New 'Classic' Aircraft Illustrated

[PeterR]

Lots of people cancelling their subscription before they have even seen the magazine. Madness!

I've only got 2 issues left on my subscription so I can see if it's any good or not.

I wouldn't cancel it yet - just see what it's like...

[AlexC]

They could do with dropping all that games section though and leave that to computer magazines.

Totally agree with that. One section that I never look at.

[MoshNine]

I've been buying Aircraft Illustrated since 1980.

Mr. Dunnell,

You are the CUSTODIAN of Aircraft Illustrated.

If it ain't broke then DON'T fix it. Please LEAVE it alone. We LIKE it as it is.

[AlexC]

Please LEAVE it alone.

I'd say it was too late for that, at least for the time being.

As other's have said, the drastic change in the magazine has been very sudden. I don't recall any prior notice until it was announced in the current issue. I remember completing the survey form a few months ago, and I assume that the change in direction comes from these. I said on my form that although I'd like to see a few minor tweaks, basically IMO the magazine format was about right.

[wv383]

I'm a little bit surprised that, since his first comment on this thread, Ben hasn't answered some of the critics! To put our minds at rest at least!

[Manonthefence]

I've been buying Aircraft Illustrated since 1980.

Mr. Dunnell,

You are the CUSTODIAN of Aircraft Illustrated.

If it ain't broke then DON'T fix it. Please LEAVE it alone. We LIKE it as it is.

Get a grip, its a magazine not the Crown Jewells. Other magazines are available.
Or better still, start your own. You may then understand why AI has (possibly) changed its emphasis.

[AlexC]

Other magazines are available.

Such as? And I'm talking an all-round aviation magazine.

[kjshaw01]

This mag does not hit the shelves till next month, Ben and team have had a serious amount of experience in producing a superb publication up until this point. I'm pretty convinced they are not going to change a winning formula to the point that all current subscribers are 'turned off' by the changes (and I say that as a 'concerned' subscriber myself who only paid for a year in May of this year), so how about this onslaught is continued once the dish has been served so to speak? I for one will eat my hat if the magazine turns out to be a complete flop, but with the knowledge and experience involved here, I really would be surprised if that happened.

Just my opinion of course:)

Kev

[robt]

I've started buying Aircraft Illustrated again in the past year as a good general all-round magazine to contrast with Aeroplane Monthly and Flypast which I also buy. (I started in the early 70s reading my dad's Air Pictorials and Air Internationals but it's been on and off since then). I'm surprised that this decision has been made - it can only be for business (i.e. decreasing readership) reasons.

However, I have an open mind and will certainly buy the next edition to see how it has changed.

And to throw another curveball into the topsy turvy world of aircraft magazines, I notice that this month Aeroplane Monthly are doing a survey asking people whether they would like more modern aviation in the magazine! I also remember there was an editorial in either AM or Flypast a few months ago suggesting they were looking at featuring articles on more recent aircraft.

Interesting. Maybe all three magazines will eventually become indistinguishable.

[ianf]

Hi
Today I recieved my copy of the new look aircraft. So what has changed? well the magazine has more pages and the layout of articles are similar to the normal in AI The content is preservation news, archive news and airshow reviews. So no modern military news no airline news in short no longer Aircraft Illustrated just another Classic magazine. I'm sad to say that after 32 years of continous buying of AI when my subscription is up I will not be renewing it. I note that Combat Aircraft is going monthly from september, so I'm guessing the folk at Ian Allen think we will get both magazines and then we have what we already had in one magazine? Unfortunatly the current economic climate means this is unlikely, as I cut Combat out this year because I could not afford both.
A very sad day I think as this mag was the best on the market and gave an all round view of the aviation world. Sorry Ben but you have made a mistake doing this.

Ian

[AlexC]

Sadly I have to agree with what Ian has said above. Personally I don't have a lot of interest in fairly recently retired aircraft (I remember them well when they were in service!) so the article on the Phantoms for example doesn't hold much for me. My main interests are modern combat aircraft and WWII. I've always thought that Flypast was best for WWII, so I'll be looking to start getting that from next month, it will be the first time for many years. I'll have to forego getting a modern combat aircraft magazine as I can't really justify getting two aviation magazines each month.

Anyway, I wish everyone at the new 'Aircraft' well, but it's not for me I'm afraid.

