I've built (assembled?) parts by Phil, wood kits, scratch built
(own-design woodies and all composite) and even foamie electric ARFs
over the last 35 years of modeling. Hope to roll a tailboom or two in a
couple of weeks to complete the cycle. It's all fun. But isn't the REAL
skill what we do with this stuff in the air?
There are those who are fortunate enough to have the time and building
skills to scratch build. Then there are those who barely have time to
make it to the schoolyard to fly. For the latter, suppliers like Phil
and even some of the true ARFs and moldies are a godsend. Seems to me
the emphasis should be on teaching flying skills and enjoyment of same.
I've won a contest or two with scratch builts that were up against
kilo-buck moldies. And lost a whole lot more with moldies that were
beaten by better pilots flying whatever they brought (remember the Rose
Bowl when Joe beat a bunch of us with an EPP 2M that got pre-flighted
the night before?). So it's what you do in the air and how much fun
you're having that really counts.
Just soloed a guy with an EPP electic ARF. That smile of accomplishment
looks to be permanently stuck on his face. Does it matter that he
assembled the ARF or built from a kit? Nope! That huge SEG he's still
wearing is all that counts. And now he wants to go after a competition
DLG and then maybe a 2M. Who knows, maybe scratch building is in his
future? But I'll guarantee he'll never have a moment quite like he had
when he soloed with that ARF.
That's what this hobby is all about. How you get there is secondary.
- Dave R
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