White Ensign Models WEM

Started by ChrisV, November 27, 2014, 02:04:43 PM

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ChrisV

Not to sure where to post this but WEM is going out of business. I thought you should all know.
I was just about to order some bits for my Hospital ship build tonight and found the info at the bottom of the opening web page.
WEM ceases trading tomorrow, Friday.
A sad day for all model  builders.

lancer

If you love, love without reservation; If you fight, fight without fear - THAT is the way of the warrior

If you go into battle knowing you will die, then you will live. If you go into battle hoping to live, then you will die

Weaver

That's a damned shame - anyone know the reason why?
"Things need not have happened to be true. Tales and dreams are the shadow-truths that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes, and forgot."
 - Sandman: A Midsummer Night's Dream, by Neil Gaiman

"I dunno, I'm making this up as I go."
 - Indiana Jones

Freightdog862

WEM have mentioned on one forum that liquidators are coming in on Monday, so I assume its financial, on their facebook page it did give reason of too much money going out and not enough coming in (I think we all recognise that feeling....)

It is a real shame, compounded with A2Zee Models and soon LSA down in Brighton next month due to retirement. 

Colin 

Gondor

That's a shame, I was looking forward to buying some of their etch detail sets in about a months time.

Gondor
My Ability to Imagine is only exceeded by my Imagined Abilities

Gondor's Modelling Rule Number Three: Everything will fit perfectly untill you apply glue...

I know it's in a book I have around here somewhere....

NARSES2

Oh that is a shame. On a selfish note I'm just glad I topped my paint collection up at Telford. They were a boon for some of the non mainstream nations WWII colours and some of the mainstream ones as well like Soviet AF and FAA.

Again being selfish I wonder if anyone will pick up their paint stocks if not the manufacturing rights ?
Do not condemn the judgement of another because it differs from your own. You may both be wrong.

PR19_Kit

Quote from: NARSES2 on November 28, 2014, 06:29:33 AM
Oh that is a shame. On a selfish note I'm just glad I topped my paint collection up at Telford. They were a boon for some of the non mainstream nations WWII colours and some of the mainstream ones as well like Soviet AF and FAA.

Again being selfish I wonder if anyone will pick up their paint stocks if not the manufacturing rights ?

And their PE artwork should be worth something too, they had a HUGE range of that stuff, in all sorts of scales as well.
Kit's Rule 1 ) Any aircraft can be improved by fitting longer wings, and/or a longer fuselage
Kit's Rule 2) The backstory can always be changed to suit the model

...and I'm not a closeted 'Take That' fan, I'm a REAL fan! :)

Regards
Kit

lancer

#7
Quote from: NARSES2 on November 28, 2014, 06:29:33 AM
Oh that is a shame. On a selfish note I'm just glad I topped my paint collection up at Telford. They were a boon for some of the non mainstream nations WWII colours and some of the mainstream ones as well like Soviet AF and FAA.

Again being selfish I wonder if anyone will pick up their paint stocks if not the manufacturing rights ?

I hope someone does. Even if it is Hannants....As you said, they had some amazing clolour in thier range.
If you love, love without reservation; If you fight, fight without fear - THAT is the way of the warrior

If you go into battle knowing you will die, then you will live. If you go into battle hoping to live, then you will die

NARSES2

Quote from: lancer on November 28, 2014, 12:01:10 PM
Quote from: NARSES2 on November 28, 2014, 06:29:33 AM
Oh that is a shame. On a selfish note I'm just glad I topped my paint collection up at Telford. They were a boon for some of the non mainstream nations WWII colours and some of the mainstream ones as well like Soviet AF and FAA.

Again being selfish I wonder if anyone will pick up their paint stocks if not the manufacturing rights ?

I hope someone does. Even if it is Hannants....As you said, they had some amazing clolour in thier range.

And it drys in about the same time as good old Humbrol  :thumbsup: Unlike Xtracolour which can take ages. I swear I have one model that is not yet fully cured after a couple of years  :banghead:
Do not condemn the judgement of another because it differs from your own. You may both be wrong.

PR19_Kit

Quote from: NARSES2 on November 29, 2014, 05:16:03 AM
And it drys in about the same time as good old Humbrol  :thumbsup: Unlike Xtracolour which can take ages. I swear I have one model that is not yet fully cured after a couple of years  :banghead:

Tell me about it! I have a Aer Lingus 737 that's still not dry, painted with Xtracolor's special Aer Lingus Early Green, and that's still sticky after maybe 10 years!   :banghead:

These days the solution is give it a coat of Klear over the not dry paint, but the 737 has so much crud stuck to it now that it's not worth the bother.
Kit's Rule 1 ) Any aircraft can be improved by fitting longer wings, and/or a longer fuselage
Kit's Rule 2) The backstory can always be changed to suit the model

...and I'm not a closeted 'Take That' fan, I'm a REAL fan! :)

Regards
Kit

sandiego89

Really too bad, I really liked their 1/700 airwing choices, about the only option for some rarer aircraft.  I did find their website a bit wonky, but a real loss for some niche stuff.
Dave "Sandiego89"
Chesapeake, Virginia, USA

Joe C-P

It's all you airplane people's fault! If you'd just come to love ships you'd have spent more money with them and they'd still be in business!

Sniff. Sniff. Sigh.

I suppose it's my fault, too, spending too much time at work and not building ships.

Peter Hall of Atlantic Models will hopefully continue some of his own line.
In want of hobby space!  The kitchen table is never stable.  Still managing to get some building done.

Nick

Good News for Christmas!!!  ;D

(Facebook announcement)

From the new owner of WEM resin & PE products:

"I am very pleased to announce that Tom's Modelworks has purchased the inventory and the rights to manufacture White Ensign photo-etch sets, resin kits and accessories. White Ensign has made outstanding products over the years and, being a modeler myself, I am happy to be able to continue to offer them to the modeling community. I am not yet certain how this will operate or exactly when all the WEM products will again be available but I will work to make it sooner rather than later. John Snyder and Dave Carter have graciously been assisting in the transition and I wish to publicly thank them for that.

"Once I am further along with this I will clarify how and where these great products will be available. In the meantime, I ask for your patience.

Sincerely
Richard Harden"

Gondor

My Ability to Imagine is only exceeded by my Imagined Abilities

Gondor's Modelling Rule Number Three: Everything will fit perfectly untill you apply glue...

I know it's in a book I have around here somewhere....

Thorvic

Actually its rather bittersweet news, good that the WEM product line will continue but the UK has lost not only the product line, but the vast range of Naval orientated products they stocked will now have to be sourced from various retaillers overseas.
Project Cancelled SIG Secretary, specialising in post war British RN warships, RN and RAF aircraft projects. Also USN and Russian warships