RCU Forums - KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

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rmaddy

01-25-2012 02:27 PM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

Quote:

ORIGINAL: on_your_six

???? how is my time not worth something? Even if retired, time spent on one thing might better be spent on another. The ONLY reason that I would build something is if I want it bad enough and an ARF is not available.
An individual has to decide; is the hobby flying or building?

For many of us the hobby is both flying and building. It sounds like for you the hobby is flying. Excellent. Nobody is saying your time isn't worth anything. Some of us are saying that you can't put a dollar value on your spare time when it comes to comparing build versus ARF/RTF. Each of us decides what priorities we put our spare time into. That's why these constant debates are silly. My priorities are different from everyone else. There is no reason for anyone to convince anyone else as to which approach is "right" because each person must make their own determination of what is right for them and them alone.

piper_chuck

01-25-2012 03:12 PM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

Quote:

ORIGINAL: rmaddy

Quote:

ORIGINAL: piper_chuck

Quote:

ORIGINAL: rmaddy

Why would you factor in an hourly rate for a hobby? ...

It makes perfect sense to do so if the part of the hobby you enjoy is flying rather than building.

piper_chuck - I have no issue with someone just wanting to fly and not building. But that doesn't mean you should associate non-flying time with an hourly rate. The time spent building does not cost you money.

Personally, Idon't care whether a person does or does not "associate non-flying time with an hourly rate", but Ican understand why they do it. Ialso don't feel the need to tell someone whether they should or shouldn't do so.

P.S. For many people, time does indeed equate to $.

Gray Beard

01-25-2012 03:29 PM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

Quote:

ORIGINAL: 747pilot

<p style=''margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;''><u><span style=''font-size: larger;''>KIT vs RTF</span></u></p><p style=''margin-bottom: 0in''>I'm sure this has been done before. However, I'd like to share my quick and dirty analysis of kit building vs RTF. I was shocked at the small difference in actual price. I hope that RTF fliers give kit building a go and that kit builders use this post to persuade others to give kit building a chance.</p><p style=''margin-bottom: 0in''>I used Tower Hobbies as the purchase store since it was easy to compile all the parts and get a final price list. I used the current tower hobby discount codes and tried to lay it out so you maximize the discounts available with seperate orders. Since all orders are over $150 shipping is free. Let's start with the kit side.
</p><p style=''margin-bottom: 0in''><u>Order #1</u>
Super Savers Club – $9.99</p><p style=''margin-bottom: 0in''><u>Order #2</u>
LXSFY3 - Futaba 6EX w/ 4 S3004 Servos - $259.98
Sub-Total - $259.98
010N5 – Tower $35 Discount
Total – $224.98</p><p style=''margin-bottom: 0in''><u>Order #3</u>
LXKF97 -TT .46 BB Pro - $109.98
LXJ557 - Great Planes PT40 Kit - $74.98
LXHV39 – Top Flite Monokote Blue - $12.99
LXHY24 – Top Flite 10x6 Prop – $2.49
Sub Total- $200.44
010N4 - Tower $30 Discount
Total - $170.44</p><p style=''margin-bottom: 0in''><u>Order #4</u>
LXFU50 – Sullivan 8oz Tank - $4.39
LXK129 – Silicon Fuel Tubing - $2.59
LXK214 – GP Spinner White 2 ¼ - $5.29
LXK197 – GP Wing Tape 1/8” - $1.79
LXL430 – Hobbico Latex Rubber – $3.39
LXHV22 – Top Flite Monokote White - $12.99
LXK190 – Wheel collars 5/32 - $1.79
LXK192 – Wheel collars 3/16 – $1.79
LXPT39 – Tower CA med 2oz - $5.99
LXJC82 – Tower Xacto Blade #11 - $1.49
LXK361 – Epoxy brushes - $1.39
LXPT46 – Tower 30 min Epoxy - $8.99
LXPT44 - Tower 6 min Epoxy - $8.99
LXD790 – Dubro Wheels 2 ¼ - $5.99
LXD792 - Dubro Wheels 2 ¾ - $6.49
LXM406 – Alignment Jig - $1.99
LXPT42 – Tower CA accelerator - $3.99
LXK134 – GP Fuel Filter - $3.29
LXL419 – Hobbico Field Box Combo - $129.99
(1) GPMP4155 FILLING STATION CAN FITTING SET
(1) HCAP0200 12V CHARGER FOR THE 12V 7A BATTERY
(1) HCAP0302 DELUXE POWER PANEL II
(1) HCAP0800 TORQMASTER 12V 7A BATTERY
(1) HCAP2200 5' RECOIL FUEL TUBING
(1) HCAP2502 PANEL READY LOCKING GLOW PLUG CLIP
(1) HCAP3107 PANEL READY TOP FUELER 6/12VOLT
(1) HCAP3205 PANEL READY TORQMASTER 90 12V STARTER
(1) HCAP5020 ULTRATOTE FIELD BOX
Sub-Total - $212.61
010N4 – Tower $30 discount
Total - $182.61</p><p style=''margin-bottom: 0in''><u>
KIT SUMMARY</u>

