If Roden resume production of new WW1 kits, what subjects would you buy?

[guitarlute101]

I would be happy with anything but I think Roden needs to increase the quality of their injection molding process. I've had a few of their 1/32 Albatros D kits and they suffered from the dreaded banana shaped upper wing and other molding anomalies.

Mark

[Ringleheim]

I would be happy with anything but I think Roden needs to increase the quality of their injection molding process. I've had a few of their 1/32 Albatros D kits and they suffered from the dreaded banana shaped upper wing and other molding anomalies.

Mark

Leaning on Roden is not the path forward IMO.

I'd like to see CSM do a LOT more than they have done so far.

My hope remains that the team at WNW will re-materialize under different ownership.

Or that some of the key members of that team will join an existing company and bring it up to speed with the WNW approach to things.

Regarding specific planes, after so many years of English and German aircraft from WNW, I would LOVE to see some French and Italian stuff.

The WNW kit I wanted most of all never quite got there!  The Fokker DR. I.

I'd love to see that produced as well--on a WNW level of quality.

[macsporran]

If they do come back into the 1/32 market, is it not more likely they'd do so with a single seater, since they're less expensive to mould, better price entry point in market and usually offer more colourful options to attract the non-specialist.
Their last offering was a ski variant of an existing kit, so maybe an Oeffag Albatros or the W4 would be an easy re-entry point utilising much they already have in the DI/III, or with a bit more work the SPAD XIII for mass sales!

[Borsos]

Wasn’t it a great thing that Roden asked us here what we‘d wish from them? I think yes, that’s something Wingnut Wings never did. I think it’s a simple question of politeness and respect not to start bashing Roden here. You don’t like their kits? Well, then don’t post here... you want that Dr. 1? Well, Roden offers one. If you wish to have it from WNW, ask Peter Jackson. But not in this thread.
Leaning on Roden is of course a path forward.
Andreas

[Dave W]

Folks, I have stayed in the background during this thread so members could voice their wishes for the kits they would buy if Roden resumed its WW1 production. But I am concerned at the tone that has crept into this thread. Andreas has just expressed exactly what I was thinking so my sincere thanks to him for his post.

We have a chance to influence a major WW1 model manufacturer to resume production of WW1 subjects. Please don't blow this with criticisms that could deter their decision. This thread is supposed to be about encouragement.

A bit of an editorial here now - the closure of Wingnut Wings took us all by surprise but we have to move on from that because the WW1 hobby is much bigger and far wider than any one manufacturer. Roden, for example, were well established long before Wingnuts appeared and they are still here and their catalogue covers 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scale, something Wingnuts never did. So please let's support Roden not bash them.

Those fondly expecting the Wingnuts DR.1 or other kits to pop up under a different brand will be disappointed. Don't expect any of the Wingnuts kits to reappear under anyone else's logo.

While we're editorialising, a word also regarding expectations. With WnW gone it seems there's an expectation that others such as Copper State Models will just leap into the void and generate a stack of a new aircraft kits. It isn't that simple and I've been talking to Edgar at Copper State about this.

I think it's unfair to expect Copper State to match the WnW scale of production. CSM does not have the resources and budget WnW had, and CSM has to be careful with its subject choices. Simply put, kit sales fund development of the next kits. CSM has new projects in development and we'll be announcing one of these in a separate post - so stay tuned!

In the meantime, I have provided Roden with the link to this thread so they can monitor progress of the wish list. Let's keep this positive and filled with those kits we would all love to have.

Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia

[Brad Cancian]

Well said, Dave.

The spirit of this thread is as per the title - what are some suggestions for Roden (or indeed any other manufacturer), should they wish to dip their toes into the realm of WW1 again. Nothing more.

The thread is not there to bash any particular manufacturer for the quality and quantity of the kits that they produce (heaven forbid we might actually have to exercise some modelling skills rather than shake a box and get a perfect replica).

We have been spoilt by certain manufacturers but let us not forget that we still are a niche within the modeling world, let's not get 'too big for our boots', so to speak - any kits are better than no kits, no matter the quality. So let's stick to suggestions.

Cheers,

BC

[coyotemagic]

I have built, and thoroughly enjoyed, several Roden 1/48 scale aircraft, including the Nieuport 28 (my first Roden kit), a DH4, a BE2c, a BE12, a 1 1/2 Strutter and a couple Fokker D.VIIs.  And, although they were not a WNW shake and bake, they were well engineered and built up into beautiful models with little or no fit problems.  Some of the decals were a bit challenging, but so were some of the WNW decals.
That said, I would love to see the DH4, BE2c, BE12 and the 1 1/2 Strutter produced in 1/32 scale.  Even if they simply scaled-up their 1/48 kits without additional refinement, I would gladly buy them and build them and be thrilled to death to have them.
Cheers,
Bud

[Dave Brewer]

Very well said Bud,I totally agree.
Cheers,
Dave.

[Dave J]

I agree with the comments above.

Not all kits are perfect! There were errors on WNW kits, we tried to minimize that.. but things happen! Tamiya isn't perfect either...

