The price of Gaspatch is a bit intimidating, but I can justify it with the old adage "you get what you pay for". I thought about making my own, but in the end they look home made, at least mine did. In 48th or smaller scales I think they are fine, but in 32nd I think the difference is worth the expenditure. I guess the fact I do 350th scale ships also, where it's very easy to plunk down more cash for aftermarket than what the kit cost doesn't help any either. I'm also a very slow builder. Even in 48th scale I'm lucky to knock out one or two models a year, so the cost really isn't a factor spread out over that much time.
I do have something to do in anticipation. I'm thinking of converting my early version to a Curtiss H-16, so I've begun building the Liberty engines for it to replace the RR Eagles. I think it'll be spectacular in all of it's Yellow winged glory.
Cheers
Mike