stevenmax50,
I have been wanting to ask you this before but which hobby shop are you reffering to? Is it ABC hobbies in Boaz? My home town is in Birmingham but I go to school in Jacksonville so my local hobby shop is Homewood Toy and Hobby in Birmingham. When Im at school in Jacksonville, I have always wished there was a local hobby shop close by there but I have yet to find one.


David

These kits ain't too bad! www.vansaircraft.com/public/kit-qb.htm;)

no doubt I'm workin' on one right now

I don't understand.  You buy engines, right?  So you buy models that only need assembly.  Same thing. 
Otherwise start building engines also.  Carve the tires out of a block of rubber.  Machine the wheels out of plastic.

Come on lets get on it.

Oh and any kit maker shouldn't be using a laser cutter, right? 

Honestly as a builder of model aircraft, i do not know if it really matters if kits are available or not. Almost all of the old kits have plans out there somewhere and most of the good designs were published in magazines. Building from the plans is no biggie and any of these designs can be easily laser cut from a kit cutter.


I think that as builders, things have just changed a little. This hobby for me has always been about building first and flying second. For some this hobby is only about flying. It is very important to keep this in mind. My dad taught me how to build model airplanes and he never flew his entire life. It is just a matter of what you are looking to get out of this hobby.

I'm jealous[>:]

Hell .This is serina from Dong Yang Servo Power Model Co.,Ltd ,If you need good source of RC servo ,Brushless motor,ESC.Gold connector,etc...Then contact me.http://www.dys.hk<div>Skype: SerinaDYS</div><div>Email:[email protected]</div>

@Serinadys...Go advertize on the marketplace, this is about kits not advertizing for profit...BOOOOOOO Howwwwwwww !!<div>
</div>

"a hobbyshop stocked with nothing but ARF's (china made) and no wooden kits".......................and we wonder why we are in a depression.....that's right, this is not a recession, it's a modernized DEPRESSION!!!!!

the ARF buyers (and their type)are the ones who helped put this country in the state it's in and nothing will ever change until we all unite and quit buying chineese crap..............ever notice how the prices have been steadily climbing on the chineese crap?

this topic is so typical, yet political at the same time..............if we all picked just 1 day to just sit home, not buy anything, don't go to work, this government that TAKES GREAT CARE OF US and protects our freedom (another modern day form of communism) would fold and give control back to the people...................
bunch of whiners!

You guys living in the USA are lucky. Here in South Africa we have always struggled to find kits, they are available from 2 LHS countrywide, and one of those has stopped importing them altogether.
At least you have the option of ordering online from Kit makers, the postage makes doing this in South Africa very expensive.
Luckily I have a few SIG kits stocked up and have just bought a Balsa USA stick 40 plus for my son to learn on. Thanks Brian for bringing in Balsa USA kits!

If you haven't heard Wing Mfg has gone out of business. Does anyone know of another A-26 kit?

years ago china was red china and they were determined to become a superpower and they threw the communists out and realized capitalism was the best way to bury the usa without ever firing a missle.They have learned to beat us where it hursts the most in our wallet.as one moddeller here apatly put it we have done it to ourselves..I would love to have owned a hobbyshop but with internet websites and overseas cheap production its a wonder any hobbyshop even exists.when balsa costs started shooting up you knew that wood kits were going to disappear.and we went from from the poor quality of arfs like old laniers to new vietnam and china made laser cut arfs.I plead guilty as I love flying 3dhobby planes the quality is very good.

I am one now who hates hobbyking.customer service is the pits and shipping is very costly at times and the wait is a killer.I will continue to support my LHS when I can and if I pay a little more so what ...one of the biggest problems in this country is that we DON'T man ufacture much of anything.but if we tried to re-capture manufacturing which would create jobs...then nobody wil buy given the high business taxes and american culture for cheap prices..we have done it to ourselves wanting wally world inferior goods at cheap prices .that puts workers out of work and unto unemployment and medicaid and in a number of cases workers too old onto social security.its a viscious cruel cycle..

but I do build and love building scale planes ..theres balsa around and you just have to know where to go and yes even designer short kits etc.

