Recommendations, please.

[Janis]

First time poster here and asking for your recommendations.

I am looking for a model for my aged father to build. He has recently moved into a care facility and so has no access to his wood shop where he spent most of his days puttering around making various models (of his own design, not from kits) and such. His ability to read directions is good and his knowledge of WWII aircraft is very good, as he served in aviation ordnance during that war. I am thinking that he would enjoy a WWII aircraft model kit (although battleship or carrier models are also possibilities) and would like your recommendations, both for what would be a good one to start on within the confines of his room in the facility where he resides, and also what other supplies besides what is in the kit that he would need...since he has nothing in his room of that sort. I might be able to find a number of them in his shop. I am thinking that for starters, he might want not a super-basic easy one, but not a real challenging one, either. We can work up to that, if he enjoys doing the first one.

I am including a link to an interview with him from 4 yrs ago that tells abt the aircraft and ships he worked on and the models he's made, for the Navy and for private parties. The info might help you make a recommendation.
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/story/ ... ?ID=sr0001

Thank you sooooo much for your help!!!
Janis

[Wildpig]

Hi Janis,
Thanks for posting the interview and your question. Cabinet making and hand carving some solid wood model airplanes he has some good hand/eye skills.
I think he is capable of building almost anything in the Guillow line.
What comes to mind would be the Guillow Corsair kit no. 1004 and the Dauntless kit no. 1003. They can be built simply, or if he chooses he can add details like folding wings (very common feature of carrier based aircraft), sliding canopy, and movable rudder,etc. They are somewhat large, which I think it makes it easier
to build. As a Navy man, he could identify with these two aircraft.
Another is the P-51 Mustang kit no. 402, this kit has laser cut parts. The previous kits mentioned are die-punch cut and can be a little crude on the edges.
There are plenty of kits he might like in the 500 and 900 series. They are a bit simpler, would take much less time to build. You can see these kits at http://www.guillow.com
Honestly,if he likes hand carving, he might not like these "built-up" style models. Here is a youtube link showing a time lapse build.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU99541nrL8

Things he will need, most can be obtained locally if you have a craft store or hobby shop nearby.
Building board: Guillow might still sell them, not sure. Many folks use large cork bulletin boards.
Xacto knife with no. 11 blades
pins, like for pinning clothes patterns or use map pins (see video)
Elmer's glue or any wood glue will do. Elmer's has no odor.
Wax paper to put over the plans (that's what I use, you get different opinions on a lot of this)
scissors
sandpaper I use 220 grit and 400 grit (he'll figure that one out on his own)
sanding block just a small square piece of wood ( nothing new to him)

that's about all I can think of, right at this moment. Let him watch the video or look at a build thread here.
I'll post the link,as soon as I find it. See if that's what he wants to do.
Solid wood airplane model kits (containing pictures, couple of select blocks of wood, and a few small pieces) can be found on ebay.
All the best to you and your dad.
P.S. My dad was USMC, WWII.

[Wildpig]

Here is a link to a build thread on the Guillow Cessna 180. The basic procedure is the same for all these model kits.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1915&hilit=cessna+180+build

Try this one, it's much shorter and concise:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2027&p=10618#p10618

[Mitch]

Janis

I would suggest the 500 series, The Hellcat or Avenger. They are simpler and take a lot less time to build then the larger kits. I think they would be good for a beginer.

Best of Luck, Mitch

[Wildpig]

I'll second Mitch's suggestion of the Hellcat, no.503, and Avenger, no. 509. Both were common Navy aircraft in WWII.
Good introduction to this kind of construction. At a leisurely pace, I guess, just several afternoons to complete.

[joecrouse]

I was going to suggest the 500 series and 400 series. The Laser cut 400 series planes are VERY nice.

[Janis]

Wow....Thank you to each of you who made suggestions! I really appreciate it. The additional supplies list is really helpful, too.

If anyone here thinks of additional suggestions or supplies, please post. I will be going to Oregon this weekend to visit him and see abt lining up the supplies he'll need and then order him a kit for his BD which is later in July.

