Is this forum dying?

[roy_fitzsimmonds]

I'm not saying it with any form of malice, or ill-will, but I visit here a few times a week and it's plain to see on the main forum page that replies (the latest messages) are in the main, days or even weeks old.

Other forums have messages posted every few minutes.

What has happened?

This forum started off with promise but there seems to be virtually no activity now even from week to week.

Am I imagining it?

[Ratch]

 It seems to me that many who post here only do so to complain. If they look at any of the posted builds they do not comment (one way or the other). Maybe the lack of interaction is due to topics being posted in the wrong forum (nearly everything gets posted in this General Discussion forum). The lack of a View Latest Topics or Posts facility makes it hard to navigate and also hinders interaction, in my view.

I would not expect this site to be as verbose as Britmodeller, Hyperscale or the like as this is more of a niche forum.

[DavidJC]

I hope it doesn't die, but it is up to all of us to make it what it is.

 

I do like to look at the builds and often comment positively. I'd like to see more, along with more hints and tips from the more expereinced modellers, especially when they're asked how they got any particular finish. I forget who it was that I was going to follow; he started off with a new build but then (sadly) felt it wasn't for him.

 

I am finishing of a 1/48 Lightning which isn't going as fast as I'd like it to have done, but I would like to post the finished results when completed and get feedback in the form of constructive criticism or even positive comments.

[peebeep]

Concur with Ratch, the whinge threads are a turn off, very little feedback on posted builds and unhelpful forum software all lead to a forum that is not especially vibrant. I find pages are slow to load and I would prefer it if the software was set to go straight to the most recent post rather than having to navigate through. It would be helpful if you could customise settings, but you can't and the fact that Firefox spellchecker doesn't work here is irritating. There, my very own whinge post. 😉 

I haven't built anything Airfix recently, but if you want the forum to flourish, get building and posting.

[peebeep]

Another thing, I can't even save an avatar or put anything in the sig box, I get re-directed to the trains forum!

[Oliver Hyett]

same But they do get it and after about 2 months they will put it on.

[Oliver Hyett]

Also to add to my reply its not just the forum dying but airfix and hornby because airfix are terrible with the club stuff and al the seem to put out are spitfire and old moulds and they say new for 2015 on the mossie 1/24 but that didn't come out until a bout 2 weeks from the new year.

[John Symmons]

Hi Roy

I must admit that sometimes this forum can be a bit slow, but it is still my most visited forum, usually once a day. Maybe you'll get more enjoyment if you participate more in in the forums and show some more of you car builds, even though I'm not a car modeller I do follow all forums, and can appreciate all builds, it;s a pity that cars seem to have such a limited following. I would love to build the GT40 again, but find it's very hard to find, even been looking at the Airfix one but nobody in Cape Town stocks it. If you have one built I'd love to see it. Roy you might find it interesting to go over some of the old posts something I oftern do, I always find something of interest, and oftern add a comment.

To comment on David JC and Pauls comments above I concure with both their comments, and thanks Dave for your comment on my Manxman & Cambletown build. There was so much info posted on the build that I was a little sad that there was so little feed-back, but there again ships are not everybodys interest. So Dave I look forward to your Lightning build, and some reading on how-you-did-what. Just don't post over a long week-end as the moderators don't seem to work then. (still waiting for my post of my build on the 1/72 Mosquito to appear so I can add the second part).

I've found that the pages that take forever to load is usually that the photos are all high resolution, I remember seeing some where that photos should be at a maximium of 800 pixals then loading is no problem, but when they are over 2500 then they take forever and if there's several of then well you know the answer. So please photographers reduce the photos to 800 pixes or less and a small tip I can give, if your photos are a bit on the dark side you'll find you can improve them by increasing the gamma in your photo editing program.I oftern download dark photos, then open them in photo-paint increase the gamma to 1.4 to see them more clearly. Go on give it a try you might be suprised.

Personally I like Ratch's posts as he uaually build OTB or OOB and as such you can really see what-you-get. So come on every one lets see your builds even some of the old one and hear's to positivity.

Remember we do this for fun   John the Pom.

