How many of us are focusing on WWI?

[eindecker]

I would love to see more kits of tanks, artillery, figures, etc. for the WWI modeler.

[lcarroll]

   I've been a dedicated WWI Aircraft modeller for about 50 years. (No comments on the "numbers" that result when guessing my age please!) As a youngster WWII was big in my interests, after a two year break in Military Training I started to dabble in the Hobby again and WWI Aircraft caught my interest big time, and it's still got me hooked! The only change was the shift to 1:32 from years in 1:48 Scale driven by older eyes and fatter fingers. This occurred just before Wingnut Wings hit the Market so timing was great.
   I enjoy the research as much as the building, and that's an endless journey as we all know.
   I enjoyed my Hobby in isolation for years, was a "Lurker" on some of the older sites and only recently started to share the pleasures of the Hobby by participating on-line. This Forum is, for me, a treasured experience and I can't imagine that ever changing. Good people, a sharing and friendly group, and so much great info shared daily. I've formed some very special friendships here with folks of similar background and values, and that too is remarkable.
   
Cheers All!
Lance

[eindecker]

   I enjoy the research as much as the building, and that's an endless journey as we all know.
   I enjoyed my Hobby in isolation for years, was a "Lurker" on some of the older sites and only recently started to share the pleasures of the Hobby by participating on-line. This Forum is, for me, a treasured experience and I can't imagine that ever changing. Good people, a sharing and friendly group, and so much great info shared daily. I've formed some very special friendships here with folks of similar background and values, and that too is remarkable.
   
Cheers All!
Lance

Hear, hear! When I discovered modeling in the 1950s (yes, that makes me 72 years old) it was WWI. I think the first model I ever made was a Guillows balsa and tissue Dr.1. Didn't fly well, but I was hooked. Then I discovered plastic models in the local "five and dime" store. Aurora. Monogram maybe... D.VIIs, Albatros,... I'm sure there were others but 1956 was a long time back in the mists now. I read everything I could. I remember Quentin Reynolds' They Fought For The Sky. Enthralled is not too strong a word. That thrall has endured for almost sixty years now and now we have Eduard and Wingnut Wings supplying us with kits so good we wouldn't have believed it ten years ago.

So, my interest in building other eras has seriously waned and I intend to build a bigger stash of Wingnut Wings kits while I can by selling off most of my others, keeping a very few special ones.

I am also looking forward to getting more deeply into the histories of the men, machines and the war itself by limiting my modeling in this way. Hopefully, my skills will also improve. With the mentors here - you know who you are - and the courtesy and open sharing of ideas and opinions here, I expect no less. I moderated a forum with over 10,000 members (most were not active fortunately) and have inhabited a number of other modeling forums but this one has become almost exclusive for me. It is truly an online community and I am glad I found it.

[Royston]

When It comes to actually  building WW1 aircraft I am a sprog.
And yet over the past twenty years of attending model shows any WW1 build whatever the quality or scale, has always drawn me.
I'd look ponder and walk away thinking I wish I could do that.

A year ago I found this wonderful forum and now I can't stop, I've even stored all my ship model kits in the loft.
I still model another subject matter but that is so I can lose myself for hours airbrushing.   

Hope to take the WNW plunge soon and as I not currently rigging shrouds, halyards or boat booms I think i'll opt for something that has lots of wires.

Roy   

[PrzemoL]

I have been building WW2 subjects for many years (1980-2008). The change to WW1 came in December 2006. Since that time I have build 64 WW1 models (53 in 1/72 and 11 in 1/32), and 5 WW2 (all 1/72) but the last WW2 subject, a P-40F was built in October 2008. Since that time I only build WW1 and the period just after. Generally: no rigging, no linen, no wood - no fun. And I agree, the jets are broken, they miss the propellers!

As for this forum, I am addicted to it. Indeed, it would be hard to find such a nice site inhabited by kind people, ready to share the passion and experience.

[drdave]

I would love to see more kits of tanks, artillery, figures, etc. for the WWI modeler.

May I recommend the Takom Renault FT in 1/16? It's about as big as the Roland.

