Rowan

Wingnut Wings Christmas model announcement of the Sopwith Dolphin was perhaps something of a surprise – mind you anything would have been, thanks to their excellent security – I do love this aspect of their operation. And what a subject! My first Dolphin arrived a couple of days ago and if you were wondering whether to buy one, wonder not – it is just beautiful and will build into a wonderful model. We had already released decals a few years ago, intended for the accurate - if short-run - Blue Max Dolphin kit in 1/48th scale . This time we have added a number of new marking options and revisited the original markings, updating them where needed, in the light of new information available in the excellent book jointly produced by the RAF Museum and Cross & Cockade International. This volume is most thoroughly recommended and the contributing authors may be regarded as being among the most authoritative on the subject. The book's colour photos of the recent RAF reconstruction (now to be seen at the Hendon RAF Museum), the superb profiles from Juanita Franzi and precise and accurate drawings from Mick Davies, are among the best of their type. We have also taken note of WNW's own research, particularly on the use of differing shades of Service or Battleship Grey and the use of PC10 type pigmented paint for wood and metal areas and incorporated this in our re-drawn profiles. Subjects covered are: 32077 Sopwith 5F.1 Dolphin Volume 1 1. E4514, Lt C.M Moore July 1918. 19 Sqn. 2. C3799 Capt. G.B.Irving (Canadian) Summer 1918. 19 Sqn. 3. E4587, Pilot unknown. Twin Lewis on lower wings. 87 Sqn. 4. C4157 “Muddlesâ€, Lt.C.E.Worthington. August 1918. 87 Sqn. 5. C4155 Lt.R.M.Macdonald (Canadian) September 1918. 87 Sqn. 6. C4130, “Vic†Lt.H.N.Compton, (Canadian) November 1918. 23 Sqn. 7. D3669 Capt.A.B.Fairclough, (Canadian) July 1918. 23 Sqn. 8. C4131 Capt.F.I.Lord (American), June 1918. Also flown by Maj.N.W.Noel, Capt.J.D.Canning all of 79 Sqn. All Sopwith-built 32078 Sopwith Dolphin Volume 2 N.B. The artwork says Volume 1 - it should be Volume 2 - we'll change it in due course.... 1. 4th Dolphin Prototype (initially without serial – later B6871), St Omer, France October 1917 2. C8189, Lt.F.J.Stevenson. 79 Sqn. 3. H7244, Capt F.W.Gillet (American) 79 Sqn. 4. C3905, Lt.A.F.G.Clarke, March 1918 79 Sqn. 5. C4168 Maj J.C.Callaghan 87 Sqn. 6. D3775 Pilot not known 87 Sqn. Twin Lewis guns on lower wing. 7. J9 Pilot not known 93 Sqn. HE Kenley Aerodrome, Surrey, November, 1918. 8. C3947 Pilot not known 92 Sqn. HE Tangmere Aerodrome, west Sussex - armed with a single Lewis gun. May 1918. 9. E4764 81 Sqn./ 1 Sqn. CAF 10. F7085 81 Sqn./ 1 Sqn. CAF All Sopwith-built, except for option 7, which was built by Hooper & Co and option 10 which was from Darraq production. Where known we will list the early or late production attributes applicable from kit parts. If all goes well we also intend to provide a small kit of parts for wire-netting radiator guards and prop face-plates and resin attachment nuts. Prices and availability We hope to have both of these decal sets available at the end of January/ early February 2018 - depending on our printer's holidays. As usual, we are offering a substantial reduction for pre-orders (placed with us up to and including Sunday 28th January 2018) and particularly for pre-orders for both sets. Prices will be as follows: 32077 Full price £12.75 Pre-order for this set only £11.50 32078 Full Price £10.50 Pre-order for this set only £9.50 Pre-order for both sets 32077 & 32078 £19.00 (Full Price for both £23.25) all prices exclude shipping Happy Christmas to all! Rowan & Sabine

