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[Tug Fanatic]

It is now 2 days since the sad news broke and goodness knows how long since the decision was taken. As far as I can see they have removed all references on the Model Boats web site but they are still selling subscriptions.

If the suspension of production is true does anyone else think that continuing to sell subscriptions is wrong or does the intention to resume production at some unidentified point make it acceptable?

[TheLongBuild]

As the post came from the editor I would say it was true, I would also say that it was certainly imorel or even illegal to still be offering subscriptions.
The digital edition of the May mag is out and there is a long spiel in that about the situation as it was then, but that was written I would think well before the editors post which he was then told to remove, however by then it was to late and had been re-posted on several other sites. I have a copy of it.
They said in it that they will be contacting subscribers, I am still waiting...

[Footski]

This is very worrying. During these dark days for all, clarity over the future of one of the rocks of our hobby is very important.

[raflaunches]

I’m not sure what is going on with the publisher either. I have spoken to the editor as I am currently building a model for the magazine with some articles to go with it.
He got told to remove his post but I too am waiting for the publisher to send me confirmation regarding my subscription too- not a peep so far. I’m hoping that the revelation of their decision and the rapid response by so many modellers in the little time the post was up was enough to shock them in to changing their mind. I can only hope.

[Tug Fanatic]

This is very worrying. During these dark days for all, clarity over the future of one of the rocks of our hobby is very important.

Whether we have clarity or not there isn't much we can do about it.

I agree about the "rocks of our hobby". Without it there would be a lot less publicity/visitors to model boat shows, a lot less opportunity for manufacturers to advertise their products and no high street presence to stimulate the minds of new and existing modellers. Forums like this one become even more important.

I still don't think that they should be selling new subscriptions unless they know that the delay is going to be very short duration - 2 issues at the most. Contacting existing subscribers is also urgent but a short delay doesn't seem quite as bad as the new subscriber problem although it will be interesting to see what they say which I expect to be very little.

[C-3PO]

Sadly I cancelled my subscription 2 weeks ago to the magazine.

Being self employed my income like many thousands of others has gone to all but zero for the foreseeable future.

When you cancel your direct debit the receiver of the monies is notified. I have received letters from other institutions I have supported/ been a member of for many years asking me to reconsider my action.

It's very sad but I had no choice but to cut hard and fast.

I am sure I am not alone. Amongst a multitude of other factors this cannot help a publisher when they see X number of subscriptions cancelled and the impact that will have on future revenue.

C-3PO

[TheLongBuild]

Which will only get worse if they do not come forward to clarify the situation so at least we know what is happening, delayed- reduced output or bookies  favourite bye bye mag.

[Tug Fanatic]

Which will only get worse if they do not come forward to clarify the situation so at least we know what is happening, delayed- reduced output or bookies  favourite bye bye mag.

I can imagine a message that said we are shutting up shop for now and will let you know at some future time when/if we will be back would not be the sort of message that I would want to send as it might might well increase cancellations and possibly demand for refunds. Delaying it and hoping that there was something more hopeful to say might well seem preferable & I guess that they can do this as an issue hits the shops in a weeks time so it will be 4/5 weeks before one doesn't appear.

[TheLongBuild]

Well I suppose time will tell, with the digital issue already out, and I assume subscription copys due to arrive any day. We might see some movement.

[Colin Bishop]

I have emailed the Managing Director direct asking for further information.

Colin

[C-3PO]

I like reading a physical magazine in my hands. I realise that we are speculating and jumping the gun...

If we take the impact on the environment seriously then the clock was ticking on printed magazines and distribution impact along with thousands of other things we take for granted. I think the current situation has forced us to a position of looking at things in a new(well old really but one that we did not adopt) / different way.

I realise this will exclude a proportion of readers but a digital version going forward would be better than none - cutting out printing and distribution costs.

Maybe that's a way forward and would be better than no magazine at all. If it all goes belly up maybe there is an opportunity for a new digital magazine. Main cost would be time to put it together and internet download bandwidth.

Food for thought

C-3PO

[Colin Bishop]

There is no reason why a purely digital magazine cannot be created. Just needs a bit of expertise and organisation. Could even be sold on an issue by issue basis through PayPal. But let's see how things go.

Colin

[Colin Bishop]

I have received an immediate response from the Managing Director of MyTimeMedia.

Extract:

The suspension of magazines is, at the moment, to get us through this period of unknown length. We have done this with other of our magazines and other publishers have done the same. The closure of most WH Smith stores means copy sales through stores have all but stopped so there’s not enough volume to print copies.

The subscription team is writing to subscribers to explain the unprecedented situation. I don’t know the precise timing but it’s imminent.
I confirm that the website will continue through this period.

Best Wishes,

Owen Davies


I have been given a contact at MTM for further information re subscriptions and will post this when received.
Colin

[Tug Fanatic]

Sounds like the May issue might be a rare collectors item as I would guess that they have cut back the print run.   

