Guillows

[Mike Griffin]

I do not want to take up space on the open forum about this topic but I have just recently decided to build some Guillows models and have a few questions.  If anyone one here, and I suspect their are, has experience with building these kits, would you please PM me and we can get a dialogue going.  Thank you very much.

Mike

[Darkstar1]

Hey Mike
Have building them on and off for more than 50 years. What kind of models did you have in mind.

[Dan McEntee]

    Building a Guillows kit is just like building any other model airplane kit. Some allowances are made for handling smaller, lighter wood and such but the basics of getting good, tight glue joints, alignment of parts, and final fit and finish are what sets some apart. I have seen some that are works of art, and some , not so much. Even the smaller, less expensive kits can be made to fly well, or take advantage of the molded plastic detail parts and build a nice static scale airplane. Almost all of their kits are laser cut now I think, and if you shop around the internet and eBay deals on older kits can be found. Just like in stunt, it's the builder that makes the final product and how it looks is up to them and their skills and efforts. Pick one or two fo the more simple kits to start with, just like you were 10 years old again and don't be embarrassed about it!! You do have a learning curve ahead of you, and just now big it is , well, there is only one way to find out!! There are FB groups for stick and tissue modelers and at least one just for Guillows kits. I suggest you check those out.
  Type at you later, and HAVE FUN,
   Dan McEntee

[Rusty]

After plastic models those were the next models I built when I was 9 or 10.  They are an enjoyable build and can be a challenge.   Enjoy. 

[Ara Dedekian]

        Mike,

           My FAC clubs indoor one design was the Guillow Bird Dog. I used the current laser cut kit. Despite the average 12-13 lb/cubic ft wood, it flies quite well. The build was as per the instructions without any wood substitutions. Used cyano throughout. To keep the weight down, the model was covered in colored wrapping tissue with no paint or decals. The only mods (for flying) were a removable wing for adjustability, a 1/8" raising of the trailing edge and moving the motor peg forward. The plastic cowl was backed with plywood and used to hold the shaft. I was up for a flyoff for 1st and 2nd when the rubber motor broke.

           As a break from the intensity of building a competitive stunter, Guillow kits are a fun build and can be made into decent looking static models.

       Ara

[Mike Griffin]

        Mike,

           My FAC clubs indoor one design was the Guillow Bird Dog. I used the current laser cut kit. Despite the average 12-13 lb/cubic ft wood, it flies quite well. The build was as per the instructions without any wood substitutions. Used cyano throughout. To keep the weight down, the model was covered in colored wrapping tissue with no paint or decals. The only mods (for flying) were a removable wing for adjustability, a 1/8" raising of the trailing edge and moving the motor peg forward. The plastic cowl was backed with plywood and used to hold the shaft. I was up for a flyoff for 1st and 2nd when the rubber motor broke.

           As a break from the intensity of building a competitive stunter, Guillow kits are a fun build and can be made into decent looking static models.

       Ara

Thank you Ara.  How do you shrink the tissue without warping anything.  I love the bird dog by the way.

Mike

[Peter in Fairfax, VA]

Can not only be a break from building a stunter, but also an inexpensive "build your skills" project before attempting a larger build.  Though prices are "just a little" higher than back in the day.

[Dan McEntee]

Thank you Ara.  How do you shrink the tissue without warping anything.  I love the bird dog by the way.

Mike

     If the structure is stiff enough, wet both sides of the wing, for example, and let dry. Preshrinking the tissue on a wood frame eliminates a lot of excess shrinkage. Some use alcohol on a cotton ball and wipe the surface to shrink it also. Some tissue shrinks more than others. Like anything else, practice makes perfect.
    Type at you later,
  Dan McEntee
   

[Ara Dedekian]

How do you shrink the tissue without warping anything.

Mike

     I first iron the wrinkles out of the paper. I use the tissue in gift boxes and it's pretty rumpled by the time I get it. The tissue in the kit is OK but a bit heavier. I use Coverite/Polytak/Sig Stix-It to coat the wood and iron the tissue on with a trim iron.Then, after spraying the paper with 70% rubbing alcohol, raise the parts off the table with strips of wood under the leading and trailing edges and hold them down with weights along the edges. This will control any warping as the alcohol dries. Raising the parts lets air evenly circulate around the surfaces.

    Hope this makes sense,

    Ara

[Mike Griffin]

     I first iron the wrinkles out of the paper. I use the tissue in gift boxes and it's pretty rumpled by the time I get it. The tissue in the kit is OK but a bit heavier. I use Coverite/Polytak/Sig Stix-It to coat the wood and iron the tissue on with a trim iron.Then, after spraying the paper with 70% rubbing alcohol, raise the parts off the table with strips of wood under the leading and trailing edges and hold them down with weights along the edges. This will control any warping as the alcohol dries. Raising the parts lets air evenly circulate around the surfaces.

    Hope this makes sense,

    Ara

It does Ara and thank you.

Mike

[Mike Griffin]

     If the structure is stiff enough, wet both sides of the wing, for example, and let dry. Preshrinking the tissue on a wood frame eliminates a lot of excess shrinkage. Some use alcohol on a cotton ball and wipe the surface to shrink it also. Some tissue shrinks more than others. Like anything else, practice makes perfect.
    Type at you later,
  Dan McEntee
   

Thank you Dan.  I appreciate the help.

Mike

[Mike Griffin]

Can not only be a break from building a stunter, but also an inexpensive "build your skills" project before attempting a larger build.  Though prices are "just a little" higher than back in the day.

Hi Peter, that was exactly what I wanted to do...just take a break for a while and build a few of these.  Some may be static and others rubber power.  Thank you again.

Mike