Meng announces a 1/32 scale Fokker DR.1

[Dave J]

How many model producers are in South Korea?

According to a list on Wiki, Academy is the only one.

I've just looked at the boxes in my stash, and they all say China.  That's Fokker D.VII's, Albatros D.V's, HB W.19, Roland C.II, Hannover Cl.II and Halb. Cl.II.

I haven't compared sprues, yet.

Still I am hopeful that the other money makers get re-released.

I'm down for at least two of these new Meng kits.  I don't often try to replicate the aircraft of the aces.  But I think the Werner Voss has lots of character.

I'm starting to get curious as to what aircraft markings/decal options might be available in the Meng boxing.

We should get some help from the aftermarket in this regard, for sure.

Once I get the Meng Dr.I, the first thing I am going to do is play with the Dr.I decals that WNW included in the Albatros D.V MVR boxing.  I bet they will work OK with maybe slight modification.

Thats is my plan also.. I will be using the set included in the Albatros boxing. Can't let them go to waste!

[Dave J]

Also a 1/10 bust of MvR will be included in a limited edition release of 1000 kits, as per the latest MENG post on their FB page. More surprises!

Not sure if I want a bust of MvR. But I plan building 3 kits. The artwork makes me sigh but if the kit inside is good and not much more than Roden’s I’ll definitely bite. But I guess they still have to materialise:D

I wasn't impressed with the bust either. Maybe they should offered a figure instead? I am not holding my breathe that the schemes will be researched well either, nor Fokker Steaking Decals. Main thing is that the plastic will be good!

[Captain Slower]

The DFW was the most numerous aircraft in the German air service.  This was a point that was not promoted with the kit.  I also do not recall any on-line or magazine builds but that does not mean anything other than I did not see it. 

[rhwinter]

The irony here is just unbelievable.

WNW spend a decade creating a gold standard brand and establishing a new golden age for WWI modelling, but keep refusing to listen to customers clamouring for them to release the single most widely popular subject of the period. Instead we get huge models that most of us can't afford or display or dull subjects like the DFW that are pretty low on our wish lists.
Finally, as financial reality closes in, they acquiesce and start to tool up for this plane (which would sell in shedloads), spending another hefty sum on moulds etc. Then the bean counters call time on the company.

Out of left field, Meng (who had the moulds) announce that they will release the model, benefiting from Wingnuts hard-worked-for reputation for quality, R&D work, investment, etc.
Given the response of the modelling world so far, it's quite possible Meng may sell more (WNW) Fokkers than everything else ever created by PJ's team added together! Even modellers with no interest in The Great War, will likely give The Red Baron's model a try, especially in legendary WNW quality at Meng's price. (....and no rigging!)

WNW do all the hard work but exit stage left. Meng invest very little but will probably make a fortune.
(Maybe PJ's empire will get a commission back on each one sold, but the profit should have been going back into the now thanklessly dispersed Wingnuts team IMHO.)

Yes! One can only comment with sarcasm, what's happening here. Sad.

[Pup7309]

The DFW was the most numerous aircraft in the German air service.  This was a point that was not promoted with the kit.  I also do not recall any on-line or magazine builds but that does not mean anything other than I did not see it.

Have to admit I passed over the DFWs and Abatros B11 - from a modelling point of view there’s only so much time and money. Wingnuts did a lot of multi- seaters which is great and I got quite a few. But 2 boxing’s of the DFWs whilst is great from a historical viewpoint, not so much from a financial one. Just an opinion. I support modelling diversity and after getting an Eindekker in the end of world WNW fever buy-out it’s slowly growing on me. Might even pick up a DFW now they are going the way of the Dodo!

[macsporran]

Nah, the DFW was very high on my wishlist. Much much higher than every dull red Dr. 1.
And given the importance of both planes... some four thousands of DFWs doing the crucial work of artillery spotting and reconnaissance  (being a joy to fly and a formidable opponent even when attacked by Allied scouts) versus some 320 tripes that were copies, arriving too late on the frontline (time of the rotary was gone, even Richthofen had waited for the Fokker D. VII...) .... Nah....
Andreas

Yes, from your viewpoint, Andreas, that makers much sense - but you are a WWI specialist, whereas most modellers have never heard of a DFW and would never buy one.
Many of the guys at my club were intrigued by the quality of WNW but put off by the rigging on a biplane and never built one. Two or three actually said they'd buy a Tripe if they ever did one.

[Ringleheim]

The DFW was the most numerous aircraft in the German air service.  This was a point that was not promoted with the kit.  I also do not recall any on-line or magazine builds but that does not mean anything other than I did not see it.

