As some may have already caught wind of, a company called: Wingscale is going to be producing a series of 1/32 scale WW-2 US warbirds. The first group is going to be the B-25; a glass nose version, cannon nosed version and multiple .50 cal nose version (my favorite!) Wingscale is also going to do a 1/32 scale B-26 Marauder and a P-61 Black Widow. Info & pics of the 1/32 B-25 is on the Sprue Brothers website and from what i have read, is the only place you can get these Big Birds in the US when they become available. The price range is suppose to be around the $100.00+ price range although I have my doubts. In any case, a 1/32 scale Gun-nosed B-25 and definitely a 1/32 scale P-61 will be impressive additions to the collection. I was a kid when the coveted Aurora 1/32 B-25 came out. I never could scrounge-up enough nickels & dimes to aford one though-LOL![8o|]
The MSRP for the Wingscale B-25s is $129. The price shown is the price for which the mfr has set. Wingscale set up one dealer per region (in this case Sprue Brothers for North America), selecting the best companies in their option (based on several factors including customer feedback) that will provide them the best service to those wishing to purchase their kits.Given SB’s system, you won’t have any doubt whether or not the kits are in stock and you’ll receive them once ordered. SB is essentially the importer, just as any other distributor in the business would be if they had the line. Again WS selected SB for several reasons.
Given the initial number of kits produced, one dealer will sell all that are being offered, which assures the mfr will have funds to pay for the tooling and production of subsequent releases which you mentioned. WS has chosen subjects that will sell, not just pumping out another kit such as a Me109 which though popular, sales probably won’t justify costs to produce.
Wingscale has been taking direct pre-orders for months. I’ve got mine in for a glass nose, with a confirmation email back directly from them. Unless they’ve changed their policy since then you can always order direct, though I’ll have to check price comparison. I placed my preorder long before SprueBrothers had an ad up. Shipping may be more directly from Wingscale.
There was an extensive discussion of the kit just a week or so ago, here.
Also check out the forums at Large Scale Planes. HUGE discussion of the beast going on over there.
I’ve resisted the temptation to get one of these. But I have to say the test shots show a remarkably detailed kit. And for that price, it seems reasonable…
I’ve asked for a pre-order for Christmas. We’ll see…
The test shots look phenomenal, and the kit’s cheaper than Tamiya’s 1/32 Spits and in line with several Trumpeter kits (the Jugs, etc). Not bad for a twin-engined medium bomber…especially one that includes white metal gear struts and what looks like brass for the gun barrels.