Guillow's Javelin Rubber Powered Endurance Flyer Model Kit

I wanted to start building model airplanes, but I wanted to start with something relatively easy. I picked the Javelin as it was a "Build-by-Numbers for Beginners (Series 600)" and the build time was stated as approximately 15 hrs and it looked the most basic of the 600 series. The only thing I might dispute is the "For Ages 10 and up" - pretty sure I couldn't have done this at 10 yrs old and not sure I would let a very young person work alone with an exacto knife (as you will need this to cut the long strips all the way through and for clean-up of poor wood breaks removing the numbered pieces). At first I was a little skeptical about the thickness of the balsa wood and the ability to remove the pre-cut pieces from the sheets of balsa wood (as they do not appear to be cut all the way through) - but I was wrong on both accounts. The thickness is apprpriate and keeps the weight down, while the precuts were good enough. I only had one problem with one piece where a small piece broke off - but it was no big deal and easily glued back. The instructions are actually pretty good - and I loved the fact that you built the model right on top of them. There were a couple of times I was a little confused - but I took my time and reread the directions and looked at the excellent diagrams . Therefore, I photocopied sections of the instructions to build the model on top off - so I could still hold the originals. It is essential that that you build the model on top of foamboard (cardboard works - but you'll have to double it, otherwise the pins won't hold well) with directions on top covered with waxpaper (stops the glue from sticking). I used craft pins with the larger round plastic tops - only because they're easy to pick up. In terms of glue - I really wasn't sure whether I should go CA (superglue) or wood glue route - so I bought both in the dollar store. I started with wood glue and never used the CA glue. You do have to wait a little longer for it dry - but I'm in no rush and its a whole lot easier to clean your fingers and make adjustments with wood glue than CA glue. In terms of putting on the tissue paper I went online to see other ways to do it without the dope (as this stuff is brutal) and I found several methods - I used the white glue mixed 50:50 with water to glue the paper and a 50:50 isopropyl alcohol and water to stretch the paper. I enjoyed this project and will keep moving up in skill level as I feel ready - as there are lots of choices at each level. So remember you will need an exacto knife, ruler, pins, wood glue, dope or white glue, foamboard/cardboard, waxpaper, spray bottle, paint brush, and 220 (fine) sandpaper.

I purchased this kit to introduce my 5 year old to my lifetime hobby, building and flying RC airplanes. The first thing about this kit is the nice vintage feel. It takes me back to my childhood when my dad and I used to build these kits together. I had my son look through a list of Guillow's models and when he saw the Javelin he said "I want that one, the green and yellow plane". Upon opening the box, we noticed that it comes with tissue for covering, but it is not green and yellow but rather grey and white. Since painting seemed unfeasible for such a light plane, we decided to purchase the $1 green and yellow tissue paper found at the local superstore. After all, my son wanted the green and yellow plane as shown in the box and not a white/grey one. To build this kit you will need a handful of tools: - Hobby Knife - Glue (wood glue) - 24"x36" Cork board or similar to fix the plans and build over them (plans measure 19"x25") - Wax paper or clear plastic wrap (to prevent the delicate balsa pieces from gluing to the plans) - Pins (to fix balsa pieces to the plans and make the assemblies) - Cutting board (balsa pieces are die cut so many of the pieces need to be cut out as well as balsa strings must be trimmed to length) Because of all the supplies and sharp tools needed, this kit is not a good idea for young kids without adult supervision. As far as glue I used a combination of thin super glue, accelerator and white glue. Probably, fast drying wood glue would have been best but I tried it after almost finishing the model. To cover the finished parts with the tissue I used a mixture of white glue with water (mixed 50/50) and a small paint brush. To finish the plane at my son's satisfaction and look like the picture on the box, I used black model paint for the wheels and one coat of Sig Nitrate Dope to seal and stretch the paper tissue (water diluted white glue could be used for this same purposed but I did not try it). To finish it as shown in the picture, we spent about 12 hours split on a Saturday and Sunday from start to finish. Total weight came to 35 grams. My son was very satisfied with the finished plane. As far as for learning to build balsa wood model planes, this is probably a very good second kit, as it may appear challenging to someone who has not built a plane like this before. For a first kit, I would probably go with a laser cut version. It looks like the Guillow's 4000 - Simple Build n' Fly Series are meant for that. The Flyboy model is very similar to the Javelin and it is probably less challenging for a beginner. Update(flight) My son and I had a chance to take the Javelin to the park for a flight. We found an open space area of about 300x300 feet. After winding the rubber band motor 100 times or so, I gave it a light toss headwind slightly up. The Javelin climbed about 30 feet high and floated about 150 feet away from us. This plane is a flier. I was afraid we were going to lose it as it got away from us as any free flight model should. This plane definitely needs a large space for flight. I would say a football field area minimum. On the third flight it had a hard landing and ripped the landing gear off. This was easily repaired with some glue. Overall, this plane is a great free flight rubber powered model. Probably a great model to convert into an electric RC. But to keep things simple and low cost, stock rubber band power is fine. Just beware of trees and obstacles that could destroy this airplane instantly. Also, as with any free flight model, it will be prone crash or two so be prepared to make repairs.