[Martin (Admin)]

 
Model Boats on Facebook.
https://tinyurl.com/wefhtul

Model Boats No.70-835 (May 2020)

Welcome to the May edition of Model Boat Magazine which finds itself in a completely different world compared to the one I was one in just four weeks ago! I’m afraid the unavoidable topic of Coronavirus (aka COVID-19) is affecting us all (without exception - unless you are already living like a hermit) and the magazine, like all the others in the MyTimeMedia Group (and beyond) is enduring very heavy restrictions. Because of the huge reduction in newsstand sales (i.e. W H Smiths), the publishers have enforced a very tight budget on us; 66% down tight which means our contributor budget will not be what it was for the foreseeable future. I have already contacted a large number of regular and new contributors and the response has been very humbling; many of you forfeiting payment rather than see this great old magazine go down. We do still have a small budget, so payments (lower than normal) will still be made but I have been instructed not to commission any new articles. That said, that does not stop you from contributing them; I have been very lucky so far and have not actually commissioned that many, the natural flow of input from you all has maintained a very nice balance of content and with some encouragement, has broadened it.
Take care everyone – and if the Government says stay at home - ‘stay at home!’

All the best

Martyn

PS: As a footnote, my ed is obviously already out of date (apart from the 'stay at home' bit!). Hoping MyTimeMedia will post something soon for all our sakes and lets try and be positive. Negative posts are no good for anyone.

This issue goes on sale 10 April, 2020

Contents

14 SS Jarrix
A Mountfleet Models Kit built by Allan Miller

22 The ‘Black Pearl’
Something a little different by Peter Sly

26 DUKW
Making the Italeri 1/35th DUKW truly amphibious by Francis McNaughton

36 Boiler Room
Working Boats 2 by Richard Simpson

40 Memory Lane
Specialist Marine Radio by David J Wiggins

42 So good, I made it twice
Alan Charlish is inspired by a little puffer

46 HMS Argonaut
Building a Second World War Dido-class cruiser by John Edwards

52 Arduino – an introduction
What is it? What does it do? How can I use it? by Roy Cheers

62 Soobrazitelnyy – Russian Corvette
Building the new Russian multi-purpose corvette RFS Soobrazitelnyy by Dave Wooley

70 Test Bench
A round-up of all the latest kits, books and accessories

76 Next Issue
Preview of articles to come

77 Marketplace
Looking for a new model or making room for another? This is the place to buy and sell!

This issue goes on sale 10 April, 2020

[jaymac]

For me digital only would be its death knell I doubt if it would survive least not by subscription. Back in the day when it was available most shops there were times I would  pick it up and seeing what was in it ignore it .Granted that would not be that often.As it became less available  one  more or less had to subscribe  I personally detest digital mags  newspapers  etc., and whilst I might purchase individual issues , going by its track  record with the New Broom  that would not  be many. I think cherry picking would  finish it

[TheLongBuild]

Like wise, hopefully it will not come to that but we will probably not find out for a good 2 months.

[RST]

I'm amazed there isn't pure clarity on this from when the only printed mag is about to give up but no forum anouncement is clear.  Appreciate Model Boats mag has a separate forum but it's frankly incredulous how this news and thread has developed across several forums by now when honesty and a presence in the first hand to quell social media type farce woud have saved allot of hassle -it's all a mess of people posting different things.

I buy the magazine every month and looking back -I have, or remember mags back to 91/92!  But I won't subscribe because a) every now and again it it is a little too-heavy oriented to ail or wood but b) I am split between 3 addresses and at least one shifts so where to send at moment!  I prefer to collect from my local Tesco -which is the only place that ever has reliable stock!!

MB Mag need to come on here as a major forum and give an announcement.  I heard before many times the editor is not au fait with model boats and never heard of the 2 French ones (that says allot itself!!!).

Can we please have some kind of statement from the main man?  I would be very sad to see the magazine end, I wouldn't do an on-line subscription.  Ony the main man Mr Chorlton shoud be sorting this mess out?

[Colin Bishop]

Mr Chorlton has been dismissed I think...

Colin

[SJG001]

Never seen a Model Boats Mag in Tesco    but the situation seems vague re the future of several magazines relating to my hobbies/interests.


I try and buy the magazine every month (sometime with great difficulty) and as my work means I travel all over Scotland I find a printed version is easier to carry - I can also nip into most WH Smiths  or other friendly newsagent and pick one up. I can also share printed versions with my Father.


I would be sad to see Model Boats to end and would consider a subscription for a printed copy if they were no longer available in shops - but not an electronic one.

[RST]

Mr Chorlton has been dismissed I think...

Colin

...Thats a bit of a turn.

[Tug Fanatic]

That doesn't increase my confidence that we are going to see the nest issue anytime soon.

[Colin Bishop]

I think all the MTM editors are freelancers now and have been for some time. They are not direct MTM employees.

Colin

[RST]

Can we Have some official feedback please? Modelboats website is full of similar threads?

[raflaunches]

Can we Have some official feedback please? Modelboats website is full of similar threads?

I agree- can we stop speculating and talking about what potentially could/would/can/won’t happen.
Until we get an official announcement can we stop please. It doesn’t help anyone and just upsets people- we don’t know what is actually going on behind the scenes and until we do leave it alone.