wnw Felixstowe

[eclarson]

So any estimates on how many hours it will take to complete one of these? Gotta be pretty up there - 100 hours?

LOL!  Increase that by a magnitude of 10!  At least at the rate I build.  Took me 9 months to build the WNW LVG but I couldn't begin to guess how many hours were spent.  I can say that it was one of the most enjoyable and rewarding modeling experiences I've ever had. 

Cheers,
Eric

[eindecker]

So any estimates on how many hours it will take to complete one of these? Gotta be pretty up there - 100 hours?

LOL!  Increase that by a magnitude of 10!  At least at the rate I build.  Took me 9 months to build the WNW LVG but I couldn't begin to guess how many hours were spent.  I can say that it was one of the most enjoyable and rewarding modeling experiences I've ever had. 

Cheers,
Eric

That's what I'm talking about. I built two Eduard MiG-15s right after they came out. They are in a storage box somewhere (I rotate models in and out of my small display case) and I mostly remember the fit issues I had with them. However, I distinctly remember my Wingnuts Wings builds with mostly fondness. The warts and glitches were self-inflicted so no bad memories of the kits themselves.

There is a reason quality goods cost more, and when it comes to models, Wingnuts Wings are worth the price. In the end, it's not that a Felixstowe equals two Rumplers and a Snipe, rather you get to spend countless (for me) hours building a brilliant, huge flying boat with two engines, an interior like a sailing ship and tons of mystique!

I'm going for the Late version because I figure I can leave top coaming parts K8 and K10 unglued to show off the interior.

[Michael Scarborough]

Just for kicks I found an online inflation calculator and according to it, buying the WNW Felixstowe today would have been equal to a $68.66 kit in 1975.  I chose that year as that's when I started getting serious about model building and buying. 

Eric

Thanks for doing this, Eric.

Someone is welcome to prove me wrong but I was doing a lot of model building in those days and I can not think of any model, in any medium, that would have come even close to that price in 1975. How much was the Tamiya 1/48 Lancaster when it came out in '75? That's the closest thing I can remember to being this big a deal.

Yes, we are indeed in a golden age of model building.....

Cheers from NYC,
Michael

[WarrenD]

Well Michael, how old were we back then? Minimum wage was what, $1.25 per hour?  Also, scale modeling, even then, was still largely considered a past-time for boys, and over-grown boys. There's hardly a kit in the world today that is not marketed at adults with excess money to spend.

This is a great month for those in love with the Felixstowe. I'm not among the faithful, but I'm tickled to watch those that are having their glorious day.

Warren

[uncletony]

Someone is welcome to prove me wrong but I was doing a lot of model building in those days and I can not think of any model, in any medium, that would have come even close to that price in 1975.

I saved many pennies for the Pocher Alfa Romeo 8C 2600 Monza -- I think it was about $325.00 back then.

[eclarson]

Just for kicks I found an online inflation calculator and according to it, buying the WNW Felixstowe today would have been equal to a $68.66 kit in 1975.  I chose that year as that's when I started getting serious about model building and buying. 

Eric

Thanks for doing this, Eric.

Someone is welcome to prove me wrong but I was doing a lot of model building in those days and I can not think of any model, in any medium, that would have come even close to that price in 1975. How much was the Tamiya 1/48 Lancaster when it came out in '75? That's the closest thing I can remember to being this big a deal.

Yes, we are indeed in a golden age of model building.....

Cheers from NYC,
Michael

You're welcome!  Funny you should mention the Tamiya Lanc.  I remember the day the first batch arrived at a small hobby shop where I worked part time in those days.  If I recall correctly, it was about $25 which was quite a significant sum at that time!  I just dug out a 1976 issue of Scale Modeler and found a few more examples:

 Hasegawa 1/32 F-104C Starfighter - $12.00
 Tamiya 1/12 Formula 1 cars - $14.99 (have you priced those lately?)
 Monogram 1/48 B-17G - $8.34
 Microscale decal sheets - $0.35.   

Eric

[uncletony]

Just for kicks I found an online inflation calculator and according to it, buying the WNW Felixstowe today would have been equal to a $68.66 kit in 1975.  I chose that year as that's when I started getting serious about model building and buying. 

