Which Guillow's series is next for being Laser Cut?

[Bill Gaylord]

For all the work involved in reissuing these kits as laser cut, I'd just as soon see Guillows release more new laser cut kits. I really have no problem with die-cut kits.
For anyone who has hand cut parts for as many scratch builds as I have, they would understand. I basically see a die-cut kit as an ARF, at this point in life.

Ah, Yes! There are those of us who are old enough and have been doing this long enough to remember what direction to cut balsa around a part. I've been doing this so long that I still do it, automatically, when cutting foam core board even though it has no grain.

You got it, as it's all second nature, along with the speed tricks. Doesn't work well when you cut into to the grain, on a curved part. I don't need templates anymore either. I just score over a plan or 3-view with a slightly dull knife, which marks the parts for cutting. Doesn't even cut through the print. Saves the time of printing/cutting paper templates, or ruining your original.

I didn't toss my P-47 kit, I put it away for a time when I'm more patient. I'd been looking at the Dumas kits for a while because they sold a smaller version of the P-47 but the "laser cut" feature was the clincher for me. I scanned the balsa parts sheets and had the plans blown up to 180% so I can make a Guillows sized (31" span) P-47 at some point when I want to spend the money on some good wood and cut the parts out myself.

I still have a foot locker full of Guillows kits that I bought back when I was single and I'll get to them at some point. Mostly I wanted a P-47 and the one I had made its construction too much of a pain for the time I have to dedicate to it right now.

I also plan on building a blown up 500 series Hellcat (20" span) when I get a chance. I really like the Guillows kits and the "overbuilt" structures. The Guillows wood is great for using as templates to cut out new parts from better wood so I'll be keeping and enjoying them for a while.

If all Guillows kits were laser-cut and remained as easy as they are to find, I'd be Guillows all the way.

The enlargements are enjoyable. I don't know what it is with Guillows plans, but they seem to attract us to use for enlarged builds. There's a few here that are into it, and I've seen a number elsewhere. I built the Hellcat at around 40"

[Archer58]

I built three guillow's kits this winter, the first was a die cut 400 series focke-wolf. typical problems with repairing cracked / split parts, ill fitting stringers and other problems that tend to drive you crazy. The other two kits were the 400 series mustang and the warhawk, both kits were the newer laser cut version. What a differance, just cut the small nubs holding the part in the sheet, hit it lightly with some fine sandpaper to remove the nub and some of the burnt edge, and its ready to glue in place. The part fit was great, build time was quick. All three kits turned out great, now just waiting for some good weather to see how they fly.