There are some great subjects mentioned already, but I think that the best comment was for Roden to try to improve with the tooling. I am not sure if they are in the position to create tooling like WNW or CSM at the moment. I but I would love to see them taking small steps on each release going forward.

[fruibal]

Indeed, Roden was one of the first model companies that introduced in greater proportions WW1 aircraft in 1/32 scale before WNW appeared and eclipse their sales. Kudos to them because they had the guts to enter into a niche market that was at their initial growth stage. Now, they're still there and producing the 1/32 WWI subjects. All that we must do, is to support these companies. I am pretty sure they will correct deficiencies in their future releases accordingly to the new standards.

It is good to hear that CSM, will have more releases in the coming months, and cross my fingers that it would be another aircraft kit. Thanks, Dave W, and keep us in the loop when you hear from them. And as Dave said, we have to move on and make this hobby to expand to more potential WWI modelers, leave behind the past and  look forward to the future 

[Black Max 72]

It’s great news to hear Roden are looking at having another go at WWI. While I think some of the calls for improved tooling may be fair in some cases and perhaps more careful research, their basic kits are pretty solid and lot of the problems have been solved by the aftermarket community. I can only imagine for many of the aftermarket manufacturers the news of WNW’s closure must’ve been very worrying indeed, now with Roden re-entering the fray there will be a lot of fresh business for them and that can only be a good thing for all of us. I think Richard at Aviatik is going to have to start pumping out those Fokker Dr.1 update kits that’s for sure!
 
Hopefully we’re seeing the beginning of a resurgence from other former WWI manufacturers as well. I’ve just noticed that Eduard has down for a July release their 1/48 Morane-Saulnier N Profipack, I’m not sure if they are new molds like what they did with their SSW D.III and Hawker Tempest but I sure hope so. It’d be nice to see Eduard revisit some more of their old 1/48 favourites and give them an update like the Siemens and Tempest. Also the June issue of Scale Aviation Modeller International has their Sopwith Camel kit also down for a 2020 re-release interestingly listed as a new tool.
Anyway my Roden picks are similar to what I’m seeing from everyone else.
1/32:

Hanriot HD.1
Complete the Albatros family with a D.II (the Encore kit is becoming rare and pricey)
Oeffag Albatros D.III
Phonix D.III
SPAD XIII (early and late)
Morane-Saulnier L Parasol

1/32 would be nice, but would settle for 1/48 for these:

Halberstadt D.I, II and III
Aviatik D.I and D.II (a Berg that doesn’t break the bank in either scale!)
Martinsyde G.100/102 Elephant

Dave Rickard
Rockhampton QLD

[Pup7309]

Yes
Please keep the flame going Roden. CSM as mentioned has to pick and choose what it does.
Re-entering the hobby I’d rather learn on a Roden and graduate to WNW now prices are up.
My list;

Top 5 picks: Any scale prefer 1:32 (or 48 for flying boats)

New tool Albatros D11/111
New tool Dr1
New tool SPAD
Macchi M5 flying boat
Lohner Flying boat/ Brandenburg flying boat


Next 5+

Blackburn Kangaroo
Hanriot HD1
Fokker D7 (All versions 1 box)
DH1a (Smaller version of Fe2b)
Sopwith Ships Camel
AEG cIV
Early Rumpler Taube
Phonix D1-3
Albatros CIII
Staaken RIV Giant


New Re8, Sopwith Pup, etc etc in 1:72/48

Other Suggestions in 1:48/32

Phonix c1
Brandenburg C1
Caproni Bomber
Pomilio PD
Cauldron G IV or VI
Farman or Voisin or Vickers Gun Bus
Argo C11
Friedichtschafen flying boat or bomber 

That’ll be enough for now!

[kkarlsen]

 (Heaven forbid we might actually have to exercise some modelling skills rather than shake a box and get a perfect replica).

So well put Brad. Actually this is probably the one part of modeling I enjoy the most, adding details to a kit. Working out idea's of how to improve it. So I have no problems with less detailed kits, it just makes it a challenge to get a decent result and much more fun to build. I had a blast building the three Roden Fokker Dr.I's. Why not just be happy we actually got the 'dreidekker' in 1/32 scale! Thank you Roden!

I just wish, it would be possible to upscale Rodens 1/48 B.e.2c, Strutter, DH.4 & DH.9 to 1/32?

Cheers: Kent

[alfageme]

Hi,

These are my two cents:

1:72
- Sopwith Triplane
- Morane Saulnier AI
- Otto Pusher

There is a lot of room with two seaters:
- Roland CII
- R.E. 8
- Hannover CL II
- LVG C.V
- Hansa Brandenburg C.I
- AGO Cii


Bombers:
- AEG GIV. There is no  version in plastic at this scale except an awful one from Merlin Models!
- Blackburn Kangaroo

And  Italian Austro Hungarian flying boats!


Santiago Martin

[FokkerFodder]

Great news that roden are thinking of re-entering this niche. I have only built their rolls- Royce armoured car in 1/35 and really enjoyed it , although as everyone notes, they often benefit, as do most kits, from some research and a bit of extra detailing. But the results are great. I second Italian/ A-H flying boats - fantastic looking machines! Cheers Matt