About Us
Kotare high quality scale model kitsets are enjoyable to build for both experienced and novice modellers alike. We hope that by designing these models to be as trouble-free to build as possible we will attract even more people to the relaxing and rewarding hobby of building scale models.
Kotare models are researched and designed by passionate professionals utilising original factory drawings whenever possible and historic and contemporary sources and photos. Being lucky enough to work closely with some of the world’s leading experts in their respective fields, we believe that our models are among the most accurate ever produced of their subjects. We are making models the way we have always wanted models to be made and trust you will get as much enjoyment from them as we do.
Proprietor Mark Robson
Mark is a practising veterinary specialist in the field of small animal internal medicine and has had a lifelong interest in scale modelling and aviation since his dad bought him his first Airfix kit when he was just 5 years old. Mark is excited to share his love of models with modellers through Kotare and hopes that they will get as much enjoyment out of these models as he does. Mark is a committed dad to two grown children and loves beaches, craft beer and music. Mark is contactable at [email protected].
General Manager Richard Alexander
Richard is an award-winning modeller who has been in the model and hobby trade since the early 1990s and high-quality scale model kitset product design and management since 2006 at Wingnut Wings then from 2020 at Kotare. Richard retains his enthusiasm for ensuring your models are highly detailed and accurate while remaining as simple and enjoyable to build as possible, no matter what your skill level. If you have any questions about building your Kotare model, comments, requests or suggestions, Richard is contactable at [email protected]. Please remember that Richard is very busy and might not be able to reply to every email, although he does read them all. Also note that Kotare operate on New Zealand time (approximately 20 hours ahead of the USA, 12 hours ahead of Europe, 3 hours ahead of Australia) which may affect response times to your enquiries.
Product Design Darren Mildenhall
Born and raised in Wellington, New Zealand, Darren graduated with a major in Industrial design from the School of Design. During the degree he developed a passion for form and the aesthetic appeal of a product and how to utilise CAD software to realise and develop a concept. Darren was a product designer for Wingnut Wings until April 2020 where he was responsible for designing around a quarter of the Wingnut Wings range of models which are rightly considered to be amongst the finest scale model aircraft in the world. He aims to continue this tradition since joining Kotare in July 2020. When not designing scale model aircraft, Darren enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children and renovating their 1920s house.
Product/Industrial Design Jason McAdam
Jason graduated with an honours degree in Industrial Design from Victoria University in 2007 and was a product designer at Wingnut Wings until April 2020. Whilst there he was responsible for designing around a quarter of the Wingnut Wings range of models which are rightly considered to be amongst the finest scale model aircraft in the world. Since June 2020 Jason has worked as a design engineer for METCO Engineering, assisting them to branch into more design orientated projects. Jason’s passion for design comes hand in hand with a love of sport and recreation, with motorbike riding being among the more popular of his past times. He is now pleased to be able to contribute his expertise to Kotare. See more about Jason at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-mcadam-design
Box Art Darryl Legg
Darryl was born in Cape Town, South Africa in 1975 and his interest in aircraft and passion for art inspired him from an early age. He has been a full-time professional artist since he was 20 years old and is considered to be one of the World’s finest aviation artists. Darryl paints in acrylics on gesso-primed canvas and has developed a highly detailed style. His numerous clients include South African Airways (SAA), the South African Air Force (SAAF) and regular aviation enthusiasts from all over the world, just like you. He currently lives in the Karoo town of Middelburg. Find out more about Darryl’s work at www.aviationartsa.com
Decal Artist Malcolm Laird
Malcolm has been in the scale model industry since 1981, first as Falcon vacform models (www.falconmodels.co.nz, sold to Tore Martin in 1985) and from then on as Ventura Publications which produced decals and short run injection moulded kitsets. He still produces his line of Ventura decals and a range of soft cover aviation books mainly with a Kiwi flavour. The most recent book being on RNZAF Corsairs. Malcolm was the decal artist for Wingnut Wings until April 2020 and welcomes the opportunity to continue his world-renowned work with Kotare. Outside work he suffers the dual afflictions of restoring old Kawasaki motorcycles and trying to paint impressionist landscapes, with 'mixed' results so far. Visit Malcolm's web site at www.venturapublications.com
Profile Artist Ronny Bar
A former rock musician, Ronny Bar has had a lifelong interest in aircraft since growing up near the El Palomar Air Force Base in Buenos Aires. He started drawing and building models of aircraft soon after a flight in a T-34 Mentor trainer at the age of 10, Spitfires and Messerschmitt first... Camels and Fokkers later. After retiring from the R'n'R scene he returned to his early interest of aviation Artwork. His artwork regularly appears in journals and publications like Windsock Worldwide, Windsock Datafiles, Cross & Cockade and Over the Front as well as with model companies such as Wingnut Wings and Kotare. In 2021 Ronny published his first book of profile art, British Two-Seaters of the Great War. Visit Ronny's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/RONNY-BAR-Aircraft-Profiles/166538664131