Good beginner balsa builds + any tips?

rockyboy

Skill Collector
Mentor
I don't have any personal experience with the Hangar One kits, but they are produced nearby in NZ and should be a lot cheaper to get to you than most of the US or UK based manufacturers

https://www.hangarone.co.nz/shop/laser-cut-aircraft-kits

From a hobby store perspective, here's the best selection of other balsa kits I've seen in AU - again I don't have personal experience with most of the kits they have, but I think the Seagull Boomerang 40 should be on your short list of ones to research - looks like it could be a good fit.

https://www.alburyrcmodels.com.au/rc-aircraft/balsa-kits/

If those kits are too far above the budget line, Guillows or Dumas free flight rubber kits are a lot of fun at a much easier price point - and many of them can be converted to RC, but I'd be hard pressed to consider an RC conversion of one of those a beginner project. But if you really want to fall down a rabbit hole of looking for other kits, I keep a page of all the active kit makers I know about over here:

https://forum.flitetest.com/index.php?threads/balsa-kit-manufacturers.35042/

And @Joker 53150 has a great thread over here to get you started down the supplies and techniques path - we're all happy to answer questions you have in that thread or over here too!

https://forum.flitetest.com/index.p...uild-your-first-balsa-plane-start-here.32389/
 

speedbirdted

Legendary member
I would say buy something from Willy Nillies but then the shipping cost would send everything to hell. If you don't mind the cost and waiting a month or two then sure, go for it :p

An interesting sidenote is Mr. xjet got a Radical RC Microstick in New Zealand which is even farther away for a not-unreasonable shipping cost. I'm sure he waited just as long though.


I've seen a couple Micro Sticks personally but not had flying experience with them, but it seems to fly just fine. Not sure about the construction but it seems pretty similar to the Willy Nillies auto-jigging methodology.
 

Willy Nillies

Elite member
We ship to Australia on a somewhat regular basis. Pretty much minimum shipping charge is about $25. BUT - you can get 2 or 3 kits and some accessories shipped in the same box for that amount. It's been averaging about 2 weeks from drop off at post office to delivery in AU. If you can find a friend or two and order together, splitting shipping would bring cost down considerably.

Sincerely,
Doug and Becky
WillyNillies.com
 

flyingkelpie

Elite member
We ship to Australia on a somewhat regular basis. Pretty much minimum shipping charge is about $25. BUT - you can get 2 or 3 kits and some accessories shipped in the same box for that amount. It's been averaging about 2 weeks from drop off at post office to delivery in AU. If you can find a friend or two and order together, splitting shipping would bring cost down considerably.

Sincerely,
Doug and Becky
WillyNillies.com
Ok I'll check it out!