WEM Closing Operations as of 11/28/14 (update: Nov 2016)
Moderators: MartinJQuinn, Timmy C, Gernot, HMAS
- simon b
- Posts: 743
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 2:15 pm
- Location: Northants, UK
- Contact:
Re: WEM Closing Operations as of 11/28/14
Sad news. I hope the product lines at least continue.
My first resin kit was their 1/600 HMS Exeter.
My first resin kit was their 1/600 HMS Exeter.
- firemagi
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2007 12:37 pm
- Location: Blagdon, UK
Re: WEM Closing Operations as of 11/28/14
Just put my last, hopefully not ever, order in with a little tear in my eye.. Must be a very dusty room i'm sat in.. saying no more
Steve
Steve
"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
Current Projects:
1/350 CVN65 USS Enterprise
1/12 Doll House for her in doors
1/1 Human being - Born 29/03/16
- Littorio
- Posts: 82
- Joined: Fri Sep 19, 2014 8:49 am
- Location: UK South East
Re: WEM Closing Operations as of 11/28/14
This is very sad news, I hope all the team the best for the future. I'll miss my chats with Dave while placing orders, talking of which I'll need to get one in quickly only problem is deciding what to order and I have a big list of WEM kits, PE and upgrade sets I wanted to order over time but can't afford it all in just one order, so what to order and what not?
On the slip - all 1/350
USS Fletcher - Tamiya w/GMM PE and L'Arsenal resin
USS Mackinac AVP-13 - ISW w/ AM parts from several sources
In the design office -
HMS Ariadne Conversion of WEM kit
USS Fletcher - Tamiya w/GMM PE and L'Arsenal resin
USS Mackinac AVP-13 - ISW w/ AM parts from several sources
In the design office -
HMS Ariadne Conversion of WEM kit
- Cliffy B
- Posts: 3125
- Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2009 3:55 pm
- Location: Hawaii
- Contact:
Re: WEM Closing Operations as of 11/28/14
God this is sad news!!!! Best of luck in your future endeavors guys. You will be sorely missed!!!
Please say that your molds/masters will be going to someone else though at least at some point and that your products aren't going to be gone forever. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please say that your molds/masters will be going to someone else though at least at some point and that your products aren't going to be gone forever. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Drawing Board:
1/700 Whiff USS Leyte and escorts 1984
1/700 Whiff USN Modernized CAs 1984
1/700 Whiff ASW Showdown - FFs vs SSGN 1984
Slipway:
1/700 Whiff USN ASW Hunter Killer Group Dio 1984
1/700 Whiff USS Leyte and escorts 1984
1/700 Whiff USN Modernized CAs 1984
1/700 Whiff ASW Showdown - FFs vs SSGN 1984
Slipway:
1/700 Whiff USN ASW Hunter Killer Group Dio 1984
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Rusty White
- Flagship Models

- Posts: 280
- Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2005 11:02 pm
- Contact:
Re: WEM
That will damn sure do it every time. That's why I work from my home. I understand that's not possible due to WEM's inventory. My wife and I do EVERYTHING here from sweeping the floors, to shipping the kits. Best wishes to the WEM guys and good luck with any future endeavors.John @ WEM wrote:Short version: too much cash going out, not enough coming in.
Rusty White
flagshipmodels.com
Home of the American Civil War warship kits
flagshipmodels.com
Home of the American Civil War warship kits
- Rob Jansen
- Posts: 117
- Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:48 pm
- Location: Mount Vernon, WA USA
Re: WEM Closing Operations as of 11/28/14
This is very sad news; seems the way for many these days.
Thank you for all your service over the years, God bless, and best wishes for your future.
Thank you for all your service over the years, God bless, and best wishes for your future.
-Rob <><
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Joe Simon
- Posts: 825
- Joined: Sat Jan 24, 2009 5:16 pm
- Location: Wisconsin
Re: WEM Closing Operations as of 11/28/14
Used their paint almost exclusively. Glad I got their 1/350 Nagato set in time. Still have the resin Renown in my stash. Will be greatly missed.
