1/144 plastic kits

[Timmo UK]

If simple to make but dimensionally accurate plastic kits were available for the most popular WW1 planes in 1/144 scale would you buy them? Assume that they are sold in boxes of five models for £18 just like the 15mm tank models that are available. Also assume the struts are beefed up a bit to withstand the rigors of gaming. The central cabine struts are one piece of plastic. The main struts are tied top and bottom (like WoG models) so they remain easy to assemble. A well sculpted pilot figure is included on the sprue.

[Baron Rolf]

If that does ever happen there would be a stampede for them , I know I would buy some to expand my collection even further.

[7eat51]

As long as I can get my wife to paint them, which I believe is quite possible.

I would still buy Wings of Glory planes to support the game, but I would like paint schemes not offered.

[MadMike]

Count me in.
I would also buy Ares miniatures sprues as kits if available. :please:
Saves at least disassembling and paint stripping disasters.

[Baldrick62]

Already do it for WWII; would happily do the same for WWI.

[Burt]

Would depend on cost and plane types but would be very interested.
Would be even better if it included decals.
Don

[CappyTom]

Yes I have with the F-toys. But I buy 99% from Ares to promote the game and keep it going.
:salute:
Thomas

[grumpybear]

It would depend on the plane . I also have 1/48 kits I'm not working on so adding more not a great idea

[somaliavet]

I might do it. It depends primarily on the price, and the aircraft available. My primary push has to be with Ares, as buying from them keeps the game running. I see using these models to fill gaps in the WoG line, similar to a lot of Shapeways offerings, but with a better finish than Shapeways.

[wargamer]

I would like to see these as something superior (apparently not a high bar) to the shapeways stuff, but filling in the missing planes from the Ares collection.

[Burt]

A year or so ago there was a push to get the Wargames Factory to produce some plastic 1/144 kits but it never got enough support to make it viable.

[Timmo UK]

A year or so ago there was a push to get the Wargames Factory to produce some plastic 1/144 kits but it never got enough support to make it viable.

I was never convinced the WF polls were all they appeared to be… With the announcement today of the new line of models from Canada they may well fill the gap for those of us who want to build their own but require something rather better than Skytrex but not as high fidelity as SRAM. We've yet to find out if they will be available as kits.

[jbmacek]

I'm in the "it depends" crowd. I may buy them, but there are too many variables to say for sure. I think for them to be attractive to me, the price would really have to be down around $6 or $7 per plane.

[flash]

Tim - I'd say alot depends on the types for sale but I voted yes as they would be value for money - pilot figures help - what would also help is a peg (that is an optional fit maybe?) to stick in/on the kites underside and I'd settle for 3 planes a box if they came with bases & altitude pegs !! ;)

[David Manley]

Yes, esp. D.VIIs :D

[Baldrick62]

Tim - I'd say alot depends on the types for sale but I voted yes as they would be value for money - pilot figures help - what would also help is a peg (that is an optional fit maybe?) to stick in/on the kites underside and I'd settle for 3 planes a box if they came with bases & altitude pegs !! ;)

Agree; price will be a major discriminating factor for many.


No complete new molds designed from the ground up. Very expensive but will be done correctly for the collectors deserning eye.

Thanks so much. This has been a long time coming.

From Cal's prices on eBay, potentially eye-watering!

[skystalker]

Would depend on cost and plane types but would be very interested.
Would be even better if it included decals.
I am a definite yes, as I had hoped that Nexus or Ares would have released either unpainted versions or small kits by this time. The 1/144th injection molded aircraft would be a certain purchase for me, and I would strongly second the inclusion of decals. There are just so few options on the market. I would also like to see some additional 1/200th options for the WW2 era, but that appears to be a smaller market.

[Timmo UK]

If the new Canadian models are only available as custom ready-mades with a heavy price tag that rules me out but as kits for reasonable price that I can decorate with their decals and I'm in big time again as long as the price is good. The issue we seem to be facing, in the UK at least, is WoG has just got too expensive at £12 a model, they've gone over the psychological £10 barrier. As plastic kits we're talking about £3 a plane, inc base, pegs and pilot figure yes?

