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Cox Engine of The Month
Vintage balsa gliders
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Vintage balsa gliders
Im interested in getting some vintage balsa gliders. I wonder how well they fly compared to the new ones today.
wingchicken- Gold Member
- Posts : 212
Join date : 2020-08-02
Age : 18
Location : Fresno, California
wingchicken- Gold Member
- Posts : 212
Join date : 2020-08-02
Age : 18
Location : Fresno, California
Re: Vintage balsa gliders
Hey Wingchicken, welcome back. It's a while since we heard from you. Let us know how you went getting your Cox engine mounted and going.
The Jim Walker gliders will probably fly pretty good. At $11 a piece I guess that's not bad value, but the balsa will be pretty old and maybe very brittle. I don't know what the price of a modern equivalent would be, if available.
The Jim Walker gliders will probably fly pretty good. At $11 a piece I guess that's not bad value, but the balsa will be pretty old and maybe very brittle. I don't know what the price of a modern equivalent would be, if available.
Oldenginerod- Top Poster
- Posts : 3832
Join date : 2012-06-15
Age : 60
Location : Drouin, Victoria
Re: Vintage balsa gliders
You might consider something like this. May not be quite as pretty, but I'm sure just as functional. This one's here in Australia, but you'll certainly find the same where you are.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Guillows-Jetfire-Balsa-Glider-30/173915803637?hash=item287e308ff5:g:UtkAAOSw9v9fDTFO

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Guillows-Jetfire-Balsa-Glider-30/173915803637?hash=item287e308ff5:g:UtkAAOSw9v9fDTFO

Oldenginerod- Top Poster
- Posts : 3832
Join date : 2012-06-15
Age : 60
Location : Drouin, Victoria
Re: Vintage balsa gliders
I'm with oldenginerod on this.
Those old planes (for $44.00) are nice to collect -- for old memories.
The balsawood being old as well will be dried out and very brittle.
If you want a plane similar like that, you can get it at a better price from Guillow's and other inexpensive planes as well.
Here is Guillow's web page:
https://www.guillow.com/
hand launch glider:
https://www.guillow.com/eaglebalsaglider.aspx
catapult glider:
https://www.guillow.com/catapultglider.aspx
wind up plane:
https://www.guillow.com/skystreaktwinpack.aspx
If you don't want to purchase a plane there, try your local hobby shop by you:
Hobbytown Fresno
102 East Barstow
Fresno, California 93710
Phone: 559-435-3342
Fax: 559-435-3343
As for me, I have seen them at my local Ace Hardware store at the cash register when I go to pay for my nuts and bolts.
Yes, I have purchased the hand launch, catapult and wind-up planes too!
And, they do fly well. (cheap fun in the back yard)
So, take a pass on the "old" hand launch gliders (for $44.00) unless you want to store them on the shelf, just like the seller did for years?
Those old planes (for $44.00) are nice to collect -- for old memories.
The balsawood being old as well will be dried out and very brittle.
If you want a plane similar like that, you can get it at a better price from Guillow's and other inexpensive planes as well.
Here is Guillow's web page:
https://www.guillow.com/
hand launch glider:
https://www.guillow.com/eaglebalsaglider.aspx
catapult glider:
https://www.guillow.com/catapultglider.aspx
wind up plane:
https://www.guillow.com/skystreaktwinpack.aspx
If you don't want to purchase a plane there, try your local hobby shop by you:
Hobbytown Fresno
102 East Barstow
Fresno, California 93710
Phone: 559-435-3342
Fax: 559-435-3343
As for me, I have seen them at my local Ace Hardware store at the cash register when I go to pay for my nuts and bolts.
Yes, I have purchased the hand launch, catapult and wind-up planes too!
And, they do fly well. (cheap fun in the back yard)
So, take a pass on the "old" hand launch gliders (for $44.00) unless you want to store them on the shelf, just like the seller did for years?
sosam117- Platinum Member
- Posts : 1060
Join date : 2016-03-23
Location : Suburb of Chicago, Illinois
Re: Vintage balsa gliders
The old ones flew great , i had a lot of fun with them and you learn to set the flaps and rudder to do stunts .. they have some at Hobby Lobby if you can get there . https://www.hobbylobby.com/Crafts-Hobbies/Hobbies-Collecting/Gliders-Planes/c/9-183-1398
getback- Top Poster
Posts : 9557
Join date : 2013-01-18
Age : 65
Location : julian , NC
Re: Vintage balsa gliders
I bought them anyways. Im preserving 3 and test flying one. Im all for taking the risks.
wingchicken- Gold Member
- Posts : 212
Join date : 2020-08-02
Age : 18
Location : Fresno, California
wingchicken- Gold Member
- Posts : 212
Join date : 2020-08-02
Age : 18
Location : Fresno, California
wingchicken- Gold Member
- Posts : 212
Join date : 2020-08-02
Age : 18
Location : Fresno, California
Re: Vintage balsa gliders
wingchicken wrote:And also btw hobbytown has closed permanently. So yeah.
Sorry,
That was the info I got from Guillow's web page
sosam117- Platinum Member
- Posts : 1060
Join date : 2016-03-23
Location : Suburb of Chicago, Illinois
Re: Vintage balsa gliders
not your fault at all.
wingchicken- Gold Member
- Posts : 212
Join date : 2020-08-02
Age : 18
Location : Fresno, California
Re: Vintage balsa gliders
vintage ! Got ya , Good deal on the purchase , keep us informed wingchicken

getback- Top Poster
Posts : 9557
Join date : 2013-01-18
Age : 65
Location : julian , NC
Re: Vintage balsa gliders
It’s coming today.
wingchicken- Gold Member
- Posts : 212
Join date : 2020-08-02
Age : 18
Location : Fresno, California
Re: Vintage balsa gliders
i still cant get engine mounted on heli
wingchicken- Gold Member
- Posts : 212
Join date : 2020-08-02
Age : 18
Location : Fresno, California
Re: Vintage balsa gliders
Maybe take some pictures. I'm sure someone will be able to help.wingchicken wrote:i still cant get engine mounted on heli
Oldenginerod- Top Poster
- Posts : 3832
Join date : 2012-06-15
Age : 60
Location : Drouin, Victoria
wingchicken- Gold Member
- Posts : 212
Join date : 2020-08-02
Age : 18
Location : Fresno, California

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