Order #1 $9.99
Order #2 $249.98 (Saved $35)
Order #3 $170.44 (Saved $30)
Order #4 $182.61 (Saved $30)</p><p style=''margin-bottom: 0in''>Total cost- $ 613.02

Of course it's impossible to list everything a kit builder would normally have in his/her workshop. For example, Dremel, mitre box & saws, sanding t-bars, various grades of sandpaper, pins, pliers, screwdrivers, ball drivers, etc... But the list above is pretty comprehensive when it comes to what is required.</p><p style=''margin-bottom: 0in''>____________________________________________ ______________________________

Now Let's look at an RTF. Here's an option below. I was shocked at the little difference in price.

Super Savers Club – $9.99
LXEXK2 – Hobbico Nextstar .46 Select RTF - $429 **
LXL419 – Hobbico Field Box Combo - $129.99
Sub-Total - $559.98
010N5 – Tower $50 discount

Total cost - $519.97</p><p style=''margin-bottom: 0in''>
**You are only getting a simple 4ch radio with the RTF setup versus a kick arse 6 ch in the kit setup.
In addition the radio with this RTF is an FM radio and not a 2.4 system. Pretty crappy for $429.</p><p style=''margin-bottom: 0in''>
Kit building – $610
RTF ''building'' - $520
Satisfaction of kit building -<span style=''font-size: large;''> PRICELESS

</span>Latest TH discount codes. Jan 2012.
$100.00 - $124.99 $15.00 010N1
$125.00 - $149.99 $20.00 010N2
$150.00 - $199.99 $25.00 010N3
$200.00 - $224.99 $30.00 010N4
$225.00 - $249.99 $35.00 010N5
$250.00 - $299.99 $40.00 010N6
$300.00 or more $50.00 010N7</p>

This was the original question. See how fast it goes from a simple question to a complete off topic debate. As to counting your time as money, sorry, I'm retired, my time is counted as free. No one will pay me when I'm reading a book, watching TV or building a model. My main reason for building is to save money. Money going out of my pockets is not saving, it's spending. Reason I build very few kits is they cost too much. I build from plans to save even more money then buying a kit. I have assembled a number of ARFs for people and wished ithey were mine but there is no way I can force myself to spend that kind of money on something I can build myself for a lot less. I do build kits for people but I do charge for my time. That's when I tell the customer it could be cheaper to just go out and buy the plane as an ARF. Not only can it be cheaper, I can pretty much state it as fact. That's when my time is worth something. To date I have never built a plane from plans for anyone. The price I charge would be the same or more then just buying the plane in ARF form. RTF is a world of it's own and usually just an electric motor on a foam plane. I also no longer build any plane under 60 size. If someone wants me to build them a little 40 size plane I will but I haven't had on myself in a very long time. That's not quite true, I do enjoy converting little 1/2A kits into electric power for myself. I do get a kick out of them.

Radical Departure

01-25-2012 03:29 PM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

@Oberst - "...not everyone has the talent and or skill to build kits."

