New 'Classic' Aircraft Illustrated

[Concorde216]

Allan Burney is now Consultant Editor I believe.

The content that AI had (by providing the Jan 08 issue as an example) is based on the same coverage that AI used for 40 years. IMHO, the majority of readers must have enjoyed the coverage for it to have lasted for that length of time. I understand that not every reader of AI may have access to this forum for one reason or another, in order for them voice their own opinions, which is a shame.

The recent issue of Aircraft that I got through the post has been left to the side, knowing full well that I am not going to get the same enjoyment out of reading it cover to cover, compared to AI. I used to look forward to getting the new issue of AI through the post but now with Aircraft, I just open it, take a quick look at the contents page then slung it on the table to gather enough dust to warrant putting it into the recycling bin. That is how I feel about the "new approach" magazine. Replacing six pages of news from civil, military and prevervation with nothing else but preservation news is going too far IMHO.

[AlexC]

Just had a look at the current Aviation News. I can see why I gave up on it. AI was far superior in every way!

[robt]

Yes, I bought the current Aviation News and it's not in the same class as the old AI. The maximum length of an 'article' seems to be two pages, and the typography is awful. Just changing the font would make it a much easier read.

The new 'Aircraft' is actually (as expected) a good magazine. Good articles, good photography. However, just beause we have something new focusing on 'classic' aviation that's good, it shouldn't mask the fact that we have lost an all-round magazine that was very good, also. Let's not have any sophistry and logic chopping that claims that, just because the new magazine is good, it in any way compensates for having lost the old one.

[TIGER TIM]

Has I have not seen or read a AI or Aircraft in the past three months as the distributors have failed to deliver my copy of the magazine to my news agents I cannot comment on the new "style", so I'll reserve judgement until I see one.

On saying that I'm not a classic aircraft buff and AI gave me a balanced look at both military and civil aviation, but I am pleased at Air Combat has become monthly.

[Concorde216]

Mine has not come through the post yet, however, I can't say I am looking forward to it. [Will be glad when the subscription finishes at the end of the year]. However, by looking on the web, they are still continuing with the 8 pages of preservation news which I feel personally is too much and even boring. 8 pages is just too much for preservation news I feel. Why can't we have more coverage of modern day news? BA Cityflyer are just about to take delivery of their first ERJ-170 as a good example. AI would have been happy to cover this event but Aircraft wont. I know, I know, its because its not old enough and its not preserved, plus the magazine has changed for the better, or has it?

And I bet a pound that they still have the very small and stupid "modern news" footer containing four items at the bottom of two of those pages as well.

Pathetic.

[st24]

good photography.

In the main but the airshow pics are a bit dodgy. The climbing Sea Fury at legends is not good at all ...

[TIGER TIM]

Finally got my copy this morning and read it and sorry to say that this evening I called in at the news agents and cancelled it.

The "old" AI is and alway will be a better format and contents with the news and other reports.

[Pen Pusher]

I take it then that there will be fewer people at airshows next year as most of the aircraft on display are 'Classics' and airliners taking part are nil.

Brian

[Lumix]

Can I stick my head above the wall and say that after having digested the first two issues in the new format, I think it's a bloody good read!

[EMarsh]

Can I stick my head above the wall and say that after having digested the first two issues in the new format, I think it's a bloody good read!

Just to throw in my $0.02 (again), I agree with that. Bought the latest issue last Saturday, made for an excellent read before the show (at Duxford) began. The Mildenhall article in particular brought back some very good memories and the airshow coverage was, as ever, better than anywhere else.

