Guillows Fokker DR1 Triplane Laser Cut Model Kit

Reader Reviews
I first built the drei way back in 1960, following the kit instructions precisely. The net result was a strikingly pretty plane that actually flew well. Out-of-the-box, the Fokker Dr. I is a very stable flyer.The drawbacks come immediately, though. The landing gear is very fragile, barely capable of supporting the heavy polystyrene wheels, much less actually enabling a three-point touchdown without collapsing. Also,the single strand of rubber supplied in the kit is absolutely inadequateas a power source.I kept my drei flying for the next three years, but the entire set of three wings had to re-built. By that time, I had learned many free flight tricks that improved the flight characteristics of the kit.If you intend to produce a flying model, ignore the wood wing ribs (cut from very heavy balsa); use them only as patterns to cut new ones from contest weight balsa. Use a Cox Pee Wee .020 for power. Make balsa wood wheels. The new model will be lighter in weight, adequately powered, and less likely to require repairs after every flight.If you want to produce a display-only model, then use the wood and plastic parts as supplied. Then, substitute spruce or basswood for the landing gear, cabane, and interplane wing struts. The more substantial wood will make wing alignment much easier.The new edition kit is familiar and not-so familiar. Wood quality is still too heavy for a flying model. The plans and instructions have a more modern look. The decal set is OUTSTANDING!! Guillow's kits alwayscame with superb decals: accurate colors, absolutely aligned and registered, and easily applied over doped tissue. Back in the 1960's you could buy an extra set for sixty cents. What a bargain.You will be pleased with this re-issued gem. The laser cutting of balsa parts reduces your time to re-trim or sand the parts. If you are a beginner to balsa WWI aircraft, don't be put off by the seeming complexity of multiple wings. The Guillow engineers have done their homework to produce a kit with minimal frustration. The finished plane is a work of art.