I will say that those who are calling Chinese built models, accessories, etc "crap" don't realise that the majority of everything is Chinese now. The quality of such models has been steadily increasing, and they can afford to make them of a higher quality. Why don't we see advanced American made ARTFs? It would cost too much from a labour and manufacturing standpoint. Hence, the quality has to suffer, or it becomes impossible to produce anything beyond a simple parkflyer. Sure, there are some terrible "no name' models out  there, but some of the very best are Chinese as well. There are also some terrible American made models, German made models, Japanese models, etc.<div>
<div>To say otherwise is a massive generisation and has no place in an argument. </div></div>

Rickusaf said: [quote]I had been out of the hobby for 10 years, in those short ten years, so much has changed. We built only from kits or scratch builds. Now that I am back here is what I have found, and it's disappointing to say the least. The majority of ARF's are built in CHINA, and that has to stop if this country wants to get back on its feet again. It's just plain laziness, and there is no excuse for not finding the time to build. It's still the same 8 hour work week, if anything else it's how much $$$ a company can make by out-sourcing models to rc sweat-shops. I am scratch building TWO Gee Bee R-1 racers, and modifying it in the process, and as the other person said, its a HOBBY, something to enjoy building and taking pride in. I take those crashed planes, rebuild them and fly them. When I look on RCU and see models from the $2000.00 - $15,000.00 its just plain NUTS !! Don't know about you, but I have better ways to put that money to better use then to fly a model. Yes, the LHS are suffering, but who is to blame, we are for buying that crap. the LHS are raising prices on the small stuff ($5.00 for four servo screws) to make up the difference. Maybe we need some mom and pop kit builders out there to put the third world country's to shame. Its even hard for me to scratch build because of the costs of small items needed to finish the model is outrageous. And, where are the kids ?? You dont see the kids at the flying field anymore because they cant afford to buy insurance, gas, or a decent model to fly. ALL you see are senior citizens showing off their toys to other senior citizens. Thats not what it's about, and it was a family thing. /quote]

<span style="font-size: larger;">I have been out of the hobby since 1980, and I totally agree with what Rick said. I began building kits when I was 10 or 11, and lately I have found you don't completely lose this skills. I have 7 planes in my workshop right now - all are ARFs that somebody crashed and either didn't know how to repair them or didn't want to fool with them! I have been able to save all of them using basic building procedures. Being retired and on a fixed income, I'm glad I found a way to enjoy the hobby again - both building/rebuilding and flying!</span>

oh and you live where?
things are real cheap up there too eh?
i won't even send packages to anyone up there anymore because of all the whining and crying about the tariff charged by your illustrious government............go ahead tho, buy ChinEEsE.............they'll take care of ya in yer old age.....LMAO

My sentiments exactly!

I enjoy the design then building and the flying of it.

The best kits these days an from the USA.

http://www.btemodels.com/index.html

I even own a couple of arfs I have to admit. But when I have to disassemble an ARF or a RTF then re engineer (modify) and re glue, so the engine or landing gear don't fall off and the wing doesn't fold and etc.
Then have to reshrink or recover and do all that in addition. I could have built a kit or scratched one out and been happier. I'm not impressed yet. The term Almost Ready to Fly leaves a lot to be determined as to what was not done to completion.

Sure you can berate me for not growing my own balsa, turning my own engines or carving my own props, pouring and baking my own tires. I can (except for growing my own balsa ) Can YOU ?

I often get out the butcher paper and plot and loft or even CAD my own plans.. some others can but can you ? Do you know what airfoil section or the force arrangement that is involved in your Super Duper Whiz Bang ARF has engineered in to the design of it?

Some of us have built our own radios and still do. Instead of being critical thank a designer for what you have instead of looking down your nose at the rest of us who have earned what we have and will build.

Of course some modelers can and do just those things and then there are those that can not.
There are plenty of excuses out there so pick one as to why you don't build. There are some who should not be allowed near a flight box or heaven help us a bottle of CA, let alone a screw driver.

I don't march to the beat of a Chinese Drum and am d*** proud of what I have designed and built !

Dare to Build !
Anyone can Buy !
DH

I do not "bash" or"look down" on those who do not build. I simply find that in most cases we have no common interest. While I am sure you are a fine individual what do we have to talk about? That is in no way "bashing". I hope you will not "look down" on me for failing to share your interests.

If you wish to discuss motorcycles, hunting, fishing, favorite author, yes, we doubtless could have a fine conversaation, just not about model airplanes.