And thats where I'm at. Sometimes you just have to know when to say when. I really like the alure of building primarily because you can, if successful, have planes that you're just not going to see as an ARF. For me attempting to build was not so much a time, money or space thing, but more geared toward particular types of scale aircraft. But alas, 2 build seasons and about 4 kits later, I'm finding I just don't have the talent or skillset. I don't have the knowledge/experience to look at a set of plans and correctly see several steps ahead to prevent any snowballing. Even well designed simple kits I find confounding. "Mount the servos at this time"... then, many steps later.. "Mount the servos at this time".. geez, which is it! Or.. crap, should have installed this before I completed that, even though it says to do it this way.. the plans don't match the size of the pieces.. so how is that accounted for? Stay square on this end and just keep building? And so forth.. Don't get me wrong, not knocking building, have a LOT of respect for folks that can do it, but I've found that for me, in my 50's at that, without proper skills and no local to impart such skills, its too expensive to continue with. Can't keep buying kits thinking someday the light bulb will come on, will be walking with a cane by then. :)

RC for me is almost an addiction. I'd have more planes than sense if the wallet was permitting. So I'm mentally reshaping my relationship with RC, and need to learn to be content with 2-3 nice 1/5-1/3rd scale bashed ARFs I enjoy flying, maybe swap'em out with a new one every couple years vs. every couple months.. and count my blessings that I'm even able to participate in such a cool hobby.

cutaway

01-25-2012 04:04 PM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Radical Departure
alas, 2 build seasons and about 4 kits later, I'm finding I just don't have the talent or skillset

That's because you're expecting too much too soon. I built dozens of things as a teen that looked like they were built with a hatchet and chain saw. Even now decades later I learn new tricks and techniques all the time and my skill set is constantly expanding.

Guys at the field are always praising the quality of my work, because its much better than any ARF, but I'm always unsatisfied and strive to keep improving.

Have goals, but make them realistic or its easy to get discouraged. You're not going to build concourse quality after just a few attempts.

JNorton

01-25-2012 04:26 PM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

Actually there are people who cannot make head nor tails of a blueprint - hence have all kinds of troubles following instructions based upon one. My nephew is highly intellegent with zero mechanical ability. Sometimes it just isn't there. With that said no one that I know of builds anything without making mistakes. Saw it apart and put it back together again. The more you build the easier it becomes - with fewer mistakes. Nothing I've ever built has been perfect but they've all flown just fine. Just my two cents.
John

DustBen

01-25-2012 04:47 PM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

I've built for 40 years and see some pretty impressive ARF/RTF stuff coming along at VERY nice prices.

I still build what I can't buy. Building a semi-scratch Goldberg Ultimate Bipe (the original kit version). I'm lining up everything to build the completely unavailable Morris Hobbies Big Boy.

Some of the ARF's are pretty dang good. I can spend a few lazy hours in the shop and have a plane ready to fly. Inspecting the kits, I am impressed by how much better the ARF's are assembled and glued... the laser cutting jigsaw pieces make for nice alignments...

I have a couple ARF's coming... have a couple scratch build projects coming along... it's a toss up but I know in the long run, I'll abandon building as the ARF's continue to improve and the prices drop lower and lower.

Rubbernecker

01-25-2012 05:16 PM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

I say again, to each his/her own, but the time is money thing, I don't know. It's a hobby. So, what is the hourly rate for hunting or fishing. I have a buddy that is a top notch machinest. I tried to get him to build a motor and he said it would be too expensive. I said the parts are probably in the scrap bin. He advised it was his time. He said he could buy one cheaper. I laughed and said so how much per hour do you make sitting on your butt in your recliner drinking beer. I don't think he got it. Never built an engine either!:D Good there is something for all of us. Enjoy whatever facet it is that you do.

John

ramboy

01-25-2012 05:25 PM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

Quote:

I know many who bought the Hanger 9 Alpha trainer with the 2.4 GHz radio for $299.

Desertlakesflying

01-25-2012 05:32 PM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

Quote:

ORIGINAL: eagledancer

the next thing that needs to be addressed is how sturdy is the kit built vs the arf. a well built kit will last 20 years, as i have observed most arfs last 2-3 seasons

That's odd. I have a Hangar 9 60 size Mustang that is going on 8 years old. The only thing I've ever had to "fix" was a new cowling when I changed motors.

I'd reckon that's a few more than 2 or 3 seasons.

I think a lot of kit builders will forever have a chip on their shoulder about ARF's and RTF's.

I say do want you want no matter what comes in the box.

Seems a whole lot harder to me to make an ARF look like a scale kit as opposed to making a kit look like a scale kit.

I can feel the flames already..............

Gray Beard

01-25-2012 05:51 PM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Desertlakesflying

Quote:

ORIGINAL: eagledancer

the next thing that needs to be addressed is how sturdy is the kit built vs the arf. a well built kit will last 20 years, as i have observed most arfs last 2-3 seasons

That's odd. I have a Hangar 9 60 size Mustang that is going on 8 years old. The only thing I've ever had to ''fix'' was a new cowling when I changed motors.

