Guillows Newer Boxes

[rayd]

I hate to complain, but maybe a heads-up to fellow members in order. Wanting a quick build, lightweight flyer, I ordered series 900 Typhoon (from eBay). S&H was low, less than $3. New, laser cut, good price, low ship charge, great! Hmm, maybe not..possibly owing, in part perhaps, to near cereal box thickness (too thin) and small sized Guillows box. It arrived nicely placed at my door in one of those bubble cushioned mailing envelopes, USPS First Class pkg. I didn't inform seller because I didn't think they really were at fault. Besides, no big money deal here.

Beware! this type of pkg, combined with inadequate thickness of newer, smaller Guillows can result in hidden damage. When it arrived, pkg looked ok, no visible evidence of rough handling. Upon opening, the product box was crushed inward a lot at the artwork. All 3 of the 1/20" laser cut balsa boards were warped, partially broken, moreso near where a hit may have occured. (I can fix, but a pain, and time.) Seems hidden damage might be a potential problem if such envelopes are used. Parts seemed forced toward bottom. Frankly, am not happy with Guillows newer box thickness. (Too thin my feeling.) Also, for some key parts, I'd go for 1/16 old school thickness. As is, parts seem flimsy...likely mine will break on first try. Will likely beef up using thicker "stuff" to prevent. (Not saving me time or money.) Revell balsa at local Michaels eg up in price like everything else.

Guillows...please, make your boxes thicker, a bit roomier, and maybe if eg 3 laser cut sheets have 1 with key parts, maybe beefier old fashioned 1/16th inch might be better. In these days of on-line purchases (low number of LHS), sellers may be unaware of damage that may result from shipping skimpy, tightly packed, overly shrinked wrapped items in cushioned envelopes....which have give, but if some "hit" occurs, it's likely to go unnoticed, visually. The 900 series eg should be shipped using corrugated at least. Well, for what it's worth. I'll see if Customer Service can help out.

But members, do check your packages pronto on arrival....there could be hidden damage if those cushioned bubble wrap envelopes are used, especially since the newer Guillows boxes tend to be thin, packed too tightly, shrink wrapped excessively, and the balsa these days are lighter, thinner....a mixed blessing in a way.

[Phugoid]

Hi Rayd,

One thing I noticed that you said was that this kit was laser cut, is that correct?

Andrew

[Arlo DiPasquale]

Guillow's does not advertise the 900 series as being laser cut on their web site.

[rayd]

Andrew, Arlo....you're right! I need to be more careful on auction site purchases. Upon receipt of item, I noticed parts kind of thin, some damaged/warped, main formers also, and most just easily popped out of balsa sheet with slightest touch. Box has NO markings re laser/the symbol etc., so my error I did get impression on ordering that it was laser cut. What this box contains is likely die cut parts that are very easily removed, just as easy as laser ones in my line up. My bad here for not checking more closely and jumping to conclusion, but still maintain the new box cardstock too thin, parts cramped, and shipping by a bubble wrapped envelope may be detrimental. Sorry for any mixup. Hey, thanks for noticing and posting...it helps us all. This hobby deserves all the help, tips, corrections, to move forward, and I'm also glad to see Guillows introduce those new easy to make items...perhaps youngsters may find them of interest. Hope to see 'em in brick and mortor/mass market stores, where kids can see them displayed.

[Phugoid]

Hi Rayd,

It's ok, I just thought you were breaking some exciting news!

Sorry about your kit though....

Andrew

[Wildpig]

rayd,
I don't think the problem is with the box. It's just not a good idea to put one in a padded envelope. I have bought some older Guillow and Sterling kits and, yes, they are heavier material, but, I still don't think it would stand up to being mailed in a padded envelope. Might fare a bit better but, the corners will still split open and things like cowlings and canopies will get flattened. The extra cost for heavier cardboard added to kit price, isn't worth it to me. And maybe only me.

By the way, all my ebay sales of kit boxes (plastic, balsa, etc.) are shipped in a slightly larger corrugated cardboard box. If you ever watched the folks in the mail room at the post office, you'll see what happens to all those padded envelopes.

[Bill Gaylord]

Yep, these Ebay sellers need to use a secondary box around even the stronger kit boxes, such as some of the Sterlings. If they're not corrugated, they definitely need something better than just padded wrap. So far all of mine have been inside a second box, and arrived fine. The Stearman box was so badly shot that the seller had no choice. It was a good thing, since I got a really good deal on the kit, which I'm currently building.

Since we're on requests, how about some pre-fabbed LE's? As I scratch builder, I build kits when I want a relaxing, easy build. Shaping LEs is too much like work, lol. Guess asking pre-fabbed pilots would really be pushing it.

[Mitch]

Just got a box from AC Supply with 9 models inside and all PERFECT. AC SUPPLY does a nice job... and when you order 100 dollars the shipping is FREE!!!

Now I have to start BUILDING!!!

Good job on the Pilot! Mitch

[Bill Gaylord]

Thanks Mitch. Speaking of pilots, they would be a nice addition to have in all the kits kit. I love these light weight molded pilots, as they're about as heavy as we can afford to add, especially in terms of aft weight in some models. Pilots for the 400 series would probably be my first priority to see added.

