Guillow's Stunt Flyer Model Kit

Assembly was quick and straightforward using the instructions.(1) Used "Super Tacky" white glue for balsa pieces.(2) Used CA (gel Super Glue) for securing prop shaft bearing as the white glue didn't hold it firmly enough.(3) One rubber band was not enough torque for sufficient prop rpm so had to make two bands; kit included enough material for two. Bands lengths are such that just a slight stretch from rear post to prop shaft.(4) Built and installed landing gear from included wire, wheels and balsa pieces.(5) Finished plane is very light in weight and prop spin torque was causing it to roll over on its left side in flight until scotch-taped one of the included weights about 3/4" in from the end of the the right wing. The other weight went on the lower left side of the nose piece.(6) Plane flies the claimed 50 or so feet with 150 turns, but once bands completely unwind it quickly falls to the ground from the drag of the no-longer-spinning prop.

I'm surprised at the generally good reviews, and shame on Guillow (a trusted brand) for putting this one on sale. I've been building model airplanes since I was a kid and have considerable experience with kits like these. I bought this for my daughter and had to throw it away when it was 3/4ths completed. There are three major problems: first, there is no way to anchor the propeller shaft into the cowling, so that as soon as you wind up the rubber band the propeller gets pulled into the fuselage, making it impossible to turn. I tried to correct this by adding a washer, but there was still too much friction with the propeller. Secondly, a key part was missing: there was no wire included to fasten the rear of the rubber band to the aircraft. Finally, the design of the tail fin was odd--the horizontal stabilizer is glued directly onto the fuselage, and the rudder is glued on top of that. It would have been much stronger had they used a standard cross lap joint.Unfortunately there was no way to return the product after it's been partially assembled. I'll have to stay clear of Guillow from here on out. It's a shame.

I'm surprised these kits aren't more popular. Honestly, compare the quality and fun value of these kits, which have a simple assembly but teach some of the skills of balsa stringer and tissue kits, with the money you pay for other balsa flyers that are around $7 or $8 like the "flying machine" or "jetstream" by the same manufacturer. You get a lot more for a dollar or two more. Fun to build if you can handle a CA adhesive (get a debonder, too) and like easy kits that can fly.

WAY more work than it should be for a cheap model...took all day to put together, and didn't come with the glue necessary to actually put it all together. Then the rubberband and propeller broke on the first flight. Don't waste your money.

Sturdy profile fuselage with fragile, lightweight wings. Glued rudder so it would fly in left-hand circles. Nice flights. Need a sharp knife, wire cutters, and instant glues to build this free flight airplane.

Balsa Wood not very good quality

Fantastic flyer with a few alterations and am completely satisfied and would recommend this to other freeflight modelers

very difficult and time consuming to put together and some pieces were broken