I'd reckon that's a few more than 2 or 3 seasons.

I think a lot of kit builders will forever have a chip on their shoulder about ARF's and RTF's.

I say do want you want no matter what comes in the box.

Seems a whole lot harder to me to make an ARF look like a scale kit as opposed to making a kit look like a scale kit.

I can feel the flames already..............

Let me fly it for a weekend, then you will have a reason to get a new plane!!:D I'm hard on an air frame. Orberst D-VII and DR would be in need of repair. I tend to bend and break N-Struts in a hart beat. Even on Bipe kits designed for stunt flying. Only type of Bipe that could put up with me was the Ultimate.;)

eddieC

01-25-2012 06:02 PM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

Quote:

<span style="background-color: rgb(251,252,255); font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px">the next thing that needs to be addressed is how sturdy is the kit built vs the arf. a well built kit will last 20 years, as i have observed most arfs last 2-3 seasons</span>

<div>
</div><div>Depends who's on the sticks, I'll bet. [8D] I prefer to build instead of watching the tube, but also have Arf's that aren't available as a kit.</div><div>
</div><div>The flight box cost should be reduced by half (how many fliers have just one plane? a minority), and the radios should be comparable, not 6-ch vs. 4-ch and FM vs. 2.4. Apples-to-apples pleez.</div>

KitBuilder

01-25-2012 08:27 PM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

Also several of the items you listed in the kit bulid process simply arent needed. In addtion.. after building for a couple years you'll have quite a stockpile of horns, clevises, pushrods, wheels, nuts, bolts, glass cloth, etc, etc. Not to mention all the parts you can get from the trash can from the RTF and ARF folks who simply throw things away without stripping them down.

MetallicaJunkie

01-25-2012 09:25 PM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

From my experience it costs more to build a kit that it does an ARF.....

im not retired, and would rather spend my free time(weekends) flying.... on bad weather days i spend my time doing other stuff or maintenance on my fleet.... there's always something that needs attention.

I can build from kit form, and have done it as a personal challenge, as i have rebuilt several crashed planes to prove a point and save $$$ as well...but currently my free time is too valuable...that may change if i ever live long enough to retire some 35 years from now

jp_boud

01-25-2012 10:52 PM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

Quote:

ORIGINAL: MetallicaJunkie

From my experience it costs more to build a kit that it does an ARF.....

<font color="#000080">No argument there.....My costs went up when I started building....</font>

...that may change if i ever live long enough to retire some 35 years from now

<span style="color: #000080">I have those same 35 years ahead of me...maybe by then I'll be able to cover a kit built and it look as nice as an ARF...
</span>

747pilot

01-26-2012 03:44 AM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

Umm....because you're talking about something that's not qauntifiable. That's why.
The title of the post says it all folks. Just making a "what comes out of your wallet" cost analysis
between two different things. Whether it's me, you or the Pope dollars are dollars. I was just
bring something to the table that can be measured. Ya'll brought the touchy feely part into it.

Quote:

ORIGINAL: 747pilot
Kit building – $610
RTF ''building'' - $520
Satisfaction of kit building -<span font-size:="" style=""> PRICELESS

</span>

pmerritt

01-26-2012 05:00 AM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

My two cents worth.....let's see....6 months worth of electricity, extra lights on, fan on, heater on, iron on, running either AC or heater, vacuum going, hot air dry gun in use, not to mention how many hours away from family and/or friends, and flying to dedicate to an airframe that doesn't perform any better than one it took 10 hours to get to the field? Does that work into the equation at all?
For all those that consider time not having a cost to it, I beg to differ.  If the comparison is factual these costs should be factored into the total dollar amount needed to kit build.

An ARFs linespan depends on how one treats their aircraft. I see pilots throw incredibly expensive aircraft around the skies in a bipolar fashion that makes me sick.  Then they expect a build of any kind to withstand that constant treatment. They wonder why the firewalls detach or wings go separate ways and tail sections flutter lose.

