Build the Bismarck

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Build the Bismarck

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15 February 2019 at 17:41 #8168
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
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15 February 2019 at 17:41 #81094
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Dear All

No doubt you will have seen the current TV ad for the latest Build the Bismarck doesn't it look super.

But beware as there are 140 issues and after issue 3 the price per issue rises to £8.99.

For those who are hard of thinking those 137 issues will cost you an eye watering £1,231.LINK

Are you still thinking of investing?

Paul

Edited By Paul T on 15/02/2019 17:49:22
16 February 2019 at 07:57 #81108
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Hi Paul

It certainly is an exhorbitant price, but the very exact engineering work required to create such a masterpiece must also be exhorbitant

They look very interesting and it would be a treat to build one, especially with the hull being made from diecast metal!

Can`t see the project ever making a profit though

We`ll see

All the best, my mate

Bob`s yer Uncle

Edited By Bob Abell on 16/02/2019 08:00:29
16 February 2019 at 08:30 #81109
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
Considering the complexity of it, is it that expensive (relatively speaking). It does look as if it would build into a good model, albeit YET ANOTHER Bismarck. (Can’t sail on our pond without bumping into one).

They should have asked me and I would have advised them of the RIGHT materials to make it from….

Ashley
16 February 2019 at 09:47 #81114
Dave Milbourn
Participant
@davemilbourn48782
They should have asked me and I would have advised them of the RIGHT materials to make it from….

Aha! This looks like a job for…
16 February 2019 at 17:15 #81125
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
Yes. Superior man-made board. Ashley

(as we all know…EVERYTHING I make uss this stuff)
16 February 2019 at 17:52 #81126
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Ashley has graduated to white faced harboard, it's for boats with a performance that half scares you to death…

Colin
16 February 2019 at 18:10 #81127
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Colin

Ashley is at the cutting edge of material development you won't know that Nasa have been using white faced hardboard as a cost saving material on their latest 'one way' Mars manned mission project as it is lighter than titanium and stronger than cardboard.

Paul .
16 February 2019 at 18:19 #81128
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Well, it won't get wet on the way to Mars.

Colin
16 February 2019 at 18:32 #81129
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
It wouldn't matter if it did get wet as Nasa knows a chap who builds model boats out of the stuff and will tell them the secret in exchange for a cup of tea and a mars bar.
17 February 2019 at 12:41 #81136
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Anybody out there building this model?

It would be interesting to see a few build photos please?

Bob
17 February 2019 at 13:36 #81137
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Bob

Whilst it might be nice to see how it goes together a person would have to be either well off or really want to own a very expensive toy.

Paul
17 February 2019 at 13:38 #81138
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
Bob. Only rich people will be/likely to build this. I think build pictures likely to be slow on coming at one piece a week

NASA have already asked, and I have demanded a bit more than a mars bar, they are seeing if the budget will stretch to a curly Wurly

ashley
17 February 2019 at 13:50 #81140
Tim Rowe
Participant
@timrowe83142
Question for me.

How much will it be worth if it has been really well put together? I suspect if it is thrown together it would be worth nothing.

Tim R
17 February 2019 at 13:54 #81143
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Hi Chaps

This is a bit strange?

Found another thread dated 7/09/07……"Build the Bismarck" by Hatchette Mag

The thread ends abruptly for no apparent explanation

Can`t post a link at the moment

Bob
17 February 2019 at 13:56 #81145
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
Tim. This is a “how long is a bit of string” question, re value. There is no correct answer.

Bob. Perhaps they are trying to flog all the bits they didn’t sell last time?

Ashley

Edited By ashley needham on 17/02/2019 13:58:03
17 February 2019 at 14:26 #81148
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
The model is currently available in Germany, where they are four weeks ahead of the Uk

The model appears to be precoloured……..Including the diecast hull

It`s on YouTube now

Still can`t post a link for some reason

Bob
17 February 2019 at 14:30 #81149
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Tim

Even if it put together by the most gifted model builder I doubt that it would be worth anywhere near the sum of its parts.

