I've done 5 larger take-apart control line models (4 ARF Noblers and one ARF Score). Details have been extensively published on the ARF board of the stunt hangar forum. The photo gallery of that form has approx. 50 pictures of the Noblers in various stages of construction. Here is a link to the gallery:
http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?PHPSESSID=redp5onagb0goqle60adv22dc1&action=gallery;cat=22I attached some photos of the 4th Nobler which was finished about a year ago. It can be disassembled to the extent that all parts fit back into the box it originally came in. This will come in handy if the need ever arises for long term storage. If I decide to sell it, shipping will be much easier and less expensive.
Take-apart features do add weight, but there are also many advantages. I have access to nearly all control system components and can change the sensitivity and ratio of flap to elevator travel. Flight trimming is much easier. Components can be inspected for wear and serviced as needed. Its also easier to add color trim and decals to the separate parts vs. a one piece model. That would be especially true if the finish was paint instead of Monokote (the cowl and some internal areas are painted).
When I decided to make these models take-apart, safety was an overriding concern. It must stay together in the air. The first Nobler was heavy at 51.5 ounces, but flies well with a strong .40 or mild .46 stunt engine (currently flying with a Stalker .46 RE which is a little "too much"). Two have flown with FP .35s and .40s which worked fine (those Noblers are several ounces lighter than the first one). I switched them last season to the LA .46 because it has just a little more power and gives a good "stunt run" in essentially stock mode.
Unfortunately the Score ended up very heavy at 80 ounces (a 5 pounder). In spite of the weight it flies surprisingly well with a strong engine (ST .60) and in good conditions (wind 5 to 15 mph and little to no turbulence). A fellow with a camera mounted on a UAV made a video of it flying last spring and posted it on U-tube. Here is a link to the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l5dCj8KWGYA few seconds of the video includes ground shots of another club member flying an ARF SV-11, but the UAV shots are me flying the Score. Line tension is "robust" but manageable. The thick wing and fat fuselage create a lot of drag, so the model does not build up excessive speed in maneuvers. Later ... Ed Prohaska