[David Lewis]

Rayd wrote: "Hope to see 'em (balsa model kits) in brick and mortar/mass market stores."

In the 1960's, ordinary dime store chains such as G.C. Murphy and F.W. Woolworth did have Comet, Guillow and other brand stick & tissue kits on the shelves in the toy department.

Limiting factors now are: 1. Lack of exposure and promotion (kids don't know these things exist), 2. Considerable skill and knowledge are required to build and fly (albeit the Internet is starting to solve this problem), 3. Time does not hang as heavy on children's hands -- there are more hobbies/activities to compete with, and 4. Kits are poorly engineered.

When I sold Guillow's kits on my Web site I always shipped them in triple-wall corrugated boxes. That's a must. Anything less is begging for trouble. The thought of putting those paper thin kit boxes in a bubble envelope is ludicrous.

[rayd]

Yes, I remember those days...plenty of "stick models" around, pre fabs, gliders, U-Control, supples, hobby shops, plastics, in dime stores, variety stores, dept stores, the corner candy store....planes, boats, cars, trains. As time, technology, and regulations, liability issues progressed, along with hazardous substance matters...and electronic gadgetry, kids became less and less interested in traditional craftsman, well,..craftspeople hobbies. I'm not sure hobby makers kept pace with what was happening, and today, we are where we are. Dunno where we're headed, but we might wind up being a bunch of older folk with few to pass these hobbies down to. Hmm....I digress from the box issue, big time, but yes, in mail order world, outer box should at least be in corrugated. I just can't fathom some poor kid gettting a gift card to buy a hobby item and get a crushed or damaged package.

There was a show last year on a BBC channel, maybe Top Gear or equiv. where a fellow moaned no kids were mildly interested in say plastic models, he was an Airfix fan, plastic model planes. He visited a school, and what remains of Airfix company, and asked them if it was possible to build a plastic kit that teenagers, male and female, could build as a class project. He spoke to the kids and talked them into the surprise nature of the project, but did not tell all. It was to be a 1:1 full size Spitfire (I think), made from very lightweight plastic, to be removed from sprues, like the smaller models. The kids enjoyed themselves, most I gathered, and some expressed interest in getting into the aviation/manufacturing world! The plane was displayed with fanfare. Great! Wish we had more "stuff" like this going on.Too many kids gawk at phone gadgets while not looking when crossing a street. I think its up to folks like us to try and encourage or reboot the craft hobbies. This is not to be a zinger on progress, just a statement that some balance eg crafts would be useful to our youngsters.

[shawn32671]

Up until 10 years ago or so, K-Mart stores carried a few different balsa kits and Estes rocketry stuff too. Too bad Walmart can't try to get some stock in of balsa kits

[Phugoid]

There was a show last year on a BBC channel, maybe Top Gear or equiv. where a fellow moaned no kids were mildly interested in say plastic models, he was an Airfix fan, plastic model planes. He visited a school, and what remains of Airfix company, and asked them if it was possible to build a plastic kit that teenagers, male and female, could build as a class project. He spoke to the kids and talked them into the surprise nature of the project, but did not tell all. It was to be a 1:1 full size Spitfire (I think), made from very lightweight plastic, to be removed from sprues, like the smaller models. The kids enjoyed themselves, most I gathered, and some expressed interest in getting into the aviation/manufacturing world! The plane was displayed with fanfare. Great! Wish we had more "stuff" like this going on.Too many kids gawk at phone gadgets while not looking when crossing a street. I think its up to folks like us to try and encourage or reboot the craft hobbies. This is not to be a zinger on progress, just a statement that some balance eg crafts would be useful to our youngsters.

It was a programme called James May's Toy Stories.

http://youtu.be/FzT3L3gGrew

He did another series where he built a FF (ish) Glider in some of the scenes of that programme it clearly shows some Guillows stick and tissue models.

Andrew

[rayd]

Yes Andrew....that's the one, very good....your locating that fine program and making it easy for us to view (or review) here. James May Toy Stories, look for it on BBC stations, including BBC USA. A great show, not only for some of us grown-up kids, but super ideas which may spark interest in the next generation. Hobby mfrs and teachers may also find it useful and interesting to view. Craftspeople of the future hopefully. Thanks Andrew

[David Lewis]

Wildpig wrote: "I have bought some older Guillow and Sterling kits and, yes, they are heavier material, but, I still don't think it would stand up to being mailed in a padded envelope."

You're correct. Heavy pasteboard boxes will usually not survive, nor are they intended to withstand the mailstream. If memory serves there used to be some larger kits retailed in individual shipping boxes made out of corrugated cardboard.

The postwar kit industry started out with one-piece flip top cardstock boxes, similar to that which Guillow's currently uses. The problem was the boxes got flattened and crushed on the store shelf, which tended to obscure the box end. The manufacturer wants his box to look good and be easily visible to customers as they survey the pile of competing kits.

Consequently, circa early 50's, Hawk came out with a two-piece heavy pasteboard box. The box top was laminated with glossy coated paper -- same style box as Guillow's (and many others) used in the 1960's -- that kept its shape and supported high resolution color lithography.