Today is the 100th anniversary of the death of Ltn. Werner Voss. Not a case for celebration – more a reason for remembrance of this remarkable young pilot and of so many others from all sides who perished in the War to End All Wars. Richard Andrews of Aviattic has commissioned a set of decals from us and a superb figure of Voss from Nino Pizzichemi, these will be available from Aviattic as a comprehensive set including streaked camouflage decals for the Fokker F.I, designed by Richard and Juanita Franzi, artwork from Dave Douglass, an illustrated booklet and a replica Sanke Postcard of Voss. As part of our collaboration, Sabine and I are delighted to announce that Pheon are also offering Voss' marking decals (for his Albatros D.III and Fokker F.I) and the resin figure and these decals will be available for pre-order on the Pheon website later today, either as a combination (marking decals and resin figure) for £30.00 or the decals may be purchased separately for £12.50 and the figure for £20.00. All plus shipping, of course. The figure will be accompanied by our etched German pilot accessories – 1/32nd Pour le Merite (Blue Max) medal x 2, Iron Cross x 2 pilot's badge x 2 plus two styles of authentic German goggles. Whilst the figure does not carry the medals, the goggles are useful added detail , either to be added to his hand carrying his helmet or around his neck. The Medals include tiny decals and can be used on other German figures, of course. The decals include all markings for Voss' Fokker F.I (Dr.I pre-production machine) including all national markings, a full suite of werke nr. decals, Fokker tail logo, Idflieg and Fokker construction plates for the cowling and compass variation table for the amunition box. The decals for the Albatros D.III also include Albatros and Idflieg construction plates and placards for the Mercedes D.IIIa engine. Both sets include newly-drawn Aviatik propeller logos - without a gold background. We would expect to be able to ship the figures and decals within the next 2 weeks or so. More Fokker Dr.I news, we are also working with Richard to release an etched undertray with separate access hatch and fastenings and detailed firewall to accompany an Aviattic resin cowling specifically for the Fokker FI. Pheon and Aviattic will also be releasing etched details for the Dr.I, (including underside tray, hatch and fastenings, firewall and brackets, as well as throttle quadrant and other internal details) to accompany the excellent Aviattic resin cowling, which is already available direct from them. As is their beautiful Fokker pattern resin pilot's seat. Furthermore, Pheon are preparing the most comprehensive decal selection ever for the Fokker Dr.I. These markings will extend over seven decal sets covering at least 97 different schemes - not too bad considering that only 320 were built! Initially these sets will be available in 32nd scale, but consideration will be given to releasing 72nd and 48th scale versions if there is sufficient demand. It is our joint aim for Aviattic and Pheon to provide the WWI modeller with the greatest opportunity to use the Roden kit as the basis for a comprehensive Dr.I model selection, able to sit alongside a WNW model collection without blushing!

Thanks, Thierry for posting this news. I have just received the decals from the printers and they really are spetacularly colourful. However, of the two greens used on the decal sheet, I used the wrong one (too light) for the markings for Jean Olieslagers, 9me Escadrille machine and I've asked that these markings are reprinted, so there will be a week or two's delay, I'm afraid. I felt that I was taking a bit of a risk going for these, as I didn't know if there would be enough demand, but I'm delighted to say that the pre-orders have gone well, so thanks to all those closet Belgian fans out there! Just for Kevin, don't forget that we are also releasing a third volume of Pfalz D.IIIas - some very attractive schemes in there: http://www.pheondecals.com/32063-pfalz-diiia.html These will be ready in a couple of weeks also. All the best Rowan

I agree with Vince' view of the fuselage length. Nowhere in our decal booklet did I link tailplane/elevator area to fuselage length. Not sure where that came from, as I've never seen any such link in print. N500 appears twice on our decal sheet, once as the natural finished prototype with transparent upper wing centre section and also as "Brown Bread" in later squadron service. A point not mentioned above is the longer length of the ply covering aft of the cockpit on N500 - that will need to be added to the Roden fuselage for an accurate portrayal. I also note that earlier in the thread, it was suggested that the Pup fuselage was used in the prototype Triplane; I've never seen this in any of the published accounts and regard it as highly unlikely. The Pup was designed for the power output of 80hp from its Le Rhone, not the 110 of the prototype Triplane's Clerget, let alone the 130hp of the production Triplane's motor and would have been grossly overstressed. By the way, I'm using the Roden fuselage, cowling and one wing in a Alcock (Sopwith) Mouse conversion.... just an alternative idea using a spare WNW Sopwith Pup top wing and some tail bits from a scrapped Hobbycraft Camel.