[Culi]

As most of you, I am also building mostly WW1. I have in my stock four aircraft that are not from the period, but close relatives to ww1 aircraft design (PO-2, I-16 and i-153 and MS-225). My topic of interest is 1/72, even i have tried to build DH.2 in 1/48. Always i am impressed by designs and variety of technical approaches, the colors, small details in aircrafts and pilots. Those new planes just doesnt fit... somehow look to aggressive to me. I have build some jets as a kid, but for now I cant see myself building some.

[jknaus]

My main focus has always been WWII aircraft and tanks, Napoleonic figures, Canadiana, and jets. I have built other WWI a/c in my life but never thought much of them. Since my first WNW kit though I have been getting more and more interested in WWI a/c. My WWII collection will be disappearing soon I hope as I sell it off. The only other things I do are modern Russian armour and "Ancients " figures. WWI though is pulling me deeper all the time. Now if only my skills were up to the task i'd be some happy.
James

[WarrenD]

I would love to see more kits of tanks, artillery, figures, etc. for the WWI modeler.

It seems that more and more are coming out everyday. Compared to 10-20 years ago, we're awash with tanks, figures, etc. Even Mini-Art has an A-H weapons set in 1/35th! 

Warren

[ALBATROS1234]

i like ww1 aircraft ,90% of my stash is that, mainly 1/48 but i also have 25 or so 1/32 and 10 1/72. other than that i have a few interwar and ww2 aircraft and a f4 phantom. i also have approx 30 ww2 armor kits and 10 softskins(halftracks and armored cars). my main love is now and will continue to be ww1 aircraft.

[stefanbuss]

I always thought that I were focussed on WW1 aircraft, totally, apart from a soft spot for Imperial German battleship / large cruiser design. But this might change - the wife has started talking me into the possible pleasure of small scale sailcraft. Being stuck with my current DFW C.V, i switched to a small Heller tuna sailboat, trying to use the skills i have improved with my WW1 modelling.

S.

[IFF1418]

I didn’t have a modeling history at all. Living in the WW1 area ( Western Flanders , about 10 km from Passendale – Passchendaele and 20km from Ypres) I studied the first WW for a few years intensively , visited all the WW1 cemeteries in Western Flanders (about 250). A little less than two years ago seeing all these pilot graves I became interested in them and in their aircrafts and I found the beautiful site of Des. That was the start of a wonderful hobby. My little stash has only WW1 kits and about 50% are WnW kits, as last year I finished 5 non-WnW kits.

Kind regards
Patrick

[Nigel Jackson]

Well apart from my self-confessed, but as yet unconsummated flirtation with New Airfix Defiant, my heart lies with the Great War. If I take the stash at face value, only about half of it relates to the aircraft of that period, but if I apply a time scale filter, I have been faithful for seven or eight years now!

Best wishes
Nigel

[Matt Parvis]

I don't focus on WWI by any means.  My primary interest is in building dioramas.  In doing that I don't have any specific scale or subject or time period I focus on, although WWII in 1/35 figures prominently because of the selection, instead I will either think of a story I want to tell or find a model I want to build and wrap a story around that.  All of that being said, I've found WWI aircraft is one subject I don't feel like I need to put in a diorama setting, they seem to do just fine all by themselves.   

Matt

[IanB]

I am almost 100% focussed on WWI now, I have over 130 aircraft, 5 tanks, and 2 Model T Fords (Ambulance and armoured car) in the stash, all in 1:72 scale. The non-WWI kits are the Airfix Bentley which I'm building now, the Airfix 1:24 Stuka, a Tamiya 1:35 StuG III, a 1:72 Airfix Hurricane (all of those were kept from my previous modelling life about 30 years ago) an Airfix Bf110 with aftermarket goodies which I won at a local modelling competition, and an Airfix Spit Mk1a, also both in 1:72. The Spit and Hurricane are the result of an interest in the Battle of Britain - unfortunately the Bf110 is the tropical one! But also due to that interest, a Bf109 and the new Defiant may find their way into the stash. An early Blenheim is also tempting! Unfortunately while checking the Airfix site to request some replacement parts for the Bentley I noticed some new kits to be released soon....a Whitley and a Shackleton, both in 1:72.....my interests may be expanding the wrong way.......

Ian