Forum categories

[SteveM]

Wings Nuts, I am a firm believer that if someone is to complain about the way things are they should also suggest a viable solution to the complaint.

If you feel the same maybe you (or other people if they have ideas) could suggest come categories.

I estimate the whole forum has only 260 threads and have found that the search engine does a fair job of finding topics I am interested in.

[SteveM]

Sorry, make that "Scale Nut". Not sure how I managed to mess that up.

[cdwheatley]

I agree with you Steve. This forum has always seemed just fine to me, and the search facility invariably comes up with whatever I was looking for. Can't see a problem really!

[Scale Nut]

Gee thanks SteveM !


ok... pretend you have never built a guillows model in your life (like me) and would like to learn the basics ... can you tell me what to even search for?

there is alot of info here but it's all mixed together and sometimes hidden in some other thread. It would help me considerably if there were just a few categorys to rummage thru.. like
1)basic construction
2)covering and finishing
3)flying

there are some great threads here but a majority of them are quite advanced to a beginner. atleast narrow it down a bit thats all I was suggesting

the pictorals are great to read but but in most of them, the poster assumes that anyone here already knows how to get the stringers strait and flush.. for example.
when I opened the box , I didn't even know the difference between a stringer and a former ! thank goodness the little booklet in the kit has helped alot. yet I still am not fully understanding some details about the drawings.the print is so small I can hardly read it

what 'search' phrase would you suggest to help me with that?

My posting was not a complaint , it is a suggestion.

To have one giant free for all category about building, finishing and flying a guillows model is kinda tough on the beginner don't you think

when people post about major R/C conversion projects , I hardly consider that "General Building Questions"either.

I am sorry for causing any trouble ,and will just take my half-built beginner model and put it back in the box for now.
I'm sure I'm not the first one

[SteveM]

It sounds like you need general help in getting started. If you have a specific question than a forum like this is a great place to ask. And the simple categories you have suggested would help partition the information better.

I'm thinking that your best sources of info on getting started will be that book that came with the kit and sites like Mike's flying scale model pages. Note that I have linked you to a specific building guide but his site contains a plethora of other useful information.

If you are a book reading kind of person you would enjoy the books "Rubber Powered Model Airplanes" and "Flying Models" by Don Ross. The first title is specifically for rubber power (and I highly recommend it to you) while the second title covers fewer basics and explores other power sources. Check Amazon.com, PVHC, Shorty's Basement, or Easy Built for these books.

Please pull your model back out of the box and give it another try and ask questions. The best way to learn is to build a model, learn from your mistakes, and build another.

[supercruiser]

Perhaps a few forum catergories would help. I visit several of these types of forums everyday. They have specific categories. Sometimes too specific, I think one has about 3 dozen categories. Also, got to make a plug for Guillow's ......those Don Ross books are available from Guillow, take a look at their website.

[Scale Nut]

thanks SteveM , I'm going to pick up the Don Russ book you suggested.
I went back and read thru alot of the info here. I picked up some things but it looks like people have some very different ways of building these S and T models. that had me confused a bit. some modelers have a very different way compared to the Guillows instructions.

On my model I had to bend the main spars(?) and was afraid that the fuse would be like a bananna . I couldn't figure out if I was doing things right , but the fuse is done and looks strait so I guess that is the way it's done.

I am actually a very competent modeler, but mabey I am trying too hard to get things perfect, and have become fustrated.

I still have a little trouble fully understanding the drawings.there are some details that I am not clear about. I carried on by looking at annother build of the same model here but it bothers me that I couldn't understand from the drawings.

thanks for the help, I'm going to finish this airplane, it might not be pretty but I have already learned alot

[SteveM]

It is difficult to try to visualize your problem. I suggest adding the plane to your hanger at the Virtual Aerodrome and post pictures that show the problem(s) you are having.

[supercruiser]

Scalenut,
Which model are you building?

[Scale Nut]

I'm building the 504 Spitfire, I could have bought the 900 mustang ,and can still get it tomorrow, would that have been a better level to start with?

[supercruiser]

Either 900 or 500 series are good models to start learning to build. The drawings can be a little difficult sometimes. The key is to study both sides of the plans. Read and reread the instructions. I'm amazed at what I didn't notice the first time I look them over. As for bending the spars..
I think you mean the 1/16 square stuff. On the fuselage they are called stringers. Yes, you just bend them to follow the taper of the fuselage.
Holding them in place until the glue drys can be a challenge. Many modelers use CA because it dries quickly. BANANA fuselages are a concern. I've seen two or three building methods to prevent curved fuselages. I think it is best to stick with the instructions provided at least for now. You must be a good modeler because you've got two things all good modelers have: patience and the ablility to learn. Did you join virtualaerodrome so that we can see what you are up to. And by the way, if your models turns out to be "poop"; don't throw it away. Keep it. You'll find out why, perhaps many years from now. Hope this helps. Ask more questions.

[supercruiser]

One more thought, why not start a separate thread just for your build?

[Scale Nut]

starting annother thread