[DOUGHNUT]

Just came across this thread and though I would add my comments and thoughts. The first new look issue was great, well the editorial are not going to fall at the first fence are they? September's issue was an interesting read with good coverage of the the airshows and a couple of nice pieces on the French Normandie squadron and a good 'potted history' of Pan Am. I thought the article on the Battle of Britain film was very poor with little new info (least not compared to Aeroplane's recent work) and I did not really like the autobiographical stuff on Rod Dean and the Thunderbird pilot. Now having finished reading the October Issue I am very disappointed with not only the content but the quality of writing. I know that the editorial team can magic up new stories and may good reports out of bad airshows, preservation news only accounted for eight pages and airshows only six, once again the history of British Eagle was interesting but yet more personal stories (I simply dont like them) 20 pages on RAF Mildenhall is too much for a single issue of the mag, and it did not say anything new, did we not have a review of Mildenhall airshows last year under the "air legends title" ? I will leave my biggest complaint to last, the new title emphasizes "classic" on the front page, what on earth has a 2009 Scottish float plane service got to do with "classic" !!! even the previous article on Beavers, Otters, etc in Canada is a modern piece, great for the old Aircraft Illustrated, but nothing to do with preservation and history. I dont like it and I have told the Mr Dunnell, although I dont expect I will receive a reply, what makes matters worst is that all the good 'fast Jet' stuff is now over on Combat Aircraft mag, which just seem an excuse to make people buy both. As long standing subscriber I feel cheated that Aircraft Illustrated format has been changed and I dont expect that I shall be renewing my subs.

Paul

[EMarsh]

Just a couple of quick points - I enjoy the personal stories as it adds the human element. What are aircraft and what is history without the men and women who formed it?

Also, "bad airshows" is quite harsh - I certainly wouldn't consider any of the shows I've been to this year as being anything other than entertaining at the very least. All a matter of opinion I suppose.

[Lambourne]

Having previously posted comments up about how upset I was to see the old AI dissolve without warning I couldn't help but check in to see what the latest situation was probably in the vain hope that someone may have had a change of heart and decided to revert to the status quo.

I am probably naive in thinking there will be a 'u turn' in the near future. I really do miss my AI after having had it for so many years and it was painful cancelling my sub but I sincerely hope that someone from Ian Allan will take notice of the comments on this forum and address them. Wouldn't it be fascinating to know sales figures for the new format?! but there's no way that info will ever get out.

Come on Ian Allan, be bold, BRING BACK AI !!

[Nick NZ]

I'm with Lambourne, there is nothing out there to touch what AI gave us, and I have resorted to re-reading old copies, and browsing the internet.
I would be interested to know how the readership is now, as I understood that the changes were made to "attract" enthusiasts, I believe the opposite may well have happened. So either pride will be swallowed, and the winning formula reverted to, or 'Aircraft' will cease to exist.
I also read Motorsport, which for decades had the famous green cover. Then the cover was changed to red, to give the magazine a fresh look, and to 'atrtract new readers'. Needless, to say, Motorsport listened to the readers, and reverted to the proper colour cover.
Someone listened.

[Mictheslik]

Another point....some of the articles in this months issue are far from classic (The loch Lomond sea plane springs to mind, well written though it is)....With this in mind it would appear that the only thing that's really changed for the worse is the news section, which was one of the key reasons for buying it in the first place. I love going through old AIs to find out what was happening at the time....now I can only go and find out about 'Preservation' news....

.mic

[AlexC]

Well I've been doing what other's have suggested and have given the new 'classic' Aircraft a chance having bought all the issues up to date, and as I suspected it's not really my 'cup of tea' so to speak. I'd say that 'classic' is a mis-nomer. To take the current November issue as an example, in my opinion there's nothing classic about the Bronco, or the F-20, the Berlin Wall, the War of Intelligence, Begining of the End, etc. What I think is classic for instance was the article last month about the red tail P-51C, or the story about the C-47 'Drag-em-oot, I found those very interesting. If there were a lot more stories like those in Aircraft I'd be happy to continue buying it, although given the choice I'd still like the old AI back. As it is, I'm going to purchase the December issue to complete the year, and then I'm switching to Flypast.

[Downes0106]

Like some of those above, I didnt want to judge the "new" format without giving it a chance. But 4 issues in, and I have to say, like many others, I'd like the old AI back please. The articles are good, but the lack of all round news is what I miss. I will not be renewing my subscription when it expires.

