Guillow's Focke-Wulf FW-190 Model Kit, Small

I recently (just in the last 2 months) began building these balsa models after a 45 year hiatus. I've made about 6 of them so far, and this one is one of the best. The parts were very accurately cut, fit together really well, and this thing flies killer!! It flies nice and straight, and at the end of flight, it curves off to the left and lands nicely in the grass. I use a large steel washer on the nose cone and glue it on, and then mount the prop directly to it. That adds just the right amount of weight to keep it from going up and stalling, and makes a nice, smooth flight. Very nice model.

A model airplane kit much like they used to be early in the 20th Century. Today's technology provides easier parts handling via laser-cutting on the parts sheets. A definite step up from die-cut parts, and a GREAT step up from cutting around printed ink outlines and final-shaping parts before assembly. In any event, kits like these are definitely not for anyone needing quick gratification. They require true building skills, which are fortunately not too difficult to develop. Parts need to be laid out on a blueprint-like plan (included), temporarily held down to a building board (not included - a 1/2" thick foam-core panel will work), that will accept pins to hold the parts during parts gluing (make sure the board is kept flat during the assembly process). Balsa wood parts are light and delicate, needing careful handling. Finished open-framework components (wings, tail parts, body) will need to be covered with tissue paper (included), a specialized skill needing to be learned. There's a small building manual included, also lots of YouTube stuff available to show the process. The reward at the end is an accurate-outline model that can actually fly, using the supplied rubber band and propeller. Builders - find & use your patience, take time to make accurate construction, and you should find the path to your success. Thank you, Guillow's! May you go on for another hundred years (at least!).

My 12 year old son loves to put these kits together. Had everything in the box.

This product was excellent. I had a little bit of difficulty trying to fit the plastic parts to the front former. But the laser cut parts are a vast improvement over the die-cut pieces that you had to cut out of the frame. I would recommend putting a steel washer under the thrust button for the prop instead of using clay to trim the airplane. The airplane flew very well. Overall it was a fun build and a lot of fun for the price point.

Outstanding balsa aircraft. Suitable for beginners.

Here’s what you need to know! Balsa wood sheets are SO rough on opposite side of printed parts. You can’t sand smooth due to thickness and breakage, parts not fully stamp cut, some sheets come broken and the ONLY plastic part is the nacel which cannot be cut because it’s got square base. EVERYTHING about this kit is junk. If you must have buy two - you’ll need the extra parts!

Opened the box today, plastic parts crushed, not happy and the return window is closed

Didn't realize this was a laser cut kit when I got it. Very happy about that as they are such cleaner easier kits to assemble. What else is there to say? If you have done one of these kits before than you know what to expect. If you haven't assembled one then know this is a full BALSA wood kit that takes effort to assemble . I have read reviews of people getting these and then being angry that they got a box full of wood. Well...... can't really say much about that. Oh and the price I paid was 16 or something so not a bad price at all. When I got it they were hard to find and lots of places seemed to be price gouging the guillows kits. Glad I found it as it has helped pass a couple hours. Now to see if I can get it to fly a little lighter than the last brick I built.