I think decals might have to be an add on as they are with the tanks.

Oh and the peg – yes as a separate optional part. The f/l could have the hole blanked off in thinner plastic like kits often do so it's easy to open up the hole if you want to. You could have options on the sprue, for example different struts for the DV and the DVa. Lewis or Vickers for N17. Even a choice of a couple of differently posed pilots, one looking left or up or something as the option. Struts could be optional on the sprues, if there was space, – close to scale for the modeller or thicker for the gamer.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

I'm up for anything that gives more choice of plane types, as long as they are of a standard that I can accept.
Rob.

[Guntruck]

What Rob said. A decent wargaming standard and I'm in.

[Jager]

I'll third that motion; I put in a maybe, because too much depends on price and what planes. Gaps in the Ares line is good.
Karl

[jbmacek]

One of the things that got me, and the guys in my group, hooked on this game was the idea of pre-assembled and pre-painted minis. As much as I like the idea of plane kits, I am not a modeler, so the price is going to have to look really good for me to buy into the idea.

[Timmo UK]

I think for it to be viable you've got to start with what I think are the magnificent seven. And at the moment some in their own way represent gaps in the ARES line up but really the concept is broader than that. For a less than half the price and your time you could, if such kits were available, build up sizable collections. To aim at what ARES don't do alone isn't a viable proposition but the notion of offering more accurate far cheaper models is a potentially viable business model. If they are good enough to appeal to plane modellers as well who, let's face it, only have SRAM, then you've got a big market. Think about the first three – when are we going to be able to buy them in any numbers from ARES, later this year, next, the one after perhaps. And how many of them could you do with in your collection?

OK the seven
SE5a
Fokker DVII
Bris Fit
Albatros DV + option for DVa
Fokker Dr1 (F1 tail and aileron if you really want!)
Sopwith Camel
SPADXIII

After those you can then go for Albatros DIII and then start on the gaps. eg Pup, 1 1/2 Strutter, N28, Fokker DVIII, DFW CV, BE2, Vickers Gunbus etc

@jbmacek
Yes, that's the alternate view and why I think there is space in the market for both options. I think I'm right in saying that for £4 you can by an easy build pre-coloured 1/144 WW2 warbird kit from Airfix and Revell do their Minikits. Now if Airfix did similar for WW1 we'd be all over them like a rash. I think we're aming at about £3 a kit unpainted.

[HTRAINo]

Interesting, and im surprised f-toys never went on to do more.

[Dark Horse]

Yes, I would probably be in for a number of the above, but I would also like to see something like the Nieuport 17, Flying Razor, Aviatik D1 and the Hannover on the list, something that is maybe a bit more unusual but not necessarily "way out there".

[Bluedevil]

I would gladly buy those to use as conversions, build squadrons etc... This said I would also keep buying the "official" models...One can never have enough aircraft ;)

[Timmo UK]

Yes, I would probably be in for a number of the above, but I would also like to see something like the Nieuport 17, Flying Razor, Aviatik D1 and the Hannover on the list, something that is maybe a bit more unusual but not necessarily "way out there".

Absolutely, in time all sorts could be covered but to be viable you need to generate mass sales and that means doing popular planes first. However, I put the DFW CV in the list as it's not been done and is possibly the most useful of all German 2 seaters. The Hannover would be a great one to do and the N17 is a personal favourite of mine. At the moment I'm interested to see how many votes the idea gets.

[Baldrick62]

Timmo,
I think you're spot-on with the 'magnificent seven': even though the Fokker Dr.I was only available in relatively small numbers and used for a short period, it is iconic of WWI in the air. I'd suggest packs of 3 rather than 5 (easier to build kettes/flights that way) and stick to the later war period (Apr 17 to the Armistice) when lone hunters had been replaced by foramtions of up to wing strength. Three for tenner sounds pretty good to me.

