I don’t normally take part in the aircraft forum; my primary interest is ship modeling. But I’ve recently completed a transaction that I think may be of some interest.
Ever since the first ads for Wingnut Wings’s World War I kits appeared, a couple of years ago or thereabouts, I’ve been interested to see what all the fuss is about. (There is, of course, more than a little in common between a sailing ship and a World War I aircraft.) But I hesitated for a long time before taking the plunge. The prices are on the high side (though actually not out of line with what other manufacturers are charging for 1/32 WWI kits - especially in view of Wingnut Wings’ current free shipping), and I figured there’d be a long, long wait for the merchandise to travel from New Zealand to North Carolina. (The WW website says “most orders” arrive within fifteen work days, but warns that some take as long as thirty.)
Finally, last week, I took a deep breath and ordered the SE5a. I placed the order over the web (with PayPal) on Monday, July 19. The next day I got an e-mail telling me the kit had been shipped, and providing a link to the New Zealand shipping company so I could track the shipment. It left New Zealand for the U.S. the following day, and arrived at my house on Friday, July 23.
That’s what I call service. I’ve known plenty of orders from American companies to take longer than that.
The kit, of course, is everything it’s said to be. Beautiful moldings, superb decals, and some of the best instructions in the business. Building this kit will be like taking a course in how the original airplane was built.
Bravo Wingnut Wings. I will now join the legions of modelers who are waiting with bated breath for what the company will release next. I’ve heard vague rumors of a DH-2…
Nice to see you in the aircraft forum. You could have not picked a better kit. It’s state of the art with nearly everything there. I’ve seen them up close and personal. A friend did a fine job in completeing one of the kits. A real beauty.
Will look forward to your build when you’re ready to share.
[snWcm] to the aircraft forum! Like you, I was a bit nervous ordering a kit from a relatively new manufacturer overseas. My hesitation was unfounded as well, as the kit is amazing and WingNut Wings service is second to none.
After reading raves about Wingnut Wings I decided to visit their website. True enough, I could not resist the offer of free shipping anywhere in the world, so I ordered a 1/32 Albatros D.Va, a 1/32 Sopwith Pup RNAS, and a 1/32 Bristol F.2b Fighter. They shipped it in July 28, and I will get it tomorrow, August 10. Talking about service, getting it to the Philippines in less than 2 weeks. Now, my problem is what to do with it. LOL. [whstl]
I have ordered from them once and I think it came in 10 days. Remarkable. And wait 'til you see what’s in the box.
Don’t hold your breath for 1/48. Or WWII or anything else. Their biz model is 1/32 WWI all the way.
No duty or taxes. And there is free shipping. So depending on which you choose it is $59 or $79 all in. They say the free shipping will end one day but have not said when as far as I know.
I ordered my D.V on the 20th of August and it arrived in NW BC on the 30th. Not too shabby, and there were no duty fees (my price was $62 CAD). I need to order another kit from them - my boss told me the other day he’d pay for it. Pretty neat! [:D]
Highly recommended. Excellent value for your money. The sprues are very clean, and parts are as detailed as could be. The instruction booklet is in a magazine form with reference photos of actual aircraft in color. [t$t] . The 1/32 scale is not as big as you would imagine it to be, just as big as a 1/48 F-18.
I can only talk about my own experience, ordering and getting the kit delivered in the U.S. There were no duties or taxes - or, in this case, shipping fees. (As I understand it, the free shipping arrangement is temporary; I don’t know what the normal cost of shipping would be.) I had to register with PayPal; that took about ten minutes. From then on, the transaction proceeded just like any mail order purchase within the U.S. - and faster than some of them.
I can only talk about my own experience, ordering and getting the kit delivered in the U.S. There were no duties or taxes - or, in this case, shipping fees. (As I understand it, the free shipping arrangement is temporary; I don’t know what the normal cost of shipping would be.) I had to register with PayPal; that took about ten minutes. From then on, the transaction proceeded just like any mail order purchase within the U.S. - and faster than some of them.
Well, I ordered the Albatros D.V Saturday morning (9/4) and received it Thursday (9/9). Those guys at Wingnut Wings are absolutely amazing. I can’t believe the quality of the kit – box, parts, instruction manual, decals – the entire package is just awesome! Can’t wait to start on the build. One thing that really blows me away is the packaging – think about it for a minute – the box is a work of art. They went that far with the quality of a box that is not intended to go on a hobby shop shelf! They definitely go the extra mile – and that is rare these days.
Eduard’s D.VII’s are great kits, IMO the best on the subject for that scale by far, but WW packs a ton of stuff into that box (I’ll be framing the box art). The instructions for example will most likely find their way to your reference library once the build is completed. The kits are packed with detail (the engines alone are mini-kits). Fuselage bulkheads galore (on the Albatros D.V I’m currently working on), 4 prop options, separate cowling panels to display those engines, and decal options for 5 aircraft. So far in my build everything has fit perfectly.
I’ve built my fair share of Eduard’s WWI offerings, and enjoyed each one, but these WW kits are a different animal altogether. I’m having a blast with this one and will be buying more of their releases for sure.
Hmm. I think I might have to add one of these to my Christmas list alongside the Hasegawa 1/32 Jug. WWI aircraft intimidate the heck out of me - all that rigging! - but these look like fantastic kits/learning experiences.
They have complete rigging diagrams AND nice pre-drilled holes for the attachment points. Rigging these will be a snap (making all those turnbuckles from scratch will be the tedious part [;)] ). Those can be bought from Bob’s Buckles, but I’m building this guy for the No Aftermarket GB.