New Airfix Magazine
Discussion
Looks like Airfix and Key Publishing are teaming up to launch a new version of Airfix Magazine for the 21st Century.
It will be interesting to see what it looks like.
http://www.airfix.com/latest-news/archive/2010/8/1...
It will be interesting to see what it looks like.
http://www.airfix.com/latest-news/archive/2010/8/1...
Eric Mc said:
Looks like Airfix and Key Publishing are teaming up to launch a new version of Airfix Magazine for the 21st Century.
It will be interesting to see what it looks like.
http://www.airfix.com/latest-news/archive/2010/8/1...
That's incredible...do we really need *another* model magazine? It will be interesting to see what it looks like.
http://www.airfix.com/latest-news/archive/2010/8/1...
A acouple of years ago, that's exactly what I would have said. I was amazed when Model Airplane International was launched a about 5 years ago. Amazingly, it is still around and thriving (as far as I know). Since then, another model avaition magazine has been launched - Model Aviation World and is just celebrating its 1st birthday.
Seemingly, the market isn't yet saturated.
It will be interesting to0 see how it works out for Airfix and Key Publishing. I hope it follows the ethos of the original Airfix Magazine of the 1960s/70s which helped kick start the hobby as something more than just a past-time for junior.
Seemingly, the market isn't yet saturated.
It will be interesting to0 see how it works out for Airfix and Key Publishing. I hope it follows the ethos of the original Airfix Magazine of the 1960s/70s which helped kick start the hobby as something more than just a past-time for junior.
Eric Mc said:
A acouple of years ago, that's exactly what I would have said. I was amazed when Model Airplane International was launched a about 5 years ago. Amazingly, it is still around and thriving (as far as I know). Since then, another model avaition magazine has been launched - Model Aviation World and is just celebrating its 1st birthday.
Seemingly, the market isn't yet saturated.
It will be interesting to0 see how it works out for Airfix and Key Publishing. I hope it follows the ethos of the original Airfix Magazine of the 1960s/70s which helped kick start the hobby as something more than just a past-time for junior.
Some of the mags seem to be 90% adverts 10% articles...MAW is OK though.Seemingly, the market isn't yet saturated.
It will be interesting to0 see how it works out for Airfix and Key Publishing. I hope it follows the ethos of the original Airfix Magazine of the 1960s/70s which helped kick start the hobby as something more than just a past-time for junior.
I'm sure I'll give it a go, certainly the first few issues and see what it's like.
I really used to enjoy Model Aircraft Monthly - for me it was a great mix of real aircraft and history together with some great models and reviews. Now in it's present guise as Military Aircraft Monthly I'm wishing I didn't subscribe.
I really used to enjoy Model Aircraft Monthly - for me it was a great mix of real aircraft and history together with some great models and reviews. Now in it's present guise as Military Aircraft Monthly I'm wishing I didn't subscribe.
DieselGriff said:
I'm sure I'll give it a go, certainly the first few issues and see what it's like.
I really used to enjoy Model Aircraft Monthly - for me it was a great mix of real aircraft and history together with some great models and reviews. Now in it's present guise as Military Aircraft Monthly I'm wishing I didn't subscribe.
Some of the builds in the magazines these days aren't all that good either IMO, I get the impression that for some features, time constraints played a part in compromising the models, and with others, the modellers themselves aren't up to the standard I'd expect for a magazine feature. There also seems to be a 'no criticism' policy when a model has been supplied foc for review. In many ways you're better off looking at specialist forums for unbiased reviews. For some strange reason I do still buy magazines occasionally though.I really used to enjoy Model Aircraft Monthly - for me it was a great mix of real aircraft and history together with some great models and reviews. Now in it's present guise as Military Aircraft Monthly I'm wishing I didn't subscribe.
DieselGriff said:
I'm sure I'll give it a go, certainly the first few issues and see what it's like.
I really used to enjoy Model Aircraft Monthly - for me it was a great mix of real aircraft and history together with some great models and reviews. Now in it's present guise as Military Aircraft Monthly I'm wishing I didn't subscribe.
