The Ship Model Forum

I have just heard from WEM that they will be closing on Friday 28 Nov 14.

Sad Loss.


Edit by Timmy C, November 2016: Lots have changed since this was announced. Richard Harding at Tom's Modelworks is continuing the PE line (still being sold under the WEM label and site, but now in USD: https://www.whiteensignmodels.com/), while Peter Hall's Atlantic Models and Mike McCabe's Starling Models are producing/selling the 1/350 and 1/700 resin stuff, respectively.

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Bryan Johnson

'There are 2 kinds of ships, submarines and targets.'

Ehm ... I hope this is not a bad and late 1st April joke that they will close?
Will be not only a sad, but a bigger loss for us shipbuilders!

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The advantage of wisdom is that you can play dumb; conversely, it is more difficult.

Believe me I would not joke about this. I have just had an email regarding an order I have just placed stating that they were closing. I queried it and got the following reply' I can confirm White Ensign Models will be officially shut down as of Friday.'

I am desolate.

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Bryan Johnson

'There are 2 kinds of ships, submarines and targets.'

Oh my god ... not to say something other which needs to be censored!

All these people using their paints (fortunately not me) will be kicked in their stern then ... not to mention all the great PE sets and other things they offer!

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The advantage of wisdom is that you can play dumb; conversely, it is more difficult.

You know, it's entirely possible WEM is shutting down ON Friday and not for good. I'd imagine news of this gravity would be passed down in more than an email to a customer.

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- Chris

1/700 Saratoga w/Pontos (Needs paint)
1/700 Potato w/Kurama (On hold)
1/700 Murdertorpedoboat Ooi

We can hope

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Bryan Johnson

'There are 2 kinds of ships, submarines and targets.'

The original message:

However, due to
unforeseen circumstances we will be closing the company down as of 28/11/14
and therefore we are no longer taking backorders.
I apologise for the inconvenience of this and wish you luck in finding the
item you are looking for.

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Bryan Johnson

'There are 2 kinds of ships, submarines and targets.'

I hope so ... I really hope so!

BUT I learned in the past some few years ago with an other issue of a local shop, that this could happen this way.

P.S.

I don't know if it is something with my (silly and unchangeable) explorer settings here at work only, but their homepage isn't reachable for me ...

https://www.whiteensignmodels.com/

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The advantage of wisdom is that you can play dumb; conversely, it is more difficult.

I hope they're not closing; that would be awful...

But their homepage works and there is nothing posted about this issue.

https://www.whiteensignmodels.com/

Before we all get our knickers in a twist, let's hold off for something from John on this thread.

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Harold

Just received - I have just seen the forum that has been posted and can confirm we are closing for good as of Friday. We are taking order up until then and there will be a banner on the website stating this shortly.

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Bryan Johnson

'There are 2 kinds of ships, submarines and targets.'

Yeah... I just confirmed this through another vendor. WEM is closing. Damn. Wow.

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- Chris

1/700 Saratoga w/Pontos (Needs paint)
1/700 Potato w/Kurama (On hold)
1/700 Murdertorpedoboat Ooi

This is really sad

Very sorry to hear this, are their plans to continue products or future plans under new ownership?

I am gutted. Very sad news.

Ouch. That well and truly sucks. And we were all of us blindsided, were we not?
I have to wonder how badly their overall biz has been impacted by the way in which the "authorities" have made it impossible (or close to it) to ship small quantities of Colourcoats outside the UK. Although I'm quite used to it, governmental stupidity never ceases to amaze me.
If I want to stick with enamels, I guess I'll have to learn to mix my own after my (ample) supply of Colourcoats runs dry.

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Harold

Noooooooooo..

So sad to hear this, been buying from them for years..

To John and the rest of the crew, you will all be sorely missed and I for one wish you all the best for any future endeavours.

Steve

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"Don't only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets, for it and knowledge can raise men to the devine" - Beethoven

Current Projects:
1/350 CVN65 USS Enterprise
1/12 Doll House for her in doors
1/1 Human being - Born 29/03/16

Well, those many guys using WEM colour coats got a real kick into their stern now.
We can of course speculate like mad for all the reasons, but this silly order of "authorities" about sending Enamels outside the UK is for sure one bigger brick part in the wall.

Again, very sad for me too ... and stocking up my modelling budget now to get all these needed things from shops having WEM to make stock.

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The advantage of wisdom is that you can play dumb; conversely, it is more difficult.

That is frankly a punch in the gut. I've ordered from WEM since starting this hobby in 2002 and have considered myself a loyal customer, because of their stellar customer service and their grassroots engagement with the community. The first few years, they *were* my gateway into the hobby. ^$&**!

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If all else fails, a complete pig-headed refusal to see facts in the face will see us through. - General Melchett