I tried to find build logs on the forum but so far I was not very successful. Anyway, I decided to share with you my experience with the build of kit 906 – Typhoon Mk 1B.
Some time ago I bought my first Guillow’s balsa models, 4 kits. They had to wait their turn at the build table, as at the time I had a harbour tug kit in the works and a wood ship following next. Also, the fact that I could not join your community and ask questions was a kind of setback as well. Last week though, I’ve finished the construction of my wood sail boat and I just could not bear to have my work desk empty. I tossed coin and the Typhoon was the chosen one, even knowing that I will not have your support. Fortunately, yesterday even this issue went away (thanks again Mark for your swift action) so I’ve decided to start this topic and share my experience with you.
This is the first time for me building this kind of kits. My first balsa kit, first airplane (flying or not) kit, first...all. You’ve got it.
As such, I’m sure I’ve already made enough mistakes to pretty much ensure that this will not be a great model. Hopefully though, it will be the starting point and a lesson learning build and by the time I will build the last of the 4 kits I will make it proper.
Now, from what I was reading, there are a lot of things that you (I mean the modellers experienced with these kits) know by heart and don’t even sweat about it. I faced several issues, but I do not know if they are somehow general, or just for this particular kit. Here they are:
- Ahhh, your nice US customary units
…- “Cement” “dope”…It would have been nice if the terms would have been more “worldwide” instead of “US”. While I’ve managed to find out what “dope” is (and how it can be replaced), I still don’t know what the “cement” is. As a non-native/second language English speaker, for me cement is the stuff that you’re making the concrete/mortar out of. Sure is not the case here, is it? So, a better description of the recommended kind of glue would really help. I used CA for all the joints and white glue where holding in position for long was not an issue.
I admit, those two are just pulling leg
- I’ve understood that you have to use the plan as template for the build. But most of the instructions are printed on the other side of the plans…
- The kit that I have is (or seem) quite old, and is die-cut. Some of the parts were not fully cut-thorough, so some splinters occurred. This was worsen in some cases due to me not being able to see exactly where the part starts or ends. Die cut stamp was sometimes very easily confused with the wood’s natural texture.
- The explanations for making the dihedral of the wing were a little bit confusing to me. Even now I’m not sure if I did it right or not. Some of the parts were confusing in shape in scope. I’m now talking directly on the parts W7 and W8, which are supporting parts for the wings. Although the plan show these parts as to be placed in the wings between frames W1 – W2 and W3 – W4 respectively,
the shape of these parts are a very good match for the dihedral of the wing. Of course, first time I had installed these parts where the plans told me to. When I tried to make the dihedral, the end result was a little bit too flimsy for my taste. There was pretty much nothing to hold the wing in position. It is very possible that I did it wrong, but I tried to follow the printed instructions as closely as I could. For me, the result did not looked right. So, I took them apart (without any further adjustment), flipped them over and place them as per my intuition and now they look like this:
- The landing gear dimensions are not correlated between the general plan and the bending instructions. Even now I have no idea which one is correct. I made them as per the bending instructions and they fit good enough in the wing, although they are some 10mm shorter than what is shown in the arrangement drawing. I wanted to upload more photos, but 3 is the limit so maybe next time.
- I still have no idea how to glue the landing gear to the structure and when. The instructions are telling after the covering with paper, my brain is shouting that it shall be done before, while you still have access to the innards…Same for the mounting of the wings. How do you properly glue the wings to the fuselage with no access inside? Dilemma…
Ok, I would say that I’ve covered all to the current build stage.
I have to point out that by no means I’m trying to point the finger at Guillow or any of the sort. As I’ve said, since none of you guys seem to face these kind of issues, I assume that is just my complete lack of experience in the field that is showing.
Well, this is it. I will keep posting the build status as it progresses.
