Forum Poll: What new WW1 kits would you like Special Hobby to produce?

[prepcik]

My votes for 1/32d

Breguet 14
Macchi M5
Halberstadt CL IV
Albatros DI, DII, DIII

Regards
Paul

[Brad Cancian]

Hi all - great poll, let's keep the responses coming

Whatever a manufacturer decides to make, it has to be a good seller for the kit to be viable. Obscure types will only appeal to a limited group, so Special Hobby would need to produce something that's going to sell more broadly. Given the market, a relatively popular subject that hasn't been kitted before, or kitted long, long ago and is need of a contemporary replacement, is the best option.

As someone who doesn't build 1/32 scale, I can definitely still see the appeal for a model company to release something in this scale, given the more widespread interest. Accordingly, I think a 1/32 Hanriot would indeed fit the bill; it is relatively simple, with plenty of interesting colour schemes. My next vote in this scale would be for an Avro 504; a bit more of a challenging build, but lots of interesting colour schemes available.

For my most loved scale, 1/48, there are a couple of gaps that i'd love to have up to date kits for, but i'll stick with three:

- Sopwith Pup - we're in dire need of a newer release here. The Eduard kit first came out in 1995 (that's 26 years ago, folks!), is limited run in its moulding technology, and is long OOP. The most recent Aeroclub kit (2011) is still very limited run and is also now OOP. Plenty of interesting colour choices, when we consider front line squadrons, naval squadrons, and training squadrons.
- RE8 - again, a workhorse that has only really seen one kit; the old aeroclub kit from the early 90s that is very limited run in nature, and is now only really a collectors item.
- Avro 504 - again, lots of interesting schemes available. The Blue Max kit is the only game in town so far, and it's OOP and limited run.

For 1/72, my next most loved scale, even more options for contemporary kits exist.

- An updated Pfalz D.III (lots of colour options. Roden kit here is good but is over 20 years old and isn't up to their current moulding standards)
- An updated Albatros D.III (as above)
- Sopwith Pup (The HR models kit is nice but limited run, Airfix kit is aincient)
- Morane Bullet (Revell kit is old and inaccurate. This would also appeal to new starters due to its simplicity).

All that being said, like most folks, i'd welcome any new release and buy it regardless

Cheers,

BC

[Doug Mace]

Dave, thanks for the sanctioned wishing well...I've missed this... I join you in requesting a DH5...would love one in 1/32 from Special Hobby...and/or the Halberstadt DII...both overlooked machines...[Something that might spur interest in a Halb DII, Richtofen scored 12 victories in one in early '17...even painted it red...]

[KiwiZac]

Rather than amend my prior post I'd like to say a 1/32 Halberstadt D.II is on my list also.

[andonio64]

My preferences go to 1/48 kits:

- Caproni Ca 3 (Huge!) in italian service
- Voisin III in italian service and with the bomber version
- Maurice Farman Long/Short horn in italian service
- Savoia Pomilio SP2 / SP3 in italian service
- RAF RE8
- Sopwith Salamander

- Savoia S.65 schneider trophy racer
(and any other schneider trophy racer)

[Manfred_L]

1:48

Sopwith Pup
RE 8
Hannover CL III

1:72

Halberstadt CL II
Hannover CL III
Roland CLII
Albatros DIII, up to date, well buildable and hence lots of possible sales
Sopwith Pup

Their latest releases like the Do27 and BF109E are lovely. So I hope for the same quality for WW1 kits. Thank you 

[austin08]

Hi All,
Likely to be an impossibility but could someone come up with any 1/32 BE2?
cheers
Daryl

[davecww1]

For me, al 1/48.

AGO C.II, looks like a P-38 Lightning with 2 wings!  Coolest looking ww1 aircraft that has never been kitted in 11/48 scale.

Caudron R.11. another cool twin engine attack aircraft, used by French and US squadrons

SSW D.I, this would be a simple one to do and would look nice next to a Nieuport 11.

Curtiss Jenny, tons were used as trainers.  Would love to see an early JN-3 as used by USA in the 1916 Mexican incursion, as well as the more common JN-4 trainers.  Only the old Lindberg kit exists in 1/48 scale.

