Jump to content

Wingscale 32nd B-17G


Matt Roberts

Recommended Posts

Yep you read that right. This right now is a duplicate of my posting in Rumour Central. I go from a 144th Typhoon to a 32nd B-17G this week news wise. Considering that none of The Wingscale 'announcements' were 4 engined, this announcement made my jaw drop this morning. I guess that makes me pay for sleeping in on a Saturday.

Supposed to be August 2011.

Sprue Brothers article on it....

http://store.spruebrothers.com/articles/WingScaleB-17.htm

wgsb17-03.jpg

I'm just going to link one pic from it...you have to see it to believe it

Our own thread on it

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=59855

Large Scale Planes

http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?showtopic=32403

(4 pages of comments since Gordon Kwan of Sprue Bros posted this morning!)

ARC

http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index....howtopic=221055

As of right now most of The comments are like mine...holy effing rat $*it Batman!. But it does appear that some are already complaining about the 'rivets and tenches'

Matt

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lordee Lord, Matt - that is one BIG ole aircraft!

Do I, don't I?...

Nahhhh... I think I'll pass that one by!

Looks impressive, though.

Kev :)

Edited by modelman182
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I did not think i would see another 1/32 B17 after the Figarti one. It comes in at $900 i think so at $250 it seems reasonable.

Way out of my league though. Skill, time and money wise.

Discussed here

Link to b17 thread

Edited by Pilgrim_UK
Link to comment
Share on other sites

http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.ph...mp;#entry294553

Post #112 in this thread is from Martin from Wingscale

I am going to quote it verbatum here as it gives an idea into his thinking (also look at LSP for further discussion)

Martin from Wingscale on Large Scale Planes this morning (Dec 5 2010)

<Quote>

OK, some clearing up about that 1/32 B-17G prototype of me:

General

[*]It is indeed a handmade prototype, abt. 70% upon the standard the real kit will have. so no test shot out of a tooling yet.

When it would have been a test shot out of a tooling...I would not have posted it...no good !!

[*]Yes.....I knew the propellers where wrong.....but i personally decided to post the pictures was more important now then to change the propellers first...and i wanted to see if you all would be awake...smiling.

(so..relax....the kit will have good ones !!)

[*]The function of this prototype is to see how the overall shape is....compare with manyyyyyyyyyyyyy pictures......,because I know from experience most starting drawings are crap....and 3D engineering drawings can go the wrong

direction. (Unfortunately a problem we are now facing with our Meteor project).

[*]I already know my B-17G prototype have some other and moree issues too, they will be all changed in our 3D drawings currently...together with all the commenents I will hear from you all oncoming weeks.

[*]I personally know the B-17 already pretty well, I saw sooo many pictures of it already....but:....at this moment I have some real B-17 experts on board, to ensure the kit will be damned good !!!!!

[*]The quality of the detail on the prototype (hand applied !!!) is not lookalike then the real quality coming out of the tooling. The real one will get much better, like our B-25 minimal.

Divets or rivets and overlapping panels ?

Well...this is truly a very interesting discussion !

During my B-25 project I personally thought about that too...what to do.....make rivets or divets or overlapping panels ?

As you all know the B-25 is not really a flush riveted and flush plated airplane also.....it is rough in many areas indeed.

I have seen it many times here in a museum......so I know rivets and flush panelling is totally not a reflection of the real thing.

Even you all will say the B-25 is big ......I decided because of the small size.....to go for new style rivets and flush plating.....because in my opnion on the B-25 that looks more pretty.

Just look in the plastic modelling book of Brett Green, the metallized Mitsubishi Zero....where he applied the dry brusk technigue to high lighten the position of all rivets......it looks great....very convincing.

Divets have also the inconvenience that in areas of the seams...you will sand them away.

I know.....good modellers can handle that very easily...restoring it to perfection.

But...now for the B-17.....a plane and kit alsmost tice as big as a B-25......I have to think for another week....what system to apply.

Because i agree with many people ......the B-17 is really rough in some areas...all the big rivets...all the overlaying panels.

yes...you see that very well when it si standing in the gound.