If you just have to have something upon wich to disagree, I will say that there are very few so lacking in motor skills that they cannot learn, over time to build a model, and yes, we find the time for things we really want to do.

jess

No offense Jess....but we both enjoy flying RC...you fly a kit built....and I fly an ARF. How is it that we don't have anything in common? I am sure you would tell me all about your "kit built" if I asked. I would probably give you an "attaboy" and wax poetic about how nice it looked and what cool building skills you have. Maybe ask you for some tips. I built a kit back in 07 after getting into the hobby in 03. Check my profile and you will see a couple of pics of my .40 size Stingray (crashed on maiden)...and the yellow *** which was an amalgam of, tail feathers from a CAP (mid air) and a wing set, cowl, LG from a .40 size Sukhoi ARF (another friend crashed it)...and a scratch built fuse, which a friend helped me with. So, I have"built". It's just that I have not done so in a long time. Not sure if I will or won't again.
I was at the field the other day flying my Easy Sports which use the original wings...but we built a pair of fuse's after I dumb thumbed the ARF. And a friend crashed his and gave me his lightly damaged wing set. So now I have two. Anyway, I was talking to one of the guy's...who was a prolific "builder"...but at his age...his eyesight is going....so he no longer builds. He brought an ARF trainer to the field to fly. Would you not have anything in common with him? If you did not know him and saw him flying an ARF...would you think there was nothing in common with you?
Look...I have nothing but high praise for people who "build"...especially scratch builders. What I don't like is the attitude that SOME builders have towards people who buy ARF's. And blame them for the demise of kits....and the demise of this country, in general.
IF in fact the "building" community laments the fact that the youngsters are not building....perhaps a mentor program could be set up where they fly. Take a youngster (or oldster) who might be interested and help him build a kit. Kind of a Master-Apprentice thing....if you will. This would be a way of passing building skills to the younger ones.

All for now...going to go down and prep my ARF's for tomorrow's flying.

Regards,
Chris

Thanks for the thoughtful reply, Chris.

I would almost certainly hace a common interest with your friend who is having vision problems. I lost the sight of my right eye in Vietnam, and was blind in both eyes for two years. Fortunately I recovered the vision of the left eye and have been able to enjoy a productive career as well as all the hobbies and activities I have always loved.

I have indeed tried my hand at mentoring youngsters, not only in building and flying but in fishing, shooting sports, and horsemanship.

A look at the history of the AMA will reveal that mentoting programs are nothing new. "The Beginner Problem" was a concern at least in the 1950s.

I am very glad that so many enjoy ARFs. I just am not one of them. At least when I fly my scratch-built craft alone I feel I am in good company.

jess

GSNut,
I can't do any of those things. I obviously am a total idiot and shouldn't pick up a radio since I am not worthy. Please get off your high horse. Step easy, it's along way down!
You didn't ask the obvious question. Do I want to do any of those things? Or do I just want to fly, due to various reasons that are none of your business.

Guess you did not understand.........

I don't care what you do, so you do your thing and I do mine.
I don't compete with you or anyone else.
I build to my standards and only mine.

No brag just fact.

Thanks for your reply.

Cheers

Certainly I take a different view on this and believe I always have.

Although I've built models for 58 years, hard to believe but true, I don't in any way feel I'm above ARF'ers.

I'M AN ARF'er TOO!

Sure. I can talk about the solid Comet kits I built, the Berkleys, CL Veco's, yada yada yada. But to who. Hey! Guys that have been there that built or wanna build.

I don't talk ARF to these same guys.

I have a CMP P-51, CMP P-40, H9 Corsair, some other P-40 don't know who it is, an electric Albatross, which I'm doing a graphic thing to just to make it different. I sold my Skyshark P-40 ARF.

So yes, certainly WE have much in common. There's more than one way to participate in this great hobby.

I started the Thread because there was no kits in this hobby shop. My thoughts were as to where the marketing and interest has gone.

Sure it's changed, but it's still there. Possibly even more so.

Charles

GSNut, I don't think that any people that fly ARFs look down their noses at builders. I admire them. I do have to say from your statements that to say you are not bragging is untrue. It's bragging anytime you say, "can you?". Your writing style in your post was not very pleasant towards anyone but builders and noting what your accomplishments were. We are all not tech heads who want to build radios. Some of us use this hobby as therapy and all we really want to do is fly. I am happy with the planes I have ARFs, and yes I build planes too.

Hey, Good for you.

Thanks Again.

Cheers