[Fromage]

I received my copy of the magazine today and I, too, was disappointed with the new format.

AI has always been an all round magazine with some superb photography (hence the 'Illustrated' bit in the title of the old magazine which was certainly fitting for that publication) and this new magazine seems to be far too close for comfort to an imitation of 'FlyPast'. To my mind AI doesn't need to imitate anything; it has its own niche and its own band of subscribers/readers who liked what we had.

I feel very sad about this new change and, while change can often grow on your over time, I do feel that to some extent the baby has been thrown out with the bath water here.

Perhaps someone could explain how this decision was reached? I really can't see that there's the need for another magazine like this and no doubt those nice chaps at Key Publishing will be keen to ensure that they do what they need to protect their long established publication.

Please reconsider. Bring back the civil news, bring back the military news. We want our mag back!

[kjshaw01]

Salt, pepper, 35 mins at 200, eating my hat right now.

Dissapointing on the first pass I have to say. Sorry Ben, but I really didn't expect such a huge shift in direction upon arrival through the door and have to agree with the other comments on here today.

Kev

[PhilW]

This is Subaru's new Impreza, and Ford's new Ka. They've buried the classic and joined the 'also-rans'. A very odd decision.

[Harlequin67]

I too recieved my copy of Aircraft.

The articles appeared well written, presented and a good selection of photographs. But...........

It wasn't AI. It was Flypast/Aeroplane. I don't buy those. I am afraid Air International has a new subscriber. I will miss AI. I hope this is not the end of a great magazine.

The only positive is the fact that Combat Aircraft is going monthly. I hope I can transfer my recent 2 year subscription to Combat. I just hope going monthly won't involve a change of direction for Combat.

[zigzag]

Have reviewed my copy over the last couple of days and sorry to say its another thumbs down from me.

Got a one or maybe two issues left on my subscription but if the focus doesnt change, and and sure it wont, then I wont be renewing.

Hope the revamp attracts new readers because so far the UKAR consensus isnt too positive.

[wellingflyer]

I'm afraid I agree with most of the comments Ben - I subscribe to Flypast and the new look Aircraft is just a new version, I gave up Aeroplane Monthly a few years ago to subscribe to Aircraft Illustrated due to it's balance in everything aviation related.

[ChrisM]

to subscribe to Aircraft Illustrated due to it's balance in everything aviation related.

A point i must agree with, and whilst the magazine is well presented it is not what I am after as well.

[ChrisM]

The only positive is the fact that Combat Aircraft is going monthly. I hope I can transfer my recent 2 year subscription to Combat. I just hope going monthly won't involve a change of direction for Combat.

Just paid for a 2 year subscription to Combat, will be interested in whether the length of this subscription now reduces to 1 year due to the change - to be honest I would expect it too though I don't want it to.

[IanOlder]

Another disappointed subscriber here, this isn't what I signed up for at the beginning of the year. Maybe it'll improve but this month's is a shadow of its usual standard in my view.
Why do tried, tested and popular formats always have to be messed with?

[Edicap]

Haven't been to the shops to get my copy yet but now I'm wondering if its even worth it. The silence since Ben's first post is now deafening.

[Harlequin67]

Haven't been to the shops to get my copy yet but now I'm wondering if its even worth it. The silence since Ben's first post is now deafening.

There was a special price offer on the front of mine, you pay £2.95. A trial price for this month. As a subscriber I hope my 70p refund cheque is in the post.

[AlexC]

As a subscriber I hope my 70p refund cheque is in the post.

I wouldn't hold your breath mate!

[F-86]

I really don't like it and will not be renewing my subscription if it doesn't go back to how it was. Some of the articles were ok but they could have been included in the old style mag from time to time, Ben you have scored an own goal with the latest mag imho.

[MoshNine]

I bought it yesterday. I must say that the production,writing and photo quality are second to none. It oozes quality.
However, so did AIRCRAFT ILLUSTRATED.

I must say, I feel as though, as a long time buyer, I didn't ask for this.
Last year, a big deal was made of the fact that AI had made 40 years. What happened.

I'll buy it to the end of the year to fill this year's binder but next year,sorry, it'll be Air International.

I was 'poo pooed' for my last post, but I say again that the current editors are CUSTODIANS of AI. Why not make this a sister magazine of AI and keep the original going.


Aircraft Illustrated RIP