yep the skybolt is a builder's dream kit. LOTS of gluing, LOTS of shaping, planing, sanding, and it'll bring your covering skills up a few levels as well!!! i've really enjoyed the build thus far and i'm glad i decided to build the kit as the new introduction of the ARF i suspect the kit's life span has been labeled.

BUT i built the kit and i still have the plans!!! i can always convert to "plan building"!!!!!

i love arf's you can pick up a lot of airplane parts out of the trash when they crash them.
more free parts that i can have to build to my kit building stash.

69 yrs old and still building
ron h.

If it hadn't been for ARF/RTF i would have never gotten into this hobby. My wife was at an appointment and just down the strip mall from where we were was a hobbyshop. I went in and started snooping around. The store keeper was an older genlteman that was working on a plane in the quiet times during the day. We got chatting and the next thing i know i walked out with a parkzone J-3 cub. I learned how to fly on that thing and had a blast. I then moved up to a glow trainer (hangar-9 arrow) and after that was completely hooked. I have had many ARF's since then. This winter i bought an LT-40 kit to build for my son because i heard that they were incredibly easy to build. He is not really interested in planes so my uncle is buying it and is going to fly with me and my dad. I currently have 4 ARF's and 2 kit built. that ratio will change as i am able to free up more time. I am looking forward to the day when i can devote more time to building portion of this hobby, but until then i will continue to build (sorry assemble) ARF's so i can at least enjoy the flying part of the hobby. I really hope kit building is making a comeback.

Flyboy76

The fun is in the Buid. I finished a cub I started 15 years ago and went imediately into another plane rv-4. I will hopefully learn to fly this year. Yes that is correct I will have completed two kits and have never flown a plane. [>:]

No worries, I am the same way. I only have about 40 min of air time so far .

Could be, I was checking my bills, in 2004 I bought five ARFs, in 2005 I bought 3 ARFs and only one Kit, last year I bought 4 ARFs and 4 Kits, This year I have bought 2 Kits and I am not sure about buying any ARF.
As you can see, as deep as I am coming into this hobby, I think like most of you, I feel better to fly my built kits than any ARFs.
One more think I'd like to share, Most of my wrecked planes are ARFs, most of my planes from kits are still alive and ready to fly.
Happy landings.

I love kit building. That's how I started, with a Kadet Jr. I have built a couple ARF's, but my heart is in the kits. Taking off for the first time with a plane built from a kit? PRICELESS!! And with having a family, I get to enjoy the hobby while home, which the wife really appreciates. I'm there when needed.

Judging by the store stocks and websites like tower the mass market is still ARF by far. On the other hand, there is a resurgance in some parts of the kit market. Balsa USA, stagnant for years, has introduced a few nice kits lately and they are more visable. I tend to mix and match ARF or kit based on the plane and it's use and certainly my time. I am building a full scale plane and trying to balance that with models is interesting. I find that I work best if I keep one kit on the bench that is being built and pick up an ARF from time to time.

For example, in this last 12 months I have built one kit. It is a 1/3 Balsa USA Stearman with the 215cc gasser radial. A builders kit if there ever was one. During that same time I bought a few ARFs. If I was going to finish that beast I just couldn't be distracted by building other kits. So looking back on ARFs I bought over that same time period:

Parkzone P51 Mustang. Ready to fly in 5 min. It looks good and flys good and most of all it is FUN. It is trouble free and as long as I have a charged battery I am flying.

Hanger9 Giant 182, I crashed a GeeBee late last year, had the engine and all the gear just sitting around. I wanted a big 182 and a week later I had one.

GWS Beaver, Club float fly coming up. I did my first one last year and used my Herr Aquastar E conversion I built and I am hooked. I wanted a second float plane and the Beaver was on the shelf so a few hours later I had my second float plane.

There is a time and place for instant gratification. I have paid my dues and don't have anything to prove having done planes like that Stearman. Now that it is done I am starting on a BUSA Fokker D7 with a 4 stroke gasser. I have also been looking at that Parkzone FW 190 as a partner for that P51 and will probably break down and get that sooner or later. It is nice being able to pop open a box and go fly. I am glad ARFs are here and I will continue to buy them as a nice way to fly but I would never stop building large and complex kits.

If I might add my two cents worth, like some of the rest of you, if not for ARFs I would not have gotten into this hobby four years ago. I went from a three channel electric to a Nexstar glow, and now I have about eight ARFs flying. I came into the hobby at a time when ARF quality has been on the rise and I really haven't had a lot of time for building and to be honest I was intimidated by the idea. Most of the pilots I know who build, came up in the hobby when ARFs were not an option. Now that I have been flying for a while, I have developed an appreciation for the kit planes and the people who take the time to build them. So much so that I am in the final stages of my first kit: a CG Super Chipmunk. I must say that if I had more time I would build all my planes from now on as it has been so gratifing. I like good quality ARFs but I truly hope they don't completely take the place of kits. I look forward to building many more...

The AMA now owns the rights to the Pica 1/5th scale WACO YMF KIT (I said KIT only). Now, thanks to the WACO Brotherhood, they also have the parts templates to include with the plans. This makes this a viable kit once more. The templates were traced directly from a new in the box Pica WACO YMF, so they are accurate. The templates for all the wire products are there as well. The tailfeathers are on the plan, as are the templates for the sheeting, so they are not on the separate part sheet which is to be included when you order the plan set. If you really want one, here's your opportunity without being gouged on e-bay, or other auction sites. They build extremely well, and there is a new build just started in the Vintage and Antique forum.

Bill, AMA 4720
WACO Brotherhood #1

Way to go bkyrdflyer, Yes ARF`s are cool, and have thier place in the world of RC, But to when you build, you take it to the next plane,{no pun intended} I hate crashing a build, but dumping an ARF, I don`t feel so bad, now I got someone else to blame. lol
I`ve had my eye on that Chipmunk, let us know how it goes. What engine you going to run?

I have a magnum .91 fourstroke ordered from tower. They are on sale for 149.00. I have two of these already (.91 and .61) They are very reliable engines. I just finished covering with Ultracote (Art Scholl scheme), just recieved a fiberglass cowl and wheelpants from Fiberglass Specialties, I did some upgrading on the hardware and also put two servos in the wing for ailerons instead of using the one as the manual states. If I'm entitled to an opinion (being this is my first kit), I think this is a very good one and my flying buddies who have owned them say the plane is a winner and will flat spin till the cows come home. I will try to get some pictures on...

With the advent of affordable ARF's and small electrics such as park flyers and the like, the hobby has "morphed" into alot of different catagories. It seems that modeling,(isn't that what is used to be called?)has truly evolved into niche interest groups.

The gas guys over here, the glow guys over there. The rotorheads off to the right and the electric fellas over on the left.

Each camp has roots in the hobby, carves out their territory and defends it vigorously. It's no different with this topic, ARF's and kit building.

Notice I didn't say, ARF's VERSUS kit building, lol...

I build. I buy ARF's,(occassionally). Mostly though, I build. Interestingly enough, every ARF I've ever purchased I stripped, modified, changed or reinforced. Purist's in that camp, lament this "bashing" and want to keep their cherished niche as pure as possible. In the ARF forum, there's always a reaction to guys who post their bashing techiniques with comments like, "can't you just enjoy it the way it came outta the box?" :-)

Builders decry poor quality hardware, inadequate glue joints, flimsy this and that with ARF's, ad nausem.

Bottom line, it's about one's personal preference. To attempt to defend, promote or convince someone that their preference is the lesser of any other, invites argument.

Building is relaxing. I don't build to any timeline, except when I'm building for others. I always focus on a customer's project as I'm being compensated for my effort. I take pride in the airframes I create and have never had a complaint.

I've always built, starting with my very 1st Sterling ukie, a Waco SRE cabin bipe. I got away from silk and dope but have returned to Koverall and Stix-IT, lol...

Fortunately, the hobby is large enough to encompass us all.

PM

I love building. It makes me relaxed(Well most of the time) It also gives me a sense of gratitude that I turned this box of wood into a well built flying machine myself. That's one of the reasons I don't buy ARF's, There's nothing to show for. Not only do I find building fun in most cases, it also keeps me from doing other(note, Bad) stuff. I usually spend most of the afternoon/night building. Although there is one ARF I'm picking up soon. It's the TF C310. Looks like a very beautiful well build ARF, and for the price it better be. Even though I have a very long road ahead of me(Only 15), I plan on building kits till I can't control my hands or movements anymore.

Is Kit Building Making a "Comeback"? From what I see in the R/C press and what is taking place at my own flying field, I would have to say I don't think so.

So far in the last 8 months I have had 1 ARF, 1 RTF and 8 kits, 3 built and flying , 2 just about done and the other 3 are in different stages.
The ARF and RTS have been history for some time now. I didn't care for having the same plane as someone else and had very poor luck with them.
When I set my kit built planes up at the field , they seem to draw people to them. Which I really enjoy talking to and discussing building , flying. A lot of them fly ARFs and are interested in kit building and I try to encourage them. And a lot are builders, that have given me great advise. I just seem to get back more from my kits, and that's worth the time for me.
On the other hand, I going to order a Tower Hobbies Uproar .40 ARF or a Twist , as a learning fun plane. and want to spend my time flying and not building on a plane that more than likely is going to see hard times.
And then there are Bipes. I have the fuse and lower wing done on my Ultimate, but still one more wing to go. I`m burnt out on it for now . lol Wings seem to take me forever.
I just got the fuse and wing done on my 4*.40 and am installing the control linkages and servo mounting today and hope to have it together by the time our weather gets better.
Trying to do my part on kit building , I hope it comes back.