I agree about MAM.I really used to enjoy Model Aircraft Monthly - for me it was a great mix of real aircraft and history together with some great models and reviews. Now in it's present guise as Military Aircraft Monthly I'm wishing I didn't subscribe.
I can see the logic of the publishing house in concentrating the modelling in Scale Aviation Modelling and the research in Military Aviation Monthly. But somehow, despite the apparent logic, it doesn't work for me.
I agree Eric, it doesn't work despite the logic. The daft thing (apart from me) is that I used to buy both SAM and MAM but when my subscription runs out I suspect I will subscribe to SAM but only pick up MAM if there are enough articles of sufficient interest.
I think I'm more inclined to read the model articles of any subject but if there is a section on that subject and it's history as well then I'm likely to read and enjoy that even if it's something I would normally take little interest in.
I think I'm more inclined to read the model articles of any subject but if there is a section on that subject and it's history as well then I'm likely to read and enjoy that even if it's something I would normally take little interest in.
I think the publishers thought that any fall off in modelling readers would be more than made up by new readers whose interest was in real aircraft history. Whether that is what actually hsappened only time will tell.
All I know is that it has confused the hell out of my local W H Smiths who don't know where to place the magazine now. One month it is in the modelling section. The next it will be in with the real aircraft mags.
All I know is that it has confused the hell out of my local W H Smiths who don't know where to place the magazine now. One month it is in the modelling section. The next it will be in with the real aircraft mags.
As mentioned above, what stops me buying these mags regularly is the mass of adverts and obsession with resin and PE addons.
Personally I'd like to see more model builds and how toos in each edition.
I personally like the Tamiya mag the best but even that is painfully thin.
Even a mag like Tamiya's that just covered Airfix, Tamiya and Revell would be better than the current choices.
Personally I'd like to see more model builds and how toos in each edition.
I personally like the Tamiya mag the best but even that is painfully thin.
Even a mag like Tamiya's that just covered Airfix, Tamiya and Revell would be better than the current choices.
The_Jackal said:
As mentioned above, what stops me buying these mags regularly is the mass of adverts and obsession with resin and PE addons.
Personally I'd like to see more model builds and how toos in each edition.
I personally like the Tamiya mag the best but even that is painfully thin.
Even a mag like Tamiya's that just covered Airfix, Tamiya and Revell would be better than the current choices.
Have you tried Model Aviation World yet?Personally I'd like to see more model builds and how toos in each edition.
I personally like the Tamiya mag the best but even that is painfully thin.
Even a mag like Tamiya's that just covered Airfix, Tamiya and Revell would be better than the current choices.
Of course, the real reason for the magazine is to give the Airfix brand a higher profile around the country. Because of the demise of the local hobby and model shop, I suspect there are many (perhaps slightly older) people who don't realise Airfix are still alive and thriving.
I'm not sure that Airfix has enough diversity of output now to support 12 issues a year. After an initial burst of enthusiasm when it was relaunched, their new releases seem to have gone back to yet another variation on a 1/72 WWII plane. However big the WWII market is (inherently it is literally dying off) once a small boy has made a Spitfire and Stuka, there isn't a lot new to keep him coming back. The engine "models" they have started selling are just re-boxed models from other companies. Maybe they got their fingers burned with the Dr Who models and Wallace & Gromit - their lead times were simply way too long to catch the market.
I understand the comment about the obsession with resin and photo-etch, but I must admit most models look very flat and uninteresting without some accurising. If I am going to buy a magazine, I need to see a model that looks impressive, not just another Mk 73 version 19a/f Spitfire from the 17th of June 1942 painted in standard colours. It is this after-market content that has moved the market on from 9 year olds to 39 year olds with more money and skill. The past was a warm cosy place, but the world has moved on since then.
