WNW Roland C.IIa Late

[nearsightedjohn]

A Wingnut Wings WWI aircraft build is always a cosmic nirvana modeling experience. This is my fourth WNW build, the excellent two seater Roland C.IIa "late", also known as the "Whale". My wife gave me this gift about six years ago for Xmas so she was especially enthusiastic and supportive during this build. She picked the kit out for me because she thought it was "cute", lucky for me her "cute" = my "awesome"! Other than EZ line and Bob's Buckles for rigging, it's pretty much OOB. Tamiya acrylic paints were used per the instructions except for a slight amount of Alclad aluminum and brass in the engine area. I built version 'A' of the kit's five options, ("Kasta 2/ Kogohl 1, 1917) in which WNW guessed at some color and feature aspects so I deviated a little here and there. As always with WNW, everything fit perfectly and the finished product comes out much better than my skills should allow.

Too bad WNW shut down. Despite the crazy price escalation of these kits on eBay, I refuse to not build the remaining WNW kits in my stash. Life is too short and I'd rather have a bunch of dusty built models than unbuilt $$$ kits when I'm too blind and feeble to even separate the parts from the runners or spend the money on other things that wouldn't be as fun (other than good Irish Whiskey 😁).

Cheers,

John

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Devo]

Excellent build. You cant beat a sharkmouth scheme!

[ColinChipmunkfan]

Agreed, this is an excellent build.  I regret not buying a WNW Roland when I had the chance.

[Natter]

3 hours ago, nearsightedjohn said:

I'd rather have a bunch of dusty built models than unbuilt $$$ kits when I'm too blind and feeble to even separate the parts from the runners or spend the money on other things that wouldn't be as fun (other than good Irish Whiskey

 

There speaks a true modeller, and a man of taste. You do yourself an injustice: even the finest kit requires skills to make it a model that looks that good.

[pacificmustang]

Magnificent build John, and I wholeheartedly agree with your philosophy

 

Bruce

[Toryu]

Oooh, that's a fine Walfisch! Great modelling throughout. Is it brush-painted?

[Vinnie]

John, I don't usually look at or comment on WW1 models but yours's is exceptional. Btw. did they really have chintzy curtains on the fuselage windows.👍 

[nearsightedjohn]

Thanks everyone who've responded above with kind words and encouragement.

Toryu - all base paint was applied with an Iwata Eclipse airbrush other than a few details picked out with a fine brush. A very thin dark oil paint/ mineral spirits wash was applied by brush and final sprays of Testors Dullcote applied via rattle can.

Vinne - This aircraft did actually have curtains painted onto each of the four windows.  The WNW instruction booklet that came with the kit included a humorous WWI photo showing another Roland C.IIa with actual cloth curtains and potted plants hanging on the outside of the windows as well as a birdcage hanging from the rear gun. 

[Bigglesof266]

Fresh from the factory. Beautiful.

[Kev The Modeller]

Lovely clean build 

[stalal]

Beautiful build. Very inspiring. Even in a design from over a century ago, the simplicity and elegance of German design is very much evident in the lines of the aircraft. 

 

First it took me a long time to decide if I want to buy a WNW kit. Not just the price, the rigging and all complications with biplane kits made me dread. When I finally bought one and was planning to buy this exact kit, WNW shut down!!

[nearsightedjohn]

Thank you Stalal. Don’t give up hope, if WNW molds stay in China, I can see a future re-pop of some of their kits once the financial dust settles on the closure (1-2 years?). I can also imagine kit prices eventually dropping on the used market (eBay) because of the huge inventory of unbuilt kits remaining in modeler’s stashes as well as possible remaining inventory in NZ.

Rigging is not as hard as I thought and is almost fun with EZ line and Bob’s Buckles. Keys I have found are to use two high quality tweezers, good lighting, leave delicate items (guns and other vulnerable components) off until after rigging and, most important, perform it in multiple short sessions to avoid fatigue/ frustration. 

[Robin-42]

I like your attitude. Build them. Ignore their value. Besides if you took the most ridiculously priced eBay WnW kit and divide it by the hours to build it, it would still come out as cheap fun. I “possibly” have too many of them, all of which will get built!

[russ c]

Superb, love it!