Made from blue foam as opposed to the original EPP plane. The blue foam is stiffer than EPP and i figured it does not need the original carbon rod stiffening. Lots of fiberglass reinforced tape and covered in coloured vinyl paper. Goes like stink, stink, stink - a real gale gem, and aperfect DS trainer. Withstands threes, grass, scrubberish, rocks and a direct hit from a pilots ass on the way back to the car. Price tag? Only the tape.