
30% EXTRA
33% KATANA
30cc YAK

You can find info on the short kits here:
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