WNW Salmson S2-A Announcement

[rhallinger]

Take a look at the "In Development" photos of the Salmson---looks pretty impressive.  What an unexpected choice in 1/32, but very cool.   

An interesting announcement.  This appears to be the first release by WNW of a French aircraft.  I don't know much about it, as it is not often featured amongst all of the flashy fighters and British and German 2-seaters, but according to Wikipedia about 3,200 were built, it was the mainstay reconnaisance craft of the French military by 1918, and the U.S. air service purchased and used about 700 of these machines.  The S2-A appears to have been used by several other countries post-war.  It sounds like it was a successful reconnaisance craft. 

A fascinating choice by WNW.  I note that the Salmson did not even make the informal survey/poll here a month ago regarding the most important WWI aircraft missing in 1/32.  I wonder how it will sell.  I will likely buy a couple of them for several reasons.  First, the development model looks great, very detailed, and different from anything else like it in 1/32.  Second, I'd like to have more French aircraft in my collection.  Third, I can do a U.S. version, and there are not a lot of aircraft available in 1/32 for that.

Keep thinking this through.  If WNW has announced a Salmson in development, what else awaits us?  Anybody's guess, I suspect.  Maybe a Roland C-2, a Hannover, a Strutter?  I grow faint considering the prospects . . .

Methinks we are entering the Golden Age of WWI aero modeling in 1/32!    Now, I must cease such musings and return to work on this so-called "Cyber Monday".  It was fun dreaming for awhile though  . 

Regards,

Bob   

[The6uest]

I just noticed that yesterday myself!  I think it's a good choice and I wonder if it will come out before GasPatch Model's 1/48 version of the Salmson.. not that it would take any sales away from WnW since it's a smaller scale.

Keep thinking this through.  If WNW has announced a Salmson in development, what else awaits us?  Anybody's guess, I suspect.  Maybe a Roland C-2, a Hannover, a Strutter?  I grow faint considering the prospects . . .

Yeah, a Roland C.II in 1/32 would be really nice to see too!  I also hope they do the Etrich Taube.. That one would be a real challenge to rig all those cables but I think it'd be a good addition to their (and my) collection. 

[lcarroll]

At this rate we could even get a Camel!?!
Rhallinger's comment is right on the money; we are indeed entering or in the Golden Age of WWI Modelling, and in my Scale to boot. I'm simply blown away by the developments of just the past year. What concerns me is that some self disciplin is required as no one person could possibly keep up with the kits, publications, and materials hitting the market. My Gawd, one could super specialise in DVIIs alone and occupy half a lifetime's leisure hours for sure!
"Just sayin out loud is all.........."
Cheers,
Lance

[kornbeef]

Looks a very nice subject, lots of scope for detailing 

[pepperman42]

Well it looks like the "superstars" are all covered by one mfg or another, some not as good or even close to being as good as others but done all the same. Now will WNW stay the course and release the "lesser" players or do they go for upgrades on the not so good Alby DIII's, Camels, N17's etc?

Steve

[gcn]

I'd argue those in your list were all adequate and wouldn't need the WNW treatment with the exception of the Camel but only because the moulds are no more.

Therefore I'd prefer to see subjects not previously done.

[GAJouette]

   Bob,
Excellent news my friend. I'm certainly looking forward to the Salmson release. I hope WNW includes several AEF options in the decal mix.Who knows maybe we'll see an Sopwith 11/2 Strutter or an Hanriot at some point.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

[mgunns]

At this rate we could even get a Camel!?!
Rhallinger's comment is right on the money; we are indeed entering or in the Golden Age of WWI Modelling, ......
Cheers,
Lance

Right on the money Rhallinger and Lance.  This is the Golden age for the 1/32nd WWI a/c modeler, no doubt about it.  A Camel would be sweet.  I to am amazed by the rapid development and release of these kits.  Just three years ago there were 4 now, I know it is well over a dozen, and Lance you are right, at this rate, I don't have the resources to buy them all or the research material, and I doubt I would live long enough to build them all.  That being written...........I am sure going to try.

Best
Mark

[fcmdecal]

The next project could be the Breguet XIV too.

They must update and fill the "in development" list...

[pepperman42]

gcn just an fyi the Academy kits of the Camel are the "old" Hobbycraft kits. Hobbycraft Canada revised/improved them but Im not sure of  their current status but Im pretty sure the moulds still exist.

Steve

[WarrenD]

Oh be still my beating heart!  I'll buy one or two just to encourage them to produce more models of WWI French a/c, and I don't even model 1/32nd scale.

Warren

[gcn]

gcn just an fyi the Academy kits of the Camel are the "old" Hobbycraft kits. Hobbycraft Canada revised/improved them but Im not sure of  their current status but Im pretty sure the moulds still exist.

Steve

Hi Steve

I thought I'd read that the updated Clerget and Le Rhone engined kits were not being released again as the moulds had either been damaged beyond repair or lost. I could be wrong but that would make a degree of sense for their lack of availability.

[pepperman42]

Now that could be possible. Hobbycraft from what I understand dont actually "own" the moulds. They reside in S Korea with all their others. They seem intent on redoing the Avro Arrow over and over to the point nothing else happens and I know there were a couple of dismal 1/32 WII projects that must have set them back. Their DrI was pretty bad even when they did it in 1/32 as opposed to the ripped off Revell 1/28. Parts could be used for other projects (Vac DVIII eg) and the decals were extensive but thats it. Back to the Camel - they do show up at vendor tables at shows for reasonable prices here in Canada

Steve

[drdave]

I'm hoping- and thinking- that WNW will do a 1.5 Strutter, Hanriot HD1 and Camel. The HD1 is such a pretty colourful airframe.

They like to do thorough research on real airframes. If TVAL or another company have done one, they seem to come to WNW attention.



Not always true of course. I'd like a Pfalz DVIII. I never new it served until I got a book at the weekend about Pfalz series a/c.

[Dekenba]

This seems to indicate that WNW are now moving away from British & German subjects?

I've decided not to duplicate models in my stash - so if I have Roden's version, I'm not going to then buy WNW's version.

Roden's kits are really quite good and worth building, even if they are not quite WNW quality.