No problem, Ron. You aren't the only person to have misinterpreted the situation - I'm sure my email might have been clearer. Rowan

Hello Dean, I have tried to make the placement diagrams as accurate to the actual kit parts as possible, so that placement of the individual decals is guided by their relationship to the hull details but I think (as I mention in the directions) that stopping frequently and checking each placement from various angles will make sure that they go in the right place. I actually think that the red diamond scheme will be easier to apply than the blue cross one, as the crosses aren't exactly geometrically "correct" (well you try painting blue crosses on a full-size flying boat!) and because the decals are the white "centres" rather than the crosses themselves, then the secret is to ensure that as they are applied a series of blue crosses "appear" rather than a series of irregular white diamonds, if you get my drift. I'm going to start my own Felixstowe soon, so I can report back on the "blue" scheme, just as soon as they arrive from the printers!

Glad to hear it - it was the scariest bit of decal design I've ever done.....

Hello Ron, and all, You are slightly mixed up here and before any more prospective customers stampede to the exit, I'd like to set the record straight.... We have released TWO decal sets for the Felixstowe (Early), both of them produced in limited editions of 125, which, by their nature, will never be re-printed once the print run is sold out. The subject of Mike's review is set number 32058L (red diamonds). There are no problems with this set. I have tested three sets and found no issues, just follow the directions and they work fine, as Dave Hooper has recently posted on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.hooper.1848?fref=ts The second set is 32057L (Blue crosses) - please see our website here, for the full, accurate story: http://www.pheondecals.com/-32057l-felixstowe-f2a-blue.html I hope that this clears the matter up.... If anyone has any other questions lease don't hesitate to email us using the contact form on the website. Thanks for your understanding and consideration.

Hello Henrik, Here's a link to a WNW Sopwith Pup done as a partial cutaway by James Fahey (it just happens to be in a review of somebody's decals....). Lovely piece of work. Others have done similar things and it would be a great way to show all the superb detail incorporated in these kits - a Wingnut's Rumpler C.IV modelled with the side fabric opened did very well at this year's US Nationals. http://www.hyperscale.com/2010/reviews/decals/pheon32013reviewjf_1.htm

We're very pleased to announce a forthcoming set of decals in 1/32nd scale for the Wingnut Wings Fokker D.VIIF - kit no.32031. Six/Seven subjects are: 1. 505/18, Vzfw. Willhelm Hippert, Jasta 74, St.Loup-en-Champagne, September 1918 2. Serial Unknown Oblt. Theodor Dahlmann, Adjutant JGIII, St Amand, September 1918. 3. 5125/18, Oblt Herman Göring, JGI, Marville, October 1918. 4. Serial unknown, Ltn d R Heinrich Drekmann (Udet's 'wingman') Jasta 4, Monthussart Farm, July 1918. 5.Serial unknown, Vzfw. Willhelm Stör, Jasta68, Preutin, September 1918 6. Serial unknown, Hptm. Rudolf Berthold JG.II, June/July 1918 and Ltn. Oliver von Beaulieu-Marconnay, Jasta 15, Chéry-les-Pouilly, August 1918 - probably also used by the same pilot as commander of Jasta 19 from 4th September but with a yellow-painted nose. The decals will comprise two sheets - one A4 carrying FULL chequer and stripe markings for options 1 & 2: and the other half this size (A5): Price will be £12.75 plus P&P at the usual rates In order to get a better control on our somewhat runaway printing costs, the decals will be sent for printing once we have enough pre-orders to cover a good part of the decal print costs. So if you want these decals please drop us an email to pre-order them at the usual addresses: pheon.models@hotmail.co.uk or pheon@pheondecals.com Although (as usual) we won't be asking for any money in advance, your pre-orders will be regarded as firm orders and as such, if placed before 22nd September they will benefit from a 20% reduction in price at £10.20 plus P&P . The sooner we get your order, the sooner the decals will be produced! I'll post updates here as and when we get nearer to getting them printed. We really hope that this new approach will help to ensure that we can produce more new decal sets for the future, at the same time as delivering lower prices for our supportive and committed customers. The website's getting nearer - I'm told! :

See my edit to the second post.....

