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[Colin Bishop]

Brian,

It isn't a regular issue but a separate Special so you will need to buy it separately.

You will still get your regular 13 annual issues as usual.

Colin

[Peter Fitness]

My regular subscription issue arrived at the same time as the commemorative issue, so I was spoilt for choice.

I thought that the commemorative issue was absolutely first class, and my congratulations go to all concerned in its publication, especially Colin Bishop. Hopefully we will see others along the same lines at some point in the future.

Peter.

[The long Build]

NOT MB fault but our WHSmiths says they have not receieved them yet    They must still  be having trouble with the snow we had back in January and the Volcanic Ash !! ..

[Colin Bishop]

Yes, I looked in WHS in Kingston on Thames and they weren't there either. Hopefully tomorrow. If I hear anything otherwise I will put on an update. I know these delays do happen from time to time.

Colin

[vintagent]

I pushed the boat out (ouch!) and ordered mine online today.  First and only thing I ever bought over the hinternet!  I do hope it arrives, Mr. Bishop!
Regards,
Vintagent

[Colin Bishop]

For those of you queueing at W.H.Smith.....

Apparently there has been a glitch with the distribution. The latest info I have is that some WHS branches now have copies and that the main distribution will take place today so that the issue should be generally available tomorrow (Saturday 15th).

However not every WHS Branch will be stocking them - presumably not the smallest ones - in which case you will need to order direct from MyHobbyStore. They have them available to send out so there should be no delay but you will have to pay postage. http://www.myhobbystore.co.uk/product/24897/model-boats-commemorative-special-1950-2010-pre-order

The delay does not appear to be the fault of MyHobbyStore - a bit frustrating though!

Colin

[vintagent]

Just had a pleasant e-mail from Myhobbystore saying it's been despatched.  Should get it tomorrow.
Nice service. i hope the issue lives up to hype.
Vintagent

[Colin Bishop]

i hope the issue lives up to hype.

So do I, Vintagent, so do I .........

Colin

[vintagent]

It's got old stuff in it, Colin, of course it will!

A nice weekend read, I hope.

Regards,
Vintagent

[The long Build]

For those of you queueing at W.H.Smith.....

Apparently there has been a glitch with the distribution. The latest info I have is that some WHS branches now have copies and that the main distribution will take place today so that the issue should be generally available tomorrow (Saturday 15th).

However not every WHS Branch will be stocking them - presumably not the smallest ones - in which case you will need to order direct from MyHobbyStore. They have them available to send out so there should be no delay but you will have to pay postage. http://www.myhobbystore.co.uk/product/24897/model-boats-commemorative-special-1950-2010-pre-order

The delay does not appear to be the fault of MyHobbyStore - a bit frustrating though!

Colin

Blimey youre good Colin , I just sat down to say we still seemed to have a problem and you had already answered the question..

[Colin Bishop]

Latest info this morning (Monday) is that there have indeed been distribution delays, apparently on the part of W H Smith. MyHobbyStore are trying to clarify the situation and I will post further information as soon as I receive it.

WH Smith stores due to receive the issue are as below. Each will have either 10 or 5 copies.

