forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => What's New => Topic started by: Dave J on June 03, 2020, 10:24:40 AM
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I am not sure if this has been posted, but Dave had a chat to the guys from On the Bench Podcast regarding his article on WNW.
Starts around the 1.15 mark for those that are interested.
https://otbmodellerspodcast.libsyn.com/otb-85-what-happened-to-wingnut-wings
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I listened to it Saturday morning. I loved it! That was a fantastic interview Dave.
James
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Yes, very interesting, Dave! Especially where it goes beyond the published article. Thanks!
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Excellent broadcast, Dave, very incisive and interesting. Thank you.
....... now of course we'd all love to know what's on that list of things that might have been...... ;)
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Just listened to the podcast, great interview Dave, many thanks.
You gave a little bit of insight into projects I was unaware of at The Vintage Aviator too, so most interesting.
Meanwhile ‘smaug’ waits in silence and continues to sit atop his mountain of treasure....
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Just listened to the interview. Awse Dave!
It was well balanced and informative.
Also confirmed some of my inklings and learned a bit.
When the Lanc’s and Gothas came out I wondered at that. And yes they turned out to be a bridge too far.
Also the issue of separate large and expensive early and late versions of kits (from DFWs to Gothas) really didn’t consider budgets of modellers. PJ I noticed from his movies sometimes overcooked it a bit and really needed someone to bring his decision making back to earth. Wouldn’t envy that person but at the end of the day it’s his money and he is the originator and we benefit in some way. Also he probably won’t sell the molds to someone else. Don’t blame him: why should he if it’s not about the money. But keeping them and intellectual property from being knocked off is another story.
Let’s hope there’s a change of mind in a few years for WNW 2.0. I hope the talented staff find their feet after their heartless dismissal.
Other companies now have a chance to come back into the game. So there’s that future.
Also good to hear about the 1:1 Handley Page. Wow he knows how to go big that’s for sure!
DC
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Is it possible to reverse engineer WNW moulds from a set of sprues?
If so, I'd expect to see Chinese kits of subjects that look remarkably similar to existing WNW kits, but with subtle changes - perhaps rubber tyres, brass gun barrels, altered surface detail - fabric folds moved - PE instrument panels, moveable control surfaces &, of course, different decals.
After all, the Chinese have made exact copies of Mini's, Land Rovers, Audi A8, Porsche Cayman, BMW X5, VW Up, Mercedes C class, Range Rovers and even Teslas in the past, with different badges nailed on the front alongside tweaked wheels, grills & panel lines.
If they can do that, copying a kit should be easy-peasy. Chinese industry - aided by the government - have not really grasped the concept of copyright & intellectual property. I expect there's more than a few injection moulding operations that are looking for work at the moment.....
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I had a chance to listen to the podcast yesterday and I really enjoyed it.
Thanks Dave for your continued information re: the WNW story.
The financial discussion in particular was really eye opening.
A few points that really intrigued me...
First, could WNW have been run differently and more intelligently so as to stay in business indefinitely? It's hard to say without having access to the numbers. Just how much and how frequently was Jackson reaching into his wallet to keep the ship floating?
Second, will Peter Jackson indeed decide to keep all of WNW's resources for himself, with those toolings gathering dust in a Chinese molding shop? I certainly hope not. What a bitter move that would be and it would effectively be a kick in the teeth to modelers around the world who want to see these kits remain in circulation.
Lastly, will WNW return, down the road, in some new and altered form? I agree with Dave that it is possible and maybe even likely, with lots of restrictions. I.E., I could see a single kit or 2 being re-popped at some point in the future.
One thing seems to be sure: The warehouse in Wellington has to have a lot of kits sitting on shelves in it. Those, I have to assume, will be moved through regular distribution channels at some point and I think we will get a chance to purchase new WNW kits in the future, for regular MSRP prices.
I contacted Sprue Brothers about this. They had no special information, but at some point WNW is going to have to honor existing orders and they will certainly clear out the warehouse.