My 7 year old son loves building airplanes. These are a bit hard for him, but he is trying and getting better at it. We have already gone through a couple either because he lost pieces while building it or because our dog managed to catch and destroy part of the tail. I've just bought a third model, which hopefully he will finish during a trip to visit his grandpa, who is "assigned" to help him. These airplanes are not for the faint of heart. They are fully made of a thin balsa wood skeleton and covered with silk paper. If you like to build planes, they are nice, but they require careful handling and some studying to learn how to do it successfully. I wish Guillow provided some extra balsa wood planks to allow fixing things without having to start again when you accidentally break something.

I'm not going to ding this for being more of a 'kit' than I expected from the description. There are some shaped parts, and a lot of strips of balsa that you basically need to cut and shape to make the plane. Its a little daunting if you came from the generation that expects a snap together kit. You'll need modeling cement, a sharp modeling knife, a sanding block, and either white glue or something else to coat the wings. I like it though - the instructions are thorough, and if you follow them you don't need to be intimidated!

I am 27 now but I built lots of stick and tissue planes as a kid and although I got the hang of building them down really well. Many did not fly well. This model does fly really well. Its also a great plane to learn how to cover on. The fuse is all just a box, with a little taper. The wings are the only tricky part. It was my favorite and I built several. I cant believe they still sell them. I think I may buy one and build it. I highly recommend this kind of toy. Very educational. Takes patience to build but building them is the fun part.

Great kit good directions looks beautiful. I can’t tell you if it flies well or not because I never fly these things. I just hang them.

This model has 1950s style instructions and was not what I was expecting. This kit is only for the serious modeler as I threw it out after the first 10 minutes. A lot of cutting of wood is required and it is not straightforward. I would recommend looking at a different plane unless you are seriously good with these things

The quality of this product is mediocre, at best. Overall, it is classic Guillow's; good drawings and reasonably good instructions, and well labeled parts. However, that is where the good quality ends with the exception of laser cut parts. Half of the punch out parts were laser cut out of good strong balsa (awesome) the other half was the ancient die stamped parts (crushed by a dull die) in soft balsa and were a headache to cut out and use - some were destroyed and I had to remake them from some stock that I had. Also, landing gear strut wires, rubber motor, and rubber band that holds the wing were missing. And instead of the bright colors on the package, I received white and gray tissue for covering. This stuff may not seem like a big deal, but, obviously, you pay good money for a kit so it has all the parts needed and is provided as advertised so you can put it together and fly... Also, for people new to free flight airplanes, this is a beginner/intermediate build and requires patience and observation. I've built the Guillow's beginner kits (Cloud buster and Cadet) and they are pretty good and teach you skills needed to more reasonably approach this plane.