I'm not sure that Airfix has enough diversity of output now to support 12 issues a year. After an initial burst of enthusiasm when it was relaunched, their new releases seem to have gone back to yet another variation on a 1/72 WWII plane. However big the WWII market is (inherently it is literally dying off) once a small boy has made a Spitfire and Stuka, there isn't a lot new to keep him coming back. The engine "models" they have started selling are just re-boxed models from other companies. Maybe they got their fingers burned with the Dr Who models and Wallace & Gromit - their lead times were simply way too long to catch the market.
I understand the comment about the obsession with resin and photo-etch, but I must admit most models look very flat and uninteresting without some accurising. If I am going to buy a magazine, I need to see a model that looks impressive, not just another Mk 73 version 19a/f Spitfire from the 17th of June 1942 painted in standard colours. It is this after-market content that has moved the market on from 9 year olds to 39 year olds with more money and skill. The past was a warm cosy place, but the world has moved on since then.
Modelling means different things to different generations. The average sub 15 year old needs to be weaned into the hobby these days and not bombarded with complexity and cost. I think Airfix are getting the mix right at the moment. And you would be surprised at how well WW2 still sells (There are more WW2 documentaries on TV then possibly any other subject at the moment).
Airfix are doing the right thing. They are going back through their original best sellers and manufacturing new technology moulds of the old favourites. Granted, some of these new releases are not to the Tamiya or Hsasegawa standard, but most kids will happilly part with £6.699 for a reasonable looking 1/72 Spitfire but not £20.00 for a super detailed one.
Have you seen Hasegawas latest prices? There new Junkers Ju 188 is on sale at £42.99. I'm sure it's a great kit but even I blanche at forking out £50.00 for a medium sized 1/72 model.
And, s you rightly point out, Hornby are working very hard to up the profile of the Airfix brand. The James May programme last year was a stroke of genius and they haven't slackened the pace since. They are currently running a mobile roadshow which has visted many airshows around the country offering parents and kids the chance to build models together in a marquee together with help and advice from Humbrol/Airfix staff.
Airfix were fading because the previous owners, Humbrol, did not put enough effort into promoting and developing the brand and product. Hornby are redressing almost 25 years of neglect.
Airfix are doing the right thing. They are going back through their original best sellers and manufacturing new technology moulds of the old favourites. Granted, some of these new releases are not to the Tamiya or Hsasegawa standard, but most kids will happilly part with £6.699 for a reasonable looking 1/72 Spitfire but not £20.00 for a super detailed one.
Have you seen Hasegawas latest prices? There new Junkers Ju 188 is on sale at £42.99. I'm sure it's a great kit but even I blanche at forking out £50.00 for a medium sized 1/72 model.
And, s you rightly point out, Hornby are working very hard to up the profile of the Airfix brand. The James May programme last year was a stroke of genius and they haven't slackened the pace since. They are currently running a mobile roadshow which has visted many airshows around the country offering parents and kids the chance to build models together in a marquee together with help and advice from Humbrol/Airfix staff.
Airfix were fading because the previous owners, Humbrol, did not put enough effort into promoting and developing the brand and product. Hornby are redressing almost 25 years of neglect.
Eric Mc said:
Airfix are doing the right thing. They are going back through their original best sellers and manufacturing new technology moulds of the old favourites.
I'm a bit uneasy about them packaging - by todays standard - crap old models (Airacobra, Walrus etc) in all-new fancy boxes along with their new releases. I know other manufacturers (Revell etc) are guilty of the same to an extent, but I reckon Airfix are pushing what's acceptable...At least they could leave the old models in the older packaging so people would have a chance of realising what they were in for? If I was new to modelling and bought an 2010 state-of-the-art packaged Airfix kit that was in fact a 1960's moulding, it would probably put me off modelling for life.
To be fair someone new to modelling wouldnt even be aware the existence of 60s 70s etc moulding.
If they are trying to attract new modellers, adults and children alike then awareness is more important than new modern moulds. You have to remember most beginners are put of by the high price of Tamiya and Trumpeter etc.
If they are trying to attract new modellers, adults and children alike then awareness is more important than new modern moulds. You have to remember most beginners are put of by the high price of Tamiya and Trumpeter etc.
Gassing Station | Scale Models | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff