Guillow's 1903 Wright Brother Flyer Laser Cut Model Kit

Great product

I have been building airplane models for many years, but it’s been a while since I have built small stick and tissue models. I have mostly built larger RC flying models. I did, however, start with the stick and tissue ones.This is a great kit. I love the laser parts. It sure beats cutting out the parts with a razor blade. (guess that dates me) Plus all the ribs are the same and if you follow the directions you don’t have those few hanging differently than the others.If you have never built a wooden kit like this, it will be very difficult, and I would suggest not beginning with this one. You have to be very gentle as the pieces are small and delicate. If you are experienced, I have a hint. Build the bottom wing first. That way you can develop a technique and see what you are getting into, and it will make the top wing go easier. It would be better for the bottom to have a few mistakes than the top wing. That’s the one that shows.Another hint, use CA glue for the ribs. As for me, there is no way I could align the ribs and keep them in place while white glue dries.I’m still in the process of building, but as far as the kit. it was what I had hoped and expected, reminiscent of the old time kits I began with, but with the benefit of modern technology.You have to glue, wait for it to dry. You have to cut stock wood for some parts, (yes, in addition to the laser cut parts). You have to sand parts, and it’s even to the point of having to carve out the props yourself. For these reasons I give it a 5 star. (and to be sure you understand, the glue, hobby knives, sandpaper, or any other material used in building is NOT included.)This is a good project, but I say again, you will be disappointed if this is your first kit of this kind, as it requires a bit of patience, and some knowledge of building these kits, plus how to repair the parts you are sure to break.Most flying kits today are not kits at all. The wings and fuselage are already built all you do is assemble the already built parts. This is not that.If you don’t have experience, please don’t buy this then give it a 1 star because you can’t put it together. That is not the fault of the kit. And don’t buy it for your 6 year old for a dad/son project, and give it a one star because it’s too difficult for a 6 year old.Yes, balsa breaks easily, yes the parts are small, Yes, you have to put an effort into it and it takes time.But if you are nostalgic for the old time models and actually building, this is as good as it gets.As an add on. I wish J Simon had written his review before I began building. I ran into the same problem and had already glued the fuselage together before installing the elevator. Fortunately I had read elsewhere about the rigging.I’m still keeping the 5 star rating, however, because of the challenge.If I had wanted easy, I would have bought one of the models already finished.

There are a number of issues with this model. First and foremost it is very very fragile. A lot of the parts are very thin balsa and just a slight bump will break them. The instructions are vague in many areas and require quite a bit of interpretation.

Fairly good model.

Muy bonito articulo muy coleccionable