[Pogo1]

Hi all . I have only just joined the Airfix forum and have read quite a few of the postings. Many of them are of interest , the Workbench and the Aerodrome especially, as my interests are aviation based.I have been modelling for a number of years and have  learned  a lot about  what you can do to improve your modelling skills. Any information that is relevant , is quickly taken onboard and used to help make the construction and finishing of a model a pleasure .I would be more than happy to pass on any tips and hints that I have picked up in the past. happy modelling .

 

[nmcabecadas]

The lack of several features, as notifications, delays approving pictures, threads placed in the wrong foruns, too much complains and wishlist and many questions who cannot have a answer here are examples of what can be damaging this forum. Airfix don't seems to support too much the forum or add new topics as when a new model is announced or released to ask for advice or to show they own models. Giving flying hours for the best posts or rewarding them in any way can also increase the participation, but all depends of what Airfix intend to do with the forum and how important it is.

[John Symmons]

Airfix's answer in the Open Letter to me was an eye-opener, and whilest I would love to see more particpation from Airfix that reply really put things into some perspective. Ultimately surely it's up to the member who post on this forum to make it what it is or can be, just take a look at the forum rules, it's a place for the discusion of plastic scale modelling, and while it wold be nice, even preferable of Airfixe's participation I look at that as a bonus. 

Maybe someone on this forum could volunteer to help out moderating or act as a liaison for Airfix, don't look at me I live in Cape Town. I'll repeat what I said above hows about some more positivity.

Remember we do this for fun   John the Pom

[paul-muc]

Nearly any thread in any subforum ends in a new thread for the Wishlist. Build threads are started but not finished. Threads are blocked by heavy pics (9 MB! Don't you think of users?) Again and again "Why are there no cars?" Some people think of Airfix as a lucky bag. Strange wishes like "Type X, but in version A. B would also be fine, but then don't forget the variants Y and Z". Remember, there are only four designers. How should the fulfill all those -sometimes exotic - wishes. And: the admin is not the spokesman of Airfix/Hornby (Come on Airfix, tell us ...!). And, as he said: the forum is not his main job, there's not enough time to maintain it. So topics in the wrong subforum are not moved (BAC has asked three weeks ago to move his "vintage cars" from General Discussion to Cars. Nothing happens.) And there is no response to proposals concerning the features of the forum though we have been asked.So, with the absence of a moderator, shouldn't we take care of ourselves instead of always calling in the admin? Which means having discussions with other forum members rather than with the admin to keep this forum alive.

[Heraldcoupe]

Another thing, I can't even save an avatar or put anything in the sig box, I get re-directed to the trains forum!

 

 

I have the same problem. It's not a deal breaker, but this and the odd layout makes it a lot less welcoming than other forums. I thought it was just me, but I can seeit seems the majority of users lack avatars.

 

Cheers,

Bill.

[Heraldcoupe]

Then all of a sudden, my avatar appears...

 

I think I'll shut up now, 

 

Cheers,

Bill.

[John Symmons]

Hear! Hear! paul-muc. 

Remember we do this for fun   John the Pom

[RussellE]

I wouldn't say "dying", Roy, but the ability to follow topics and set a notification interval so that you recieve email notifications to topics you're interested in, would definitely help bring people back to the forum more often, rather than having to check back irregularly to see if there are any more replies to the topics you're interested in.

[John Symmons]

Hi Admin

Nice to hear from you again, great reply leaves room for a brighter tomorrow. look forward to more of your participation. Keep it going.

Remember we do this for fun   John the pom

[Matthew72]

I have just started posting on here (will post a couple pics of completed builds soon).  I have not experienced any problems with slow load times so for me that is a nonstarter (maybe because I am in the States?).  I build mainly Airfix for a number of reasons (quality of the kits, cost, many unique subjects) so the forum is great place for me.  I have been building for the majority of my 44 years so I do hope to share some of that experience and continue to learn.  Hopefully this forum turns on more new modelers and grows the hobby.  I like the format overall and do hope it continues.

[Jan Bojarp]

As for me, it's not for the lack of kits or so, I'm just suffering a temporary low in building, hopefully it will get better as I've got a few "what if's" to build, for the Swedish Air Force....

I've seen a few inspiring builds on the net using our famous splinter camouflage and another good one based on Gloster Meteor NF14, which made me decide to turn one of the Airfix F8's, into a Swedish fighter....(we were very interested in buying the NF11 back in the day)...

