While the world's media indulges in hysteria about the rapidly spreading coronavirus, the impact of the virus has effectively shut down China and thus it appears has also seriously disrupted production of new model kits there.
Copper State Models has publicly acknowledged its new releases will be delayed by some months as the factory in China that moulds the kits has been shut down due to the coronavirus crisis.
Wingnut Wings also has its kits moulded in China and we asked Richard Alexander, General Manager of Wingnuts, for an exclusive update for Forum members on the status of their 2020 production problems. He points out that many people in China are taking extended New Year holidays at present. But the coronavirus will impact Wingnuts' plans too.
"There will be some delays but as it is a constantly developing situation we are unable to accurately estimate what delays there will be to Wingnut Wings new model production.
"There will almost certainly be some impact on the release of 32051 1/32 Handley-Page O/100 but the biggest determining factor remains that no Wingnut Wings model will go into production until I have approved the tooling.
"Wingnut Wings warehouses are strategically positioned in The Netherlands, Seattle, Hong Kong and New Zealand. This allows us to continue shipping models to our distributors and retailers should any one location not be open for business for any reason. Currently our Hong Kong warehouse is still open for business. In other words, international and domestic retailers of Wingnut Wings will not be affected as far as sourcing currently available models," Richard says.
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia