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WingnutWings at Wellington Model Expo

Wingnut Wings at the Wellington Model Expo

From a stand at the Wellington Model Expo on 5/6 September Wingnut Wings unveiled a wide range of aircraft kits, figures and photoetched rigging sets to be released over the next year or so. The second batch of new 1:32 kits (Albatros D.V, Pfalz D.IIIa, RE 8, Fokker D.VII (in three separate variations), Gotha G.IV and Sopwith Pup) have been eagerly awaited since first identified at the company launch in the beginning of April. Pre-production versions of these kits were on display at the Omaka airshow in April and were displayed again at the Model Expo.

The March/April edition of Windsock International featured a tantalising photographic montage of further new releases which many modellers have endeavoured to pin down. Some of these guesses were confirmed by built up pre-production versions of the FE 2b, DH 9a, Hansa Brandenburg W.29 and Roland D.VIa on display at the Model Expo. What a treat for WWI modellers! I could have stayed at the Wingnut stand for the whole show ogling the new kits and fondling the sprues. Many of the kits will feature alternative parts to enable a range of versions to be produced. Some of these options are still being finalized, and no decals were on display for any of the new releases. Some changes to the release schedule have been driven by new research and photographic confirmation of previously unknown details. Wingnut devote much time and effort to ensure the historical accuracy and ease of assembly of their kits, rather than rush to market with product that doesn't meet their exacting standards.

Many new figures were on display, beautifully painted and posed with various planes. They make the kits come to life and include ground crew, aircrew in flight and on the ground, and officers. Check out the Gotha ground crew 'bombing up'.

A full range of photoetched rigging sets for the RFC/RAF aircraft were on display, allowing modellers to produce the characteristic streamlined flying wires. There will be a set for each aircraft including terminal connectors. Wingnut are continuing to research rigging turnbuckles although these were not on display.

Gotha G.IV

What an impressive kit this is! The size of this thing is awesome. When I looked in the Gotha datafile at the 1/48 plans I thought they looked big but the model is a huge step up from that. Make sure you measure up your cabinet and amass some serious brownie points with your wife before committing to this one. The interior detail was very impressive - I could spot a Goerz bombsight in the nose among other bits and pieces. Richard mentioned that their research has led them to feel comfortable identifying Ernst Brandenburg's aircraft markings, and I think we will see MoRoTas (not MoRoTa) as well. Expect to see some amazing dioramas with all the various air and ground crew figures. Start saving now, sell off your 1:48 and 1:72 stash before the rush starts. Get a second job, what ever it takes . . .

FE 2b

Given the association Wingnut have with The Vintage Aviator Ltd a model of the FE2b had to be in the pipeline. Absolutely gorgeous! Fully rigged this will be a stunner. A variety of undercarriage options will be provided. There is a lovely camera for hanging on the nacelle. Bomb fittings looked great. I raised the possibility of parts to do an FE2d and Richard said with a wry smile that he wouldn't discount anything at this stage.

RE 8

The interior and engine detail on this kit are just outstanding. It is begging for a cutaway scene to show it all off. The photos speak for themselves. Must have.

Pfalz D. IIIa and Albatros D.V

Without knowing the decal offerings on these two it was hard to get a feel for 'the look'. Modellers have been waiting for an Albatros D.V for a long time and this one will be everything you could want. The Pfalz is one of the most beautiful WWI planes and again it looked perfect.

Fokker D.VII

Wingnut are endeavouring to make available as many different options as possible, and I believe this has created some issues which explain the release date as '2010'. There were three variants on display.

Hansa Brandenberg W.29

The pre-production sample had only just arrived in time for the show. It featured beaching trolleys and a trestle for the tail, and alternative gun rings. The engine detail was awesome.

DH 9a

The thing that struck me about this kit was how open the cockpit areas were, showing off the amazing instrument panel and gunners position to full advantage. I expect to see some show winners with this one. The engine detail was fantastic.

Sopwith Pup (9901)

Two different cowling options (Sopwith and Standard) produce quite different appearances. Beautifully done.

Roland D.VIa

What a charming little kit this was. The subject is one of the less well known German types and features an unusual 'clinker' style of fuselage construction, captured perfectly by the Wingnut kit. The nose area with fine cooling slits was beautifully done, as was the engine (I think two versions of which will be provided). The box art featured Kissenbirth's edelweiss markings - I didn't realise he flew one of these birds. Richard pointed out that the Windsock plans had not captured the shape of the ailerons correctly, the trailing edge is parallel with the front of the aileron, not with the trailing edge of the wing.

Junkers J.I

A new version of the Junkers J.I was on display, presumably the deluxe version as it included lozenge on the fuselage and some crew figures in great action poses.

There was no sign of the DH 2 spotted in the Windsock magazine. I was assured it would be a whole step up on the competition when it comes out, but this is likely to be some time away.

Release dates

Despite having resources to draw on from other parts of Peter Jackson's business, Wingnut Wings is only a small company and they are putting in plenty of hours at the office being as thorough as possible not only with the historical research but also with the kit design. This all means it will take some time to get these kits to market. Richard won't be drawn on release dates, so there is no point clamouring about this, they're coming as soon as possible. I believe the October issue of Windsock will be devoted to the next lot of new WNW releases.

So many 'must have' kits coming - the answer is to build the Wingnut kits we've got in our stash and start saving up. What a great time to be a WWI modeller!