So far, my stash includes, all Airfix of course:

4 x 1/48 English Electric Canberra 

3 x 1/48 English Electric Lightning 

1 x 1/48 BAC TSR.2

2 x 1/48 H.S. Buccaneer 

1 x 1/48 De Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.2

2 x 1/48 Boulton-Paul Defiant Mk.I

3 x 1/48 Gloster Meteor F.8

1 x 1/24 Hawker Typhoon 

I think that every forum has its ups and downs, due to many reasons, lack of inspiration, I haven't done much building for a wee while now myself, but I still buy books just in case....

 

[Ratch]

 The Korean Spammer is enjoying the lack of Moderation

[WhiteRoseKillie]

I think it depends on how you view the forum's raison d'etre. Most other forums have a wider remit, whereas this one is very strongly slanted to Airfix and Humbrol. Not surprising, really, and none of us would be here if we didn't have a respect and affection for Airfix.

 

I defy anyone, however, to say that they rely solely on the approved manufacturers for their modelling joy. Out of around thirty five kits currently in my stash, only two (1/24 Hurri and 1/48 Hawk) are Airfix. When I restarted the hobby, I bought some Humbrol cement, which remains unused, and as for paints, I have found another couple of manufacturers whose products are much more appreciated by my Iwata.

In fairness, I should mention that of aircraft completed since I came back to modelling, around thirty percent are Airfix products. Seems they get built quicker, or maybe when deliberating what's next I reach for the red box by default!

 

Some kits deserve to be mentioned for their innovation - use of magnets, poly caps for attaching props and wheels at a more convenient stage, addition of masks or even PE. Rather than the snippy "This is an Airfix forum" reminder which seems the default reponse to mentioning other manufacturers, perhaps those from the company who pop on here might say "ye know, that new heinkel would be a more attractive kit if we threw in cockpit masks so that the purchaser doesn't have to spend the weekend blocking off that greenhouse"?

In summary, Airfix, we love you, but we're (mostly) adults and to pretend that there aren't other manufacturers out there can be counterproductive. By joining up here we've obviously shown some level of allegiance to the brand, and can surely be trusted to have a grown-up conversation as to how to take the product to the next level? The new kits coming out now are lovely, and the gap to the latest "benchmark" version of a particular subject could be narrowed without even nearly approaching the price point of some manufacturers. Airfix is in a really strong position, reputationwise, at the moment. I really think with a bit of icing on some already tasty new cakes, the brand could be immensely successful.

[Bletch]

Well said that man! When I signed up as a new member here I "fessed up" I'd not built an Airfix kit for years but as a mainly car modeller in 1/24 or 1/25 then i've not had the product have I? That doesnt stop me enjoying the discussion and super work thats shown here though and the mag is a must buy very month. It usually previews or reviews a new Airfix aircraft kit every month but regularly features other manufacturers car kits! Please give us the goods-give people something to talk about in the "cars" forum page. 

[WhiteRoseKillie]

I'm on the verge of subscribing to the Magazine - it seems like the best one out there for yer average modeller, rather than those who regularly build for competition or even professionally. I would like to see the same attitude to competitors' products on here.

 

As a recent recruit to this forum, I seem to get the feeling, reading through, that the "Cars" section is where those with, ahem, "issues" tend to hangout. Every forum seems to have a wee corner for the individual -  Is this, indeed, the frontier town of the Airfix forum, where the folks march to the beat of a different drum? 😉

[DavidJC]

As a recent recruit to this forum, I seem to get the feeling, reading through, that the "Cars" section is where those with, ahem, "issues" tend to hangout. Every forum seems to have a wee corner for the individual -  Is this, indeed, the frontier town of the Airfix forum, where the folks march to the beat of a different drum? 😉

I'm  a bit lost with this! Perhaps it's me but I am putting all sorts of interpretations as to what it is you're trying to say about our car modellers here.

[Ratch]

I'm on the verge of subscribing to the Magazine - it seems like the best one out there for yer average modeller, rather than those who regularly build for competition or even professionally. I would like to see the same attitude to competitors' products on here.

The magazine is wholly independant of Airfix and uses the name under licence from Hornby. It therefore has no obligation to feature only Airfix product, but tends to get pre-release samples for review.