wnw Felixstowe

[Ian from Doncaster]

Looking at those period pics I am leaning more towards the early version.  Whilst I like very much the late kit options, I like more perhaps the early shape with the windscreens.

[Des]

If Wingnuts are keeping a check on what is being said on the forum regarding the price of the Felixstowe they must surely realise that anything over the $200 mark will be the death knell of the kit, a price of $199 or lower will ensure sales. Just a few dollars difference will make a huge difference to the sales of this kit, psychologically $2 will make or break the kit sales. When we think about it, the Gotha, which is a big model, sells for $149.00, the Felixstowe, which is a little larger but with fewer injected parts, could be sold for an extra $50 making it $199, under the magical $200 figure. Another question to be asked is what will be the price for the AEG, will this be the same as the Gotha or will they use this new kit as an excuse to raise the price. It will be a very interesting few weeks and I think many people will be surprised, lets hope the surprise goes our way.

Des.

[adrianjohndavies]

I hear what you are saying Des. And if I may, add my two peneth.

My gut feeling will be that the basic cost of the kit will not be that different than the Gotha, maybe $30-40 more. Tooling costs have by the by remained pretty flat the last few years. And once the moulds are cut you are talking a unit cost of pennies to injection mould a few hundred sprues. What will affect the tolling cost price is the parts count, which is lower for the Felixstowe, but that will be offset by the fact that some of the parts are bigger.

What will bump up the cost for WNW and ultimately us is the shipping costs. I seem to recall that WNW have in the past said that the rise in shipping costs has affected them, and that has been reflected in the cost of the later kits, and to a degree the speed at which they land in our home, once we order them. Looking at the size of the Felixstowe's box has me convinced it will be an expensive kit to ship.

The AEG will differ from the Felixstowe in one way, it will have (I'm assuming here.) a much more elaborate decal sheet. Dazzle after all is a lot easier to paint rather than night lozenge.

Still, I'm sure, as you are too that it, like its stablemates will represent stunning value for money. I doubt very much that it will be above $200, and suspect that it will come in at less than $180. Time will tell.  Either way I'm having one.

Best,

Adrian.

[Des]

Lets hope we are both right Adrian, it will be a very merry Christmas if we are 

Des.

[uncletony]

I don't see any reason not to believe the Felix kit(s) will be a great value, based on what?... um, every single kit they have released prior. $250 to me is not outrageous for such a substantial model ... Look at the HK B-17 ($340 + s&h) etc

[petrov27]

that they posted that pic of the boxes (Felix vs Gotha) gives me the impression the Felix will cost quite a lot more; just the fact that they put that up there seems to be trying to set some expectations on a significantly higher price (so buyers dont have sticker shock when it is announced?)

I had originally guessed $199 earlier in this thread - I will stick to that in hopes of a cheaper price but I would not be stunned at all to see it at $229 or even $249.

[Des]

$250 may not be an outrageous price for some people but to the majority of modelers it would be and would put them out of the running of ever owning a WNW Felixstowe. From all the comments that have been bandied around the $199 price tag appears to be the limit for a lot of people, and to me that would be a very fair price. What also has to be taken into consideration is the currency exchange rate, at present I would have to pay an extra $40 if it sold for $200 making my purchase price $240, then you also have to add any taxes and import duties imposed by some countries which makes the price even higher. I'm quite sure Wingnuts will take all of these factors into consideration.

Des. 

[uncletony]

Heh, well let's just agree it won't be a casual purchase or one that most modellers will make many of. I remain confident that WNW will deliver an outstanding value to those who care to partake.

[mike in calif]

Absolutely. Given the quality progression over the years, I can see the Felixstowe as a sort of pinnacle kit. IF WNW ever does a Vimy, 0/400, Staaken, or something similar, I'm sure they would be just an out of this world value for the dollar. I'd like to get one, but at any rate, seeing some on the show/contest tables next year will be a hoot. 

[zavod44]

I wish they would just say something already.  All this wild speculation is like listening to sports talk radio....It's all meaningless.  at least here in Chicago.  Lets get this ball rolling.  I'm ready to place an order!  The only question now is, will there be any more surprises :^)

[Des]

It's all just a bit of harmless fun, Wingnuts already know what the price of the kit will be, they are just playing their pathetic secrecy game again and having fun reading all the speculations, we will all know soon..

Des.

[Ian from Doncaster]

It's all just a bit of harmless fun, Wingnuts already know what the price of the kit will be, they are just playing their pathetic secrecy game again and having fun reading all the speculations, we will all know soon..

Des.

I'm not so sure Des, I think your thoughts on here the other day - about WNW reading the forum and seeing what the community is saying, may very well effect the actual price?

I would guess possibly $20 over the Gotha for manufacture, and size, and another $20 for higher postal charges.

[Pavlos]

It is strange that up today, there are no photos of the completed model, only the two of the front internal section.
I guess that we will have a "compo" announcement of the price, sprue photos and instructions. I just hope that this will be soon, or ...let me guess ...this will be on Dec the 17th, release date of the Hobbit "The battle of the five armies" movie 

[stevie g]

I have to say that I am very fortunate indeed in so much as I have a beautiful understanding and supportive wife, and an income that provides enough to enable me to indulge my modelling habit....I mean hobby lol.
       Therefore I have over the years acquired a not inconsiderable "stash" encompassing many scales and variants of land sea and air models. Among my WNW section I have two Gothas and have just placed the boxes together to simulate the impending Felixstowe box size and while large I have to say that is is only in the mid range of what is available as far as kits go.
  For example, most of the Italeri 1/35 torpedo boat series have a larger footprint ( the schnellboot being considerably larger and heavier ) the same can be said for Trumpeteers 1/35 Leopold railway gun ( which has a much greater parts count than the Felix too ) Dragons 1/6 Pak 37 ect, I could go on.
    What I am trying to get at basically is, so far as shipping goes, the WNW Felixstowe shouldn't be all that expensive but as far as sticker price goes, I have a price in my head I would be prepared to spend on such a kit, I have a price in my head that I would not be surprised to see it advertised at, and I have a price in my head that I simply could not justify spending on a "model plane" , no matter how much I love the subject, or how amazing the product.
   I think WNW should be applauded that in this day and age, and financial climate, they have the ability and belief to bring to market such a subject as a 1/32 Great War flying boat.
     I just hope they can afford to pitch it at a price that makes it affordable to us, yet successful for them.

[Ian from Doncaster]

I have enough models in my stash (40) to keep me going for 8-10 years at a build rate of 4-5 per year.  Or even longer given my recent rate.

I therefore do not need the Felixstowe.  But as I have said before, I am not waiting for any specific type/jasta/pilot aircraft kit but I choose the ones I like the look of, and this one floats my boat, so to speak.  However I will be happy to be able to buy one only before they go off sale.  By deduction the price is not so much of an issue as it will possibly take me a year or so to save up for this in the coins jar.  But when I do, that will justify the spend.