Peter Jackson gets into.....models?

[corsair166b]

Was perusing one of the Warbird magazines today when on the back cover (not sure what magazine) there was an ad for WingNut Models, out of New Zealand....for anyone unfamiliar with Peter Jackson or his work, his film company is called WingNut Films and Jackson is known to have a soft spot for WW1 warbirds and is said to own quite a few....the first model to be advertised was the SE-5a, and iof I recall right the review of the kit was in Air Classics, and they seemed to like it very much....anyone know more?

Mark

[DaveM2]

http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww/

[Steve Nelson]

This was all over the model building forums a couple months ago, especially Hyperscale. Wingnut sort of came out of nowhere, releasing four kits in their first salvo (the aforementioned SE-5a, a Junkers J/1, and I think a Brisfit and Halberstadt.) The company is indeed backed by movie director/aircraft collector Peter Jackson, and plans to specialize in 1/32 kits of rather neglected WWI aircraft, particularly multi-seat types. Their Junkers J.1 has especially gotten rave reviews. Apparently, they even have a 1/32 Gotha in the works.

I build 1/72 WWII stuff, so I can't really comment on Wingnut's products, but all the WWI builders say the kits are simply stunning. In addition to being great, meticulously engineered replicas, each kit's instruction booklet is more like a stand-alone reference on the type. The kits are pricey, but from what everyone's saying they're worth it.

SN

[fritzthefox]

Wonder if he is planning on merchandising one of his own future films? He created an unreleased short film of a WWI battle sequence that was really eye-popping. (probably on Youtube somewhere)

[Rossco]

The man is a genius....Can,t wait till the new Dambusters comes out...
the short film is "Crossing the line".Wrote the script for it on a flight coming back from overseas IIRC.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpTHFVBlm_A

[fritzthefox]

Agreed, he is a genius. I was just looking at the collection of talent he's put together for his model company, and the whole crew is very impressive. I would expect superior work from them.

[RandolphB]

I read somewhere the short was part of a project that was helping debut a new type of camera technology. I can't remember details, except that it was digital and higher or equal grade results to traditional film where possible. He was approached, and the idea was to show how fast and cheap a film could be made. He used his aviation interest because of the range of colors and visual dynamics that would be illustrated.