Wingnut Wings

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Discussion

dr_gn

Original Poster:

16,392 posts

191 months

Monday 13th April 2020
quotequote all
There are a few rumblings on the internet that Wingnut Wings are not coping well financially with the current situation. No idea how much truth is in it.

A few people on here (including me) have built one of their superb kits. If you’re after a particular model, or investor, I’d get them while you can. I was looking forward to building their Lancaster cockpit. Hopefully they will pull through, but if they can’t, their moulds will be saved/bought by another manufacturer.

tangerine_sedge

5,158 posts

225 months

Monday 13th April 2020
quotequote all
I think the problem is with other parts of Peter Jacksons empire, and I think they'll come out of this in one way or another.

The worst that could happen is that the molds get sold onto a 3rd party and the kits are re-popped. Hopefully they'll survive intact as a model maker and continue to deliver top-notch products.

dr_gn

Original Poster:

16,392 posts

191 months

Monday 13th April 2020
quotequote all
This seems to be the only "official" statement:

http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww/news

Fingers crossed.

robemcdonald

9,127 posts

203 months

Monday 13th April 2020
quotequote all
I heard this the other day.

I think their kits are incredible, but a little niche.

Hopefully they’ll get over this problem though as their output has forced the competition to up its game.

Maybe they could branch into the interwar period too.

MBBlat

1,834 posts

156 months

Monday 13th April 2020
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Just ordered a Sopwith Pup "Gnome" as I've had my eye on building one in a while, so decided to get one now just in case.

Looks like my stash is going to grow again smile

Simpo Two

87,013 posts

272 months

Monday 13th April 2020
quotequote all
Clearly the PH modellers, all being fabulously wealthy company directors, need to nip in and buy the business!

robemcdonald

9,127 posts

203 months

Monday 13th April 2020
quotequote all
Unfortunately that’s not the case for me.

If my numbers come up in the Euro millions tomorrow though....

dr_gn

Original Poster:

16,392 posts

191 months

Monday 13th April 2020
quotequote all
Like Rob said, they were sometimes a bit niche, but the quality of the kits is IMO probably the best on the market, so they're worth building even if some of the subjects are not common. I also agree about the inter-war period being ripe for decent quality models, but there is Silver Wings at that scale I suppose. Same with the Lancaster - undoubtedly the best kit at that scale bar none, but it must be a limited market.

Elderly

3,556 posts

245 months

Monday 13th April 2020
quotequote all
dr_gn said:
This seems to be the only "official" statement:

http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww/news
WNW's general manager has been quoted as saying:
" Nothing is finalized yet but it looks pretty grim. Very sad. I hope you understand that I have nothing else I can say at this time."



Simpo Two

87,013 posts

272 months

Tuesday 14th April 2020
quotequote all
Elderly said:
dr_gn said:
This seems to be the only "official" statement:

http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww/news
WNW's general manager has been quoted as saying:
" Nothing is finalized yet but it looks pretty grim. Very sad. I hope you understand that I have nothing else I can say at this time."
You might be able to get it for £1 then...!

Elderly

3,556 posts

245 months

Thursday 16th April 2020
quotequote all
Apparently they are now permanently closed frown

Eric Mc

122,853 posts

272 months

Thursday 16th April 2020
quotequote all
Elderly said:
Apparently they are now permanently closed frown
Source?
Link?

Simpo Two

87,013 posts

272 months

Thursday 16th April 2020
quotequote all
Eric for Financial Director! Go get 'em Eric.

dr_gn

Original Poster:

16,392 posts

191 months

Thursday 16th April 2020
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
Eric for Financial Director! Go get 'em Eric.
I think the best result for modellers would be for someone like Revell to buy the moulds, and start knocing them out for £20 a pop...

Of course I'd rather they kept going; we've lost arguably the best new plastic kit company of recent times, and their team. It's a tragedy, but there you go.

Eric Mc

122,853 posts

272 months

Thursday 16th April 2020
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Although I expect it's true, I couldn't see any other reference to them actually closing. Their website was still up and running a few minutes ago.

Eric Mc

122,853 posts

272 months

Thursday 16th April 2020
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
Eric for Financial Director! Go get 'em Eric.
Ha - the old euphemism about motor racing applies to this type of high end model manufacturing i.e. "How do you make a small fortune from manufacturing models? Start off with a large fortune".

Elderly

3,556 posts

245 months

Thursday 16th April 2020
quotequote all
Eric Mc said:
Source?
Link?
https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=11013.0

Simpo Two

87,013 posts

272 months

Thursday 16th April 2020
quotequote all
To me as a relative outsider to the world of plastic models, I think the name was a branding fail. It sounds too wacky and doesn't say what they do. Could be a extreme sports club.

Eric Mc

122,853 posts

272 months

Thursday 16th April 2020
quotequote all
Elderly said:
Edited to make an active link.

So nothing official yet - although it will probably be confirmed soon enough.

Eric Mc

122,853 posts

272 months

Thursday 16th April 2020
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
To me as a relative outsider to the world of plastic models, I think the name was a branding fail. It sounds too wacky and doesn't say what they do. Could be a extreme sports club.
I don't think that mattered a jot regarding this business as it is pretty seriously niche - even amongst plastic model builders. "Wingnut" is a brand used by Jackson for a lot of his activities, not just his model company.

I got fooled by Virgin Records as a youngster. I was sure it was a company selling virgins.