Albatros Productions Ltd. have timed the latest edition of Windsock magazine perfectly to coincide with the release of the next four Wingnut Wings 1:32 kits. Perfectly? Well, this issue is a special edition devoted largely to the new Albatros D.V and D.Va, and the R.F.C. and R.N.A.S. Sopwith Pups.

Windsock regulars needn't fear; columns such as Frontline News, Transfer List and Kitbag are all present and correct - with reviews of new products from Pheon and Dutch Decals, Roden, Encore, A-Model and Eduard among others - but above all this is Wingnut Wings' issue.

Master modeller and veteran WW1 writer Ray Rimell will undoubtedly make a lot of people very jealous indeed by getting hold of early examples of not just one, but all four new Wingnut Wings stunners, and he presents each model in a Full-Build article.

The kits are treated to a highly detailed stage-by-stage construction guide, with profuse in-progress shots. Construction techniques and any minor pitfalls (surprise, surprise, there aren't many of the latter!) are dealt with in a clearly explained way that will appeal to both WW1 newbies and seasoned builders alike. Each article is packed with useful tips for both the specific kits in question and early-era aircraft modelling in general.

While Wingnut Wings' instructions are excellent in their own right, Ray's additional explanations and alternative viewpoint are extremely useful and I'd recommend the magazine to anyone building the models.

Backing up the construction guides are a number of well-chosen period photos and shots of preserved machines, each accompanied with the type of informative captions you'd expect from this source.

The icing on the cake for many Albatros modellers will be the 3-page walkaround of the TVAL D.Va reproduction under construction. With the covers off and the airframe and fittings in various stages of completeness, the detailed photos by Gene DeMarco provide a fascinating view of the aircraft seldom available to modellers.

Conclusion

Members of our thriving Early Aviation forum will probably need little introduction to Windsock, but for more casual readers and general modellers caught up in the excitement of Wingnut Wings kits this is an ideal introduction to one of today's preeminent WW1 modelling magazines. It almost needs a warning sticker on the front to protect your wallet; if you hadn't already planned on buying the new kits, you will undoubtedly want them after reading Windsock! (I'd originally only intended to buy the Pup, but one look at Ray's build of the Albatros was enough to convince me that I had to have that too!)

The four new Wingnut Wings kits went on sale today and interest seems to be overwhelming. So, you've probably already placed your order and the kit(s) will be in the post - what better way to pass the time until they arrive than to relax and gen-up on the models. Unreservedly recommended.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.