To the 7 I'd add:
- Nieuport 27 (used by France, Britain, Italy) with the rounded fuselage and larger tail surfaces which converters can then take back to a 17bis, 24, or 24bis, or with slightly more radical surgery to a slab-sided 17 or 23;
- Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutter (used by Britain, France, USA and Russia) throughout the period as fighter, recce and bomber, which converters can cover over the rear cockpit to make a single-seat bomber, or the front cockpit to make a nightfighter;
- DH4 (used by Britain, USA) throughout the period as an escort fighter, recce and bomber;
- DFW C.V, the most common later war German C-type; and
- Hannover CL.III, which can also be taken back to a CL.II or forward to a CL.V.

Alternatively, if you want to stop going head-to-head with ARES, replace the DH4 with an FE2b fighter, recce, bomber, night bomber, although only in RFC/RAF use.
BofB

[Timmo UK]

Baldrick

Thanks for you suggestions they make perfect sense to me. I hadn't considered the issue of converting the Sopwith 1 1/2, great idea that as are the others. I know what you mean by the Fokker Dr1, limited numbers, short service career but just so iconic, it has to be there and there are plenty of interesting colour schemes known for the type.

[Baldrick62]

Timmo,
Cheers; so the 'magnificent seven' could turn into the 'desirable dozen'!

[greenalfonzo]

Probably not. I do not have the time or talent for model building, so as long as finished product is coming down the pike, I'll stick with that.

[Grey Knight]

I'm all in for this

[freebird-52]

Would be nice if available by a US distributor as well...I know Hannants of UK has the SRAM line, but hard time justifying shipping cost. I've started buying from Reviresco miniatures. Although metal, they are available in US and shipping doesn't break the bank...

[Lloydthegamer]

Same here. Bring them on.
Already do it for WWII; would happily do the same for WWI.

[David Manley]

Would be nice if available by a US distributor as well

LOL, a UK distributor for some of these projects that are US based would be good too!

[Hunter]

You darn tootin' I buy these WoG compatible kits! Where do I sign up?

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

I'd be up for it, especially planes that are not available.

[Zoe Brain]

1/200 - Bf109F, Fw190A, P-39, P-36, Typhoon, Tempest, La5FN, Ki-100, Ki-44, Yak-9B, Pe-2, Mosquito...

[Baldrick62]

1/200 - Bf109F, Fw190A, P-39, P-36, Typhoon, Tempest, La5FN, Ki-100, Ki-44, Yak-9B, Pe-2, Mosquito...

None of which are either 1/144 scale or WWI!:clap:

[itchy]

I,m in the perhaps group the main reason I play wog is the straight out of the box factor I have so much lead and plastic sat unbuilt and or unpainted I try not to add too much more ,but if hey were the right price possibly ,if h they had flight stands included then definately

[sirosis o liver]

i would like that very very much

[OldGuy59]

Timmo,
... I'd suggest packs of 3 rather than 5 (easier to build kettes/flights that way) and stick to the later war period (Apr 17 to the Armistice) when lone hunters had been replaced by foramtions of up to wing strength. Three for tenner sounds pretty good to me. ...

The flight, or squadron, option would be the attraction for me. I'd buy the Ares plane on which to base the group, but use the kits to do up more similar planes. This means I'd need to have books on proper squadron markings, or the kits would have to have decal options (probably too much to expect too many decals per kit). Or the members of this forum could help with custom decals? Hint, hint...

Mike:-)

[seagull]

Sounds a nice idea. The kits would need to be simple though, I wouldn't have the time to pfaff about connecting individual struts etc. I wouldn't want a plastic version of the Red Eagle kits.

[armstrongjohn1]

I'm up for that, the more planes available the better. Would be good too if they were ones not already available.

[Boney10]

Sounds good to me, I'm in

[Пилот]

Sounds great, but with various decals included it would sound even better.