Dave C

[Mark A]

I'd be happy to see any of the large multi engine bombers and seaplanes from all nations involved in 1/48 but also happy to have these in 1/72 to make them more commercially viable.

Mark

[Kipperkid]

Hi All,

My votes prefer 1/48 (big enough for me to work on, just small enough to fit home space) but also happy for new kits in 1/72:

Sopwith Pup
RE8
Hannover CLII/III
Albatros CVII/CX
Halberstadt DII

[the great waldo]

Good morning chaps

I would like 1/48 (I've got a stash of wingnuts and can't where I can keep them once finished and now that i'm retired and have  time LOL to actually make them!!)
So 1/48
RE8
Hannover CLII/III
a Gotha of some variety
1/32
Albatros D.III (Oef) a Polish one  with the swirly wing covering would be brilliant
Cheers
Andrew

[jamieg]

Good morning chaps

I would like 1/48 (I've got a stash of wingnuts and can't where I can keep them once finished and now that i'm retired and have  time LOL to actually make them!!)
So 1/48
RE8
Hannover CLII/III
a Gotha of some variety
1/32
Albatros D.III (Oef) a Polish one  with the swirly wing covering would be brilliant
Cheers
Andrew

Yes, an Oef D.III would be wonderful; that furniture cover camouflage has always been intriguing... Roden, could do that from their D.III kit with an additional sprue...

Jamie

[Bluesfan]

Just want mainly to bump up the numbers for some already mentioned, in case it makes a difference:

1:32

Hanriot HD1
Halberstadt D type
Oeffag DIII 153
BE2c/d/e
DH4

The above have been the most glaring omissions to me ever since I concocted my first imaginary wish list ages ago. The first three, the single seaters, would surely sell relatively well. I mean, the rich variety of schemes available for the Austrian Albatrosses... Etc.
Otherwise, one or two personal wants in this scale (the Pfalz DVIII would have featured here, but Aviattic have recently greatly cheered me up!):

Morane L  (superficially simple, but I can understand the constructional challenge) - one of the historically important types of WWI
a Lohner boat (any of them, really, but Type L preferred)
Avro 504 - especially the ones which bombed the Zeppelin sheds in 1914 - fingers crossed Roden will come good on this one
Breguet 14 - another really important one historically
Curtiss JN-4 - ditto
SSW DIV (oh please...)
Vickers FB5

1:48 (or more likely 1:72)
Several interesting/important, some amazing large types which are never now going to make it into 1:32
Caproni Ca 3
Ilya Mourometz
Short 184
Siemens Schuckert RVI or even, what the hell, go for it, the RVIII
Porte Baby (the one sporting a Bristol Scout parasite plane)
Zeppelin (Dornier) RsIII
Linke Hoffmann RII
Yes, I'm drifting off into utter fantasy land now, though I note that last one has already been mentioned above 

Finally I want to offer tribute and thanks to Special Hobby, Copper State, Roden, Aviattic, Lukgraph, Eduard and more for continuing to support this little branch of the hobby.
Cheers
Mark

PS I hoped I'd acknowledged that kits of large aircraft are unrealistic fantasies nowadays, but in the light of remarks below, apologies to those who might have thought I was seriously suggesting such kits. I don't think they'll happen, even in 1/72 scale. However, my fingers remain crossed for certain notable two seaters, at least in 1/48 scale.

[RAGIII]

I am finding the responses interesting as always! I am sure Dave will give a full account when the survey ends but I have done a Very quick count for the 1/32nd choices. So far as Dave stated earlier the Hanriot is in first place. It is a close race from there between OEF Albatros DIII, Halberstadt DII, Be2, and the Breguet 14. After that several have 3 or 4 votes like the DH4, FB5 and a couple of others. One note is that I didn't count things like "Any AH Aircraft" or "Any Float Planes" as it is difficult to attach them to a "Specific" airframe. I am really looking forward to more responses!
RAGIII

PS: I did 1/32nd because it is My preferred scale 

[BobW]

My suggestion is:

1/48 Curtiss Jenny (Curtiss Canuck)

A large number of RFC/RAF and American pilots learned to fly on this wonderful trainer.

There is very old 1/48 kit but it first came out when the dinosaurs were abundant.