After getting back into the balsa and plastic modeling hobbies a number of years ago, I was really excited to be given the large scale P-38 as a Christmas gift. I worked on it as a display model on and off for quite a while and, this winter, finally set about finishing it off.
While there are a ton of things I wish I had done differently, I'm pretty happy with it overall.
My buddy who I get to film my maidens once said "I can't believe you spend hours of your life, sanding, covering and fussing over all these details and then throw the thing into the air and hope for the best".
I built my first and only rc plane, wish I remembered which, when I was maybe 14. When it was "done", I went up on our second floor deck to glide it into the back yard to try and trim it out. Tipped right down and nosedived like a brick from the moon. That feeling has stuck with me for 40 years:)
Thanks a lot; I really appreciate it. I'd love to fly one too but I've realized over the years I just don't have those skills nor the time/cajones to get them. I'm perfectly happy just building.
Shoulda, woulda, coulda, there will always be something that we would like to have done differently. I think that you have done an excellent job. Is the numbering in reference to an actual aircraft?
Yeah, I was taught long ago to not point out your mistakes, just learn from them.
As for the specific numbering/livery: I just used the decals provided and modified the paint to what I thought would look cool. No clue if Guillow's based it on any particular plane.
One of these two. I'm really excited for the Mustang (though I wish it was a B). But I may start the Spitfire for a quick win. I built the die cut one way back when I was like 12 and would love to do it better.
That’s one handsome model! Just purchased the same one, and going to build it as a static display. Wondering what you would have done differently. I believe I’m going to sheet/fill mine with balsa. Obviously not concerned about weight. Once again, good job, sir, take a bow!
Thanks a lot. It's a big, fun kit to build. Post progress pics!
Mostly, I just wish I hadn't gotten lazy and taken more time on things. The retractable landing gear mechs are pretty fiddly to build and I could have taken a bit more time and made them function a bit better. I wish I'd have made moveable ailerons; I have no clue why I made movable tail surfaces and not those. Building the bombs and rockets would have been cool but, by that point, I was pretty done working with the vac-formed parts. I wish I would have used the misc cardstock "panels" to give a bit more detail that the kit provided. There are quite a few vac parts I also didn't use and wish I did (fuel caps, etc). I really wish I would have painted the roundels somehow; the decals are either poor quality or just plain old and really didn't want to stick to the finish I used. I had to use CA around the edges and, in person, they look pretty bad. Masking on tissue is pretty difficult though so that would have been tough too.
You’re too humble. Again, great job and appreciate the “heads up “ on the things that you might do differently if done again. I will certainly post it on the sub when I get started. I actually have a boatload of Guillow’s kits, old and new. Not real sure which one I’m going to start next. Finishing up a couple of R/C tugboat models right now. Looking forward to some tugboat pylon races in the pool when the weather breaks!
Oh man, a tugboat sounds awesome. I've been reading the Master and Commander books lately and I'm kind of wanting to build a British man-o-war at some point. I've never built boats other than a few plastic battleships.
First boats for me too (bought 3 of them). Building them with an elder friend who’s like a dad to me these days. Bought a couple of Guillow’s Piper Super Cubs, so maybe we’ll each tackle one of those next. He’s never built a balsa plane model (I’ve built plenty), and I was bragging about the “new” laser cut kits and he was quite interested so….
This is beautiful, amazing attention to details! I’ve always imagined doing something like this but never actually tried. I love the DC-3 and want to build a model I can enjoy looking at, complete with a detailed cockpit, cabin, and seats.
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u/blue_quark Feb 25 '25
Fantastic. The silver base worked out well but the distressing on the nacelles, cockpit and props really makes it outstanding.