The ultimate WWI model planes

Peter Jackson is lord of the wings

By KATHERINE NEWTON - The Dominion Post | 5:00AM - Saturday, 05 September 2009

FINE DETAIL: Richard Alexander, of Peter Jackson's company Wingnut Wings, with a two-seater German LVG C VI
from about 1918. Hours of painstaking work go into each model kit. — WINGNUT WINGS.

A foray into the world of hobby modelling has established Peter Jackson as New Zealand's own lord of the wings.

The film-maker's latest side venture will be unveiled to the Wellington public when scale aeroplane models from his new model company, Wingnut Wings, go on display at the National Scale Models Expo this weekend.

The models all World War I aircraft went on sale on the company's website about four months ago, after years of planning and work.

Wingnut Wings co-ordinator Richard Alexander said the company was the result of Jackson's long-term passion for modelling, as well as for vintage aircraft.

"It's no secret that he did all the modelling himself for his first movies. He's in a position now where he can make the sort of models that he's always wanted to build himself."

Hundreds of hours of painstaking research went into each model kit, Mr Alexander said.

Company staff were able to examine Jackson's own collection of reproduction World War I aircraft and memorabilia to make sure certain details were absolutely correct.

They also had help from another company with a long association with Jackson Weta Digital in Wellington, which did the digital modelling for many of the kitsets.

Expo organiser Ewan Forbes said he was excited about seeing the company's models up close. "The quality they're producing is exceptional."

As well as Wingnut Wings' models, about 1000 other scale models, including railways, cars and military figures, would be on display.

The expo is open from 10am until 4pm at Lower Hutt Horticultural Hall today and tomorrow.

• Wingnut Wings.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/local/2836328/Peter-Jackson-is-lord-of-the-wings