Sorry, bit of a long post and not yet a new product.
Short version;
Research Q, would people be interested in decent solid metal undercarriage and struts for 1/32 aircraft?
If so do you have any thoughts or suggestions about metal replacement struts / undercarriage you'd like to see in the future from Aerocraft?
Long version;
1/32 undercarriage can be fragile - especially in the hands of clumsy dolts like me.
As most of you know Aerocraft have made replacement undercarriage for the Mengnut F.1/Dr.1, (to my mind a step above the white metal previously available for WNW - while I've made white metal models, personally I'm not keen to use white metal for delicate struts).
I asked about the possibility of other offerings in the future, Alistair from Aerocraft is potentially keen to make more, Q is who would be interested in what, and would it be practical.
Emails under;
Alistair McLean <
[email protected]>
Thu, 28 Jan, 23:41 (14 hours ago)
Hi Kit
[...], I see your comment about other sets, what kits would you like sets for? If we agree would you be prepared to send the kit parts to me to get them developed. It would also be handy if you could email me a copy of the instruction page as well where the strut is installed, just so I can get the idea of what parts I would need or want. I am pretty knowledgable on most aircraft types but I do not have many of the wingnut kits.
No promises but let us see where this goes. I will also supply one set free of charge for every set that we do, and you may NOT receive the original plastic parts back.
Do let me know your thoughts, best reply to this email I am sending from.
Regards Alistair
09:18 (4 hours ago)
Hi Alistair, thanks for your answer.
I do have multiples of most of the WNW kits, so could help with this, (am prepared to lose a part if I have a back up to scratch a replacement off if it doesn't work out, have done this for REXx exhausts).
Would you mind if I circulated your email on a couple of forums with a lot of WNW builders and some of the ex-WNW employees for opinions about which would be popular and practical?
e.g. I am sure for example, the Albatros DV / DVa would do well, on the other hand the popular DVII is probably sturdy enough.
The cabane struts on the Sopwith Camel are a frequent point of failure but as they are molded integral to the fuselage (and vary between the Ships Camel and others) I am not sure they will be practical.
Others might be useful (Albatros B.II, RE
, but did not sell in such large numbers so may not be worth your while.
Kit
ALISTAIR MCLEAN
09:40 (4 hours ago)
Hi Kit
Thank you for the reply and the input. I did have a few of the Albatros and Fokker aircraft, I am now sorry that I sold them....if only I had waited a another 6 months or so before the collapse. I do have a few of the various Sopwith types, and one or two others. Also what about the Nieuports from Copper State, I have one of those. I have just done some sets for the EV by Micromir, they are OK and I have sold quite a few but are not the best, kit parts are not great, but I re-engineered them a little, but they will help with the tricky fitment and strength for that aircraft.
I would be more than happy for you to ask around, sometimes I think that a 3rd party gets much better results than the manufacturer.
Obviously we will just stage them through, even if you sent me a bunch to reduce postage costs, I would then maybe do 2 or 3 sets a month.
It is important to know if there are any shortcomings in the kit part dimensions, because if so then it gets a lot more complicated, but I have not heard of any of the WNW KITS being too long or short on the struts.
Re-engineering a fit for the Camels may not be a huge hurdle so if it is a PROBLEM, it is one to look at, because people buy parts that fix a problem, but we can discuss that and I will visit the LOFT to reacquaint myself.
I do not work on huge number sales, I am very happy generally if I get 50 sales of any item, sometimes that happens quickly and is vastly surpassed, but I do not need 100’s, so let see what comes out of the consultation and wish list.
All round I will do my best to make it worth your while.
Regards Alistair (Ali)