Models Boats Construction Special 2011

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Models Boats Construction Special 2011

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27 March 2011 at 20:07 #30206
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Following the success of last year’s Commemorative Special, I have foolishly agreed to do another Special Issue which is due for publication on 5^th May and available only through W.H.Smith or directly from MyHobbyStore.

Last year people very much liked seeing the material from the archives so I wanted to continue with that. On a separate note, I have long noticed that on model boating internet forums the same questions on modelling techniques come up again and again, usually from newcomers and less experienced modellers, but also from people tackling new projects requiring different skills.

To combine the two, we have the Model Boats Construction Special which contains a combination of specially commissioned articles on ‘Boating Basics’ plus a selection of plan features from the archives. On top of that there is a new kit review (if I can finish it in time!) plus a free plan for a PT boat which should be quite easy to build yet deliver exciting performance.

Those contributing articles as well as myself are:
Brian King – Hull and Superstructure Construction

Paul Freshney – Painting

Glynn Guest – Drivelines

Richard Simpson – Model Boat Stability

Dave Brumstead – Adhesives

John Elliot – Fittings

I have contributed items on Choosing a Project and Selecting Motors and Props (using the invaluable data provided by Forum members) and supplemented some of the plan features. By popular demand I have reproduced Vic Smeed’s classic Bustler tug article and plan from 1955 together with a few updated images.

The other plan features are a representative mixture of modelling projects which include highly detailed scale models, a cabin cruiser, river launch and a miniature. A bonus article supplements Norman Ough’s 1963 piece on anchors with full colour illustrations.

So, hopefully an issue in which most people will find much of interest.

Last year we had some distribution problems at W H Smith. Hopefully this will not be the case this time but if the contents outlined above appeal to you then you might want to consider pre ordering your copy here. or order by phone: +44 (0) 844 848 8822

Colin
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27 March 2011 at 20:07 #8373
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
28 March 2011 at 21:37 #30224
Mike Race
Participant
@mikerace67320
I look forward to picking up a copy from my local smiths as last years special edition was really excellent but cant help say that if pre order is a similar process to subscribing then the best of luck to everyone who tries to chance their arm by trying to get it this way.
28 March 2011 at 23:04 #30227
michael kemish
Participant
@michaelkemish72883
Hi, as I’m a subscriber, is this edition included in my subscripiion? or do I have to wait about 3 onths for it to appear in my local newsagent?

Thanks

Mick
28 March 2011 at 23:26 #30228
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Mick,

No it isn’t a subscription edition, it is a limited run Special so you either have to buy it from W.H Smith from 5th May or pre order it from MyHobbyStore using the link or phone number above.

Colin
9 May 2011 at 22:33 #30567
Francis Macnaughton
Participant
@francismacnaughton39461
Colin,

Is this one out yet – I couldn’t see it in Plymouth or Newton Abbot WH Smith’s this last weekend?

Francis
9 May 2011 at 23:00 #30568
The Long Build
Participant
@thelongbuild
It is out, I picked mine up on Sunday from WH smiths at the Manchester Trafford Centre.

I hope that it is not the case but it looks like WHSmiths are doing the stopping certain mags again sweep, My Local Store, Warrington which is a medium sized branch have done this a few times over the past decade which finally made me take out a subscription.

But I would have thought that they would stock a Magazine exclusive to them !!.. I am still waiting a reply from both the store and thir customer services to see what they are up to
10 May 2011 at 10:04 #30570
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
I understand that there was a bit of a delay in the production process, probably due to all the Bank Holidays close together but I’m told that the pre ordered copies were despatched last Friday. Presumably WH Smith would have received their copies around the same time although I don’t know how long it takes them to distribute them to their branches – last year it took a while!

I’ve no idea on what basis WHS decide which stores receive copies, last time each store stocking them was sent either 5 or 10, presumably on the basis of how many they thought they might sell. Some other stores, including at least one model shop got some too, not sure why.

If your local WHS isn’t stocking it then you should still be able to order directly from MyHobbyStore until such time as their own stocks run out.

If it’s any consolation I still haven’t seen it myself yet although I have been assured that it’s in the post!

Colin
10 May 2011 at 16:32 #30572
raymond broadfield
Participant
@raymondbroadfield80452
Not on the shelves at my two nearest WHS the large store in Kingston ,and medium store in New Malden

Ray
13 May 2011 at 20:26 #30603
Mike Race
Participant
@mikerace67320
Not in my stores yet but then the June issue is in the store already but as usual my subscription copy hasnt arrived. I think the subscription strapline should read………..Lonely? Need to talk? buy a subscription to model boats and you’ll never be alone as you always need to call them to ask wheres my copy. Each month they will say………..Im sorry you dont have a subscription followed by hours of amiable discussion to prove you do because your paying for it from your bank account…….You will get to know all our staff as close friends’ And Im still waiting my tx case!! Well actually Ive given up on my tx case. It isnt coming because i dont have a subscription I just make charitable donations to the publishers as Im kind like that

How to win and keep customers?