[Jet320]

I was surprised and dissapointed when Aircraft illustrated was changed to "Classic" Aircraft.. .. .I had bought the old AI every month for years....It was a great all round aviation magazine,..probably needed a little tweak here and there to improve it,but I never thought twice about not buying it...I'm not really interested in a pure classic aircraft magazine..I have bought 2 of the first 4 copies of Aircraft to try it.I have enjoyed some of the classic articles..But I miss the modern news on what's happening in the world of aviation...So I have started buying Air International..I was surprised how it has improved!..So that will be my first automatic choice now.I may even take out a subscription in time..I may still buy the ocassional copy of Aircraft..but I will pick it up and look through it first to see if it's worth buying...I can only afford one other magazine.and it will have to compete with other magazines for that slot...I wonder if this radical change has really been thought through..because once you loose a regular customer..its very hard to win him back!

[24left]

FIRST OF ALL, can this thread be brought to the attention of Ian Allan Pub. if it hasn't already.

I subscribe to many mags but have been missing AI. So I thought last week I would resubscribe, I then embarked on trying to do this. First of all the web link to AI was dead. I gave it 3 days but then tried calling them. Number I got ended up being Midland Counties something or other. I then was given another number - it turned out to be IA Travel. Then another number which was dead (it's 01932 guys not 01933 for god sake). Then nice lady told me AI was no more - what?!!! I had seen the Aircraft mag advertised but thought this was just some extra new mag, not a replacement. So then I read what it was all about, Classic aircraft, forget it. I want a mag that gives me EVERYTHING, even if it costs a fair bit. Finally went to check the price, 92 Euros!!!!!!!!!!!! Goodbye IA, at £7 an issue that is nothing short of disgraceful. I hope this has cost you in business since the strategy is obviously to make a few mags out of one large one in the hope that people subscribe to many. Well I was going to subscribe to one but now it will be none.

So guys, where do I now get news in 10 pages on everything avialtion related? And don't tell me, Air Int, Aviation News, Aircraft, Airliners, Air Force World.................!!!

[Lomcevak26]

24left,

I've just locked your repetition of the above post in Av. Waffle as its unnecessary when there's a forum right here for Aircraft-related queries, etc.

In response to the first point you've raised, Aircraft's editor is definitely aware of this thread (have a look at the first couple of pages and you'll see some of his posts re. the change from Aircraft Illustrated to the new mag...)

[24left]

Fair play, cheers.

[Edicap]

In response to the first point you've raised, Aircraft's editor is definitely aware of this thread (have a look at the first couple of pages and you'll see some of his posts re. the change from Aircraft Illustrated to the new mag...)

He certainly did. However, its a shame that he now seems to be so busy with his new mag that he has been unable to give a reply to this thread in almost three months. All this from the magazine in association with UKAR, not much of an association going on here. Come on Mr Dunnell, must do better in my eyes.

[AlexC]

I'd really like to hear from Ben how sales of 'Aircraft' are doing?

[fighterfoto]

My understanding is that Aeroplane has had the biggest circulation for a specialist aviation mag for some time, followed by Flypast. It must have therefore been attractive to IA to target the historical area as one which would boost sales. To do so however you're going to have to either produce a better product or one which is sufficiently different to persuade people to buy AI in addition to their regular read. Is the new AI either? Apparently not reading most of the comments on this thread.

[AlexC]

I've just picked up the December issue which has an interesting article for me about the Pattillo twins, and the two Mustangs ('Sweet and Lovely' and 'Little Rebel') that were at Oshkosh this year as I was there also, and heard their talk while they were sitting in front of the Mustangs which are finished in the markings of the aircraft that they flew in 1945. The twins are now 86 I believe, and obviously a little frail, but their memories have not been affected by the passing of the years. I was also there to see the two Mustangs arrive at Oshkosh (incidentally on 28th September, not 29th as stated in the article) and managed to photograph them looking truely magnificent in the bright sunshine.