For me, it isn't a question of kits vs. arfs. They both have their place. I have had a couple of arfs that I fly while I am building. I don't have to wait to stay in the air and keep reasonably proficient. I don't ask much of an arf. For me, spending a few bucks on a sport arf that I can knock around in the air is fine. I don't have it so that I can express any pride in its appearance.

Now building, that's another story. I like the building process as a form of relaxation. Envisioning an end result and then using my meager (and I do mean meager) skills to get there. That in and of itself is rewarding. It is also great to impart my personal touch in the look of the plane. Then there is the capper. Flying what I have built.

Ironically, some of my disappointing moments in this hobby have come when I am at the field with a plane that I did not build and a "civilian" comes up to admire it. I hate it when I'm asked the inevitable question, "did you build that?" I lower my head and sheepishly say, "no." I sometimes feel that I should add, "but wait! Come to my house. You have to see the others! I built them!"

Of course, to each his own but I hope that solely arf fans at least give an easy kit a try just once. I do feel that they will be rewarded for their effort.

I agree. You should check out the newest Foamy designer called DYNAMICFOAMY.com. I heard they will have over 50 designs by the middle of next year and that they are designed and manufactured by an engineer who has been in the hobby for over 10 years. Check it out!!! You might like it.


Wilson*********.net

Everyone says, " Why build a kit when an ARF cost the nearly the same?" That does not wash! An ARF that is the same quality materials, and construction as a decently built kit will cost a lot more. Look at the price of 3 Sea Bees ARFs, or othe "Hi End" ARFs.

Tomorrow I should receive my Top Flite Cessna 182 Skylane. I have been away from model building since the old tissue covering days. I have a couple of ARF's to fly every day, but the pride and satisfaction of building a model from a kit can't be matched if you like to build. I haven't built in a long time and never an RC model but I have looked at the instruction manual on-line and don't see anything earthshaking. And there's always help available here on the forum or down at the flying field.

I was on the road for work yesterday when I stopped in the town of Turlock, CA to grab a bite to eat. I noticed a hobby shop up the road so I wenin to take a look around. They actually had kits on the shelf. That's getting to be pretty rare. I've had both kits and ARF's. In almost every instance, my kit planes have flown better and lasted longer. I don't think I'm all that great of a builder either. I just think that some ARF's have quality issues. That's not to say I'll never buy another one. If I like the plane enough, I'll buy it. It just depends.

I've been flying for about 5 years now, all have been ARF's in one form or another. This has been more out of necessity due to work and family commitments. But I'm now starting to get into the kit building scene to improve my skills in what I see as an essential part of the hobby and that is the repairs side of it due to the occasional prangs(most get put in the back of the shed to get back to later which never happens). The club I fly at although only having about 40 members, has a good number of kit and scratch builders which provides the opportunity to enlist some assistance.

I picked up my Sig Smith Miniplane kit at the LHS the other day, and they almost looked at me funny. Said I was a dying breed- gee, thanks a lot! I don't know anyone who builds kits, so it looks like I'm on my own. This looks like it will be a lot different than the Somethin' Extra kits that I've done. Gotta get the engine before I can start the build, can't wait.

I've noticed that some models that have both ARF and kit versions have differences in parts, designs, etc. Sig does that.

Part of the price breaks with ARFs is because they are built in China, or other countries where labor costs are minimal. Some cut corners with connectors, landing gears, and, of course, covering. Almost forgot glues, as in none or hot glue. We have a couple of shelf paper planes at the field.

One thing I'd be interested in knowing is if the RC airplane hobby in general growing? If not, then more ARF's = less kits. That's the only thing I 'dislike' about ARF's. I'm flying one right now and the construction is good and the covering scheme is great. But I still want to be able to have more kits available. When you have months of time to build, an ARF just doesn't satisfy.

Kerry

Kit builders are sissies

I'm 6'5" and 320 lbs, come-on over and see my current scratch build and call me a sissy. When you leave, you'll have a new impression of kit builders. I'm sure the ambulance medic will love to hear about it. (LOL).