Have to admit I passed over the DFWs and Abatros B11 - from a modelling point of view there’s only so much time and money. Wingnuts did a lot of multi- seaters which is great and I got quite a few. But 2 boxing’s of the DFWs whilst is great from a historical viewpoint, not so much from a financial one. Just an opinion. I support modelling diversity and after getting an Eindekker in the end of world WNW fever buy-out it’s slowly growing on me. Might even pick up a DFW now they are going the way of the Dodo!

I think a lot of folks passed on the Albatros B II.  Ironically, it is one of the best kits WNW has knocked out to date, IMO.

If WNW ever opens up their web store again, or if they unload the contents of their warehouse such that these kits become available again at MSRP for a short time, I would encourage anyone reading this to try the Alb. B II, unless they just don't like the aircraft.  It's a great kit.

[Bill_S]

I went ahead and ordered the triplane with the bust. If I can't do it justice, I'll add a little Sculpey to the cheeks and turn it into Chairman Mao.5

[Pup7309]

The DFW was the most numerous aircraft in the German air service.  This was a point that was not promoted with the kit.  I also do not recall any on-line or magazine builds but that does not mean anything other than I did not see it.

Have to admit I passed over the DFWs and Abatros B11 - from a modelling point of view there’s only so much time and money. Wingnuts did a lot of multi- seaters which is great and I got quite a few. But 2 boxing’s of the DFWs whilst is great from a historical viewpoint, not so much from a financial one. Just an opinion. I support modelling diversity and after getting an Eindekker in the end of world WNW fever buy-out it’s slowly growing on me. Might even pick up a DFW now they are going the way of the Dodo!

I think a lot of folks passed on the Albatros B II.  Ironically, it is one of the best kits WNW has knocked out to date, IMO.

If WNW ever opens up their web store again, or if they unload the contents of their warehouse such that these kits become available again at MSRP for a short time, I would encourage anyone reading this to try the Alb. B II, unless they just don't like the aircraft.  It's a great kit.

Thanks good to know. The wood decals and other features looked nice. It’s a pleasant looking bird. Should have got one when they were heavily reduced at WNW sale or Weta

[Petie2nd]

"The DFW was the most numerous aircraft in the German air service.  This was a point that was not promoted with the kit.  I also do not recall any on-line or magazine builds but that does not mean anything other than I did not see it."

Actually, I remember when WNW teased the next release by calling it "The most important German aircraft of the First World War" (without saying what it was). When they released the DFW kits, that phrase was repeated as the first sentence of the history on the first page of the instructions. It may have been technically true, but a lot of people may have been like me. I already had the LVG, Junkers J.1, Hannover, and Rumpler C.IV. Compared to those, the DFW just didn't do anything for me (in spite of lovely builds by Des and others). Other 2-seaters I bought were the Albatros B.II, and the Stahltaube. In this case, historical importance wasn't enough to interest me.

I was a little surprised that the Rumpler didn't seem to be as popular as some others; it's a very sleek, good looking plane (especially with the early spinner, even though the plane was slightly faster without it).

I was not among those clamoring for a WNW Dr.I, until they actually announced the kits. Now I'm glad that Meng is releasing the kit, and looking forward to it.

Pete
 

[Pup7309]

Also a 1/10 bust of MvR will be included in a limited edition release of 1000 kits, as per the latest MENG post on their FB page. More surprises!

Not sure if I want a bust of MvR. But I plan building 3 kits. The artwork makes me sigh but if the kit inside is good and not much more than Roden’s I’ll definitely bite. But I guess they still have to materialise:D

I wasn't impressed with the bust either. Maybe they should offered a figure instead? I am not holding my breathe that the schemes will be researched well either, nor Fokker Steaking Decals. Main thing is that the plastic will be good!

Thought the same - a full length figure even one bigger than 1/32 would have been fine. A bust is a bit different but it’s really a niche within a niche within a niche. Oh well, ordered one will keep, sell or maybe have a crack at painting!

[macsporran]

The thought of Richthofen's bust doesn't do much for me, I'm afraid.
Beyoncé on the other hand........

[Borsos]

Many of the guys at my club were intrigued by the quality of WNW but put off by the rigging on a biplane and never built one. Two or three actually said they'd buy a Tripe if they ever did one.

Yes, same here, of course. I just pointed out how it should be.... 
Andreas


P. S.: They couldn’t have chosen a less appealing add one than a bust for me. Don’t like busts at all.

[Jeff K]

P. S.: They couldn’t have chosen a less appealing add one than a bust for me. Don’t like busts at all.

agree. if it's not Julius Caesar, Augustus, or Chopin, don't talk to me about a bust.

[Pup7309]

P. S.: They couldn’t have chosen a less appealing add one than a bust for me. Don’t like busts at all.

agree. if it's not Julius Caesar, Augustus, or Chopin, don't talk to me about a bust.

...Hadrian, Mozart, Beethoven...