Guillow
Last verified: April 2026
Read our full verification: Is Guillow Made in USA?Est. 1926
Guillow has been manufacturing products in Wakefield, MA since 1926. We carry 2 verified American-made Guillow products.
Heritage & History
Paul K. Guillow founded his model aircraft company in Wakefield, Massachusetts in 1926, when aviation was still a novelty that captured the imagination of American children. Guillow recognized that building and flying model airplanes provided a hands-on way for young people to engage with one of the great technological marvels of the age, and he built a company around providing affordable, quality kits to make that experience accessible.
The company has survived nearly 100 years of economic change — the Great Depression, World War II, the rise of plastic models, video games, and smartphones — by maintaining a loyal following among modelers who value the craft of building a flying aircraft by hand. The kits require patience and skill to assemble, and the flying models that result carry a sense of accomplishment that plastic snap-together kits cannot match.
Made in Wakefield, Massachusetts
Guillow's kits are manufactured in Wakefield, Massachusetts, where balsa wood is cut to precise dimensions, pre-scored for easy separation, and packaged with tissue paper, decals, and instructions. The kits range from simple foam gliders that assemble in minutes to complex rubber band-powered models of the P-51 Mustang, Spitfire, Douglas DC-3, and Piper Cub with wingspans up to 30 inches.
Balsa wood itself is an ideal modeling material: lighter than any other structural wood, yet strong enough to survive the stresses of flight and the inevitable crash landings of learning. Guillow's kits have introduced generations of American children to both aviation and the satisfaction of building something with their own hands. The 98-year Wakefield heritage is reflected in the precision of the pre-cut parts and the quality of construction that makes the finished models actually fly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Guillow made in the USA?
Yes. Guillow manufactures 2 verified products in Wakefield, MA. Paul K. Guillow, Inc. has been manufacturing balsa wood model aircraft kits in Wakefield, Massachusetts since 1926, making it one of the oldest continuously operating toy manufacturers in America.
Where is Guillow manufactured?
Guillow is headquartered in Wakefield, MA. Manufacturing takes place in Wakefield, MA.
What Guillow products can I buy?
We carry 2 verified Guillow products across Toys & Games. Every listing links directly to Amazon with verified American manufacturing.
When was Guillow founded?
Guillow was founded in 1926. Paul K. Guillow, Inc. has been manufacturing balsa wood model aircraft kits in Wakefield, Massachusetts since 1926, making it one of the oldest continuously operating toy manufacturers in America.
Does Guillow ship from Amazon?
Yes, all Guillow products listed here are available on Amazon with free shipping for Prime members.