Paul
17 February 2019 at 14:53 #81151
Tim Rowe
Participant
@timrowe83142
Paul

That's what I think too.

Tim R
17 February 2019 at 16:56 #81155
John W E
Participant
@johnwe
I think this is a typical answer by all modellers, due to the fact we all know how to build/attempt to build models. But what about the ordinary gent/lady in the street with no modelling experience whatsoever – who sees the magazine and says I would like to have a go at this . So, this is the first stage introducing them into the magic world of modelling – easy, one bit at a time, although may be expensive – obviously good instructions and not overwhelmed with a boxful of parts as you purchase in a whole kit. So, instead of trying to rubbish the idea by saying they are expensive and you can buy a better model – we have to think outside the box – they are a good idea to introduce people into the hobby. If Model Boats were to do the same thing – I wonder if it would increase the number of people purchasing the magazine – I think it would. People may get bored and purchases might dwindle down, but even if we get 2 out of 100 people into the hobby, its better than what we are doing now, by rubbishing the magazine. My thoughts anyway.

Edited By John W E on 17/02/2019 16:58:48
17 February 2019 at 17:40 #81157
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
John,

Model Boats stopped the givaways years ago as it was prohibitively expensive. They had to pay for twice the shelf space in newsagents because of the thickness and of course subscriber postage went up too. It made no commercial sense as only a tiny fraction of the readership were ever likely to take up whatever offer was going, usually a separate plan. That is why the free plans these days are stitched in. It's much cheaper to print them that way.

Starter modellers are encouraged by straightforward designs such as those by Glynn Guest and also by the wood packs advertised in the magazine which people can purchase if they wish. Model Boats and similar niche interest magazines are run on a shoestring budget, there is no spare cash to take a punt on a freebie which only a tiny proportion of readers might actually want. It is more important to try and keep a lid on the issue price to keep the readership you have already got!

With a specialist publications such as Build the Bismarck, only those with an initial interest in building the model will buy it. OK the Bismacrk has been done to death but the publishers need to have a subject which people are likely to have heard of so we get the Bismarck on th naval side and the ever popular Titanic on the merchant one. To be honest I doubt if many people stay the course with these publications and no doubt that is factored into the business case. Also, as someone has already said, a completed model will never be worth the cost of all the issues needed to make it but that is pretty much par for the course in model boating generally where kits rarely command more than the original price plus some of the running gear etc. But of course you shouldn't embark upon a project like this if you want to make money – it's just a hobby.

Colin
17 February 2019 at 17:50 #81158
John W E
Participant
@johnwe
One big flaw in that argument though is Glynn Guest's free plans and balsa packs aren't available on bookshelves in the paper shops, such as WH Smith & other book shops. Fair comment they could have picked another subject such as the Cutty Sark.
17 February 2019 at 17:52 #81159
Ray Wood 3
Participant
@raywood3
Hi all,

I wish my hobbies only cost me £10 per week , if it's 1 issue a week still cheaper! Wanting the end product is another question ? Comparison with the cost of beer these days, 3 pints a week Ooops 😀

Regards Ray
17 February 2019 at 17:54 #81160
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
John. I don’t think anyone is rubbishing the magazine. As modellers we obviously view such efforts in a certain light. There is no doubt that with a modicum of effort this Bizzy would build into an impressive model.

Whether it is worth the money is up to the individual to decide. For someone with little modelling experience, then. building such a good looking model has to worth it and you pay for it. Kits generally of a good size are not cheap and are very time consuming.

Ashley
17 February 2019 at 18:02 #81161
Tim Rowe
Participant
@timrowe83142
John

It will be similar to the De Agostini Spitfire. A whole load of newcomers to model aircraft want a Spitfire which for a beginner is highly unsuitable.

If you stayed the course you ended up with an overweight model that crashed on take-off but very few went the distance anyway. Exceptionally, some built by experienced builders did get in the air but had to fly sturdily fast to stay airborne. Rather than encourage many people, it put them off.

£36 a month is quite a commitment and I think Colin sums it up well.

Tim R
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