Guillow's Piper Super Cub 95 Laser Cut Model Kit Blue, Small

Without intending to sound overly negative, prospective buyers of this Guillow's kit, and others like it, need to know that it has many parts made of balsa wood that are removed from a sheet, arranged according to the tabletop building plan, and the parts cemented in place with the best alignment of parts possible. This is a labor-intensive process that will take many hours. Doing so will give the best possible results for flight, as well as display. The fact that the parts are laser-cut means that they will remove from the sheets easier than before that technology was invented, plus be in better shape and outline when removed. Building aids are an accurate full-sized plan, plus a building method instruction book. Tools required are specified. In summary, this should not be the type of kit to give as a gift to a child wanting to build his or her first model. It uses materials and techniques from an earlier traditional era. IMO, a young/beginning model builder would be better served starting with a simpler model airplane whose parts are made of styrene plastic. It's different working with balsa wood and tissue covering. If a simpler flying model is desired, Guillow's also makes several different types of hand-thrown gliders and rubber-motor powered examples. Once the more advanced skills needed to construct a model like this Guillow's Piper Super Cub are acquired, one can be rewarded with pleasurable flights. That's something that styrene plastic airplane models don't afford the modeler. Guillow's kits have long had an honored place in thre ranks of flying model airplanes.

Nice classic kit with modern last cut parts going together well

great little plane but it could use more covering and a spare pin for the prop

I built 6-8 smaller Guillow's planes before moving on to this one. I have developed certain of my own methods of doing things, such as the paper coverings, and also modifying certain parts which may need to be stronger. I would not try this one as your first plane, but after you get some practice, it's a really good one. Mine looks like a real plane, and came out really good. If you are new to these models, you must know that they are not a quick build if you want them to come out well. They take time and patience, but they will reward you if you do it right. I take a couple of weeks to do one nicely. They really do fly, but you might not want to after all the time invested. However, if you break them, since you put them together, you will know how to fix them. These are NOT for young kids...ignore the packaging, especially the kids of today. You have to have some common sense to build these models...not every single thing is described for you in great detail. The plans were written decades ago when people could still think and reason for themselves. A "smartphone" won't build this for you. You actually have to figure some things out on your own, which might scare some people away. But if you enjoy using your mind to create something, it's pretty satisfying. You can customize them in all sorts of ways, which is pretty fun.

I've had a lot of fun building this kit. Make no mistake, this is a "craft" project- it's not a straight build like a plastic kit: you will need to deal with very light and fragile wood, marginal instructions and a lot of question marks. At the end of the day, it's the challenge that makes it fun.Specifically regarding this kit, It's something of a time capsule. These kits, or ones very similar, have been on the market since the 1940's so the model you build might be the same one your grandfather built. The instructions are somewhat updated, but the plans and illustrations are vintage.Just a note: personally, I wouldn't buy these to fly them. If you want an entry level RC get a cheap Chinese EPO model and save the heartache. I flew a bunch of these rubber-powered models in "my day" (jeez!) and I smashed them all. good display models, though!Oh. technical stuff: the balsa is very light, in keeping with the "rubber band" intent. I broke stringers many times during assembly. The laser cutting is way better than the die-cuts of yore. I started off cutting out the parts but the laser cut is so good there's only like 0.010" sprues left. Just bust 'em out and sand off the tits. Also, the burn from the laser makes a handy sanding guide, like a guide coat in auto painting. when it's gone, the surface is even.

Laser cut clean parts. Perfect condition.

Overall great model kit. As long as you have foam board, pins, quick dry cement, fine sandpaper and some patience it is a very enjoyable build, with better instructions than I was expecting. Took me about 15 hours. I added a set of E-flight bush wheels and a belly pod for a more rugged look but it’s great either way. The only thing I would change is buying different tissue, but that’s no big deal. Final note, it probably flies great with some micro tuning but it could definitely use some more structural components around the wings so be weary.

The instructions are absolute trash. I suggest if you really want to build a Guillow model you buy 2. The first one you can build to learn how to build the won you will keep. The instructions are extremely vague and they tell you to refer to a single angle, low resolution picture on how things go together. What was laser cut seemed to be accurate and well fitting. The stringers are not laser cut, and there are two different sizes so be careful where you use what.