If/when those kits hit the market, they will last a matter of hours, and I would expect most online retailers to place quantity limits on purchases.
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I had a chance to listen to the podcast yesterday and I really enjoyed it.
Thanks Dave for your continued information re: the WNW story.
The financial discussion in particular was really eye opening.
A few points that really intrigued me...
First, could WNW have been run differently and more intelligently so as to stay in business indefinitely? It's hard to say without having access to the numbers. Just how much and how frequently was Jackson reaching into his wallet to keep the ship floating?
Second, will Peter Jackson indeed decide to keep all of WNW's resources for himself, with those toolings gathering dust in a Chinese molding shop? I certainly hope not. What a bitter move that would be and it would effectively be a kick in the teeth to modelers around the world who want to see these kits remain in circulation.
Lastly, will WNW return, down the road, in some new and altered form? I agree with Dave that it is possible and maybe even likely, with lots of restrictions. I.E., I could see a single kit or 2 being re-popped at some point in the future.
One thing seems to be sure: The warehouse in Wellington has to have a lot of kits sitting on shelves in it. Those, I have to assume, will be moved through regular distribution channels at some point and I think we will get a chance to purchase new WNW kits in the future, for regular MSRP prices.
I contacted Sprue Brothers about this. They had no special information, but at some point WNW is going to have to honor existing orders and they will certainly clear out the warehouse.
If/when those kits hit the market, they will last a matter of hours, and I would expect most online retailers to place quantity limits on purchases.
Do youn think there's any chance that they will return to sell online closing inventory to customers with pending orders?
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An excellent podcast and one that has been bookmarked for future and past shows.
Well done, Dave. No BS, just the facts as reported. A cracking interview.
Cheers,
Bob ;)
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Personally, I think it's inevitable that the moulds - or at least the popular ones - will find their way back to market at some point. Maybe as WNW, maybe as a new company, maybe split up and sold to other companies. They are worth money, and money eventually talks.
It's the only logical outcome.
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Personally, I think it's inevitable that the moulds - or at least the popular ones - will find their way back to market at some point. Maybe as WNW, maybe as a new company, maybe split up and sold to other companies. They are worth money, and money eventually talks.
It's the only logical outcome.
Do you remember the Roman emperor Nero? He burnt his own city down... ;)
Andreas
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Personally, I think it's inevitable that the moulds - or at least the popular ones - will find their way back to market at some point. Maybe as WNW, maybe as a new company, maybe split up and sold to other companies. They are worth money, and money eventually talks.
It's the only logical outcome.
Do you remember the Roman emperor Nero? He burnt his own city down... ;)
Andreas
:) The story goes he was inspired to compose poetry watching it burn. But I know what you mean!
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Personally, I think it's inevitable that the moulds - or at least the popular ones - will find their way back to market at some point. Maybe as WNW, maybe as a new company, maybe split up and sold to other companies. They are worth money, and money eventually talks.
It's the only logical outcome.
The major assumption here is that logic will dictate what does ultimately happen to the molds. Don't bet the farm on it.
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Personally, I think it's inevitable that the moulds - or at least the popular ones - will find their way back to market at some point. Maybe as WNW, maybe as a new company, maybe split up and sold to other companies. They are worth money, and money eventually talks.
It's the only logical outcome.
Do you remember the Roman emperor Nero? He burnt his own city down... ;)
Andreas
"some men just want to watch the world burn."
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Those angels are dancing on the head of that pin again....
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i'm almost to the part of the podcast where part 2 starts.
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Those angels are dancing on the head of that pin again....
How many can dance on the head of that pin?
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Those angels are dancing on the head of that pin again....
How many can dance on the head of that pin?
Nobody knows but everybody has a theory and it can be debated endlessly.....
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Thanks for posting this, Dave. Any truth to the rumor of a Sir PJ figure in the "Little Contemptibles" line?
