When people ask if your model is an ARF, is that a compliment or an insult ?

Could probably go either way, depending on your attitude, and the way in which the question was asked. I always take these statements as compliments, wether they were intended as such or not. Maybe you have a really nice covering job, or maybe your vertical stabilizer is a little crooked. Just remember, this hobby/lifestyle is all about fun. Don't let anyone get too far under your skin.

If it was a kit, I'd take it as a compliment

I get that A lot and most of my planes are Scratch/Plans built. It's just A sign of the times and I now just take it as A question.

Well, when Top Gun trophy winners start out as an ARF I guess it ain't so bad...........

If someone asked me if my kit built model was an ARF, I would be offended. Hopefully my kit builts look way better than any true ARF on the market. If they are going to look like ARFs, the may as well be ARFs.

I guess some people read far too much into casual comments.

I'd be more concerned with the person doing the asking. If you know them, they proabably know you and your niche in the hobby. If a stranger, they may simply be curious. Either way, your plane is getting the notice...what could be wrong with that?

(Besides, all ARF's look alike...unless you bash 'em)

PM

I get that question for my kits and take it as a compliment. The questioning seem to go like... Is than an ARF? No, its a kit I built. Darn i like the way it looks or flys and wanted one. I tell them where the kit is available, and the reply then is i cant build or i do not have time to build.

Ditto... I take it as a compliment. The guys who seem to ask that question of me (and others) are the ones who don't build. Usually they ask because they like what they see and they want one too!

It depends……… If you are at the field….then every model, scratch built, kit built or bought from your next door neighbour is an ARF cause it is About Ready to Fly or …..it has All Ready Flown… So the simple and safe answer is Yep sure is… :-) Bert
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I used to take it as an insult. Now, I take it as a question from the uninformed majority. I still get somewhat annoyed when I am asked where they can go and buy one. Mine are most always old WACO kits that I have bought from collectors, or from ebay. Every now and again, I get asked that question about one of my scratch build models, and they are always a model of a fairly obscure real plane. I guess some people think that everything that they see has a price tag. Some do not.

Bill, AMA 4720

Hello,

Don't take it as an insult because people do not know if it is or not, that's why they ask. DP

A couple of decades ago or less it would have been an insult. But now some ARFS look as good as as a well built kit.

Maybe I just haven't seen one yet......

Well for all the ARF bashing that goes on I think they look pretty darn good for the most part.
Most of them have lots of colors in a fairly complex scheme.
I have some ARFs and I have some I built from kits. I will take it as a compliment if someone finally asks if one of the completed kits it is an ARF.

[8D]There should be no question. The difference(s) should be apparent.

Is that the type of bashing where you badmouth them and call them names? Or the type of bashing where you add a turtle deck, or move the canopy location, shape of stablizer, etc?

Bashing? Hardly. Before you can bash something, you either have to care enough about it to want to change it, or you want to change someone elses mind about it. I do neither concerning ARF's. The only problem that I see with them, is the fear that the ability to build correctly will be lost to the coming generations. If you want to try to enjoy something that someone else built, go right ahead. Don't pass it off as a build. Call it like it is.

Bill, AMA 4720

you would think... I recently finished a slow poke sport kit, I used Sig koverall and dope. Two members down my club already asked "is that an ARF?"
Theres not a seam on it! Its painted! But I do take it as a complement... I guess they think it looks so good I must have not made it myself


Heres a pic of my non-ARF...
http://www.rcuniverse.com/gallery/ga...memid%3D180246

No, ignorance.[>:]

Just my two cents but I think you have to look at it this way. You might be the best builder in the crowd, but there not. They are just moving out of the trainer stage and are looking for there next baby. They dont think they have the experance to build or maybe the time. Maybe its a model they have never seen before. I have been building and fly for 6-7 years now and I still see stuff that I like nut didn't know was a kit or and ARF.
I would take it as they have intrest in you model and want to know more about it.

Babblefish7

A little off the Subject, but I just saw there Hangar 9 is going to introduce a stinking ARF of the Sopwith Camel. Is nothing sacred?

Bill, AMA 4720

You would be hard pressed to know every ARF available so the question is legitimate and does not indicate ignorance. Some models come as kits and ARF. I have customised (a few gentle taps rather than bashed!) ARFs with great satisfaction but would never claim that I built them. I am about to embark on a build and if it comes out finished any where near as good as a lot of ARFs, I will be rapt. If it flies reasonably well will be satisfying enough.
It worries me that there seems to be a level of arrogance that "if you didn't build it - preferably from scratch - then it doesn't rate".
This sport, like all sports, has "A" grade level down to "F". People start at the bottom and need coaching and encouragement from those at the higher levels. Some will go up a few grades, some wont, and some will exceed their teachers. All should enjoy the sport at whatever level they achieve. No-one should be looked down upon because of what they fly if it is airworthy. If it isn't, then those that know should help as long as the person is willing to listen and learn. Old timers should not lament. ARF brings a wider group of people into the sport. Of those, there will always be some (like me) who want to make that step into building just to see if they can.

Back to the topic, take it as a compliment that your aircraft looks professionally finished.

PS The Sopwith Camel is a marvellous subject for an ARF. It is surprising that there is not one already on the market given Biggles, Snoopy etc. It will be tricky to fly if anything like the real thing so would be aimed at advanced modellers I guess.

Gumhead, your Slow Poke does look so good it is unbelievable.

Ozspit, well said.

How about this ARF Bill?

http://www.airworld-usa.com/spad.htm

ARF is a very broad term. Like I posted earlier, ARF's are now winning trophies at world class events like Top Gun.

Not to pick on Airworld, but their ARF's are some of what I was referring to. Fuselages, wings, empannage already built. A little glue and paint and you have a plane. Isn't that an ARF?

http://www.airworld-usa.com/catalina.htm

http://www.airworld-usa.com/fw190.htm

http://www.airworld-usa.com/dagored.htm

http://www.airworld-usa.com/mustang.htm