Friday, September 28, 2018

New video: Wingnut Wings are they really that good? PART 3 FINAL BUILD

The Wingnut Wings Fokker E.IV Eindecker is almost complete. I still have to finish painting the propeller and then rig all the rigging, two topics which I will cover in separate "how to" videos, but as far as finishing everything that is included in the kit - it is 95% complete. As such, I feel ready to answer my question of "Wingnut Wings - are they really that good?"



1/32 scale Wingnut Wings Fokker E.IV completed model


In this third and final video in the series, I discuss the final construction of the kit, the fit of the subassemblies, and the quality of the Cartograf decals. I could have masked and airbrushed most of the German cross markings, they are not that complicated, but I wanted to experience the entire Wingnut Wings kit and everything it offered.

In addition to the prop and rigging, I've still got some weathering and a final matte coat to go.

1/32 scale Wingnut Wings Fokker E.IV completed model
But overall I'm tremendously happy with how it has turned out.


So what is my verdict?

Are Wingnut Wings scale model kits as good as everyone says?

Are they worth the hefty price tags?



You'll just have to watch the video to find out.

Video is embedded below, but in case that doesn't work here is the link:
Wingnut Wings scale model kits - are they really that good? Part 3 FINAL

Cheers,

Dave


Thursday, September 20, 2018

What the Postie delivered: I think I have an addiction

This arrived in the post today. I think I have a problem.


Tamiya Racing Buggy buggy Champ 1/10 scale silver edition
Oooh, bonus parts included!

It's a 1/10 scale Tamiya Super Champ, the re-release of the original 1970s SRB Rough Rider.

I'll just add it to the RC Hornet that arrived a week or two ago.

Tamiya Racing Buggy buggy Champ 1/10 scale silver edition


So, ummm, just asking on behalf of a friend: when do you know you have a new addiction?

That damn Tamiya Sand Scorcher - it's a gateway drug.

Dave

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Painting the turned aluminium effect of the Fokker's cowling

I spent a couple of hours last night working on the Wingnut Wings Fokker, and in particular I worked on the turned aluminium cowling. I have two words to describe this process: time-consuming.


These period photos show the effect I'm trying to replicate. It's a squiggly, curvy snaking line of polished turned aluminium that covers the entire cowling and exposed aluminium surfaces at the front of the aircraft.

Source.
Source.

Source.


And here is my attempt at capturing this look so far:







I'm going to produce a video very soon showing how I achieved this effect, but all I will share right now is that it involves a lot of time, a good set of eyes, bright light and a lot of patience!

Cheers,

Dave

Saturday, September 15, 2018

New video: Wingnut Wings Fokker E.IV - PART 2

My experiment with Wingnut Wings continues in this second video about the 1/32 Fokker E.IV, and I have to say, I like this little Fokker. In this video I build the engine and fuselage.





The detail continues to impress. The radial engine in particular is a miniature work of art - the detail is just phenomenal. Below you can see photos of the 160hp Oberursel U.III engine. There are some issues with seams, which I think are fairly unavoidable. I don't know, perhaps there would have been a smarter way to manufacture those pieces and avoid visible seams on the piston casings on the finished product, but I don't have any suggestions on exactly what that smarter solution would actually be.

1/32 scale Radial engine from Wingnut Wings Fokker E.IV
This engine is 28mm from side to side. That's a helluva lot of detail packed into 28mm.
1/32 scale Radial engine from Wingnut Wings Fokker E.IV
Why yes, that is obviously a 160hp Oberursel E.III radial engine!
Pfft, who wouldn't recognise the ol' E.III from just a glance?


The fuselage is another story. I do spend a lot of time in this video dealing with seams on the fuselage (some issues are due to my own incompetence!) but I do present a solution in the video on how some of these issues could have been avoided.

That said, as I mention in the video: Who am I to tell Wingnut Wings how to manufacture their kits? I'm just some schlub.

Anyway, check it out. I'm really enjoying this build - it continues to be really eye-opening for me. Video is embedded below, but in case that doesn't work here is the link:
Wingnut Wings scale model kits - are they really that good? PART 2


Special thanks to HobbyLink Japan who provided the kit to me for review - if you like the look of the kit it is available here.

