Military Model Scene

Title: Air Modeller's Guide to Wingnut Wings, volume 2

Author: Various

Publisher: AFV Modeller Publications

ISBN: 978-0-9935646-1-1

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This new paperback book from AFV Modeller Publications is rather like the models it features, first class.   So much so it is difficult to know where to start with this one.  The 1/32 WW1 aircraft models made by Wingnut Wings come from New Zealand, and the company belongs to the famous film maker, Peter Jackson.  From the success of his film making he has been able to invest in one of his other passions, models of WW1 aircraft and the business has turned out as well as his films.  What we have here are 8 of those models built by some expert model makers and they showcase these models perfectly, and adding some very useful tips and techniques to bring out the best in these lovely models.

The first build features the famous Fokker Eindecker EIII from Zdenko Bugan, and he has finished it as one flown by Ernst Udet.  As with the others throughout the book it has some lovely wood finishes within the cockpit interior and some fine work in the metal engine cowling as well.  Quite a contrast follows with the twin engine Felixstowe F.2A, with a colourful red and white striped fuselage and   which also graces the cover of the book.  Built by Adrian Davies the finish is just a pleasure to see.  I admired the wooden interior again but the point to pick on this build has to be how he scratchbuilt some crew figures to tell a story with the finished model. Marvellous.  

Third in line is the single engine Sopwith Snipe, this time built by Michel Gruson.  The wooden framed cockpit interior is a fine display model in it's own right, while he also goes on to give a useful description of how he 'fades' the pale linen undersides and green upper surfaces.  The next is another German aircraft, the Rumpler C.IV, built by Richard Camion.  The two elements I'd pick out on this one are the detail and finish on the engine and his description of adding the rigging wires.  Next in line is the British FE.2B late, a 'pusher'.  Modeller Jeroen Veen mentions at the start that the amount of rigging involved in building this is rather daunting, and not one for a beginner perhaps, the end result of his build, complete with about 250 separate rigging wires installed it is a joy to see.  On top of that there is another beautiful wood finish on the interior and the detailed engine also worthy of note.  The next build is a contrast for having minimal use of rigging wires, so an attractive option to the beginner in large scale WW1 aircraft modelling.  Zdenek Sebesta builds the Fokker D.VII and the feature of this one I'd pick out is the use of the Lozenge pattern decals and how they are used to add to all the lovely detail in the kit itself.  Another British aircraft next, the Sopwith Triplane, built by Michael Grison.  Again, not so much rigging so an attractive one to try for the beginner perhaps.  The point I'd pick out in this one is again the beautiful wood grain effects Michael has produced, including with the use of a photo etch woodgrain mask.  The final build is another German aircraft, the Pfalz  D.IIIA and this time built by David Parker, who is also the modeller behind AFV Modeller Publications, who as always gives good explanations of how he achieves the fine detail in finishing his model.

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Lots to pick up in here, even for experienced modellers, and a fine showcase for the excellent Wingnut Wings models.  The beautifully finished models are all expertly built and a real pleasure to see just for themselves.  Certainly enough to encourage the reader to have a go at one of these for themselves.

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Thanks to Casemate UK for my example, a real modellers book this one.

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Robin