Thanks so much!!!!
Janis

PS.....How are the instructions that come with these models? Are they fairly clear and complete? Or do they assume an amt of previous knowledge and experience with this kind of model building? Dad is pretty good at figuring things out, but "when all else fails...read the instructions" is something I heard constantly while growing up.

[Wildpig]

I think for the most part, Guillow's instructions and plans are very good. You do have to study them, lots of information written all over the plans. It may take a little effort to learn the various terms and names of parts and procedures or the 'lingo' so to speak. For example: some of the structure are called Formers, an old Navy salt would easily understand what was being said if the term bulkhead was used. Same thing, different words. I don't think he will have any real trouble.

[John G. Jedinak]

Been reluctant to add my two cents worth but here goes. I am age 79 and perhaps I can add a different perspective. The 500 kits are very small to work with and cutting out all those small parts are a bit difficult for us old timers. Also, I would avoid the small 500 Avenger. It is a mid-winged plane and getting the wing to fit properly is a bit tricky. In my opinion the best FIRST time model would be the larger 400 P-51 LASER CUT. Laser parts pretty much fall right out. My recommendation for a work board is a regular ole ceiling tile found for cheap at a box store like Lowes. Then just cut down to size to accommodate the plan. I might add that many Guillow kits include a "How To" type booklet that is the bible for any model build. (If you get a kit without the booklet, contact me I have extras to share.) My personal thanks to your Father for his service to our Country.

[SteveM]

I'll second the 400 series recommendation. They're large enough to work with easily, have a fair amount of detail, and are not too horribly expensive. I'm in the Beaverton area so let me know if I can help out at all. Tomorrow I'll dig around my stash and see if I have anything he might enjoy building.

[Janis]

Thanks so much, everyone. I have been eyeing those 400 series models for Dad. I like the idea of the laser-cut pieces. Dad was in the Pacific theater during WWII. I really don't know anything abt wartime aircraft, but were either the Mustang or the Warhawk planes used in the Pacific?

John: I'm so glad you gave your recommendation! Your input really tipped the balance twd the 400s for starting out.

SteveM: Thanks so much for your offer of assistance! Nice to know there's somebody local that has knowledge and experience with these models. Dad's in a care facility in Milwaukie. My brother and I will be getting the house in Lake Oswego ready to sell during July.

Thank you again!
Janis

[Wildpig]

Both the Mustang and the Warhawk were used in the Pacific during WWII. Both were well known during that era. Although, they were not used by the Navy, your dad will certainly be familiar with them.
Looks like the consensus is the 400 series, Laser Cut.

[SteveM]

Unfortunately most of the Pacific Theater planes are 1000 series, though a P-40 certainly fits the bill and the P-51 did make a late appearance. The only 400 series kit I have is the BF-109 (not laser cut) which never made it to the Pacific, but you're welcome to it if you like.

I believe the closest hobby store to Milwaukie is Coyote Hobby in Oregon City. I've not actually been in the store as when I lived there as a kid the store at the foot of the elevator known as "Coin Corner & Hobbies" is where I got all of my models and supplies, but these days I think they are only into coins and trains.

[StefanJ]

Lake Oswego isn't very from Beaverton, home of Tammie's Hobbies. The store is on the south side of Route 8, about a mile west of Route 217.

I know they have a shelf of stick-and-tissue models. Dumas, Guilllow's, maybe one other brand.

[Janis]

Thank you, Stefan, for info abt Tammie's Hobbies. Bvtn is just a hop and a skip....Dad's house is near Lake Grove, so 217 is right there. Thank you, Steve, for info abt Coyote Hobby. Ahh, the elevator....that iconic Oregon City landmark! Who knew there would be several people on here from the Portland area!

Generally, is it better to order model kits on-line or to get them in the store? I am thinking best prices would be on-line. But other supplies would be available at the hobby store. Where do most of you purchase your kits and supplies?