Guillow's Focke-Wulf FW-190 Model Kit

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!).

Great model! Fun too build! Read the plans.

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.

I have put together about 20 Guillow models. They are very easy and fun. I especially like the ease which the laser cut pieces detach. They release very easily and require very little touch up cutting. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. In fact, I just bought another model about a week ago.

These old school model kits have come a long ways. The laser cut balsa wood sheets make it a lot easier to get the parts cut out. I did notice a change in the kits. They used to have an option for mounting a gas powered engine in the nose. It still does but the kits don't mention they need to be reinforced to build that way. Overall this is my 7th or 8th kit I've built over the years and Gillows is the only manufacturer I'll consider when looking for a kit. On a scale of 1-10 on build quality this is a 10. As for difficulty i would rate this kit at a 5 and wouldn't let a kid under 10 work on this alone if this was their first. Knife is necessary, tight bond wood glue and a little 400 grit sand paper to start. If you want to make the build easier lay the instructions/plans (full scale) on some Styrofoam sheeting lay your plans out on it and cover them in plastic wrap. It allows for you to build the kit on the plans and when glue is dry pull right off. Great kit for the crafty and an old school alternative for a great scale model airplane. Prices are what they are. The bigger the k I t the more expensive it is. The 500 series kits are in my opinion the best for instructions, ease of build and overall fun. Durability is on a whole different scale and is on par with the time and effort put into the build. This is not a lego kit.

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.

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

I changed my rating from 5 stars to one star because of what happened when i attempted to apply the decals. I cut one, placed it in warm water for 10 seconds, and then let sit for 60 seconds. When i touched the decal it disintegrated. There is absolutely no way to use these. It may be because the decals are very old. In that case, they should not have been sold. My kit was laser cut so it was not one of the old die cut kits that were discontinued. Very disappointing. Ive included photos. The decals fell apart like a busted lightbulb. The rest of my review remains: The Focke-Wulf FW-190 should be the first plane you build in the 500 series because it is the only one to have a step by step instruction booklet specific to this model. This exact same booklet is included with all the other kits in the series but only the FW-190 construction is provided specifically. But once you have the basics you can build any in the series with no problems. Take your time, it doesnt need to be finished in a day...or even two. You should be able to complete all 9 models in the series for less than $160. Its important to shop aroud for these. I bought a kit from a seller and left a good review. Within a week that seller raised the price by 12%. So, be patient when buying, wait for a good price.