But in the air...you do not...it looks like a gracefull clean bird.

So...what is a good detailling system on this B-17 ?

The B-17 is so big !!!

Is it ?

I had it in my hands...yes it is big...but not outer proportional big....I was surprised by that.

You can handle it...it will be more easy to built then everyone will expect.

And what is big ?

You ever had the Revell 1/48 B-1 Jetbomber, 1/72 Monogram Peacemaker, 1/72 Monogram Stratofortress, 1/48 Monogram B-29 in your hands ?

These are big too, ever bigger then our B-17 !!!

So about the word "big"......everyone will have their own feeling by it....and that is OK.

Even the B-25 is called big.....but I have the 1/32 trumpeter kits of the F-14 tomcat, F-18 Super Hornet, A-10 thunderbolt, F-105 Thunderchief....they are almost even big then B-25 !!

Why choosen the B-17 for 1/32 ?

Simple.....the B-17 everybody knows.....here in Europe we have good memories about this aircraft...just everybody knows what a B-17 is.

Also...it is a wonderfull looking plane (B-24 is my personal favourite though !!!)...it just deserves to be manufactured in this scale.

I know it is is never done before.......but my feeling, balls and guts just told me.......MAKE IT ...GO FOR IT !!!!!

Not every business or release can just be based on historic sales statistics....taking the direction of the savests paths.

I know......a 1/48 item would have been more sequrity about selling quantities.......but.....I am sorry to say...I found it too boring yet.

But maybe...later.......smiling.

The point is.......you can expect EVERYTHING from us !!!!!!!

Other versions of the B-17 ? YES !!!!! Which ones ???

Ohhhhhh, come on........i am not telling everything !!! <Quote>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

I can't wait to get my hands on this kit! I have been impressed with the pictures on the Spruebothers site and will preorder one when it becomes available. I have also preordered 2 copies of the B-25. Keep up the interesting subjects and the big scale Wingscale and I think you will do very well in the buisness world. I can't wait for the Meteor to be released either. Just keep them coming.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please forgive the curiosity but.... how?

I mean these guys start up a company and produce 1/32 B25s and promise Meteors and now a B-17.

I don't doubt that they will do it but why do none of the big companies with more resources do these sorts of models?

I'll have what ever they are taking;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please forgive the curiosity but.... how?

I mean these guys start up a company and produce 1/32 B25s and promise Meteors and now a B-17.

I don't doubt that they will do it but why do none of the big companies with more resources do these sorts of models?

I'll have what ever they are taking;)

big companies have shareholders and lots of employees which bring with it a certain amount of responsibility- massive tooling investments like this could have big consequences if it doesnt sell- company making a loss, people losing jobs, not good.

Wingscale is a very small privately owned company with only a couple of employees, and theyre evidently willing to take the risk- good luck to them i say, I cant wait to get hold of a B-25 and the roumored black widow!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well I though own-risk would be a factor but if there's only two of them so at least one of them must be a Lottery winner!

Practically they must have been able to tap into a source of expertise to produce the models. You see Plastic Injection Specialists offering their services on the net. And I've often wondered when you see all those bits of intricately moulded rubbish plastic items that come out of crackers, whether there are some manufacturers out there who could knock up a decent injection moulded kit (1/32nd F4-K please) if you asked them to.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...
There are - and I've got a buddy who is one.

We discussed the opportunity - bounced around the numbers - and didn't like the risk - for the time being anyway.

Iain

I dont normally do 1/32 but a UK phantom I would be up for that, even if the price meant it was the only kit I got in the year!

Julien

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I dont normally do 1/32 but a UK phantom I would be up for that, even if the price meant it was the only kit I got in the year!

