by glassblade » Fri Dec 09, 2016 1:19 pm
I just wanted to say that I build from both plans and kits. I support all the free flight scale kit suppliers, because they are supporting our obscure aspect of model aviation, and you never know when they're going to go out of business. This includes Guillows. I grew up building their kits and learned a lot from it. But I don't think it's true that they are just fun builds and not very good flyers. I recently built a Bf 109D from the 400 series kits. I used the ribs and formers, canopy, cowl and spinner. I lightened up the tail, I lightened everything, and use the right prop and rubber. It is a very competitive rubber scale model. Don DeLoach built a Pilatus right from the kit, and I've never seen him get less than a 2 minute flight. He velcros a transmitter on top so that he can find it.
Guillows kits are very good for beginners and early builders. But there is no reason for that heavy wood. I buy a boatload of balsa. I get it from Hobby Proz in Albuquerque, from Hobby Lobby in Santa Fe, I buy it online. When I go the stores, I select the light sheets, and online, I ask them for light wood and they send it to me. My point is, it costs the same. Guillows buys wood by the ton, and they could get light balsa if they want, it's the same price. The laser cut wood for the 400 series is quite good, and I bought all the kits. This is why I was disappointed to get the heavy wood in the replacement laser cut sheets I recently bought for several 500 series kits. It seemed like a step backward.
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