I'm restoring an older Chipmunk and I know I have 2X the cost of an quality ARF into her already just in the restore alone. Is it about the money, NO. I use bad weather days, lousy TV nights to dedicate to her ressurection. Is that time better spent on mentoring a new up and coming pilot on a SIM or being at the Club meetings or sitting with the family playing a board game with the kids, or taking the little lady out to a cozy restaurant to show her he's really the #1 in my life. You can bet your life it IS.

Kits are a challenge and also an incredible dedication of ones talent. Cost wise, they cost 20X what an ARF does in time away from life (figuring 3 hours a night, say 3 nights a week, maybe 4 x 4 to 6 months = 192 to 288 hours). Wait until all you young live forever whipper snappers get older. I know one day you will reach that threshold of life to where you will find that interaction with those who love and respect and need you in THEIR lives is what is truly PRICELESS!

ps...288 hours is 100 movies with the woman you told the Good Lord above you would "cherish and have and to hold" as you go to those movies men hate to go to, or 150 trips to the park with the grandkids, helping them down the slides and kissing the knee booboos so they quit hurting. I didn't see those costs discounted in the ARF build. Spare time doesn't have a cost (value)? Hmmmm.

OK I have my kevlar shorts on....take your best shot! Aim careful please. Don't hit this wonderful woman standing beside me tolerating my constant request to go flying when a brand new tear jerker movie just came out!

BobbyMcGee

01-26-2012 05:24 AM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

Quote:

ORIGINAL: ckreef

I think the main issue missing is "How much do you value your time?? How much free time do you have??"

Another item missing is ARF's, which is sort of 1/2 way between RTF and kit.

A RTF is one evening at the most then fly the next day.

A ARF is maybe one week of evenings.

A kit is multiple months of evenings at the very least.

I have gone all three ways (RTF, ARF and kit). Kit building is not for everyone and at the current cost of ARF's/RTF's, a kit build really doesn't save you any money. There are good ARF's/RTF's and there are bad, there are also mistakes made during a kit build (especially for new builders). Kit building has a huge degree of satisfaction but if you screw up and crash and burn on maiden then you watched 3 months of time go down the drain.

P.S. - As a disclaimer I am currently helping my son (12 years old) kit build a small plane but my next personal project is a ARF electric converted to glow.

And I would dare say... If you enjoy crashing as much as the next guy does, the most efficient use of your time would be RTF's. Buy it today, crash it tomorrow, buy another RTF, crash it the next day, buy another one and crash that the next day too... and so on, and so on. Within a week, you can have at least three crashes to your name! That equates to MORECRASHESFORYOURBUCK. You can't do that with a kit. With a kit, you might be able to build three in a year and only get three crashes out of it. But maybe you could crash a kit-built plane more than once! Whereas, RTF's and ARF's can only crash once.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...eeth_smile.gif

rgburrill

01-26-2012 08:53 AM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

I paid $120 for a complete Yak-54 RTF electric system. The only thing I had to buy was AAs for the transmitter. How does that compare with your kit idea?</p>

GerKonig

01-26-2012 09:09 AM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

Quote:

ORIGINAL: rgburrill

I paid $120 for a complete Yak-54 RTF electric system. The only thing I had to buy was AAs for the transmitter. How does that compare with your kit idea?</p>

Cost is totally relative. If I spend $800 in a Nikon D5100, it does not seem expensive at all. Now if my wife spends $800 in a piece of furniture, I might think differently... $200 in a pair of shoes is a waste, $ 200 in a controller and some batteries is a wise investment! I guess you get where i am going... There is no right and wrong, to each his/her own.

Gerry

GerKonig

01-26-2012 09:12 AM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

Quote:

ORIGINAL: BobbyMcGee

Quote:

ORIGINAL: ckreef

I think the main issue missing is ''How much do you value your time?? How much free time do you have??''

Another item missing is ARF's, which is sort of 1/2 way between RTF and kit.

A RTF is one evening at the most then fly the next day.

A ARF is maybe one week of evenings.

A kit is multiple months of evenings at the very least.

I have gone all three ways (RTF, ARF and kit). Kit building is not for everyone and at the current cost of ARF's/RTF's, a kit build really doesn't save you any money. There are good ARF's/RTF's and there are bad, there are also mistakes made during a kit build (especially for new builders). Kit building has a huge degree of satisfaction but if you screw up and crash and burn on maiden then you watched 3 months of time go down the drain.

P.S. - As a disclaimer I am currently helping my son (12 years old) kit build a small plane but my next personal project is a ARF electric converted to glow.