[ziparoo]

This sounds like a great idea. I'd rather play than model and so I like the pre-made and painted Ares aircraft. That said, I would definitely look at plastic kits to fill the gaps.

I tend to dislike these polls simply because they get my hopes up and you'd have to sell a lot of these kits because of the costs involved with plastic moulding.

[Пилот]

You never know! But, certainly, we shouldn't hope to much. Usualy, I believe it when I see it. But, Idea is fine.

[CdnFlyer]

Personally I really like the Ares mini's. The out of the box and play right away is very appealing as I'm not much of a modeller. But I suppose if the price was right and the availability in Canada of build your own was easy, I'd give it a go of building a squadron or two. Worst comes to worse, if the builds didn't work out I'd have some amazing looking wreckage to put on my new game mats !LOL!

[BobRoberts]

It would depend on the cost and types of planes available. Also, why 5 planes to a kit?

[fast.git]

If you were intending to release some SE5s? A rousing "YES!" Can't get enough SE5s. :thumbsup:

[STEPHEN NAPIER]

Sound great. 3-5 planes a box would be OK. Would decals be included and a painting example(s) will help.

[redcoon2]

Think the idea is very desirable to many, both sides of the pond. Between that wrinkle and the other spots of baggage (decals, assembly&color scheme guides, plane bases) seems like a few miles to cover before getting this idea to the tarmac. Still seems worth the effort to pursue.

[freebird-52]

D
Worst comes to worse, if the builds didn't work out I'd have some amazing looking wreckage to put on my new game mats !LOL!

I love the wreckage part! Lol... :clap:

[OldGuy59]

Worst comes to worse, if the builds didn't work out I'd have some amazing looking wreckage to put on my new game mats !LOL!

I love the wreckage part! Lol... :clap:

There's something to consider! With all the Boom cards I draw, I will need lots of wreckage models, too.:takecover:

Mike :)

[The Scout]

Personally I really like the Ares mini's. The out of the box and play right away is very appealing as I'm not much of a modeller. But I suppose if the price was right and the availability in Canada of build your own was easy, I'd give it a go of building a squadron or two. Worst comes to worse, if the builds didn't work out I'd have some amazing looking wreckage to put on my new game mats !LOL!

I like the idea. But, I would rather get the models prepainted. I am not very good at painting and would not want to butcher the models.

[Пилот]

Trust me, having in mind scale and fair availability of decals, it wouldn't be much of a problem for you.

Of course, it's easier with pre-painted models (you get your whole army straight from the box :) ), but the other way gives greater choice of minis.

[boomerpete53]

T would be interested in them maybe in BATCH ORDERS, 4 diff ones each month, as long as the $8 / $12 each and thats only because UNCLE SAM lots me a small amount each month.
in other words ON A FIXED INCOME, and planes would be my once a month TREAT. so i do without the BEER, it might just be better for me, and thats my story and i am sticking to it!

[Diamondback]

Why 5? I'd personally prefer even batches of 3, 4 or 6 myself (six being a typical flight IIRC, three being the batches Nexus/Ares has tried for so as to simplify storage arrangements.

My absolute preference would be pre-camo'ed, so all you need to do is add individual national, squadron or personal markings... but even just decal lozenge sheets would help.

[Captain Chum]

Agreed.

The biggest advantage would be the finish. Shapeways models are a bit time consuming getting the finish smooth.

[Doug]

Deffinte No here. I got into WoG because you can take the models straight out of the box and game with them!

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

This idea seems sound, and leaves individuals many options open. I like the idea of different gun choices in the kit as it opens up more possibilities. However as much as I like the DR1's CAmels etc it would be nice to see that niche in the market of the aircraft that aren't available, or if they are they are too expensive (metal), covered too. A few aircraft have been mentioned but there are many others that could be included. Time, sales and price being the driving force for diversity.

[Teaticket]

Any new planes would be great. Doesn't have to be a box of five... three seem about right for me.