People were into ARFs a few years ago but I haven’t seen many at our flying site in the last year. A few newbies with ARF trainers but the serious flyers build their own to get the quality and flight performance they want. ARFs have a long way to go with their quality before the typical serious flyer will be interested. I haven’t bought an ARF in years and the last one I bought I sent back because of poor quality. The return shipping cost them $30!!! I prefer building kits or building from plans. I guess when I get really old and cannot build anymore I’ll try another ARF. Not sure.

Why do ARFers always want to hangout in this forum?

I think they would say they have too much free time!

I knew I would rumble a few people....
Please check my pictures on my web site...

www.gumhead.com

Wait dont shoot! Im one of you!!!

C'mon down for a visit. I have something nice for you. It's very, very nice. It's worth the trip. I promise you'll leave with a completely different attitude. Please, Please Please.

Bill, AMA 4720

rotflmao....too much free time.....

I have no time on my hands!
Heres a picture I took just 2 minutes ago from my work shop....



Now I have to get back to work on my sig hog bipe.

I would guess that there are almost as many people enjoying building today as compared to 20 or 30 years ago. The difference is that 20 or 30 years ago, if you wanted to fly, you needed to build.
ARFs have done two things. First, those that don't enjoy building, don't have to. Second, there are many who, by not being forced to build, have not descovered the pleasures of building.
For myself, I enjoy building more than flying. I just finished my first sport scale plane and getting ready for my second. I have about 7 kits waiting, mostly Royal/Marutaka kits.

Scott

No, kit building is less popular, instant gratification seems to be the rule . model building was the only way to have a airplane when I first started for me showing up at my club or field with a new plane and talking about how it all came together is allot of what this hobby is all about for me.
tonight I started my next project hanging with my sons answering questions allot of what's and why's, and gluing some wood a few months from now a plane will be borne it's the process, getting better with each one. the latest TF P-47

gumhead -- glad your with us. I got my last post deleted, thought it was funny (but I guess threatening -- wasn't intended to be -- so sorry). Kit building is definately not coming back. Sure there might be a bunch of new "kit" suppliers coming out with stuff, but most of the new stuff is foam or small. Kits in the 60-90 size are definately on the decline. The instant gratification group that needs ARFs and only ARFs are missing out on part of the best of this hobby.

Now, I do have an ARF and I fly it a lot, my dad has a couple but we still build. Personally, I think that both have made me a better flyer. I fly within my safe zone when flying my kit built planes and I push my skills with my ARF. This is a great way to improve and yet still keep flying.

At our club, we have a member, a great guy and nice as the day is long. He started flying about 2 years ago. Just ARFs. I don't think he has a set budget (hint on his economic well being). Well in the last 2 years, he has gone through about 15 aircraft! He is constantly buying stuff that he is not ready for, and because he has little sweat in his aircraft, he fly's them (usually once).

That's like asking why groupies exist .... [8D]

No porb mcarleno.

I was just makin a joke I didnt know it would cause any problems.

Though I am 6'5" and 320lbs, I love to wear pink shirts, my wife and kids think I look good in them, so I guess that makes me a sissy too! Kits or ARFs -- flying is so much fun and I'm glad that there are more and more people flying. I like all of us here like to blame the ARFs for the disappearing kits. Personnally, I think it will eventually come down to a fewer kits, more ARFs, and use builders will be using plans.

Take care and keep building! You're Astrohog is looking good.

Its the day after Christmas. You have three choices, go to the mall with your wife and sit in the little chair in the womans dept for hours. Look at a ARF you received and know the LG will rip out the 1st hard landing, and the motor will shoot out the front. Or open that kit and start in laying the first stick of wood on the building bench knowing in a few months when the snow melts and the Robins start to sing you will have built a plane just the way you wanted and have the thrill of the first flight yet to come. So it don't matter to me if builders are a dieing breed, or ARfs fill the shelves at my LHS, I will keep building the planes I love to see take to the air built by me.