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ModelMonkey
- Model Monkey

- Posts: 4096
- Joined: Sat Aug 20, 2005 9:27 pm
- Location: USA
- Contact:
Re: WEM Closing Operations as of 11/28/14
Deeply saddened. Let's hold out hope that perhaps something even better will come out of this for John and the folks at WEM.
Have fun, Monkey around. TM
-Steve L.
Complete catalog: - https://www.model-monkey.com/
Follow Model Monkey™ on Facebook: - https://www.facebook.com/modelmonkeybookandhobby
-Steve L.
Complete catalog: - https://www.model-monkey.com/
Follow Model Monkey™ on Facebook: - https://www.facebook.com/modelmonkeybookandhobby
- richtea
- Posts: 381
- Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2009 10:33 am
- Location: Yorkshire, Great Britain
Re: WEM Closing Operations as of 11/28/14
Gutted,
WEM have given me first class service for every order.
I wish them all the best of luck in the future.
Regards
Richard
WEM have given me first class service for every order.
I wish them all the best of luck in the future.
Regards
Richard
SI VIS PACEM,
PARA BELLUM
PARA BELLUM
- PaulC
- Posts: 857
- Joined: Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:27 am
- Location: Kingston, Jamaica
Re: WEM Closing Operations as of 11/28/14
Absolutely shocking!
The first blow was no more paint mailed from the UK. Now this....
I'm not big on resin kits because of the cost, but 2 of the 3 I've dared to build were from WEM and I'm so glad I have them. Their instruction sheets were truly amazing. And their customer service, responsiveness were second to none - good people all.
All the best to everyone there...
Paul
The first blow was no more paint mailed from the UK. Now this....
I'm not big on resin kits because of the cost, but 2 of the 3 I've dared to build were from WEM and I'm so glad I have them. Their instruction sheets were truly amazing. And their customer service, responsiveness were second to none - good people all.
All the best to everyone there...
Paul
Hard a starboard.......Shoot!
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Sutho
- Posts: 449
- Joined: Thu Dec 30, 2010 7:53 pm
Re: WEM Closing Operations as of 11/28/14
Again as others have stated extremely sad news. I have been a customer of theirs for the last few years from at least 2010 onwards as far as I can remember. All my 1/350 ships and the Tamiya battleships look like professional masterpieces thanks to their photo etch and CC paints.PaulC wrote:Absolutely shocking!
The first blow was no more paint mailed from the UK. Now this....
I'm not big on resin kits because of the cost, but 2 of the 3 I've dared to build were from WEM and I'm so glad I have them. Their instruction sheets were truly amazing. And their customer service, responsiveness were second to none - good people all.
All the best to everyone there...
Paul
As I quoted from above I sincerely hope that the ban on paints being mailed out of UK was not the thing that sent this company under. If so it is so wrong how such a ridiculous decision can have dire consequences for a terrific company.
- Tim
- Posts: 47
- Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2006 5:22 pm
- Location: Victoria, BC
Thank you
I have long admired their products and even built one or a few, with many more waiting to start. I wish to join with the group in paying compliments and expressing my condolences with tough decision. Very sorry that it had to end, but hopefully not gone forever..
Fair Winds and forgetful creditors,
Tim
Fair Winds and forgetful creditors,
Tim
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modelmanuk
- Posts: 241
- Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2005 3:28 pm
Re: WEM Closing Operations as of 11/28/14
extremely shocked I've been buying their stuff for over 10 years when I got back into modelling always excellent service I just bought a couple of pe sets hopefully I will get them still sad thing now I have to buy from outside the uk and get stung by customs hopefully wem rises again in the near future
- Wordy
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:49 am
- Location: Rotherham, England
Re: WEM Closing Operations as of 11/28/14
Really sorry to hear this. Great customer service from them every time.
Best wishes for the future to all the staff there.
Best wishes for the future to all the staff there.
- Rui Matos
- Posts: 417
- Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2006 4:42 pm
- Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Re: WEM Closing Operations as of 11/28/14
Without going too sentimental, to a good company, but most of all to a GREAT BUNCH of persons who happened to own and work for White Ensign Models, I wish them ALL THE BEST!
