WM or Wing Masters. We had no particular pretensions when we chose the title for a new magazine about plastic model planes and their natural corollary, the history of military aviation of all periods. There was simply a need to go and revamp the specialised model press with a few simple ideas: modern graphical concepts with a lot of space for photographs, editorial dynamism with the pages left wide open for what’s going on in the modelling world, giving openings to new talent by working with a young and dynamic editorial team. As for the historic aspects of things, these were presented by means of articles illustrated by one of the best artists of the moment, Bruno Pautigny; these had to be within reach of everybody both in their form - thanks to great care taken in choosing and presenting the photographs - and in the editorial quality of their contents.
So, a few simple ideas …
In the first year after its creation, in 1997, WingMasters imposed itself as the leader in a niche which until then appeared to have been filled for some time! Further proof that some situations are never as fragile as those you think are there to stay. Since then WingMasters’ success has never looked back and its ever-increasing readership counts on the magazine to keep it informed of what’s going on in the model world, to dream that “one day I too will be able to do something like that …” and to be part of that great brotherhood of plastic modelling buffs, this marvellous hobby which mixes together modelling and history. Let’s come back for a moment to the main ideas which started WingMasters.
The model plane market had changed considerably over the last ten years or so: the once rustic and summarily detailed basic models had changed into true miniatures where attention to detail had been pushed to such a point that some thought they were now reserved only for the greatest specialists of super detailing: resin cockpits with authentic photo cut-outs, very detailed undercarriage, exposed engines and sometimes standardised hollow etching, etc. Just so many signs to show that model makers had crossed a threshold which the specialised press with its modern means had to pass on to its readers and thus in its own way, ensure the future of the hobby. This formula had already met with success in H & C’s other two magazines SteelMasters and Figurines. It was as simple as it was novel: a beautiful model, a good model maker, the use of modern building and painting processes, together with beautiful photographs where the backdrop was just as important as the composition itself. To that must be added the desire to reach as wide a public as possible thanks to the bi-monthly’s 84 full-colour pages and the care taken with the editorial work as always; and the bet was won, witness the loyalty of our readers since the first number came out.
Today …
In each number Wing Masters invites its readers to enter a miniature universe of excellence and dreams. The numerous letters received from readers prove how faithful they are; sometimes they are rather nostalgic, sometimes more adventurous; but they are always enthusiastic, acknowledging the high quality of the magazine which is the hallmark of our company, also recognised by our foreign colleagues. The themes dealt with every two months cover what’s going on in the model world, always with high quality realisations. From Spad, Albatros, Nieuport or Fokker biplanes from the Great War to the still living legends which the Messerschmitts, Spitfires, Mustangs or Dewoitine 520s from the Luftwaffe, RAF, USAF or from the Armée de l’Air, right through to the big combat jet family with the fabulous Dassault Mirage IIIC presented recently, without forgetting the F-14s and F-16s from the American arsenal, or the Tornadoes and other Euro-fighters; it is all to do with the adventure in the air of the 20th and 21st Centuries both civilian and military which we revisit for our all readers with our unfaltering enthusiasm and personal investment, even though this means that sometimes yours truly has to present some of his own work for public consumption and criticism. Apart from the model assembly which is made exclusively for the needs of the magazine by a team of modellers, one of whose features, unique in France, is that they come from a variety of countries, WingMasters is also:
Complete coverage of model, accessories and book news for the main scale sizes, from 1/114 for airliners to the 1/32 for the main aircraft of the world conflicts (Spitfire, P-47, P-51, Messerschmitt 109, Focke-Wulf 190, etc), without forgetting the more usual 1/72 and 1/48 scales.
Clubs and Internet columns, the latter bringing choice documentation to complement the articles.
Numerous small-ads for buying and exchanging kits, documentation, accessories or getting in touch with other enthusiasts.
Plates of decals twice a year reserved exclusively for subscribers.
So don’t wait any longer, if you haven’t already come across WingMasters , welcome aboard for a endless flight through the marvellous world of model aircraft, a world which has never been so rich and varied, dynamic, talent-revealing, and presented by the makers of injected plastic, resin, photo cut-out or thermoformed models, small (like the numerous short–runs specialists), big, Far-Eastern or East-European.
Dominique Breffort
Editor