Julien

As would I! I would kill for a 32nd Brit 'Toom! FG.1 and FGR.2 me thinks =)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...
  • 3 weeks later...

that is sad news theres too many companys operating like this

in that general region but nuff said on that

i just hope they stick to the quality foretold i'll still buy a few kits

if i can afford them aslong as they dont make any Trumpeteresque

boobs on the shape etc...

hopefully wingscale can re emerge somehow with more innovative

kits in the near future

jim.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

oh bugger...and they looked to be coming in for about a ton (B25) If trumpy do them then it will be a lot more....well someones gotta pay for the retooling for the new rivets.... sad news tho, all the best Martin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh! well that's those kits crossed off the list of wants. Don't think I'll be buying them, no matter who brings them out, after those shenanigans. I know it's business, but it's still a blooming rotten thing to do to someone.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's very disappointing for Wingscale.

I'm afraid, though, that I would still buy the 32nd B-17 if and when it comes out. It's not likely there'll be more than one of these kits in my lifetime.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

S** any inaccuracies, flaws etc...... with this sort of quality and its fantastic looks I'd be happy with a pre production model. : :analintruder:

Edited by Radpoe Spitfire
Link to comment
Share on other sites

That really sucks. I had intended to visit the guy. Wingscale is located in Oldenzaal which is only 10 miles from here. I might even have picked up a B-25 in the process. But it is not to be :(

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That really sucks. I had intended to visit the guy. Wingscale is located in Oldenzaal which is only 10 miles from here. I might even have picked up a B-25 in the process. But it is not to be :(

Copied from LSM

Dear all,

In the last few months I have seen a lot of questions on the forums, regarding the future of Wingscale and its models.

For me these months were a road full of surprises, disappointments, but also many highlights.

Your support on the forums was a big support, for which I truly thank you all!

Ideas can be taken away........but a dream cannot and will forever stay!

Unfortunately my past situation made it not a wise decision, to respond on all the discussions and questions. I hope you all will forgive me for that.

That is until now!

I would like to inform you about the situation of Wingscale.

First of all the name Wingscale and mother company have been deleted and both will NOT be used anymore.

Last week I finalized the definite sale of my plastic injection molding company.

The new business model with new suppliers I needed to sort out has been finalized and accomplished already as well.

A new company has been established with a new brand: WINGXL.

From August 1st, I will be focusing 100% on WINGXL!

And our WINGXL team is glad to be back!

WINGXL will proceed with the following kits in 1/32 scale:

North American B-25 C/D Mitchell

Douglas A-26 Invader

Douglas A-20 Havoc

Martin B-26 Marauder

Northrop P-61 Black Widow

Lockheed Hudson

Bristol Beaufighter

De Havilland Mosquito

Please note these are listed in random order and not according release dates.

Besides the B-25, the specific versions of the other kits are not mentioned.

Also the pictures on our website are chosen in general, we havent yet revealed which versions are to come or the timeframe for these releases. I think everybody will understand why.

In the coming few months, when appropriate, I will keep you all informed about progress of WINGXL and its kits.

Each kit will be produced in a limited quantity of 10.000.

Depending on how many major different versions are possible (general abt. 2-3), minimal every 2-3 years constructional revised versions will be released, also in limited quantities.

WINGXL kits will NOT appear re-boxed by other manufacturers later on.

We will respect the true limited character of above mentioned kits.

Which retailers will remain in the WINGXL structure, will be decided oncoming time.

To prevent unnecessary workload for the retailers, for now just communicate directly with WINGXL please.

Which price level we can offer, will be decided at the appropriate time too.

Regarding the price level we off course will do our best to maintain the previous one.

You can ensure a place on the list for above mentioned items.

Please sent an email to: [email protected]

Then you will receive a standard autoreply that your interest of maybe ordering one later has been received and you will have been put on the list.

For other communication please use: [email protected]

Hoping to have informed you all herewith, I remain,

Martin Oude Vrielink

WINGXL

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Stan,

thank you for that!

I've already sent an e-mail because previous pics of that 32nd B-25 really did look very nice and if this new one (if it is a new one) is the same quality then I WANT ONE !!!

I just hope I can visit the guy :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Stan,

thank you for that!

I've already sent an e-mail because previous pics of that 32nd B-25 really did look very nice and if this new one (if it is a new one) is the same quality then I WANT ONE !!!

I just hope I can visit the guy :)

Its the same company but the B25s are an earlier mark.

From what i have read he had to give up the rights to the earlier kits.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...