I have to vent here so bear with me. I am building a Contender, a very early contender .40 size that was kitted in the early 70's and what a POS it is. I can't believe we use to build these and not think anything about it but the newer style kits has spoiled me I guess. the wood is pathetic, parts fit, well let's just say I could make better parts using a butter knife! I have been modifying things as I go along and when needed cutting new parts but I swear I am ready to take a hammer to this POS but I am stubborn and I won't let it beat me! I can't wait till it's done so I can start on my Stuka which I know will be much better, now there I feel better!!!!!

Yep , Been there ,done that, that's the way it used to be with many kits back then.
It sure was a blessing to get full size plans so that you could cut "new" parts

And yet somehow it would get built,look good,and fly great.

I get a kick out of some people that indicate that the last kit they built was a
"real challenge"(perhaps only 50% of the parts were lazer cut).

I guess the quality of todays kits have spoiled me as well ..................but thats OK,
I'll suffer with it.

Regards
Roby

Art,
I feel your pain. I built one in the mid 80's & it was indeed crap. Just to add insult to injury the 40 size flew just as poorly.

Life's too short! Build the good kits where every step is enjoyable & don't waste your time on the junk.

Scott

I have to admit that I've gotten spoiled too.

The last two kits I built were "Builder's Kits", The bad thing was I KNEW one of them was going to be a tough build, but I thought the other was going to be easy, and that I could slap it together when the first one started making me nuts. Turned out I had TWO planes driving me nuts last winter!

Never again!

Man... I know this one. I've built kits that the part were so badly crunched or simply the wrong size that it would have been easier if they just printed the patterns on wood so I could cut them myself.

Everyone raves about Top Flite kits, but personally, I've always thought they had poor wood and poor fitting parts. That being said, because of my experience with them, I haven't built one since the 70's. They were way sub-standard then compared to Sig kits or Bridi kits. Maybe they're better now, but after several miserable building experiences with Top Flite kits I haven't looked at them since.

I will validate Scott's opinion . The 40 is no way close to the 60
in it's flying qualities.

Roby