ARF RC airplanes
a gentle intro to model plane construction
ARF rc airplanes are a great option if you're looking for an easy introduction to traditional balsa/ply radio control plane construction and assembly, rather than having to build the whole model from a box of bits and a plan. ARF's are also just a nice option if you don't like the idea of building from a kit, but don't like foam rc planes either!
ARF stands for Almost Ready to Fly (ARF is also called ARTF in some countries) and such planes are all very similar in terms of completeness.
The planes come almost fully built and covered, and the majority of work to be done by you is related to radio control gear and engine/motor installation, both of which are purchased separately - few ARF planes include these components, although some shops will offer 'combo deals' that do include these items with the plane.
Powertrain components and radio gear installation aside, the amount of final assembly work left for you to do will vary from plane to plane but the overall 'factory completeness' is roughly the same between manufacturers. The photo below shows a typical ARF plane as purchased and awaiting completion, in this case an IC Extra 330...
An ARF Extra 330 rc plane
ARF rc airplanes have absolutely rocketed in popularity in recent years and the vast number of ARFs on the market, from an ever-increasing number of manufacturers, reflects this trend.
Quality varies between manufacturers so it's worth doing some serious research before buying (internet forums, video sites etc.) but names like Seagull, Hanger 9, Black Horse and Great Planes to name just a few are very reputable brands producing high-quality ARF rc airplanes.
The photo below shows one of my own completed ARFs, a Seagull Edge 540...
My Seagull Edge 540 ARF
ARF planes - final assembly.
Installation of engine/motor and radio gear aside, other things you might need to do to complete an ARF plane will likely be hinging the control surfaces, fitting the landing gear, tailplane and fin assembly, fuel tank installation if you've bought an IC plane, and the fitting of other peripheral hardware items, and of course all servo linkages etc.
Control surface hinges in today's ARF kits are typically CA hinges; both edges will be already slotted and you just need to glue the hinge in place with thin cyanoacrylate glue.
The better manufacturers provide comprehensive instruction manuals with their kits, to give you step-by-step instructions aided by clear photographs. So even if you have no modelling experience whatsoever, you should be in with a fair chance of completing your ARF successfully by reading through and carefully following the manual, although if you have any doubts then consulting a fellow modeller, hobby shop staff or seeking advice on a forum (RC Groups, RC Universe etc.) would be the best thing to do.
If you already have modelling experience then completing an ARF rc plane shouldn't prove too much of a challenge at all.
Power type.
It's probably fair to say that a larger proportion of ARF airplanes were internal combustion (IC - glow plug, petrol etc.) powered in the early ARF days but nowadays electric power (EP) has become equally as popular for ARF lovers, if not more so.
Indeed, many ARFs originally intended for IC power are being converted to electric power (EP) as electric powertrain components become more powerful, readily available and cheaper to buy than ever before. My Seagull Edge 540, in fact, is intended for a 46-55 glow plug engine but I converted it to electric power without too many complications. Some manufacturers actually include component options for both power types in the box, so you're free to decide which one you want to go with.
There are of course also EP-specific ARFs available, a very nice example is the E-flite Super Cub, shown below...
The E-flite Super Cub ARF plane
The Super Cub is one of the favourites and E-flite a very well respected and popular brand.
ARF kits also include gliders (the non-powered type) and there are some great ones out there. The obvious beauty here is that you don't have to worry about which suitable powertrain components to purchase!
I recently bought a Great Planes Spirit Elite ARF which is an excellent kit that went together very well. Here's a pic of the glider out the box awaiting assembly...
My Spirit Elite ARF glider
As mentioned earlier an option these days is to buy an ARF combo deal - this is the plane in ARF form sold with a suitable engine/motor and radio gear. This just leaves you to do the installation and finishing work, without having to worry about which motor and rc set to buy. This is a great way to purchase an ARF because it ensures a perfect match across all components, and almost always works out cheaper than buying the kit, motor and radio gear separately. Not all sellers offer combo deals but it's always worth asking.
On that note, don't be fooled in to thinking that buying an ARF rc airplane is a cheap way of entering the hobby. The purchase of an ARF kit, separate radio gear and then the powertrain components will rarely cost less than a Ready To Fly rc plane. Indeed, the cost of all necessary items to complete an ARF can potentially be more than the plane itself, and that's an important point to remember when considering which type of kit to buy.
Whether you buy everything separately or in some kind of combo package, ARF rc airplanes are an excellent introduction to understanding basic model plane building techniques, without jumping in at the deep end and building from a kit of parts and a plan.
If you like the idea of a traditionally constructed balsa/ply radio control plane over a foam RTF one but you don't have the time or skills to build one yourself, an ARF plane is indeed the perfect answer.