And I would dare say... If you enjoy crashing as much as the next guy does, the most efficient use of your time would be RTF's. Buy it today, crash it tomorrow, buy another RTF, crash it the next day, buy another one and crash that the next day too ... and so on, and so on. Within a week, you can have at least three crashes to your name! That equates to MORE CRASHES FOR YOUR BUCK. You can't do that with a kit. With a kit, you might be able to build three in a year and only get three crashes out of it. But maybe you could crash a kit-built plane more than once! Whereas, RTF's and ARF's can only crash once.
[img][/img]

You need to have a talk with your instructor! In our hobby, crashing is not good. We do a maneuver that is called landing... 1) take off 2) fly 3) land. Memorize that:-)

Gerry

joebahl

01-26-2012 09:46 AM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

1 Attachment(s)

I have been buying rc gear at swap meets garage sales and estate sales for 30 years to stock up on parts to build my own planes without spending alot of cash at the hobby shop or online. My first plane was a tidewater pronto in the early 70's and i found plans a couple weeks ago and wanted to scratch build my pronto again. I ran out of balsa and had to but 29 bucks worth but i had every thing else to complete my new plane including motor ,fuel tank ,2.4 radio and landing gear and wheels. So my new plane came from boxes of some one's junk that i spent next to nothing for and i did not even put a dent in my junk collection.lol joe

MTK	01-26-2012 11:48 AM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

Quote:

ORIGINAL: PilotFighter

Factor in the hourly rate and my last kit cost north of $80K.

Time is money, lots of money.

WHAT?? What kind of nonsense is this one...

IT'S A HOBBY, something you LOVE doing. It pays you. In my book anything I build for myself, costs me absolutely nothing. If anything, it teaches me since I am always doing something different and creative, which is truly priceless.

Now if you asked me to build for you, I wouldn't mind one bit collecting that 80,000$ from you

TexasAirBoss

01-26-2012 12:19 PM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

Quote:

ORIGINAL: PilotFighter

Quote:

ORIGINAL: rmaddy

Why would you factor in an hourly rate for a hobby? Unless you are neglecting a job (and losing income as a result) then it is not valid to associate your pay with time spent on a hobby. Otherwise you need to do the same for eating, sleeping, using the bathroom, etc.

That was my point. If we did factor in those things we would never build. So why worry about $100 this way or that?

Keep reading nonsense boy.

acdii

01-26-2012 01:33 PM

RE: KIT vs RTF Cost Analysis

RTF's are great for those looking to jump right in, especially if you have flown before but dont have the time, room, or patience to build one. <div>
</div><div>If you are diligent and do some research however, you can find an RTF to expand upon. Eflite T-34, or I think H9 PTS Mustang(have to double check the TX), are good examples, first is Electric, the latter glow. </div><div>
</div><div>The Eflite comes with a DX6i radio which can hold 10 models. in a few hours you can be flying it, and since it is PTS you can train on it, and then take off the droops and perform with it. Same with the PTS Mustang except it is glow, so you would need a field kit and fuel. </div><div>
</div><div>OK now you have a plane to fly, a radio to expand with, now go build a second plane and enjoy. </div><div>
</div><div>Cost is under $500. For another $100 you can get a few more batteries and a fast charger too. That is about the same as a field kit for glow. </div><div>
</div><div>So good RTF or a kit, price is about the same. Satisfaction of flying is instant though with the RTF. </div><div>
</div><div>Now if you did like me and your third plane is a kit plane, well, lets just say it will take a few seasons to pay off the plastic that my kit is on. P-51 mustang, new Futaba radio, DLE20, mess of servos, retracts, etc. etc. price adds up far above what the OP posted. I think I sunk at least $1700 into it so far, but that also included odds and ends to be used on other planes too. </div><div>
</div><div>Sticking to swap meets from here on out though, can save a lot of money and since cash only , cant spend what I dont have! LOL I budgeted $300 at the last one and walked out with a big plane for the DLE20 trial runs, an OS 52 Surpass 4 stroke, and a bunch of small items I needed, and still had over $100 left in my pocket. </div><div>
</div><div>By the time I finish building, not counting my Ultra Micros and helis, I will have 5 planes, 2 Gas, 2 Electric and one glow. </div><div>
</div><div>All that started with one RTF! </div>

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