good things about Guillows

[twospruces]

Ok after that disappointing thread I think I will post my impressions after returning to balsa models after 30 years or so.

1. Thrilled to find Guillows still operating after so many companies have failed in this particular industry.
2. Ability to order parts online - fantastic. No more stress if you ruin your cowling.
3. Most of the kits are still available!
4. A great user forum where if you invest the time to read and ask questions, you can learn a lot about this art.
5. Kits are affordable and widely available.

[goose]

Guillows is still improving their kits by going laser cut
They are still releasing new designs

[Phugoid]

1) yup
2)can't do that in the UK - it's a pity
3) yup
4) yup
5) yup

Plus that the fact that I love the box arts, the 10 year old me just can't resist the romance of them!

[Wildpig]

Ok after that disappointing thread I think I will post my impressions after returning to balsa models after 30 years or so.

1. Thrilled to find Guillows still operating after so many companies have failed in this particular industry.
2. Ability to order parts online - fantastic. No more stress if you ruin your cowling.
3. Most of the kits are still available!
4. A great user forum where if you invest the time to read and ask questions, you can learn a lot about this art.
5. Kits are affordable and widely available.

1.) +1
2.) +1
3.) +1
4.) +1
5.) +1
6.) Box art +1

[Bill Gaylord]

The only thing disappointing about that "other" thread was the unnecessary "troll" accusation, where reasonable discussion about the issues seemed to go downhill. May as well clarify that, as I would be upset if I came here to discuss an issue, and was labeled as a "disappointment". In case I missed something, I honestly only glanced over it after that point, as there didn't seem to be much value in the discussion. I responded to the posters who mentioned issues with the kits, giving them what I believed were realistic and honest (not paranoid and defensive) reasons for why certain things are the way they are. Neither of them got smart with me, and politely responded. I apologize for raining on any parade, but I've personally been seeing all to much of this on model forums. There's a difference between being reasonably critical and attacking with a smart, cynical, and sarcastic attitude, which I didn't see happening there.

[yellowlynn]

I'm not smart, cynical, or sarcastic, so I reckon I have to say I'm critical. I coul add clumsy, inept, shaky, and a couple others that I can't think of right now. The biggest trouble with Guillows models is that they break too easily. I get the fuse about 9/10 done, drop it, grab it, then repair/replace a few stringers. After doing that 3-4 times, it's way too heavy to fly. Now most all people will say that that is my fault. I believe if they put in wires for stringers, I'd be able to straighten them out a bit and keep on building. That way, all I would have is a slightly misaligned, maladjusted plane. Why should I have to take all the blame?

I guess I better quit now as my tongue is about to punch a hole in my cheek.

Lynn

[twospruces]

Bill, no offence intended in any way. I hope you realize I was just trying to lighten things up. I just was disappointed to read some of the comments. I've seen it on mailing lists and usually someone moderates and puts the fires out. This is a nice forum, and having to field unwarranted complaints from disgruntled customers seems out of place.

I have two little boys now and I can see that it will be difficult to get them to enjoy building models. We bought some foam playmobile airplanes for ~ 15$ and they fly great instantly. I hope I can encourage them to try building on their own.

Just finished painting the Spitfire twins... Compared with covering with colored tissue, painting with colored dope is a bit of a pain! I really like the look of colored tissue with clear dope on a light frame.

[David Lewis]

The printed materials are works of art. Guillow's hired talented graphic designers, illustrators and commercial artists to design the boxes and draw the plans, which enhances the kit building experience.

[UPLANDBOY]

All positives but I wish Guillow's would reintroduce COMET models since they bought the company. Increase the laser cutting across their entire line and for the COMET Models also.

Dave

[Wildpig]

The printed materials are works of art. Guillow's hired talented graphic designers, illustrators and commercial artists to design the boxes and draw the plans, which enhances the kit building experience.

The plans. Yes. That's one more appeal with Guillow models. I am thinking about taking my Fokker DrI plans and framing them and hanging them on the wall.

