Star light, star bright

[Mitch]

I wish Guillows "Good Fortune" and continues to "Prosper" so they keep making kits "Forever"

[scigs30]

I agree with Dave, except maybe not the tissue just because Esaki tissue is expensive. Guillows has a new tissue that came with the Beaver kit that is real nice, pretty close to Esaki. I would like to see more colors added. The nose block would be nice, I think it would be easy since everything as been redone in CAD.

[Wildpig]

I'll go with no. 1. I'd like to see the WWI kits reissued again. Even a short kit would be o.k.

[Bill Gaylord]

When I first saw the title, I thought you were reminiscing cheesy 80's music.

The Mosquito would be nice, but a bit larger wouldn't be a bad thing either. They probably want to avoid having to make all the plastic molded nacelle parts however, which is the great asset of the kit.

[scigs30]

Those old WWI kits flew pretty good for a Guillows.

[rayd]

Man! We've so much light pollution here, we can barely see the big dipper! I digress. Will go along with Wildpig...would really like to see at least some WW1 kits reissued....heck, even short kits, print wood ok. Like sigs30 indicated, they flew pretty good for a Guillows.( Maybe top wing gave that extra oomph to compensate for generally heavier built-like-a-tank Guillows oldies. Suspect there are more biplane fans out there. Would even like some post WW1 "stuff"...eg very early WW2, trainers, King Kong bipes, Ace Drummond. Show of hands? Opinions?

Would love to see a DeHavilland DH-4 again, especially if Guillows bought out yesteryear's Comet. Maybe put out a "Classic" line of sorts, craftsman type ok by me, short kit, printwood, whatever. Doing scratch often a pain. This stuff is mostly for craftspeople ...and though laser cut and frills are nice, the basics parts, esp plans & printwood...eg, formers, ribs, would do, especially if perhaps lower priced as well. Both outfits, Comet and Guillows had the DH-4. About same wingspans, a bit different construction though, but Comet version was lighter as I recall. Nice ship, oddly sleek looking for its time, to me.

[Wildpig]

Somewhere, maybe this forum, someone said that the Guillow Rumpler was the best flyer of their replica kits.

Laser cut Rumpler kit sounds interesting.

[Mitch]

Okay... I gave this some more thought. I know Guillows does not want to produce biplanes as there market group is directed at easier (that's relative) kits... So how about the Golden age Race planes of the '30's...

I have a Gilmore Racer and A Gee Bee (from the other company) but I do not know if anyone has a Bulldog in there line up...



That would be a nice kit! Mitch

[Marshdweller]

I'm with Mitch here too - I've been reading a little about the Schneider Trophy, and the planes that participated are some of the best looking around in my opinion. I know Dumas do the Supermarine S6b but that's the only one I have seen in my wanderings around the interweb. I also realise that their shapes might be quite challenging to replicate in balsa, though I'm sure someone like Kittyfritters who has actually designed kits would be a better judge of that...

[Mitch]

woops... so the "other company" has that one also... okay... my Gilmore racer and Gee Bee are in there 30" ws range. I should have checked before I made my wish... Still... Guillows method is easier to construct, so if they decide to get into the racers that one is the "cat's meow" Mitch

PS... as I said Guillow kits are easier to build, and I think I have shown that they will fly nicely built right from the box... might not win contests, but they will fly in your local school yard or play field! So my vote is for a line up of Golden Era Race Planes in 1/16th scale!

UPDATE and CORRECTION: My Gilmore Racer and Gee Bee are 24", The TWA Alpha is 30"

[Bill Gaylord]

woops... so the "other company" has that one also... okay... my Gilmore racer and Gee Bee are in there 30" ws range. I should have checked before I made my wish... Still... Guillows method is easier to construct, so if they decide to get into the racers that one is the "cat's meow" Mitch

PS... as I said Guillow kits are easier to build, and I think I have shown that they will fly nicely built right from the box... might not win contests, but they will fly in your local school yard or play field! So my vote is for a line up of Golden Era Race Planes in 1/16th scale!

Good point. Dumas has the Hall Bulldog, Gilmore Red Lion, and GeeBee R1and E, but they're not Guillow's kits. The Guillow's kits are generally easier to build, and for what I do, more robust also. It would be nice to see them come out with a few. I just received a Sterling Hal Krier's Great Lakes Special in the mail a few days ago from Ebay, which is constructed a bit more along the Guillow's line of construction. Built a Herr Gee Bee R2 a few years back also. Definitely interested in Golden Age subjects.

[Mitch]

Moreover...if Guillows made the Racers from the '30's... they already have there Pilot Figure:

This is the Pilot from the PT-17 Stearman. Approx. 1/16 scale and he needs more work...My projects are never finished!

Maybe we should talk to this guy...

If you do not know this is Howard...aka Kittyfritters, He designed this plane for Guillows and I spoke with him in Perris, CA.

Mitch

PS As you can see there was not much in the way of grass, so I did NOT try to fly my SE5a or EIV... I am not trying to destroy my models!

[Steve Blanchard]

I think it would be interesting if Guillow's did put out some golden age racers. I would want them to be all 24" or less in wing span so they would be FAC legal for racing Mass launches. The only thing is that there are hundreds of plans that are contest winners with great scale outlines already available and being flown.

Steve

[Mitch]

But Guillows has a different Market Group. Most people in the hobby shops only heard of Guillows, they have more public exposure in the Local Hobby Shops. With Guillows construction and plastic cowlings they would be easier to build and make better static models. Seems like half the modelers build for Static Display.

I did not know there was a 24 inch limit... Need to check my rule book. I was planning on entering more mass launches next time.

FYI: For those who may not know...
Mass Launch Planes do not get judged on build, must only pass an inspection to qualify.
3 Heats, not allowed to make changes between Heats. No trim. No new rubber. No repairs.
Each "Pilot" has a "Mechanic" to help wind the plane on the field. He is also the timer.
Planes are eliminated after each Heat. Best 3 of the last Heat is what you want. (At least that is what I want... The experienced guys want 1st)

Next BIG Meet in Geneseo NY in July. That may be a bit far for me to go. Also I am not ready at this time... I am suppose to be on vacation and now I am working 2 JOBS! It will be better when I can retire!

Okay... got to get ready for work... latter... Mitch

[WIDDOG]

I wish they had Mass Launch contests for the Guillow's 500 Series kits. Also would a 500 Series Corsair be asking too much?