Considering...

[Foz]

I'm considering buying a few 1/200 WWII planes from Shapeways.
I have WWI planes in WSF, and they are fine at 1/144, but what are the thoughts on WSF vs FUD for 1/200 when there are no spars etc.

I like the look of the detail of FUD, but I'm wary considering some of the things I read, even to the degree of if you breathe on them wrong they fall apart. What is the true level of (un)sturdiness?

Thanks.

[Prodromoi]

The only experience I've had with FUD so far is some crew (the seated pilots from ReducedAircraftFactory) for a couple of Shapeways planes that I'm currently working on. While positioning one in the cockpit to work out how far down the legs I needed to trim, the head snapped off while I was holding it in place with tweezers. I'd love for a material as resilient as WSF to have the detail of FUD... but until then, on my minimal experience so far, I'd be cautious about brittle materials.

[Foz]

Well a secondary question would be: Does anyone have experience of 1/200 WWII planes from Shapeways in WSF? How is the detail etc?

[Flying Helmut]

I have some 1/285th biplanes in FUD - no damage yet, but then their role will be as static ground candy, not moving pieces.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

I agree with Tim FUD is certainly not suitable for normal gamers play. If you are the only one using it then it might be O.K. but not in general action.
Rob.

[Nightbomber]

Well a secondary question would be: Does anyone have experience of 1/200 WWII planes from Shapeways in WSF? How is the detail etc?

I own only Shapweays WSF 1/200 minis painted and decaled and I give them high 4+ on a 1-5 quality and sturdiness scale.
They are good enough as far as you treat them as gaming pieces, not models. From a tabletop of view they look all right. But when you take a digital photo of them, you may hate the grainy surface - but remember - digital eye is deceiving. You do not see like that in real life.
The WSF is pretty sturdy.

Below some of the ready to play examples.

[Foz]

I ended up buying two Spitfires & two Me262s, I like FUD, much better detail.
WWII planes are solid enough it seems, it reminds me of some model plastics in feel and strength.
I can see the point though with WWI, struts may be the issue.

[johnbiggles]

The few WGS planes I have from shapeways are all FUD, if you get lucky as I have, the canopies don't need painting as their translucent nature gives them a good glass like appearence.
The down side of the brittleness is of course that details like the canon barrels on Spit Vs have a tendency to break off.