The ship modeling community has turned poorer
Rui
The ship modeling community has turned poorer
Rui
Ship Modelers of the World UNITE
- R.Ricardo
- Posts: 255
- Joined: Thu May 16, 2013 10:21 am
Re: WEM Closing Operations as of 11/28/14
Very sad news
, recently I purchased some acessories from them at last Telford IPMS convention without know nothing about this.
I wish someone continue producing their photoetch and resin acessories lines.
Good luck for John and his team.
I wish someone continue producing their photoetch and resin acessories lines.
Good luck for John and his team.
Last edited by R.Ricardo on Wed Nov 26, 2014 8:09 am, edited 1 time in total.
- David Griffith
- Posts: 318
- Joined: Thu Jan 20, 2005 8:02 am
- Location: Waiting for HMS Glatton in resin. Not holding my breath!!
Re: WEM Closing Operations as of 11/28/14
I got a phone call from a friend who told me about this. It is really, really sad news. Not just for the hobby, but more importantly for Dave, Caroline, John, and the rest of the staff, who must be terribly upset by the situation.
You couldn't wish to deal with a nicer bunch of people, who I have come to regard as friends over the years.
Their photo-etch has always been some of the best in the business, and their most recent kits have been of a quality that is equal to almost anything out there.
I sincerely hope that they manage to find a buyer for the business, though if they do, it will never be the same kind of company.
At the very least, I hope that they are able to find someone who is able to continue the production of their photo-etch and kits, albeit under a different label. It is too valuable a resource to be suddenly lost to the hobby.
My very best wishes go out to everyone involved. I hope we see you again at Telford in future years, even if it is as visitors who pay to come through the door. No, on second thoughts IPMS should guarantee them free admission!!
David Griffith
You couldn't wish to deal with a nicer bunch of people, who I have come to regard as friends over the years.
Their photo-etch has always been some of the best in the business, and their most recent kits have been of a quality that is equal to almost anything out there.
I sincerely hope that they manage to find a buyer for the business, though if they do, it will never be the same kind of company.
At the very least, I hope that they are able to find someone who is able to continue the production of their photo-etch and kits, albeit under a different label. It is too valuable a resource to be suddenly lost to the hobby.
My very best wishes go out to everyone involved. I hope we see you again at Telford in future years, even if it is as visitors who pay to come through the door. No, on second thoughts IPMS should guarantee them free admission!!
David Griffith
"For scientific leadership, give me Scott. For swift and efficient travel give me Amundsen. But when you are in a hopeless situation, when you are seeing no way out, get down on your knees and pray for Shackleton."
- davidwaples
- Posts: 773
- Joined: Thu May 03, 2007 10:39 pm
- Location: Westminster, Colorado
- Contact:
Re: WEM Closing Operations as of 11/28/14
My best to everyone at the WEM family. Our ship modeling community will miss you.
Dave Waples
Dave Waples
- BJohnson
- Posts: 362
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 5:25 am
- Location: Godalming,UK
Re: WEM Closing Operations as of 11/28/14
From Atlantic Models Facebook page:
As a lot of you folks may now be aware, White Ensign Models will be closing down on Friday 28th. This news came to me as shock, and will take time to sink in. It will also take time to get things straight as to what will happen to the range of kits and photo etch that have been developed and produced in house here. Hopefully they will be rescued and brought into the Atlantic Models range, but it is too early to say anything yet for definite. I will be working to toward that end though, if it is possible.
For now though, I will have more time to expand the Atlantic Models range which will continue as planned.
As a lot of you folks may now be aware, White Ensign Models will be closing down on Friday 28th. This news came to me as shock, and will take time to sink in. It will also take time to get things straight as to what will happen to the range of kits and photo etch that have been developed and produced in house here. Hopefully they will be rescued and brought into the Atlantic Models range, but it is too early to say anything yet for definite. I will be working to toward that end though, if it is possible.
For now though, I will have more time to expand the Atlantic Models range which will continue as planned.
Bryan Johnson
'There are 2 kinds of ships, submarines and targets.'
'There are 2 kinds of ships, submarines and targets.'