Guillows Spitfire 403 Unboxing and Introduction

[@jasonstarnes3838]

I recently got back to building guillows kits again. Been marathon watching your build videos to refresh my memory. Its really nice to get back to my roots of plane building. Love your work!!

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

That's great Jason, getting back to one's roots is almost like a deep cleanse, the simplicity of bygone days! 👍

[@jasonstarnes3838]

@CliffHarveyRCPlanes i hope to see for guillows builds on your channel. Im in process of building a b24, just started cutting parts on a p40. Are you on Facebook?

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

@@jasonstarnes3838 I am on FB but I only really use it for promoting new videos, everything I do is uploaded to my KZbin Channel 👍

[@kitchentablebalsabuilds]

I'm so glad I found this series. I've been away from the hobby for many years, but you have inspired me to take on a Guillows 403 restoration project. Thank you!

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Thanks and welcome back to the most gratifying hobby in the World 🙂👍

[@mk6595]

I have the P-51 Mustang (kit 402) waiting on a shelf. For the money Guillows charges they should be including proper colored tissue. The build will be fun at least. I'm working on my skills with simpler kits for now until I'm good enough to not ruin the Mustang. -Mike

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Hi Mike, I agree for what it would cost it would make a big difference to finish. Fun is what it's all about anyway, thanks for the comment, cheers 👍

[@georgegeyer3431]

I will be receiving my Guillows Hawker Hurricane today. I hope to have a good flying model. You make it look so easy. I haven't built one sense,I was a teenager.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Hi George have fun, here's a link to the conversions already done on RC groups, there are Hurricane conversions to read through, that may help, www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?827861-Guillow-s-Conversions-The-list-of-conversion-threads, cheers

[@georgegeyer3431]

@@CliffHarveyRCPlanes Thank you very much. George

[@Glicksman1]

Built this kit a few times as a kid in the late '50s. Each one got a little bitt better, but none of them flew worth a damn on the rubber and prop included. Guillows kits are way over-designed for flight if built straight out of the box, and a programme of serious lightening must be commenced to remove all of that unnecessary, heavy wood. Also , they are mostly to small to ever fly well, unless flitting around like a crazy mosquito is your idea of good flight. The best flying Guillows I ever later built was one I tripled in size, used contest balsa for the parts, improved the airfoil, increased the wingspan, added dihedral and decalage, enlarged the stabilizer, sanded and cut away everything that was not crucial. and was most judicious with water-based paint on thin, clear film covering. It was really a scratch-built thing, enlarging Guillows' excellent plans. I suggest Dumas kits if you want to fly a model without having to do all of this. They, too, are better when built larger,

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Hi Glicksman, that's quite a reply thank you very much, in fact this model has gone on to be full house radio control and did fly very well in the end but it's the journey ... I've had great fun with it nevertheless, cheers 👍

[@cal-native]

Hi Cliff your videos are helping to motivate me to get back into built-up models after decades of ARFs. Love the laser cut parts! Beats crushed edges and chipped notches👍😉. Hi from San Diego👍

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Hi Calown, look, stop procrastinating and get one ordered up, ARFs are all well and dandy but the satisfaction is non-existent compared to building one of these models plus the simplicity is a breath of fresh air, let me know what, and when, you start, all the best, bye from Newton Abbot, UK.

[@KP-qp9kz]

Plan on picking up this one or a stuka in the 16.5 wingspan after I finish up my fokker triplane. I hope the smaller version is as nice as this one. Thanks for the videos!

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

I think they're all pretty nice KP, I've got a little Hurricane to build sometime 🙂

[@FranksModelAviationWorkshop]

That’s the big kit too. I’ve built the P-40, and have a P-51 to build. They go together beautifully. You’ll love it!