And two more: 32040 Captured! Volume 1 One RFC Albatros D.V and one German Sopwith Pup £7.00 32041 Hansa-Brandenburg W.29 in Christiansen's markings £3.50: In preparation are a combination set for FE2bs and DH2s plus a number(lots!) for the new Fokker D.VIIs. Note also that we still have stocks of our 32nd scale sets for the Sopwith Triplane in British service (32018 27 options £13.50...) and French Navy service (32019 7 options £6.50).

Hello LSPers, At Telford we released a number of new sets, these are now available from us direct - orders to pheon.models@hotmail.co.uk Payment via Paypal. All prices plus P&P The 32nd sets are: 32028 Gotha G.IV 5 new markings £17.50 32036 Albatros DV/Va Volume 3 Ten new schemes £12.75: 32037 Albatros DV/Va Volume 4 Ten new schemes £12.75: 32038 RE8s Twelve markings £15.00:

Hello LSPers, we're not dead, just resting after a long squawk.... Sabine and I are very sorry for slow responses to emails of late, we moved house in January and trying to get back on line regularly has been very frustrating but it looks as if we now have a good reliable internet connection. There is a large backlog of emails and orders and we're working through as fast as we can so your patience is much appreciated. Fred, don't know which your order is or if you've had a response yet (usernames and proper names are sometimes difficult to match up) but I certainly hope that we can satisfy your order before the "bait goes off"... an unsavoury metaphor that...ugh! Just to pick up on the other points raised in the thread: We aren't working with Wingnut Wings on the lozenge front - or on any decals for that matter - as they have their own very talented decal designer (lucky sod, a dream job!). I believe that they always had intended to go the "tailored route" with their lozenge decals and that it was just a matter of having sufficient time to design them. Now that they are doing so it does rather limit potential sales of our own decals for kits such as the Pfalz D.XII and the new Rumpler. Sales of our Albatros lozenge decals have gone quite well but I am struggling with the economics of releasing further tailored lozenge sets, due to the high cost of low-volume, multicolour screen printing. There may be another and cheaper production process and experiments with this are going on at the moment. The Gotha G.IV decals are still going to be released (along with a number of other subjects already announced) but here again, it's all a question of economics; Pheon is very much a labour of love and we keep going on a shoestring on the basis that the income from one release provides the investment for the next (not something that always happens) and I have been guilty of announcing future sets before production funds are available, which leads to a bit of a backlog... The Albatros lozenge decals used up rather more of my capital (and an awful lot more time) than I would have wanted, particularly so, as in order to try to keep the retail price under some sort of control we printed a larger quantity than was perhaps wise, given the current financial climate. So I’m sorry, Do335B6, that the wait for the Gotha set has been too long for you, but glad to see that my artwork appears to have been useful..... Nice model, by the way. The next releases will be three 48th sets for the Gloster Gladiator and two sets for Jasta 18 (in both 72nd and 48th) to be available from next week and two sets for the Hawker Demon in 48th (for the new Aeroclub kit) at the end of the month. We have recently released the sets for the Pfalz D.XII and SSW D.III in 1/32nd; the Gotha set and those for the Silver Wings Gloster Gladiator and Hawker Hart kits will be the next releases in “LSP” scale. In addition we will be announcing some new 1/32nd resin parts from Brian Fawcett for the Wingnut Wings RE8 and rocket stubs for the Tamiya P-51, in the vendors section very soon. Rowan B, Pheon Models

In deference to the site's rules, notwithstanding the round-about start and evolution of this thread... I'll be posting some progress pics and details on the forthcoming decals in the appropriate section of the site in the near future. Thanks to everyone for their positive help and support - esp to Richard - fantastic info coming through, I don't think the Canadian contingent - rowdy or otherwise - will be disappointed!