Colin

32 HIGH TONBRIDGE BKS, 35 HIGH NANTWICH BKS, 39 TOLL BEVERLEY STY, 5 NORTHST SUDBURY STY, 84 HIGH NEWMARKET BKS, ABERYSTWYTH, ACCRINGTON, AIRDRIE, ALDERSHOT, ALDRIDGE, ALNWICK, ALTON, ALTRINCHAM, ANDOVER, ARBROATH, ARGYLE STREET, ARNDALE MANCHESTER, ARNOLD, ASHBY DE LA ZOUCH, ASHFORD, ASHTON UNDER LYNE, AYLESBURY, AYR, BAKER STREET METRO, BALHAM, BANBURY, BANCHORY, BARNSLEY, BARNSTAPLE, BARROW, BASILDON, BASINGSTOKE, BATH UNION ST, BATHGATE, BEACONSFIELD, BEDFORD, BEESTON, BELFAST, BERKHAMSTED, BERWICK-ON-TWEED, BEXLEYHEATH, BICESTER, BIRKENHEAD, BIRMINGHAM, BIRSTALL LEEDS, BISHOP AUCKLAND, BISHOPS STORTFORD, BLACKPOOL, BLETCHLEY, BLUEWATER PARK, BLYTH, BODMIN, BOGNOR REGIS, BOLTON, BOOTLE, BOREHAMWOOD, BOSCOMBE, BOSTON, BOURNEMOUTH, BRACKNELL, BRADFORD KIRKGATE, BRAEHEAD, BRAINTREE, BRECON, BRENT CROSS, BRIDGNORTH, BRIDGWATER, BRIDPORT, BRIGHTON, BRISTOL GALLERIES, BROMLEY, BROMSGROVE, BROUGHTON PARC, BURGESS HILL, BURNLEY, BURTON ON TRENT, BURY, BURY ST EDMUNDS, BUXTON, CAERNARFON, CAERPHILLY, CAMBERLEY, CAMBORNE, CAMBRIDGE, CAMERON TOLL, CANNOCK, CANTERBURY, CARDIFF, CARLISLE, CARMARTHEN, CASTLEPOINT, CATERHAM, CATFORD, CHATHAM, CHELMSFORD, CHELTENHAM HIGH, CHEPSTOW, CHESTER, CHESTERFIELD, CHICHESTER, CHIPPENHAM, CHIPPING NORTON, CHISWICK, CHORLEY, CHRISTCHURCH, CIRENCESTER, CLACTON ON SEA, CLEV MIDDLESBROUGH, CLITHEROE, COLCHESTER, COLLIERS WOOD, COLWYN BAY, COMERCIAL WAY WOKING, COVENTRY, COWLEY, CRAWLEY, CREWE, CRIBBS CAUSEWAY, CROYDON, CUPAR, CWMBRAN, DALKEITH, DARLINGTON, DARTFORD, DEAL, DEEPDALE  PRESTON, DERBY, DEWSBURY, DIDCOT, DONCASTER, DORCHESTER, DOUGLAS I OF M, DOVER, DROITWICH, DUDLEY, DUMFRIES, DUNDEE, DUNFERMLINE, DUNSTABLE, DURHAM, EALING, EAST GRINSTEAD, EAST HAM, EAST KILBRIDE, EAST RETFORD, EAST SHEEN, EASTBOURNE, EASTLEIGH, EDGWARE, ELEPHANT & CASTLE, ELGIN, ELTHAM, ELY, ENFIELD, EPSOM, ERDINGTON, EXETER, EXMOUTH, FALKIRK, FALMOUTH, FAREHAM, FARNBOROUGH, FARNHAM, FELIXSTOWE, FISHERGATE PRESTON, FLEET, FOLKESTONE, FOREST HILL, FORT RETAIL PARK, FORT WILLIAM, FOSSE PARK, FROGMORE ABERGAVENNY, FROME, FULHAM, GALASHIELS, GALLIONS BECKTON, GATESHEAD METRO, GENTS WALK NORWICH, GILLINGHAM, GLENROTHES, GLOUCESTER, GODALMING, GOSFORTH, GRANGEMOUTH, GRANTHAM, GRAVESEND, GRAYS, GREAT YARMOUTH, GREENFORD RETAIL PK, GREENOCK, GREENWICH, GRIMSBY, GUERNSEY, GUILDFORD, HALESOWEN, HALIFAX, HAMILTON, HAMMERSMITH, HANLEY, HARBORNE, HARLOW, HARPENDEN, HARROGATE, HARROW, HARTLEPOOL, HASTINGS, HAVANT, HAVERFORDWEST, HAVERHILL, HAWICK, HAYES, HAYWARDS HEATH, HELENSBURGH, HELSTON, HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, HENLEY ON THAMES, HEREFORD, HERTFORD, HIGH ST ORPINGTON, HIGH WYCOMBE, HINCKLEY, HITCHIN, HOLBORN CIRCUS, HONITON, HORSHAM, HOUNSLOW, HOVE, HUDDERSFIELD, HULL KINGSWOOD, HUNTINGDON, ILFORD, INVERNESS, IPSWICH, JERSEY WHS