Yup, back in 1965 as an 11 YO I built Ed Lidgardś Sparky. It was print wood then. Ditto with Comet's P-51B. I'd use my dad's used razor blades to cut balsa. Learned to snap double blades to have a single cutting edge. Snap the end with a set of needle nose pliers to make a pointed tip for cutting tissue.

Remember that those kits did not come with decals? You had to cut them out from the plans. They weren't in color, only black print. But what the hey, Comet kits were very cheap. 30" Sparky was like $1.25 then. the P-51B was like only $1.00. The die cut smaller 16" Bellanca Jr., Porterfield 65, Curtiss Robin, Ryan SC, 12" Fokker DVII, Spad were only $0.69. (I know, in today's dollars would be $10.21, $8.17, $5.63 respectively.)

Seemed back then the tissue with those kits were black or green, basically lower quality wrapping or gift decorating tissue. I'd opt for the higher quality Eseki from the hobby shop. I learned to clear dope the tissue, it drew taut and looked nicer when doped.