[Teaticket]

I like the Ares minis but will happily get any new planes not yet covered.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

I like the Ares minis but will happily get any new planes not yet covered.

I think that the drawback with waiting for Ares is the same as any line of Wargaming models, you will get them eventually but it will take years to get them all out Peter.
Meantime Shapeways, Vallom, Red Eagle, Aim and the rest fill in the gap.
Rob.

[Teaticket]

Rob, I totally agree. Time for this flyboy to look into Shapeways.
Peter

[Doug]

One of the things that got me, and the guys in my group, hooked on this game was the idea of pre-assembled and pre-painted minis. As much as I like the idea of plane kits, I am not a modeler, so the price is going to have to look really good for me to buy into the idea.

Likewise!

[JDD]

I'd also be very interested in a line of 1/144th WWI kits. Including decals would be a definite plus, although it might also be possible to do something like the WW2 kits that are pre-painted and pre-decaled on the sprue: all you do with those is clip off the parts and assemble the model.

Years ago (mid-'70s) there was a Japanese company making a small line of WWI aircraft in 1/144th called (IIRC) "Peanut Planes" (for their small size, not the comic. ;) ) They were nice little models, but my gaming group was flying the Triplane rules using 1/72nd kits at the time so I only picked up one of the little ones. I'm sure they're long out of production and probably collectors' items by now, but if any of those could be found it might help fill the bill.

[milcoll73]

for the more obscure types that i dont think ares will produce, yes most certainly!

[Zoe Brain]

147154

[FarEast]

My vote is YES and I already do, Shapeways and Valom for starters

Although the "Easy to assemble" is a bit subjective as some may find even the shapeways models not so easy to assemble. (Trust me I've had one or two exploded between fingers :surrender:)

[Jeremyb1984]

So I am guessing this is still a "Hypothetical" and not a "Practical"?

I only ask after having spent the weekend putting together my first Valom SE5a and finding not only the struts a pain in the ass, but the metal etched lewis a little over-etched... disappointing :(

C'mon Timmy, make this dream a reality!!!

[Timmo UK]

I'm not going to progress with this project any further.

The Valom kits are primarily for modellers not war gamers.

ARES are gathering their strength although I still think they are few years off where they want to be. I think it's increasingly likely though that they will eventually get there.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Having just assembled my first Valom Pup, after putting it aside for some months, owing to my inability to make the undercart fit. I agree with Jeremy on this, although I have yet to paint and put the model through the rigours of gaming.
Rob.

[FarEast]

Tim the SE5a was a pain but having built a few of them now I think they are perfectly good for gaming I used a .3 drill to make holes for the struts that made the whole assembly much easier and sturdier.

The Albatross and Focker are much better builds and a lot less fiddly

[Nicola Zee]

Tim the SE5a was a pain but having built a few of them now I think they are perfectly good for gaming I used a .3 drill to make holes for the struts that made the whole assembly much easier and sturdier.

The Albatross and Focker are much better builds and a lot less fiddly
Thanks for the advice. This is very helpful for those of us who are not experienced model makers and I will follow it when I attempt the build.

Should I replace the pe struts with .3mm wire? Is so, what is the best type of wire to replace the struts with?

[Jeremyb1984]

Good, I am glad it wasn't just me. I used a scalpel blade to the same effect, and that, with liberal amounts of super glue, held things in place quite well.

I think the trick is the Matte Gloss, takes the shine off the dried glue and the attention away from my modelling shortfalls!

Do you think Ares will ever release naked models?

I would happily pay the $ for a naked or base-coated model that came with flight-stand and manouvre deck... pity Goering didnt fly a SE5a i suppose!:p

[Teaticket]

I had a bear of a time putting together a pair of Sopwith Pups. I replaced the supplied struts with wire. Even then it was not easy. Of course the special one I painted for my wife I dropped! Tried several times to get it back together before success. I painted her a new Pup from Shapeways. At least whey you drop a WSF they bounce!