JERSEYLTD, KEIGHLEY, KELSO, KENDAL, KETTERING, KILBURN, KILMARNOCK, KINGS LYNN, KINGSTON U THAMES, KINGSWOOD, KIRKCALDY, KIRKINTILLOCH, LANCASTER, LARGS, LEAMINGTON SPA, LEATHERHEAD, LEEDS, LEICESTER GALLOWTREE, LETCHWORTH, LEWES, LEWISHAM, LICHFIELD, LINCOLN, LIVERPOOL, LIVINGSTON, LLANDUDNO, LLANELLI, LONG EATON, LOUGHBOROUGH, LOUGHTON, LOWESTOFT, LUTON, LYMINGTON, MACCLESFIELD, MAIDENHEAD, MAIDSTONE, MALDON, MANSFIELD, MARGATE, MARKET BANGOR BKS, MARLBOROUGH, MARLOW, MEADOWHALL, MELTON MOWBRAY, MERRY HILL, MERTHYR TYDFIL, MIDDLETON, MILTON KEYNES, MINEHEAD, MOLD, MONKS CROSS, MONMOUTH, MORPETH, NEW MERSEY RETAIL PK, NEWARK, NEWBURY, NEWCASTLE, NEWCASTLE UNDER LYME, NEWPORT GWENT, NEWPORT I OF W, NEWTON ABBOT, NEWTOWN, NORTH FINCHLEY, NORTHALLERTON, NORTHAMPTON, NORTHFIELD, NORTHWICH, NOTTING HILL GATE, NOTTINGHAM VICTORIA, NUNEATON, OBAN, OLDHAM, OSWESTRY, OXFORD, OXFORD STREET, PAIGNTON, PAISLEY, PARKGATE ROTHERHAM., PARKHEAD FORGE, PECKHAM, PENRITH, PENZANCE, PERTH, PETERBOROUGH, PETERHEAD, PETERSFIELD, PITLOCHRY, PLYMOUTH, PONTEFRACT, PONTYPRIDD, POOLE, PORTSMOUTH, POULTON, PROSPECT CENTRE HULL, PUTNEY, RAMSGATE, READING, REDDITCH, REDHILL, RHIW CENTRE BRIDGEND, RHYL, RICHMOND, RICHMOND (YORKSHIRE), RICKMANSWORTH, RIPON, ROCHDALE, ROMFORD, ROTHERHAM, RUGBY, RUGELEY, RUNCORN, RYDE ISLE OF WIGHT, SALE, SALISBURY, SAUCHIEHALL GLASGOW, SCARBOROUGH, SCUNTHORPE, SELBY, SERPENTINE GRN PBORO, SHEFFIELD, SHEFFLD CRYSTAL PEAK, SHREWSBURY, SKIPTON, SLOUGH, SOLIHULL, SOUTH HAMPSTEAD, SOUTH SHIELDS, SOUTH ST WORTHING, SOUTHAMPTON, SOUTHEND, SOUTHPORT, SOUTHSEA, SPALDING, SPIRES BARNET BKS, ST ALBANS MARKET SQ, ST ANNES, ST AUSTELL, ST HELENS, ST NICHOLAS ABERDEEN, ST STEPHENS NORWICH, STAFFORD, STAINES, STAMFORD, STEVENAGE, STIRLING, STOCKPORT, STOCKTON ON TEES, STONE, STOURBRIDGE, STRANRAER, STRATFORD EAST, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, STREATHAM, STRETFORD, SUNDERLAND 2, SURREY QUAYS, SUTTON, SUTTON COLDFIELD, SWANSEA, SWINDON, TAUNTON, TAVISTOCK, TEESIDE RETAIL PARK, TEIGNMOUTH, TELFORD, TENTERDEN, TEWKESBURY, THANET WESTWOODCROSS, THURROCK, TOTNES, TRAFFORD PARK, TROWBRIDGE, TRURO, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, U14 GYLE EDINBURGH, UNION ST ABERDEEN, UNION ST TORQUAY, UXBRIDGE, VENTURA PARK, VIC ST KIDDERMINSTER, WAKEFIELD, WALLASEY, WALSALL, WALTHAM CROSS, WALTON-ON-THAMES, WANDSWORTH, WANTAGE, WARMINSTER, WARRINGTON, WARWICK, WATERLOOVILLE, WATFORD HARLEQUIN, WELLINGBOROUGH, WELLINGTON (SHROPS), WELLS, WELSHPOOL, WELWYN GARDEN CITY, WESTON FAVELL, WESTON SUPER MARE, WEYMOUTH, WHITE CITY, WHITE ROSE LEEDS, WHITEFRIARGATE HULL, WHITELADIES CLIFTON, WICKFORD, WIDNES, WIGAN, WILMSLOW, WIMBLEDON, WINCHESTER, WINDSOR, WISBECH, WISHAW, WITNEY, WOLVERHAMPTON, WOOD GREEN, WOODBRIDGE, WOOLWICH, WORCESTER (RE-SITE), WORKSOP, WORTHING, WREXHAM NEW STORE, YEOVIL, YORK,

