What should I get for my first model?

[Piper]

Hello everyone, I have decided to take up the hobby of building balsa and tissue airplanes. I have built many plastic kits so I have some experience. What to you guys think I should get for my first model? I have been looking at the Guillows cessna 180 and piper cub from the 600 series or the DeHavilland chipmunk from the 900 series. Are these good models for a beginner? if you know any good models please tell me. Thanks.


Piper

[cutter]

Hello Piper welcome to the forum. Search ( Cessna 180 Group Build ) and you will find
everything you need for your first build. Guillow's has easier planes, but this is a great
place to start.
Adam

[Wildpig]

Hi Piper,
Welcome to the forum and a great hobby.
What model to build? You've really opened up a hot topic there.
A large part depends on whether you are going to fly it or just static display.

Any of the 600 or 700 series, plus the Fly Boy, will make nice flyers and are fun builds.

For static 500, 900 series. Just pick a type that really interests you.
The 500 and 900 series are flyable but, if flying ability is what you are really after, then these may not be the best to start with. The Spitfire and Stuka are notoriously difficult to get to fly properly. The BirdDog and Hellcat are decent performers.

Since you've built plastic models you should have the patience to complete any of the Guillow kits.
The build process though is something quite unusual compared to plastic models and the flying part, as you can easily surmise, is a whole new dimension to modeling and is a science unto itself.

Just curious... How old are you?

[Wildpig]

Oh, I just thought I'd add that the 200 and 300 series are really nice models, they look great and can fly well. Just didn't mention them earlier because of the cost, I don't think someone should start out acquiring their build skills on $30 or $40 plus model.

[regular guy]

get the Goldwing 4101.
then start another post.
'what stuff should i get?'
example:building board.
like George Carlin, 'Stuff'
the other 3 4000 or 4100 kits will take you
right up stair steps of balsa kit building 'The Guillow's Way'
get your kits right from Guillow's.

Have A Nice Day!

[TJH]

Other than the Build and Fly series, I would recommend the 600 series Cessna 180 or Super Cub. The 900 series Chipmunk is an easy kit as well.

[Piper]

Thanks for all the replies I just want to build a model for static display, I think I will go for the Chipmunk or Piper Cub, and I am 13 years old WildPig

[regular guy]

tjh
i'll just fall in behind you here.
AFTER the 4000/4100 kit's. ( any body know what the 4001, etc. kits were? )
i plan to build the ones with the 'Junior Contest' logo on them.
to organize different series i go by price figuring more money, more kit and more complicated.
the 500 series while price is low, no 'Junior Contest' logo so saving for later.
there's my $20 on the debit card's worth ( inflation! )!

Have A Nice Day!

[B R Burns]

If you take my advise, speak to David Duckett or Bill Parker they are the real proffestionals, they are always on the forum and willing to help.Happy modeling.
Barrie.

[Mfezi]

My first balsa model was the 600-series Piper Cub. I was about 8 years old at the time and had convinced my dad to let me try to do one "all by myself". It was a long time ago, but I remember it came out looking pretty nice - at least I thought so. I never flew it, but it probably would have flown just fine going by my (much more recent) experience with the 600-series Cessna. There is a build of the 600 series Piper Cub on this form - go have a look:
http://www.balsamodels.com/phpBB/viewto ... 9&start=15

I also built some of the non-scale models like the fly-boy, but the 600-series Piper Cub is not difficult to build at all and if you want a scale model, it will probably be a bit more satisfying.

[rayd]

Piper....I'd suggest a high wing plane, like the Cessna build here, or eg a Piper Cub, maybe even the larger Guillows Fairchild 24.....almost any high winger especially if you want to try and fly the plane. Seems such planes are easier to trim, tend to be more stable, are often pretty rugged, also sometimes a bit easier to build. Phugoid's Cessna 180 build interactive group might be good for you to read, even if you select another model. Lots of good info there, and...well, on this whole forum site. Happy landings

[StefanJ]

My first build of the modern era (I tried when I was a kid) was the 602 Cessna 180.

If I had a chance to do-over, I'd work through those 4000 series kits and then tackle a 600 series kit. This way I would have been more confident about cutting balsa and tissuing.

A nice set of tools is as important as picking your first kit.

HAVE FUN!

[regular guy]

mfezi & stefan
600 & 700 series are only ones that are 'Junior Contest' logo.
i will look at Piper Super Cub 95 #602 build mfezi.

Have A Nice Day!