new member

[strongeagle]

Ahoy Guillow's forum.

This is my first post ever. I'm a model builder who has been out of practice for many years. I'm a rubber power fan, a free flight fan, and a scale model fan.

I built my first Guillow's model 45 years ago, I've built Comet kits, I've built Sterling kits, I've built Hi-flyer kits, I've scratchbuilt from plans and I can say that almost without exception I have never been able to get one to fly with any satisfaction.

Now that I'm older and wiser, I hope to fix this problem. Right now I have two Guillow's airplanes in work. I started a 16 1/2 inch wingspan Bf 109 (kit 505) two days ago and I've revived an 18 inch wingspan SE-5 (kit 104) that I started seven years ago.

I'll attach some photos when I figure out the procedure.

[SteveM]

Welcome! The internet has revolutionized this hobby and helped bring modelers together in ways we never dreamed about.

One of the best resources is the Virtual Aerodrome. Many of the people that post messages here also use the Virtual Aerodrome to post pictures and comment on pictures others have posted. You'll see some fine examples of quality scale models for static display as well as FF and RC planes. The "links" page has some additional resources that you might find helpful.

There are some good Yahoo groups you might find helpful and interesting:
Guillow's G challenge - an annual free flight contest with prizes, this year we are building the 400 series.
Guillow's Model Builders - General picture posting and discussions on Guillow's kits.

Your best FF resource online is probably Mike's flying scale model pages

Another good forum (especially for FF) is the Small Flying Arts

And of course if you have questions you can ask here and we will do our best to help.

[strongeagle]

Thanks Steve,

I will certainly check the websites out. I found Mike's on my own a couple of weeks ago and it was the inspiration to dig my kits and tools out of deep storage.

Looking forward to talking with you again.

Tom

[John G. Jedinak]

Yes, WELCOME, StrongEagle!! Follow SteveM's recommendations for other sites and you cannot go wrong. Judging from your comments you have joined a large number of us grey-hairs who have returned to our boyhood hobby. Stay with Guillows....you find good quality and excellent assistance from Guillows Tech support.

[supercruiser]

Welcome strongeagle,
I'm about in the same arena as you. Built my first Guillow kit about 35 years
ago, went away from the hobby for quite awhile. Now building and flying many Guillow kits, what a blast. Enjoyed building again the Javelin. Got decent flights from it and the Fairchild 24. Working on the laser cut SE5a. I think it's kit 202. I really would like to build one of those old 100 series, particularly the Albatros. Ask for help if you need it, post photos on VA.

Paul

[strongeagle]

John & Paul,

My sincere thanks for the welcome.

Paul, your comment about "old 100 series" got my curosity up and I went to the Guillow's website and found that the 100 series isn't listed among the kits available for purchase. I guess I've lived long enough to be an anachronism!

I bought the SE-5 in 1978 when the craft supply wholesaler in my old hometown went out of business and was liquidating his merchandise. I still have a 100 series Fokker D-7, Fokker D-8, and Nieuport 28 in my stash of unbuilt kits. I also had the Spad, but built that one a long time ago. The Messerschmitt I'm working on now also came from that source.

Tom

[Stephen Napasney]

welcome strongeagle I'm a newbie to stick and tissue kits, but have been working off and on with plastic for many years. The guys here are great and they always have some great advice.