[vintagent]

Colin, nice issue, I got mine next day over the net/post.
I would have preferred more facsimile type prints of older articles and cannot see why you put a review of a new and rather boring kit in a special issue, but the pics of old covers and ads was welcome.

Regards,
Vintagent

[Colin Bishop]

Glad you liked it Vintagent. To answer some of your points:

Although billed as a ‘Commemorative Issue’ this special could not be just an exercise in nostalgia as it would have had little ‘shelf appeal’ which is where most of the sales are expected to be made. The idea is to celebrate the history of model boating since the war and bring it up to date by showing that it is still an appealing hobby. Slanting the content towards a lot of us ‘sixty somethings’ revisiting their youth would not have achieved that and would not have been commercially successful, the publishers do hope to make a bit of profit after all!

This is also why most of the older material has been selected on the basis of whether it is still relevant today which I think much of it is. As far as formatting is concerned, simply reproducing the old articles in facsimile form would have resulted in a rather messy looking and unattractive largely monochrome magazine as full colour was not introduced until 1999. There would also have been problems with the older issues of the magazine being in a different format from the present A4 size. We take attractively laid out magazines much for granted these days but editing this particular issue has demonstrated to me that layout is not always at all easy! I therefore decided that the best approach would be to lift the text of the old articles by using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software and to scan the old illustrations in separately. This had several benefits in that we could reformat the text and images to fit in with the modern A4 format and also enhance the old images to make them look better. Some colour could be introduced in the form of relevant old magazine covers and we could also correct some old errors and introduce metric dimensions where relevant. It did take a lot of work but I personally think that the result was worth it in making these old articles ‘live again’.

Kit reviews are obviously a very important part of today’s model boating scene so it was appropriate to include at least one. It needed to be a modern one as reproducing a review of a kit now out of production would have been rather pointless. Whether you regard a modern tug as boring is a matter of preference of course, but Dutch Courage is a popular and colourful mid range kit which sells well and can be expected to appeal to a good proportion of the general target readership.

Obviously you cannot meet everybody’s personal preferences with an issue like this, you have to strike a balance but I hope these comments give some idea of the thinking behind it.

Colin

[vintagent]

Hello Colin, I can see your thinking about the difficulty with the formatting.  In fact I came to that conclusion when reading it again over lunch!  Pity though. The graphics quality then was invariably better than today. At least, it was easier on the eye.  Today's ads are so brash.
But I would say that most of the people in the hobby are indeed the older ones who, in fact, are now the majority of the population.
I guess that can argued for ever, but I still say that a kit review of ANY kind was a waste of space in a Commemorative issue, when there was so much excellent copy to go through. After all this was an extra copy, not a regular one.
Anyway, I generally enjoyed it and well done for all the work.  Having edited the magazines of several classic car clubs AND the Classic Motor Boat Association, I know how Editor is the loneliest job.  At least you have contributors.  I used to write the lot!