I don't have kits now but when I get back from the AMA show in January that will change. I've been saving and ready to spend.

Of the ARF's I have, I'm pretty much tired of having the same arf as everyone else. I may not buy another arf for some time because to me, they all nearly look the same now. I may not can cover like some of the arf builders but at least the covering is mine and I get a lot of satisifaction of flying a plane I built and covered. Arfs are ok for some people expecially one's that don't have time to build but I'm to the point that I pretty much just want to build now.

I'm doing my part. Currently I'm flying a Sig 4*40 and 60 kit built. Have a SSE partially built and am working on a Herr Cloud Ranger. Have 3 Stevens Aeormodels Diddle bugs or whatever they are called and have no ARFs in house. I have bought a couple of ARFs before and have nothing against them, but I prefere building my own planes.

Never considered giving up the building for just flying. However, I have considered completely giving up the hobby a time or two. Building is the most enjoyable and rewarding part of the hobby, flying is just the added bonus. This one's is taking time, but I sure am enjoying it. The cockpit is scratch designed and built. GTM supplied the kit.

Modeling has been around alot longer than flight has and the consumer dictates the market!!!

Kit building may have a come back due to economics. For example, Horizon hobby sells their .60 P51 ARF for $319.00 before shipping. It's a nice product and it comes with retracts. Very nice covering too.

On the flip side, I can buy a .60 Gold Edition P51 kit from Tower for $169.00. (The wing span and weight almost make them twins in terms of design). Yes, I still have to buy covering, wheels, gear, tank, and hinges but if I shop smart using sales or buy at places like the AMA conventions, I'm going to come in under the cost of the $319.00 ARF. The bonus is it is a kit and can be customized during the build; rather, than buying an ARF and then spending more money to re-cover and customize.

The cost of labor in Asia will continue to go up as reflected by the ever increasing price of ARF's (basic supply and demand). The cost of labor for kits will also go up, but I see the gap between the ARF's and kits getting larger and larger. For a laser cut kits, the labor is not even close to the amount of labor required for an ARF; nor, is the demand for them. Also, the dollar continues to slip affecting its buying ability.

If you have a large disposable budget, I guess the steady increase in the cost of ARF's won't be an issue for you. However, if you're like most of us money is always a consideration in this hobby.

Regards,

"The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the Constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first." Thomas Jefferson.

Hi All,

Well It looks like there is a lot more interest in kits, they may be making a come back after all.

I started buliding kits as a young boy in my teens carl goldburg "U" control .049 cox power and had alot of fun. I moved into RC as soon as I had money I was an older boy then.

I was in college and built all of the cheap kits 40 size kits from Balsa USA tempo II , smothie, moon raker, and a few of 40 sticks they sell they where cheap priced then I payed $19 plus $1.95 shipping for my tempo II that I soloed with in 1978.
I have always loved to build airplanes. There is a learning curve and a long one for me as I am still in it. I does take time a few tools and patients to become a good builder. Once you have the skill, you dont lose it in a crash you'll have the skill for life.
I have used the same skills I learned in model building to make furniture for my home, a work 16X20 work shed, barn ect.

Now I usually build from plans and I have lots of plan set I purchased over the years. I have found that I can bulid a .60 size aircraft for very little money compared to a kit or arf. I am working on a .90 size P-51 RCM plans, a .90 size sky bolt Man plans , both are about done, and a .60 power spitfire RCM plans. I have bulid three ultra sport .60 from RCM plans and still fly one sold the other two. I could list more but, ...

I buy Balsa from lonestar, or BUSA.

ARFs are great, they can get one started in a hurry and the prices aren't too bad.

But, But, ya can't say or know the satisfaction that comes from buliding an aircraft yourself. Seeing it take to the air for the first time, knowing that you put it together from a box a sticks and sheets. Knowing that any problem you have from a rough landing to a crash, you can fix with a hitch. Or if ya wanta or you can slavage the hardware in put it in a new ship. Man thats why I bulid and fly my own.


Cheers all,
Happy landings to ya.

So... we notice that TLH101 started this thread back in August of 2006 with the above quoted observation that posting activity was picking up in this forum.

I made the exact same observation in November 2007 when I started this thread [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6606306/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm]LINK[/link].

So... here we are at the end of 2009, over three years later, with all of this great activity in the "Kit Building" forum, and what does the "kit" market place have to show for it? Very little. What a pity.

I'm planning on buying an OLYIII in January. I've heard nothing but good things about the kits.

http://www.skybench.com/index.html?h...om/slnost.html


Regards

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." Thomas Jefferson