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Well played, Bill! ;D ;D Although we all need a little hope in these tough times, I have listened carefully and I think Dave's podcasts have crystallized a few things: Sir P still has a lot of resources, he is not keen on sharing his intellectual property and his interest in the model field seems to have dissipated completely. Although I have said before that the moulds could resurface and be reused, I think this is going to only happen in the distant future, say 10 years or more. Good news for other model manufacturers wanting to produce new models, but a big delay for us modellers in general. So we need to concentrate and support the new and up-coming releases and put this amazing, yet flawed, period behind us. I really mean to move on myself, build less WNW, see what can be done with other (and really good) modelling companies, and simply enjoy the hobby! Regards, Marc.
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Dave Johnson is the guest on the latest podcast, with his unique insights into his 11 years working at Wingnut Wings.
Here's the link to the latest episode: https://otbmodellerspodcast.libsyn.com/otb-86-what-happened-to-wingnut-wings-part-2
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
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Dave Johnson is the guest on the latest podcast, with his unique insights into his 11 years working at Wingnut Wings.
Here's the link to the latest episode: https://otbmodellerspodcast.libsyn.com/otb-86-what-happened-to-wingnut-wings-part-2
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
, noy
Awesome interview and podcast, thank you. Bonus information on shipping models :). I wonder if we'll ever hear from PJ himself after the dust settles, not holding my breath on that though. As they're speculating about WNW future, I don't know...Maybe at most just re-popping the popular sold out items in limited quantities every so often. It's a shame we never got to see the Punishers or the Lancasters, or Dr.1's, holding digits that they decide to complete and push these out someday.
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Just listened to the Dave Johnson podcast. Really enjoyed it, though I wish the interviewers had asked a few more questions and follow-ups regarding a number of topics.
Dave sounds like a great guy. I've had the pleasure of interacting with him a few times over the years and he was always terrific.
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On the bench interview part 2 with Dave Johnson begins at 1:03 if you are pressed for time....
Thanks Dave J for your fantastic aftersales customer support which is just one facet of what set Wingnut Wings apart from the rest.
I personally benefitted when you helped me out with extra pieces /decals for the DH-9.
I had no idea you had built ten test shots of that kit!
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Thanks Dave and Dave, great interview!
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In the earlier podcast, Dave Wilson suggested that he thinks WNW could have been financially viable had they run things a different way.
It was interesting to note that Dave Johnson more or less said the same thing in his podcast. What a shame.
And it really does sound like the Lancaster kits and the Fokker DR.Is could be finished off without too much fuss! If we never see those kits, it could go down as one of the greatest tragedies in modeling history.
Also very interesting to note that Dave Johnson agreed with Dave Wilson's suspicion that the toolings will never see the light of day, as WETA doesn't like to let other people play with their toys.
That is also a shame. Once current stock is sold, the best we might be able to hope for is WETA/Peter Jackson doing something themselves in the future, on a very limited basis, in terms of re-popping already finished work.
I guess that's possible.
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If PJ ever makes his Dambuster film, I reckon that would be the best chance for the Lancaster kits to be released - as a tie-in.
However I read somewhere that his option on the story runs out in the next two years, so maybe it's never gonna happen.
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That is also a shame. Once current stock is sold, the best we might be able to hope for is WETA/Peter Jackson doing something themselves in the future, on a very limited basis, in terms of re-popping already finished work.
I guess that's possible.
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Hi yes I was thinking maybe they will re-route though Weta for selling off. It might depend on other arrangements like liquidation laws or something but I don’t really know
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Hi yes I was thinking maybe they will re-route though Weta for selling off. It might depend on other arrangements like liquidation laws or something but I don’t really know
i don't know the rules of the game in NZ, but i don't think it's likely that liquidation laws will come into play because they're not going bankrupt, just closing. the accountants in their emails imply that they'd resume sales, so directly through the WNW website *seems* likely but who knows.
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Just listened to the Dave Johnson podcast. Really enjoyed it, though I wish the interviewers had asked a few more questions and follow-ups regarding a number of topics.
Dave sounds like a great guy. I've had the pleasure of interacting with him a few times over the years and he was always terrific.