Regards,
Vintagent

[The long Build]

Well , The delivery driver has battled through snow, sun and Volcanic ash and the Special has finaly made it to our WH Smiths last night , still not on the shelfs but none the less in the store.. 

[Peter Fitness]

I cannot agree with Vintagent's assertion that the graphics quality of earlier magazines was better than our modern equivalents. My own opinion is that modern printing standards are light years ahead of the "good old days", a fact well illustrated by the high quality of Model Boats magazine - and, for that matter, many other current magazines.

I thought that the Commemorative Issue was excellent, and a fitting tribute to Colin and his team for all the effort that must have gone into its production. Well done one and all 

Peter.

[vintagent]

Agreed about the general quality of the special issue, but my point about better graphics is a somewhat puristic one of the quality of creativity and skill in execution of typographic design and drawing skill.
One of the best parts of this new issue is the inclusion of old ads and covers, especially the ads.
Those guys who were then known as commercial artists were indeed artists.  We look at those ads with dewy eyes because they were so impressive and memorable.  It is highly unlikely that we will look back on some computer generated brash over coloured effort of today in 50 years time with any love. But we will still appreciate the artistry and impact of the old hand drawn and individually designed black and white ones.  I have been fortunate to know personally some commercial artists of the old school, skilled in cross-hatching, typographic design, technical illustration, etc.
What they achieved on poor paper with Gillott pen and Indian ink will live for ever.
The outpourings of a Photoshop art library will die a month later.
Look at an old Motor Boat and Yachting magazine, for instance.  Staggeringly skillful draughtsmanship in both articles and adverts.
That is lost now.

Regards,
Vintagent

[Colin Bishop]

MyHobbyStore have now sold out of their stock of pre order copies as demand proved to be rather higher than they anticipated so if you still want one you will have to try one of the branches of W.H. Smith listed above. However there may be a few copies for sale on Dave Brumstead's stand at the Mayhem gathering.

Colin

[Bill D203]

I got a copy today.
Thank you to who ever put the photo of my Makara boat at Wiki park last year. Sadly I sold it to young Sally who is going to race it sometime this year. My shed can only hold so many boats and my new boat needed some building space.  See you all at Wiki park next weekend.

[Circlip]

Just a heads up BEFORE it hits the fan Colin, it would appear that the SUBSCRIPTION Archived copies that can be scanned and downloaded are on the "OLD" type reader which seems to be more user friendly than the one NOW used on the M/E and MEW archives which was changed recently.

  If MHS change yours, be warned, there are a lot of unhappy bunnies on the other site so you might get a Mexican wave. Not questioning the rights or wrongs of the system, but many subscribed on the strength of how it was and MHS have now changed the rules.

  Regards  Ian.

[Colin Bishop]

Yes, the comments on the Model Engineer Forum make interesting reading. I have no direct involvement with any of that and it will be interesting to see what sort of response/clarification there is from MHS.

Colin

[Wetwater]

MyHobbyStore have now sold out of their stock of pre order copies as demand proved to be rather higher than they anticipated so if you still want one you will have to try one of the branches of W.H. Smith listed above.
Colin

Been into my local W.H.Smith FOUR times this week. No copies to be had. Made enquiries and after checking the stock etc via the computer was told that,
NO delivery was due at the Aldershot branch. Other specials have been available in the past, even though they quickly sold out. Never had trouble obtaining any issue, monthly or otherwise, until now.     I would have pre ordered if I had known.  

Alan.

[Colin Bishop]

I understand that the list printed above was provided by W.H. Smith so I don't know what is happening either! The problems have been drawn to the attention of MHS.

Colin

[The long Build]

My store was late in the day but they turned up..

I am willing to visit my store again to see if they have any left , If they do (there were 3 last time I looked) I am willing to purchase these and post it out on receipt of payment . Postage I think would be around 80p to 1 pound..I can be more specific once I Weigh my copy..   Also once posted I could accept NO responsibility for it going astray..But I would get proof of postage..

Pm me if interested. And I will check with the store on Monday.

Larry

[Wetwater]

   PM sent. Larry. Thanks.