Older Guillows Cessna 170 build

[scigs30]

This kit was given to me to build for a friend so I gave it a shot. This is an old kit with pretty bad wood but useable. We should all give ourselves a pat on the back for building these planes not too long ago with the heavy die crushed balsa. The wood in this kit was 12-18 lb/ft, my new laser cut version has wood from 7 to 8lb/ft and it is laser cut. I built it straight out of the box, the plastic cowl was cut out and that was all that was started before I got ahold of it. The cool thing is Guillows used to supply pre cut windshields, I wonder why they don't do that any longer? Since the wood was old and porous I used Testors green tube cement to build this bird and covered with silver tissue. I used the kits decals glued on with Eze Dope. Also used Eze Dope to finish the build and she is ready for flight coming in at 38 grams as shown.

[Wildpig]

Beautiful

Where did you get the silver tissue?

[scigs30]

I only get my Domestic tissue from 2 sources, Peck and Easybuilt. I don't know exactly which one this silver came from because my tissues are all mixed together but I can tell you that Peck, Dare and Easybuilt are all the same.........And Herr freeflight.

[SpiceMan]

Hi Scigs30,
WOW ... very nice job you've done on your 170. I built this same plane, except it was the Laser Cut version, not too long ago. I covered it with MicroLite. You've probably already seen my posting on this site, but if not, it's titled "Cessna 170 Laser Cut Kit Build ( # 302 LC )". Our birds look VERY SIMILAR for sure.
This was an EXCELLLENT Kit for me, but my mistake was I goofed during the balancing process, and when I went to fly it, it flew like a ROCK.
Some day I intend to remove a lot of the nose weight, and try again for a good flight.
Congratulations on your very nice looking bird.

[r wheatley]

nice clean build !!

[davidchoate]

nice build

[davidchoate]

I did an old Aeronca kit I got off E Bay, And the windows were die cut. I dont mind cuttin them myself; somatimes its advantageous because I can add Xtra size to the windows if necessary.

[r wheatley]

you did an excellent job, the tissue covering is about as good as I have seen. was wondering should I cover top and bottom of wing before shrinking ? or does itmatter?

Ronnie

[davidchoate]

My experience has been on 300 series planes that the wing is rather sturdy, and not prone to any warpage. I have adopted the wet method lately. with the elmers you can kinda pull or LIGHTLY tug out the wrinkles. I ripped alot of tissue when I went from dope to trying the Elmers dope substitute. .

[scigs30]

I have been taking some of my older Guillows kits out to fly with the supplied rubber and prop to see how they would do. For the most part the 500 series did ok with the rubber band and 5 inch prop, 15 second flights, not bad. Today I took out the old Cessna 170 and the 5 inch prop did nothing, the plane just glided to the ground. I swapped the prop out for the Guillows 6 inch prop and she flew great and that is with the supplied rubber. I lubed the rubber with Glycerin and Soap and used my winder to add 300 turns for a 20 second flight. Then I used a longer piece of Guillows rubber and my traditional winder and she flew really good. I was impressed for an old die cut kit build out of the box with no mods. On the last flight she hit a sign breaking the landing gear but easily replaced. I use masking tape to make a snug nose button fit.

[tpwpny]

Beautiful build! Very professional. I can only aspire to such. I'm finishing up the same kit. My first, and it's a nice one to start with as well.

So it looks like you cover in tissue after the skeleton is assembled?

[scigs30]

I like the looks of the bones assembled before covering. So I tack glue the parts together for a picture and take it apart to start my covering.

[davidchoate]

I Love Cessna's too.

[davidchoate]

I Love Cessna's too.

[davidchoate]

I Love Cessna's too.