[Bill Gaylord]

I'm not smart, cynical, or sarcastic, so I reckon I have to say I'm critical. I coul add clumsy, inept, shaky, and a couple others that I can't think of right now. The biggest trouble with Guillows models is that they break too easily. I get the fuse about 9/10 done, drop it, grab it, then repair/replace a few stringers. After doing that 3-4 times, it's way too heavy to fly. Now most all people will say that that is my fault. I believe if they put in wires for stringers, I'd be able to straighten them out a bit and keep on building. That way, all I would have is a slightly misaligned, maladjusted plane. Why should I have to take all the blame?

I guess I better quit now as my tongue is about to punch a hole in my cheek.

Lynn

Stringer selection is something that the modeler has to work out, with any brand of kit. It sounds like you may have had stringers that weren't cut along the wood grain. Those will break easily, even if they are cut from ironwood. The only way to hand select stringers for a particular app is to have a collection of them. There are a number of off-grain or low quality stringers in any brand off FF kit that I've built. You can't count on any kit contents to give you stringers that will be ideal for your app and preferences. Fortunately Guillows gives you more than you need, and I have a massive collection from building Guillows kits. For what I do with rc conversions, the Guillows stringers are ideal, as they are generally heavier than those of other FF kit brands. If you're breaking Guillows stingers, then you will have a real issue trying to use the kit included stringers from some of the other brands. The same goes for Guillows planes, as they are some of the more robust of the FF designs. If you're having issues with Guillows planes breaking easily, then you will not get along well with Dumas and other light weight FF designs. Try building the Guillows Fairchild and it will give you some idea of what most light FF designs are like.

[ekram]

Hi, guys, new member here, long time builder, It's good to be with you here on this great forum!

I just wanted to know, within the context of this forum, what qualifies as a legitimate complaint vs. an unwarranted one? I only ask because I see posts here on a myriad of subjects such as kit decals vs. box art, etc. And not that I am knocking that because I think that everyone should have the freedom to address whatever issues they have about their kit product. But as an experienced builder, I can't imagine anything being more important than wood selection with respect to a flying model. As this directly effects the endurance of the aircraft. Just curious. Not looking to stir up any discord. I am just interested in talking models with some of you great builders here. Thanks.

, and having to field unwarranted complaints from disgruntled customers seems out of place.

[WIDDOG]

@ ekram. There was one extremely rude individual that made some rather unbelievable complaints about the customer service department. My experiences with the customer service department has always went extremely well. I would like to add Customer Service as a "Good Thing About Guillow's". Anyway he was more interested in causing trouble than modeling. Than he got into it with other members. The other members politely asked him to lighten up. He than insulted/annoyed everyone. IMHO he was given the benefit of doubt and blew it big time. BTW as you can imagine there is quite a lot of posts about the subject of wood. As a intermediate skill level builder/flyer I welcome you to the forum.

[ekram]

I hear you! As long as Customer service fills an order as requested, there should be no reason to complain! I have read posts here from long time members who sent wood back from kits that had high density balsa on the request that it be replaced with lighter wood and it was done as requested. As long as they are doing that consistently with everybody then Customer Service is O.K. in my book! Anyway, Guillows does have some great models with potential. As an experienced builder, modifications aid in this respect.

[WIDDOG]

I agree with you totally. I think this guy was probably being a type "A" personality with costumer service. I don't know for sure but they probably would be better off without his business. Now I have built kits "Out Of The Box" ( using kit wood) and they did fly. Actually they did all that Guillow's claimed they would. They looked good, flew and came as a complete kit. I have personally not tried to send wood back and have it replaced. I don't recall ever reading where Guillow's says they will do this. I have read where people say that Guillow's does this. I started using Contest Balsa and it is really working out for me. I still conceder myself a "Good Customer" even though sometimes I don't use/pay for the wood or really half the stuff that comes in the box (including the box). I still purchase individual parts (I think it's a 10 dollar minimum order) and larger kits like the F 14 for example.