I own almost every Wow model but I have also bought a lot of planes made by other companies. I thought I should write a little mini review about them for you guys interested in getting something else than the rather few we gotten yet. I have ordered some SRAM Resin 1/144 also, they are supposed to be exact replicas (they sure costs a lot at least) and have the really rare planes, I will write something about them when I have them (I can't wait for my Fokker DVI, albatross CX and Caparoni Ca33).
First the Wow planes. You have all seen them, they look rather good and have often nice paintjobs. They also have all the cards you need and stand + 4 altitude pins.
+: No work, just take them out of the box and start playing. Generally looks fine. Easy to find, most sores have them.
-: The selection of planes is not that good and sometimes a bit odd. Some of the smaller details (like struts, landing gear and so on) are way too large or in some cases missing, like the strut under the tail of the Dr1. The planes are also focused on aces planes and often don't they have a standard plane (like the blue Roland is).
Price: My local stores takes $21 and $25.
My judgment: Buy up to four planes, one of each paintings. If you need more than 4 it is probably better to get some Reviresco also.
Red eagle : These planes are made for games, they are not exact models and while some looks like they should are there others with strange features on.
+: Really cheap, decals are included in the price. Fighter planes are often rather easy to build as long as you use the right glue (Loc-tites super gel is the best). Large selection of planes, If you buy 2 or 3 of each you will be able to play the entire war (or at least the parts that mattered) for a cheap sum.
-: Often incorrect. Sometimes are they badly made and you will spend a lot of time and work to have them look good. Have the least details.
Price: £4 (from Skytrex). Shipping however is rather expensive but about the same if you buy many planes so buy a bunch. Heavy bombers costs more.
My judgment: Buy the planes that Wow and Reviresco misses. Also a good choice for the person with a lot of spare time and limited budget. The bombers generally looks better but are rather tough to assemble.
Reveresco: These models looks very good. The detail level is a lot better than both RE and Wow. They are however a bit more work to assemble. You can get nice decals to use instead of painting if you want to.
+: Looks very good once assembled. Have different planes from the others, like Sopwith Dolphin and Pfalz DXII. You get a lot for your money. The decals are top class.
-: Some models don't include struts so you have to use piano wire (with purpose). Sometimes you don't get a pilot, other times you get 2. Decals are not included and have to be bought seperate. Rather limited choices of planes.
Price: $8 for scouts, two seaters cost a bit more. Decals costs $4 (for enough for 2 planes).
My judgment: Dang, these planes looks really nice if you spend a little work on them.
All of these models are like the Wow planes made for gaming even though you want to be a little more careful with them. They are not very fragile and hold up well for gaming with but you'll need a good way to carry them with. They will take more punishment if you change out the pewter struts against piano-wire.
My advice is that you buy the Wow planes first, gets the Reveresco second and fill those out with Skytrex. If you only play 1917 you can do ok with the Wow planes (you still want a sopwith Triplane, a Halberstadt CLII and possibly an Ansaldo, not to mention a few bombers) but when you start playing 1918 or 1916 you really need to get some more planes. And more planes adds to the fun
You just can't have too many planes (yes, I am somewhat fanatic).
I will add some pictures when I have the time for it.