Yours totally XXXXXX XXX
13 May 2011 at 21:10 #30604
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
The June issue has been distributed to subscribers this week, I got mine yesterday, others got theirs from last Saturday. It’s a few days late but that might be down to the series of bank holidays which seems to have disrupted printing/distribution schedules. It was due in the shops today as you have found.

The Special Issue seems to be pretty widely available now although not all WHS stores are stocking it, the decision on which ones have it is apparently down to them. If your local store doesn’t have it then you can order direct from MHS. The problem with the special issues is that they have a limited print run for budgetary reasons and the only way to guarantee a copy is to pre order.

I don’t know what the situation is regarding TX cases but MHS do wait until they know how many are required before ordering and posting them.

Colin
14 May 2011 at 17:25 #30615
Mike Race
Participant
@mikerace67320
Ah well Saturday comes and another day passes in another month and no pitter patter of the postmans footsteps with my latest issue. At least I have something to do next week the same as in April and March and have my usual chat of ‘excuse me wheres my copy’……………beats watching the tumbleweed blow across the lawn………… Memo to self if ever I am tempted to subscribe again must use emergency frying pan across head hard ow now say stupid boy been there done that didnt work but still came back for more – ow ow dont do it again no matter how tempting the free gift that doesnt come or exist. OW OW OW . Ah WH smiths here I come…………and they have offers on chocolate at the check out that really does exist
14 May 2011 at 17:59 #30617
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Mike,

There’s no point in moaning on here as there is nothing I can do. If you have a problem with your normal issue (and this topic is about the Special Issue so please don’t hijack it) then get in touch with either MHS Subscriptions or if necessary MHS Customer Services and ask them to sort it out for you, that is what they are there for.

Regards,

Colin
14 May 2011 at 18:12 #30618
Mike Race
Participant
@mikerace67320
Apologies for the moaning on this subject Colin. You are of course right that I shouldnt use the special edition thread to moan but I am sure you will understand my frustration. I will leave my frustrations at the forum door and reserve it for Customer Services.
14 May 2011 at 21:28 #30623
Red Ken
Participant
@redken
I did enjoy the latest ‘construction special’, well done to all the team.

One thing I noticed in the article about the plans service was the mention of obsolete plans, these intrigue me.

Is it possible to have some more information on these, there seems to be a resurgance of interest in the model boating of times past, notice the ‘Sea Commander’ kit now offered again and pond yachts.

I personally would love to have a try of a model of yesteryear.

Regards to all,

Ken.
14 May 2011 at 22:47 #30625
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Ken,

Many of those old plans are half a century old and the Plans Service has experienced half a dozen or more changes of ownership in that time. Where there was no commercial interest in them, some of the plans have simply fallen by the wayside possibly also due to the fragile condition of the originals. The only remaining evidence of them is in old Plans Handbooks or perhaps surviving copies of the issues in which they were published. There is no central ‘database’ as such.

As I remarked in the article, the reproduction quality in those old issues was very good so that it may well be possible to ‘resurrect’ them technically but obviously you would first have to track down copies of the old Model Maker magazine. From a commercial standpoint there would still be very little interest and so no real incentive to restore them to the current plans range although if you can lay your hands on one of the old magazines it would be relatively easy to scan the plan and have it reproduced full size.

Colin
15 May 2011 at 18:46 #30640
The Long Build
Participant
@thelongbuild
Just an update from my store in Warrington. Despite them Saying that they were not stocking it or Model Boats anymore from last month they now have both the June Issue and the Special !!.

It still baffles me though that when they have an exclusive issue to WH Smiths they hide it at the back of poor magazine display racks..

OK Model boats as a Hobby may not have a huge following but I would have an excluisive on a more visiable dispaly for that month..
15 May 2011 at 19:22 #30642
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Apparently you have to pay lots of money to get your magazine displayed on the upper or eye level shelves. The placing is no accident.

Having said that, there were some stores last year where the Commemmorative special was placed in a more prominent position. Maybe the managers were model boaters….

Colin
17 May 2011 at 07:16 #30654
michael kemish
Participant
@michaelkemish72883
Hi Colin,

Do you know if any are coming down under to Aust?

Mick
17 May 2011 at 08:59 #30656
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Only if you order them direct fom MyHobbyStore as far as I know Mick.

Colin
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