[FarEast]

Maybe it's time for a 'How to'; Make Valom kits easier to assemble for gamers ?????

[Diamondback]

Or maybe we could have our esteemed Oberst design a laser-cut jig to hold the struts in position on the lower wing, then remove it once the glue's dry before installing the upper?

[Jeremyb1984]

Still a tad weak either way. The WOG stuff is just so impressively tough, sometimes I struggle to get them apart for repaints! :eek:

[Nicola Zee]

I had a bear of a time putting together a pair of Sopwith Pups. I replaced the supplied struts with wire. Even then it was not easy. Of course the special one I painted for my wife I dropped! Tried several times to get it back together before success. I painted her a new Pup from Shapeways. At least whey you drop a WSF they bounce!
I'm sorry to hear the Valom kits are so fragile as I've just ordered them. Robustness is critical.

Could the pe brass struts be OK if they were made thicker by very thin strips of plasticard glued to the outside edge? Then the wings would have more surface area to be glued to. It would not look as nice but it might make them more robust.

[Flying Helmut]

Or maybe we could have our esteemed Oberst design a laser-cut jig to hold the struts in position on the lower wing, then remove it once the glue's dry before installing the upper?

My solution is to buy a Shapeways Pup, then cut two wing-jigs out of card, with slots at the correct stagger, to fit around the wings, beyond the interplane struts.
When I finally get around to starting my Valom Pups, I will post to show how I got on (success OR failure!)

[Flying Helmut]

At least whey you drop a WSF they bounce!

I dropped a completed Valom DVII, and it bounced (a bit!) but stayed together.
The DVIIs have the advantage of extra struts, and the 'N' strut in the interplane position is a real boon.

[Flying Helmut]

I'm sorry to hear the Valom kits are so fragile as I've just ordered them. Robustness is critical.

Could the pe brass struts be OK if they were made thicker by very thin strips of plasticard glued to the outside edge? Then the wings would have more surface area to be glued to. It would not look as nice but it might make them more robust.

I don't think this would help - unless you also drilled out the locating holes to a bigger size to receive the thicker struts. This introduces the danger of drilling right through the wing (been there!) and of installing a strut thicker than the Ares ones (if that's possible!).

The PE struts themselves are not weak at all - it is just the join which is critical.

On the DVII, the interplane 'N' struts sit nicely in the holes on the wings, and when glued in place with Araldite are strong enough to support the top wing on their own, without any other struts (also at the correct stagger, which helps a lot!).
The flat cross section of the cabane struts makes them ideal for placing in contact with the fuselage sides - a round-section strut would stand proud, and require filing flat at the end to achieve a similar "fit"; since I use cut-down paper clips to replace weak struts on Reviresco kits, filing these flat would be VERY time consuming!

The Entente scouts don't have the 'N' strut arrangement, so would be more difficult in this regard, but the strut-to-wing join remains the same.
For strength, I find that Araldite glue works MUCH better than superglue, but is less forgiving of mistaken strut alignment.
Superglue will work (especially superglue Gel - much less runny to work with) if backed up by a couple of layers of paint, a layer of hard gloss varnish, and at least one top coat of matt, preferably two. After applying all these layers, you will find that the joint is really pretty strong, and that the flat-section strut has taken on a very pleasing rounded cross-section!

[matt56]

I just ordered the DVII, Albatros DV, and the Nieuport 17 from Valom; they should be here mid-week. Really looking forward to seeing how they are and using the extra decals on WoG planes...

I'm sorry to hear about the "fiddly" nature of some of them - I'll have to report back my experience with them as I start putting them together next weekend. I love the idea of branching out with other pilots/color schemes - I've already repainted 3 WoG planes to get some variety in my growing collection, and THAT'S been a lot of fun, too!

All the best,
Matt Materne

[HTRAINo]

Fuse wire for Pup Struts. Don't bother with the etched pap ;)

I must say, the valom decals are quite impressive. The wing details could be better/more accurate.
Mine turned out just fine.