Eric

Thanks for doing this, Eric.

Someone is welcome to prove me wrong but I was doing a lot of model building in those days and I can not think of any model, in any medium, that would have come even close to that price in 1975. How much was the Tamiya 1/48 Lancaster when it came out in '75? That's the closest thing I can remember to being this big a deal.

Yes, we are indeed in a golden age of model building.....

Cheers from NYC,
Michael

You're welcome!  Funny you should mention the Tamiya Lanc.  I remember the day the first batch arrived at a small hobby shop where I worked part time in those days.  If I recall correctly, it was about $25 which was quite a significant sum at that time!  I just dug out a 1976 issue of Scale Modeler and found a few more examples:

 Hasegawa 1/32 F-104C Starfighter - $12.00
 Tamiya 1/12 Formula 1 cars - $14.99 (have you priced those lately?)
 Monogram 1/48 B-17G - $8.34
 Microscale decal sheets - $0.35.   

Eric

How much were the Airfix 1/24 fighter kits -- Bf-109, Hurricane, Spit and Mustang-- those were big deals to me back then ... Guessing like $20.00?

[Tony Haycock]

Someone is welcome to prove me wrong but I was doing a lot of model building in those days and I can not think of any model, in any medium, that would have come even close to that price in 1975.

I saved many pennies for the Pocher Alfa Romeo 8C 2600 Monza -- I think it was about $325.00 back then.

I am in the middle of dismanltling and upgrading my Pocher Alfa Monza now!

[ermeio]

I can remember the 1/24 Pocher Caudron G III  and the1/16 hasegawa flyer. The Airfix bentley and harrier... I think they were in the ball of the felixstowe. They were out of my budget even whenI had a wage.
Not to mention the pocher cars' and  the hasegawa 1/8 DR 1, Camel and SE 5a... They were priced a full monthly wage, well in excess of the duellist.

[ermeio]

Ah, I forgot the Aurora 1/32 B 25, the renwal atomic powerplant and the revell petrol platform...

[jknaus]

My Dad owned a hobby shop and I worked in it and still couldnt afford a Lanc. The only thing that annoys me about prices besides sky rocketing is when a company uses a 30 odd year old mold and charges $150.00 for what was a $25.00 kit. No improvements at all. That just seems like gouging to me. As for the price for the Felixstowes I think for what you get it is not bad, its just more than I have ever spent for one kit. I'm not sure I could justify it although I am wondering about the duelist set in order to get my W.29. I cant help but think I could get 5 kits that I know I would build for the price of the 2 of which one I may never build.
Its a moot point right now for me anyways but I cant wait to watch the first build on this forum. That will be exciting to see.
James

[Michael Scarborough]

Pocher cars, the Hasegawa 1/8 scale wooden kits, the 1/24 Airfix kits......you guys are shaking cobwebs loose for me.

Thanks for the memories,
Michael

[eindecker]

Last night I pre-ordered a Felixstowe Late version, and another spool of EZ Line...

I have a Caldercraft kit, Nelson's Navy series, the HMS Sherbourne. Wood and rope (twine) mostly, and it was right in there with the Felixstowe cost-wise. I think, medium aside, they are basically equivalent. Complex, interesting, historical and hours of modeling enjoyment. I think the only reason to buy a model kit, regardless of price, is that one enjoys it and want to build it.

I'm in a now-permanent stress reduction life. Getting and dealing with cancer has prompted a new perspective and being healthier certainly involves stress reduction. My new kit, and the few other rather larger and complex kits that are waiting patiently on the shelf, promise many days of reduced stress modeling. Cheap at many times the price. I just finished the cockpit/framing for my Roland C.II tonight. I'll post some photos in the appropriate thread later tonight. I will say that having that kit and a "road tool kit" along has certainly made my enforced stay near the hospital more enjoyable and has reduced my stress considerably.

Sorry to hijack this thread. Done now.

[uncletony]

Here's to your reduced stress and your health, Eindecker.

[coyotemagic]

Here's to your reduced stress and your health, Eindecker.

Same here, Eindecker.  Kick some cancer ass.
Cheers,
Bud