When Thomas Barker first walked into Guillow’s, he wasn’t thinking about legacy. He was a high school student with a love for technical drawing and woodworking, intrigued by a small company looking for an assistant draftsman. But the moment he encountered the smell of balsa wood, the history of aviation, and the quiet hum of craftsmanship, something clicked.
“I just liked making things out of wood,” Tom recalls. “Guillow’s felt authentic, like something people genuinely cared about.” That early connection would evolve into a lifelong commitment. Today, as President of Guillow’s, Tom is guiding the iconic American brand into its 100th year, carrying forward a legacy rooted in flight, curiosity, and hands-on learning.
A Custodian of Something Bigger
Leading Guillow’s into its centennial year is not something Tom takes lightly. “It feels like guiding an important legacy across generations,” he says. “I’m humbled by the responsibility and energized by the chance to carry forward a brand that has meant so much to so many.”
That sense of stewardship runs deep. Guillow’s isn’t just a toy company, it’s a bridge between imagination and engineering, between childhood curiosity and lifelong passion. For Tom, leadership means preserving that bridge while ensuring it remains relevant for generations to come.
What Makes Guillow’s Enduring
In a world of disposable entertainment and screen-based distractions, Guillow’s stands apart. “We make real flying models from real wood,” Tom explains. “Not novelty items.
Our products require participation; learning, building, experimenting.” That distinction is central to Guillow’s identity. Each kit invites builders to slow down, follow plans, solve problems, and experience the physics of flight firsthand. “We don’t just sell a model,” Tom says. “We sell the experience of building something real that actually flies.”
This philosophy traces directly back to founder Paul K. Guillow, whose vision continues to shape the company today.
“Paul wasn’t just making toys; he was opening up aviation to everyone. He believed anyone, at any age, could understand and experience flight. That belief still guides us.”
Planting the Seed of Flight
Over the past century, Guillow’s kits have inspired countless pilots, engineers, and aviation enthusiasts. Tom believes the reason is simple: curiosity. “Our kits plant a seed early,” he says. “Those first questions; ‘How does this work? Why does it fly? Can I make it fly better?’, those questions have launched a love of aviation and many future careers.”
One story, in particular, has stayed with him. A pilot once sent Guillow’s a photo of his first solo flight, along with a note that read: “My aviation journey started with a Guillow’s kit at age nine.” “Hearing that our little balsa airplane nudged someone toward a real cockpit; that’s powerful, Tom says. “Those stories make the work meaningful.
Why Craftsmanship Still Matters
Guillow’s continues to manufacture its kits in Wakefield, Massachusetts, using real balsa wood, a decision rooted in principle, not nostalgia. “There’s a human touch in every kit,” Tom explains. “Real material. Real precision. Real care.”
For him, one of the most fascinating moments in the process is watching raw balsa transform into flight-ready parts. “Seeing simple sheets of wood become something built to fly never gets old,” he says. “It’s a quiet kind of magic, watching potential turn into flight.”
That craftsmanship is also what makes Guillow’s such a powerful tool for learning. Builders don’t just assemble a model; they discover aerodynamics through trial and discovery. “Pitch, lift, drag, balance – they learn it naturally,” Tom says. “It’s real hands-on, memorable learning.”
A Centennial Worth Celebrating
As Guillow’s approaches its 100th Anniversary in 2026, the focus extends beyond the brand itself to the people connected to it. Generations of builders, parents, grandparents, engineers, hobbyists, and dreamers have all played a role in the Guillow’s story.
The anniversary presents an opportunity to tell that story properly and introduce new builders to the joy of hands-on flight. Plans include historically grounded limited-edition reissues, premium collector packaging, and special experiences that honor the past while remaining true to who Guillow’s has always been.
Plans for the anniversary include historically grounded limited-edition reissues, premium collector packaging, and experiences that honor Guillow’s past while inspiring its future
“This 100th anniversary is a chance to tell our story properly and introduce new builders to the joy of hands-on flight. The goal is to celebrate our legacy, stay true to who we are, and thank all the generations of customers, company leadership, and employees both past, present, and future.”
Looking Forward Without Losing Our Way
When asked where he sees Guillow’s in the next 10 to 20 years, Tom is clear: evolution without compromise.
“We’ll continue doing what we do best; just doing it better. Modernizing where it makes sense, while staying rooted in Made-in-USA craftsmanship.”
That future includes deeper connections with schools, STEM programs, and aviation partners; all while keeping Guillow’s core promise intact. “The goal isn’t to change who we are,” Tom says. “It’s to make sure Guillow’s is still the name people think of when they want to build something real.”
One Word for the Next Century
If Tom had to describe Guillow’s as it enters its second century in a single word, his answer is immediate: Enduring.
Because trends come and go, screens come and go. But the joy of building something that truly flies, that never fades.”
