Just purchased kit #401

[Fuel]

I just got back from the hobby shop with a brand new Messerschmitt 109. This is the second 400 series kit I have purchased, as well at the #1001 Thunderbolt, and #201 Scout. I must say that the wood quality and die cuts are the best I have seen, with the exception of the laser cut in the Scout model.

They are accurate, not crushed and on very solid wood. I am very pleased with quality of this model. I am glad that Guillows is improving their kits. My Spitfire kit was not near the quality. Way to go Guillows.

[SteveM]

They are accurate, not crushed and on very solid wood.

By "solid wood" do you mean the wood is too heavy for flight? In my experience the very heavy wood will get cut cleanly while the lighter and softer wood will tend to get crushed.

When building for display the solid wood is nice in that is has clean cuts but not nice in that it doesn't always sand easily and can shatter when cut.
When building for flight it's just a lose-lose and I don't wonder if hard wood is better as you can use it as a pattern to cut new wood.

I guess I got off on a tangent there, but I was just trying to get clarification on your perspective of what good kit wood is.

Thanks for your quality report.

[Fuel]

They are accurate, not crushed and on very solid wood.

By "solid wood" do you mean the wood is too heavy for flight? In my experience the very heavy wood will get cut cleanly while the lighter and softer wood will tend to get crushed.

When building for display the solid wood is nice in that is has clean cuts but not nice in that it doesn't always sand easily and can shatter when cut.
When building for flight it's just a lose-lose and I don't wonder if hard wood is better as you can use it as a pattern to cut new wood.

I guess I got off on a tangent there, but I was just trying to get clarification on your perspective of what good kit wood is.

Thanks for your quality report.

The fuselage formers are thicker wood along with the wing ribs. The rest is the light balsa, and is cut very well.

I was planning on trying to fly this model, but I say that before every build, then chicken out after I have spent so many hours making sure everything is perfect.

[supercruiser]

Go ahead and fly it. So what if it gets bashed into a dozen pieces. What do you think will happen to a static balsa model after several years? Flying an airplane model you made is a real sense of achievement. You can always repair it and make it a static model. Not only that; repairing is easier with the Guillow Kit Parts page. You can order replacement die-cut or laser balsa sheets.

[Fuel]

Go ahead and fly it. So what if it gets bashed into a dozen pieces. What do you think will happen to a static balsa model after several years? Flying an airplane model you made is a real sense of achievement. You can always repair it and make it a static model. Not only that; repairing is easier with the Guillow Kit Parts page. You can order replacement die-cut or laser balsa sheets.

That's the first I have heard of that. Where is it located?

[SteveM]

That's the first I have heard of that. Where is it located?

http://www.balsamodels.com/Parts/kitparts.htm