No Problem at all Ringleheim, maybe send the guys from the On The Bench a email with some questions. I would be happy to come back on for another chat with them and maybe answer some of the listeners questions, if I can!
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On the bench interview part 2 with Dave Johnson begins at 1:03 if you are pressed for time....
Thanks Dave J for your fantastic aftersales customer support which is just one facet of what set Wingnut Wings apart from the rest.
I personally benefitted when you helped me out with extra pieces /decals for the DH-9.
I had no idea you had built ten test shots of that kit!
No problem Dave anytime! After I listened to it again, I said DH.9 but I meant the DH.9a Doh!
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Thanks Dave and Dave, great interview!
Your welcome!
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In the earlier podcast, Dave Wilson suggested that he thinks WNW could have been financially viable had they run things a different way.
It was interesting to note that Dave Johnson more or less said the same thing in his podcast. What a shame.
And it really does sound like the Lancaster kits and the Fokker DR.Is could be finished off without too much fuss! If we never see those kits, it could go down as one of the greatest tragedies in modeling history.
Also very interesting to note that Dave Johnson agreed with Dave Wilson's suspicion that the toolings will never see the light of day, as WETA doesn't like to let other people play with their toys.
That is also a shame. Once current stock is sold, the best we might be able to hope for is WETA/Peter Jackson doing something themselves in the future, on a very limited basis, in terms of re-popping already finished work.
I guess that's possible.
Just remember WETA has nothing to do with Wingnut Wings. The companies are all related in a way, but they are all separate.
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Hi yes I was thinking maybe they will re-route though Weta for selling off. It might depend on other arrangements like liquidation laws or something but I don’t really know
i don't know the rules of the game in NZ, but i don't think it's likely that liquidation laws will come into play because they're not going bankrupt, just closing. the accountants in their emails imply that they'd resume sales, so directly through the WNW website *seems* likely but who knows.
I've seen that WNW has started shipping all the pending orders via FedEx (I am yet to receive notice about my spare parts order). I am picking they will not be considering reopening the web store for sales anytime soon, as they state in the emails that I have seen posted that they are using FedEx due to postal systems being unreliable at the moment. I know that the web store does not have FedEx pricing setup and doubt they know how to enter it either.
IF they reopen the webstore, I think it would be once some normality has returned to most postal systems.
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That makes sense Dave.
We’ll have to wait until the aircraft are flying again. Unless NZ retailers get dibs.
Inflated prices at the moment suggest the demand is there if and when things get moving. D
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In the earlier podcast, Dave Wilson suggested that he thinks WNW could have been financially viable had they run things a different way.
It was interesting to note that Dave Johnson more or less said the same thing in his podcast. What a shame.
And it really does sound like the Lancaster kits and the Fokker DR.Is could be finished off without too much fuss! If we never see those kits, it could go down as one of the greatest tragedies in modeling history.
Also very interesting to note that Dave Johnson agreed with Dave Wilson's suspicion that the toolings will never see the light of day, as WETA doesn't like to let other people play with their toys.
That is also a shame. Once current stock is sold, the best we might be able to hope for is WETA/Peter Jackson doing something themselves in the future, on a very limited basis, in terms of re-popping already finished work.
I guess that's possible.
Just remember WETA has nothing to do with Wingnut Wings. The companies are all related in a way, but they are all separate.
Yes, of course.
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In the earlier podcast, Dave Wilson suggested that he thinks WNW could have been financially viable had they run things a different way.
It was interesting to note that Dave Johnson more or less said the same thing in his podcast. What a shame.
And it really does sound like the Lancaster kits and the Fokker DR.Is could be finished off without too much fuss! If we never see those kits, it could go down as one of the greatest tragedies in modeling history.
Also very interesting to note that Dave Johnson agreed with Dave Wilson's suspicion that the toolings will never see the light of day, as WETA doesn't like to let other people play with their toys.
That is also a shame. Once current stock is sold, the best we might be able to hope for is WETA/Peter Jackson doing something themselves in the future, on a very limited basis, in terms of re-popping already finished work.
I guess that's possible.
Steady on!