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Thanks Frank, in fact I did love it, there's a full build series for this model linked at the end. In fact I've just converted it to rc and I'm waiting for a window in the lock down to try for a maiden 👍

[@FranksModelAviationWorkshop]

@@CliffHarveyRCPlanes I’ve watched them all. Lol. Those Guillow’s kits are heavy. Everyone I ever built would fly under rubber power, but not very far. Fun kits to build though. Great for micro RC, but I have no clue how to convert it. I’m a glow power flyer when it comes to RC. Nice series Cliff.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Remember to subscribe for Free for regular 'Cliff Harvey RC Planes' videos using this link: kzbin.info/door/jnAks7p9kAw7idDD9XtqZw. For every new subscriber I get I'm one step closer to my dream of flying in a vintage Tiger Moth, thank you.

[@tonyfortier8835]

This is so relaxing to watch

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Hi there, thanks for saying, enjoy the rest of the series, you'll probably fall asleep 😉😁

[@garrygilbert4635]

These are very nice kits. I've built a few just as simple display models and to just keep my build skills up.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

I've got to say Garry I agree with you, it's my first 400-series model, I'm editing the fuselage video at the moment, it went together wonderfully, thanks for commenting 👍

[@MarkRobinson555]

Excellent, thanks for sharing, its a long time since I have see inside one of those great kit. Looking forward to the build 😀

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Hi Mark, thanks for your comment, have you watched part 2 yet? Linked at the end 🙂

[@MarkRobinson555]

Cliff Harvey RC Planes Yes, watched them both today, I left a comment on Pt 2 as well, I will check it got posted. Really enjoyed them both.

[@nickgraney2119]

Hi. I have had one of the Guillows kits in the loft for years. Could ypu please let me know what glue I would need for the fuselage (preferably one I can get from B&Q as no model shops near to me). I have had a quick skim through the first two videos and can see what glue is suggested. Uk based, thanks 😊

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Hi Nick, all the glues from b&q will add a lot of weight to the model, do you plan to fly it or build it as a static model? If it's a static model then any white glue will do, if a flying model then you could go to Toolstation and get some super glue, I use Ever Build industrial grade super glue GP, 50g, pretty cheap given the quantity you get. Alternatively you could order some glue from the internet I'm currently using Speed Bond by Deluxe Materials it's a white glue but it dries very quickly and you can apply it with a cocktail stick to keep the weight down, hope this helps, cheers 👍

[@callumruch3282]

Hey man I’m just curious, I’m done building the fuselage and I shrugged a little detail off, butmy kit (brand new in box never came with a rubber band so I’m just asking if you remember/know/suggest what length/width it should be

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Hi Callum, you need to make your own 'motor', you can buy the proper rubber from Mike Woodhouse Free Flight supplies in the UK by the meter, drop him an email and he'll advise you what you need, tell him the exact model you have built and if possible the weight. You can check out my attempts at flying the model in this video, cheers kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5K5q5d_p5iIpLcsi=sICtWQgJnMCw5NHQ 👍

[@thecraftking113]

Funny Cliff i was just looking at my last gullows kit .was from 1993 an Areonca Champion 85 . deffinty not laser cut either. Lol 😯mabye it time to try one of them new fangled kits 😂👍

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

If you do you'll not want to build a die cut one again, kids today don't know they're born 😁

[@Flybrei]

Nice unboxing 👍

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Thanks Flybrei, these new fangled laser cut kits are lovely (oh what a dinosaur I am lol). Thanks for commenting.

[@BelperFlyer]

Very tempting to start a similar build myself even though the latest news is that RC flying will be permitted from tomorrow (just as the weather has deteriorated - hopefully temporarily :) ). I'm just completing my first lockdown model from a feww Aerofred plan so perhaps something like a Guillows kit is worth a try. I'll be following with interest. I think you're very brave to film your progress; I'd be somewhat wary for the wider aeromodelling public to witness my numerous bodges to overcome careless mistakes :)

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Definately worth a start, the wind's bound to blow for weeks now lol.

