Guillows Fokker D1 Build

[scigs30]

I was given a Fokker D1 for my Birthday and it is a really nice laser cut kit. I think we all built one of these back in the day, but this is way better quality than the kit I had 30 years ago. I used Testors cement to build the fuselage and had the fuselage built within a couple of hours. The parts fit great and everything is nice and straight. I really think Guillows is onto something here and should convert to laser cut on all the larger models. The wood is still on the heavy side, but that is ok. If Guillows did laser cut on all the larger models, I really think they would attrack the RC market. These are great kits.

[Anders]

Nice work! looks great!
Are you going to fly it?
(noticed you use the kit wood)

[scigs30]

Yes I will try and fly it.

[scigs30]

Built the wings tonight.

[cliffm]

Just yesterday I recieved 2 kits1000 series p-47 and a laser cut nieuport II. I couldn't resist trying the nieuport first and after about 3hrs. of dawdling the fuselage is nearly complete. Unbelievable precise fitting so far and the wood is beautiful. Having just finished a laser cut mustang from another manufacturer I was about to give up on "laser cut, high quality"! The p-47 will probably take me about 2months to complete as I put all the accesories and movable parts and complete it as close to scale as my limited talents allow. My corsair and dauntless had some crunched parts but nothing that wasn't repairable. I build for scale only and the mustang I just built was a complete disappointment as the stang looks more like a whale. I'm still looking for a p-51b-c the same size as the 1000 planes but haven't found anything that can compare to Guillow's realism and detail. Any body?

[scigs30]

I am not a big fan of laser cut kits, but they are better than die crunched, I still prefer print wood. These laser cut kits by Guillows are some of the best I have seen, and a pleasure to build. After 2 days I have all my structures built, just have to sand and work on the plastic pieces. I really think Guillows is missing out on a large market with there larger models. If they were the same laser cut quality as this 200 series kit, I know people would love to buy and build them......The smaller kits would be better off with contest grade printed balsa.

[dbcisco]

I am just wondering why you prefer print wood?

[scigs30]

I like print wood because it produces a nice clean build, plus I enjoy cutting out the parts, that's a skill in it self. Die cut = Die crunched and poor fitting parts. Laser cut is really nice, but I don't like the burnt markings. One thing about laser cut is you can build a model real fast, this Fokker was built in 3 days. To me it is like putting a puzzle together.

[scigs30]

My uncle was unable to add an electric engine, so got this plane back. I do not like seeing unfinished models in my room, so I decided to keep it rubber and throw some tissue on her. This is a great kit by Guillows and goes together well. A little on the heavy side at 87 grams balanced.

[dbcisco]

Excellent post !!!!!!!!

[Von Wolfkill]

You have to be one of the best I've seen when it comes to the finial product.
Nice looking planes. I want to try out the new Fokker D1. I made one along time ago it was hard model to put together. I've heard allot of good things about how crisp and clean the parts come out and how well they go together. One again nice looking planes.

[r wheatley]

I have to ask this, did you cover the model after assembly? I have seen photos of several planes that look assembled before covering.
as usual the build looks excellent!!!!!

thanks, Ronnie

[scigs30]

I take a picture with the structure done, so it looks like the plans picture. I then take it apart and cover it.

[Xanadu]

What are you using for covering, and technique?

Tissue, 50/50 glue mix, glue stick, dope.???

[scigs30]

I use Domestic and Esaki tissues. If I use Domestic, I only use tissue from hobby suppliers, Peck, Easy Built, Guillows or Penn Hobby. The Fokker was Esaki Red, I thought it looked better than the red domestic. I attached the tissue with 50/50 Elmers Glue All and Water. Shrink with Alcohol, and brush on 2 coats of 50/50 dope.