Having three kids can make it tough on individual one on one time but we make sure we spend special time with each kiddo as often as possible. Recently we received a cool item to review that would require at least an hour of one on one time with B and I couldn't wait to sit down and get to work with him.

 

Since 1926, Guillow's has been popular for their affordable and beautiful balsa wood toy planes. For over 80 years, Guillow's has operated from the building founded by Paul Guillow, a World World I aviator and author. With over 20 different flying toys and over 60 scale airplane construction kits, Guillow's is one of the largest toy airplane manufacturers in the world and all of the kits are American made. Available in Hobby Shops and online, generations of American kids have saved their money to buy these model kits and gliders.

 

There are currently six new Guillow's miniModels in the 4500 series- US Hellcat, US Warhawk, German Fighter, Rockstar Jet, Stunt Flyer, and V-Tail. Each kit retails for $8.99 and are designed for children 13 and up to assemble on their own or children younger with an adult's help. All of the kits in this series have precision laser cut balsa wood parts and contain a rubber band motor for flying.

 

These miniModels will require about an hour of assembly but do not require cutting or sanding, just some patience and glue. Directions are included in the box but you can find bonus building help with an online 3D model section to turn and control with your mouse for even more assembly assistance. There is also a how-to-assemble YouTube video for the visual learner too.

 

MBP was approached to review a few of the new Guillow's miniModel kits and felt that B was the perfect age to work with some parental assistance and build his very first model airplane kit. He didn't know it was coming so he could be extra surprised when he got it.

First thing out was the Guillow's 2014 Catalog. Three of the new miniModels are featured on the front cover. Inside it goes in to more detail about each of the new kits. B enjoyed flipping through the catalog and seeing what other cool things Guillow's offers.

 

Now it was on to the big surprise-2 Guillow's miniModel Kits!

 

The green box contained Kit 4502 US Warhawk.

 

 Building the US Warhawk

 

The front of the box is clearly labeled with the Kit number, name, and a picture of the assembled plane. It also has a clear view window to see the balsa woods pieces inside.

 

On the side of the kit it describes the new miniModels. 6 different planes, three war planes and three private planes.

The back of the kit shows a brief instruction and time frame picture.

Inside the kit, all the balsa pieces are all included and wrapped with directions inside a plastic bag.

The directions are clear and show all the pieces you will need. We both quickly got to work taking the pieces out of the laser cuts, they easily came out and were all cut perfectly.

 

Starting to assemble our US Warhawk.

I will say, we started using white glue, which is listed, but quickly moved to super glue. The one hour time frame is not with white glue. I am not great at construction type things and sort of struggled getting some of the pieces together. After I looked at the 3D instructions online, I felt a little more confident. There is no way B would have been able to do it without me, the 13 year old and up is a great age recommendation. After everything was glued together we let it sit overnight.

 

Finished product!

He can't wait until the weather warms up and the snow melts to get out and try flying his US Warhawk!

 The blue box contained Kit 4504 Rockstar Jet.  

The Rockstar Jet is a very similar build process as the US Warhawk. All pieces are laser cut, easy to "punchout", and assemble within about an hour.

 

We only used our US Warhawk and will be saving our Rockstar Jet for some special time with B's grandpa soon. These kits would be great for a Cub Scout Troop, birthday party, or any other small group activity too.

 

Want It? Buy It!

With Spring and Easter coming up soon, Guillow's miniModel kits would make great gifts for the child or plane loving adults in your life. The miniModels are an affordable option and make a perfect first building kit experience. Make sure you head over and LIKE Guillow's on Facebook. It is a brand new page and we would love for our readers to help their fan base grow!

 

Want It? Win It!

One MBP reader will win an Guillow's miniModel Airplane Kit of your choice. Just use the Rafflecopter entry form below to enter to win. Remember- if the entry field appears in BOLD, it's mandatory.