[@jonjepson3650]

Hi cliff I have one of these in the queue. You will need to keep it as light as possible. Don’t cover it with shrink film it’s too heavy and if you use the clear tissue and paint it that will be heavy as well. When I build mine I will use olive green and brown tissue with one coat of eze dope. You will build it in no time. Not like the old days cutting out and waiting for the glue to dry . 👍

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Hi Jon, yes I've lightened the crutch quite a bit and plan to lighten the tail also. As it's for a comp we have to use everything in the kit except the rubber motor 🙂

[@jonjepson3650]

Cliff Harvey RC Planes I have printed a camp pattern onto tissue in the past. You spray a piece of A4 thin card with low tack glue, stick the tissue to it. Create a camo pattern on the computer and print it onto the tissue. It works great but I got the tissue to wet when I shrank it on the plane and the ink ran. I might have another go and use a light mist spray to wet it. Can’t wait to see the finished product 👍

[@jonjepson3650]

I have just learned that you can shrink the printed tissue by lightly steaming it then dope it. Game on 👍

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

@@jonjepson3650 I guess the steam does the same job as a fine mist spray although I don't think adding heat is a good idea, I'll see how I get on. I'm just editing the wing video now.

[@jonjepson3650]

@@CliffHarveyRCPlanes another option is to apply the water with an airbrush. I am intrigued to know what you are going to cover it with. But don't tell me. 😀

[@marcelopricoli]

cant wait to see the work progress

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Thanks for the comment Marcelo

[@orcashamudeluxeu567]

Nice! looks great! did you take picture of the wood sheets? It would be useful for me.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Only what you see in the video Ethan, but I do keep them when the build is finished for future templates.

[@samsaunders6528]

hi i am just starting to build this model.mine arrived two days ago it looks like a good buy i am also intrested in this comp

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Hi Sam, that's great news, is it your first rubber free-flight model (at least for a long time), if you can give me any advice as I move along please chip in 😉

[@samsaunders6528]

@@CliffHarveyRCPlanes looking on KZbin some builders are removing as much woo from behind the motor peg as possible.must end up tail heavy

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

@@samsaunders6528 yes, I believe so, saves noseweight 🙂

[@DazDaMan]

Is this one going to be rubber-powered free-flight, or RC onversion?

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

This one's going to be free flight rubber, my first one for 45 years and I'm loving the simplicity of it all. 👍

[@DazDaMan]

I tried rubber-powered models when I was younger, but I just couldn't really get it to work. I'll stick with RC ;)

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

@@DazDaMan Me neither Daren but I'm hoping with what I've learnt online I can get her where she belongs 🙂 but it's good sometimes to get back to basics. What was your first rc?

[@DazDaMan]

@@CliffHarveyRCPlanes A SPITFIRE! :D Well, not quite the first one I flew, but it WAS the first one I ever built (the old Cambrian FunFighter kit, if you can remember that one) about 25 years ago. I built two or three others, but the best I had was a Norfolke and Goode Splatfire, which was an all-balsa sheet model with a .25 engine. Flew like a bird. I wish I still had it.

[@stephengrenot7039]

Some of the parts are for control line / free flight gas. Have fun.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Thanks Stephen, I was hoping that was the case !

[@davidquerry8869]

Cliff, a Spitfire, who would have guessed? I didn't know you were going to do rubber. Don't shoot the messenger, I didn't say it was a good idea. I thought that roll of thread, was to be used with the control line handle for CL flight. HA HA, don't shoot the messenger.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Thanks David, perhaps the thread is for sewing on buttons, who knows 😁

[@bobflyman]

Buy 2 and convert one to RC?

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Nice idea Bob it's got the wing area for sure 🤔

[@bobflyman]

@@CliffHarveyRCPlanes .How much are they? I might buy one and do it! I see on the box 27 inch wing span. Reasonable size.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

@@bobflyman 27.5in so yes bot a bad size, but not cheap, have a look at Wonderland Models (uk)