Cheers,

Dave




Friday, September 14, 2018

Two years of Dave's Model Workshop

I just realised that Dave's Model Workshop is now two years old! Hooray!




I uploaded my first video to YouTube on 12 September 2016. I think you'll all agree we've come a long way since then...

Thanks for coming along for the ride, and stick around for much more to come. You guys are the best.

Dave


Thursday, September 13, 2018

What the postie delivered today: A Tamiya RC Hornet

It was a good day in the Dave's Model Workshop household. A fresh delivery by the Postie! And what have we here? Another ridiculous, juvenile radio control buggy kit! A Tamiya Hornet!



Oooh! Oooh! Oooh!


I distinctly remember in the 1980s being rather dismissive of the Hornet. I remember pooh-poohing it - it's a cheap, entry-level kit, and it's nothing special. But I rather suspect I was wrong, in that special know-it-all way that 12 year olds specialise in. Having done a little research as an adult, the Hornet is an amazing get-the-maximum-bang-for-your-buck RC kit. From what I can glean online, it's fast, cheap, reliably bulletproof, and (most importantly) fun.

This is the perfect companion to my Sand Scorcher.

You two are going to have such adventures together!


So... ummm... asking for a friend: when does a healthy interest turn into an addiction?

Cheers,

Dave

Friday, September 7, 2018

New video: Wingnut Wings scale model kits - are they really that good?

In recent years there has been a lot of hype around Wingnut Wings kits. I've seen them winning again and again at scale model competitions, and I've heard a lot online about how detailed and how amazing these expensive kits are. So I finally took the plunge and started one. Does it live up to the hype? Are Wingnut Wings worth it?


Wingnut Wings scale model kits - are they worth it?



Before we begin I have to set the record straight on a couple of things:


  • My views are based on a sample size of one. This is the first WNW kit I've built. So my views on all Wingnut Wings kits as a whole probably aren't terribly statistically sound!
  • At this stage I'm only about 20-25% into the build.
  • Full disclosure - this kit was provided to me gratis by HobbyLink Japan (their website is here) to review. There has been no editorial influencing, no pressure to review the kit one way or the other, but I felt in the interests of honesty I had to disclose that up front.


So, with that out of the way, what is the kit like?


Wingnut Wings scale model kits - are they worth it?

The kit: Wingnut Wings 1/32 scale Fokker E.IV


It. Is. Detailed.

So, so detailed.

I had been planning to build this quite quickly, to do it as a refresher away from what I usually build (I haven't built a WWI aircraft model in about 20 years!). But the kit is so detailed, so intricate, that you really can't rush it. To do so would not be doing justice to the engineering of the kit, to the potential of the kit.

I was all set to be quite skeptical of the hype. Surely one kit is much the same as another, right? But I have to admit that this Wingnut Wings kit is pretty special. The plastic is very forgiving - even when separating the finest, flimsiest pieces from the sprue, it doesn't shatter or snap. The instructions are an absolute joy, with a phenomenal range of references. The fit is pretty amazing.The engineering is just clever.

All that said though, there are some down sides. I won't give too much away here, you'll have to watch the video, but it's not all breathless fanboying from me here. There are compromises, and there are moments when the incredible detail is just too much - sometimes it feels like gilding the lily.

So what are you waiting for? Watch the video now! And if you like the look of it, you can purchase the kit here from HobbyLink Japan.

Video is embedded below, but in case that doesn't work here is the link:
Wingnut Wings scale model kits - are they really that good?


Cheers,

Dave



Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Back in business - building the Wingnut Wings Fokker E.IV

It's good to be over the ghastly busy period at my work. And I'm building again! I've made a solid start on the Wingnut Wings 1/32 Fokker E.IV, and I'll have a new video out about it in the next day or two.



The Wingnut Wings Fokker E.IV
The Wingnut Wings Fokker E.IV


So does an expensive Wingnut Wings kit live up to the hype?

Let's just say this: it's pretty extraordinary. There is good and bad, but it's an extraordinary experience.

The Wingnut Wings Fokker E.IV
That little chair is a work of art in itself.


The Wingnut Wings Fokker E.IV
The cockpit comes together. Detail, detail, detail!


Video will follow soon with all of my thoughts.

Cheers,

Dave