[matt56]

Nice to know, Hayden. I'm pretty comfortable with modeling techniques, so I imagine I'll be able to conquer the Valom vagaries...

I really love the idea of two planes and four decal sets...and I plan to pick up the others in the series - I think the SE5s and Sopwith Pups will be lovely additions, especially since SE5s are so hard to find.

All the best,
Matt Materne

[matt56]

:pI just realized as I backpaged that I hadn't voted for the original poll question...

I am definitely in favor of kits - and it would be wonderful if Ares put out "blank" planes which we could customize to our hearts' content - I'm happy painting details and pilot insignia on planes, although I must admit the national insignia would be better as actual decals - painting circles (especially) is somewhat tasking...:surrender:

But I have a Goering DVII that I am looking at painting like one of the planes in one of the Leach Corp prints of Barker diving into the flock of DVIIs, and painting around existing national insignia is not too hard.

All the best,
Matt Materne

[john snelling]

I have a hard time with metal kits and also the so Valom kits would be not worth my meager effort. Shapeways has gotten better and will hopefully see the results with my next order. I can take apart and reassemble WOG models easily and would buy them if available and usually buy WOG models when available for the aircraft they produce. I got impatient with N17s for Bloody April so I ordered 6 from shapeways.

I do not foresee WOG changing to please a few. So perhaps a new company or an old company getting into 1/144 WW1.

[Foz]

Shame this isn't moving forward.
Valom kits are too fiddly for me, even though I love putting models together.
Shapeways WSF is a pain to prep, but bearable.
Something in the middle would be ideal, ala Plastic Soldier Company with their 1/100 tanks.

[Tonx]

Sorry but it is a No from me even if I was a full-time WGF player. It would also still be a No as a full-time WGS player because one of the things I prefer about the Ares / Nexus :minis: for both games is that they come pre-painted and with all the kit that is required to play. But having said that I am now considering the following:

It could be that came into Wings of Glory from 10 years of building plastic aircraft construction kits since my interest in the World Wars began in 2003. By the time I discovered the game my interest was desperately in need of a change in direction from 1/72 & 1/144 scale kits coupled with PC gaming all the time - this was becoming antisocial and I'm sorry to say boring :hmm: Wings of Glory has proven to be that change of direction - no more programme crashes mid-dogfight / Airfix kits which refuse to build without copious amounts of filler / filing. Plus a game which the Lady Wife enjoys playing too. I am also aware of a growing medical problem in my hands and wrists which would prevent me from assembling a plastic model kit nowadays whenever this flares up.

[Flying Helmut]

Shapeways WSF planes are better now than they were - they still need quite a bit of preparation, but they are a good bet for expanding your air wings.
Particularly for British biplanes - much easier paint job than most French/German/American WW1 planes.

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

I think I'm fast becoming the owner of as many Shapeways/Valom as I am Ares/Nexus planes. (Having just taken advantage of the free postage and 10% off (WSF orders only)this weekend.

[tikkifriend]

You as well Neil .I didn't bother to put up a post re Shapeways as I figure everyone is on their mail list anyway.

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Well that's the last spending for me for a long time. I have over 50 aircraft to finish, some 12 ships 3 Yeti's and a winged Demon to finish!

[Dom S]

That sounds like quite a scenario....

[Jager]

Well that's the last spending for me for a long time. I have over 50 aircraft to finish, some 12 ships 3 Yeti's and a winged Demon to finish!
Yeh, I passed on this sale too; about 80 Shapeways waiting :(

That sounds like quite a scenario....
:lol::lol::thumbsup:
Karl

[B.Brockmann]

i did buy a F86 just for the ''why not'' thought. nice model, easy paint b job decals supplied ( no pilots tho, but one of my odd 6mm figs was soon chopped to fit ;-)

A good selling point for Ares is ''no need to paint''

to be honest there are plenty of colour schemes online, I enjoy painting even if my standard is poor, but there seems to me a lack of decals other than roundels etc