SR 71 Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 I travel around four thousand miles to my nearest decent model shop, Als Hobbies, two thousand each way I also buy on line Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Etheridge 1 Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 In the 1950's we had three model shops in Croydon. One was located at West Croydon and was called 'Sportcraft' and two were located at South Croydon, Hunts and Heset Model Supplies. There was another in South Norwood that has recently closed called Norwood Junction Models. Other model shops were situated at Crown Point in Upper Norwood and one also was near to Croydon Airport. When I worked in Lewisham I visited Dennis Bryant's model shop in Brockley. All of these shops have now gone and my nearest shops now are Avicraft in Bromley and Mick Charles Models on the way to Kingston. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J V R Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 No 0--5 so did 5-10 but its 4.5 miles to Avicraft for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny M2Z Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 G'day. 25 years since I last visited a 'decent' real model shop. About 300 miles from home to Sydney, another 10,500 Sydney to Paris then about 200 to London. (Stopped off on Hong-Kong on the way to haggle at Radar Co. in Kowloon, fascinating shop btw). The decent model shop in London was Henry J. Nicholls, a place that I grew to love as a kid in east London. Found another decent model shop not far away, Michael's Models, nearby was the Aviation Bookshop. Here in Oz, still a few left. Next time I go fishing in Normandy I might pop-over and check out the old place. * Danny M * Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 St. Austell models seems to be the only proper rc shop in Cornwall ! He is very good and gets stuff when asked, very helpful, and always has time for everybody. If he shuts my methanol purchases will become very tricky. So where's the next one Plymouth...70 mile round trip. No wonder I use interweb, interestingly I buy from proper models shops with a good web site. No from bucket warehouses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterF Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 100 mile round trip to Model Shop Leeds, therefore I tend to drop in every time I go past Leeds on work or other trips, otherwise on line shopping. Yes there are shops nearer but the question states "decent" and they are only OK for bits and bobs, whereas MSL has a significant range in comparison. Edited By PeterF on 17/02/2015 07:05:05 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erfolg Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 I wonder if there is any definite relationship between the number of modellers per population density and the distance to a model shop? In the past i would have expected a definite relationship, I am not as certain now. I guess H J Nicholls and Roland Scott were ahead of their time with respect to distance selling. Were they the equivalent of HK, Robotbirds, BRC Hobbies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Walters Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 Travelling to a 'local' model shop is not an option for me unless 'local' means around 200 miles! So all done on the internet which doesn't mean not using traditional models shops but does limit it to those with an internet site and decent P+P rates! Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hopkin Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 Posted by Erfolg on 17/02/2015 18:06:43: I wonder if there is any definite relationship between the number of modellers per population density and the distance to a model shop? In the past i would have expected a definite relationship, I am not as certain now. I guess H J Nicholls and Roland Scott were ahead of their time with respect to distance selling. Were they the equivalent of HK, Robotbirds, BRC Hobbies? I am not so sure, I would hazard a guess that most of us started with airfix kits and they were available from toy shops as well as model shops - I know thats the way I got intersted - Airfix kits, then other makes (Revel, Heller) lead me into proper model shops and there were HUGE great planes on the ceiling (ok they were probably 48" span free flight Keilcraft and Verons - but to me they were enormous!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Simmons Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 Ok I will add my vote to 5-10 miles, but if it's amended to 0-5 miles, please move my vote as it's less than half a mile away for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony K Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 Posted by Erfolg on 17/02/2015 18:06:43: I wonder if there is any definite relationship between the number of modellers per population density and the distance to a model shop? Interesting question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Privett Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 Posted by Mike Etheridge 1 on 16/02/2015 23:39:52: In the 1950's we had three model shops in Croydon. One was located at West Croydon and was called 'Sportcraft' and two were located at South Croydon, Hunts and Heset Model Supplies. There was another in South Norwood that has recently closed called Norwood Junction Models. Other model shops were situated at Crown Point in Upper Norwood and one also was near to Croydon Airport. When I worked in Lewisham I visited Dennis Bryant's model shop in Brockley. All of these shops have now gone and my nearest shops now are Avicraft in Bromley and Mick Charles Models on the way to Kingston. Mike, there was no sign of the shops you mention in Croydon when I first moved to the area (1980.) There was however one in St. Georges Walk in central Croydon. I don't know when that one disappeared, but there was no sign of it when I started working at my current employer in Croydon 4 years ago. Other shops I recall in the area that are long gone are Tommy Harris in Wallington and ELS Models in Sutton. For a short while in the early 90's there was also a shop near Tattenham Corner. My LMS is about 4 miles away, I also shop online and at shows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 What's a "shop"? As a glider guy and FrSky user shops are (and have always been) mostly a dead loss for me, as they don't tend to stock the specialist bits needed. T9, GiantCod, Robotbirds and Hyperflight are my "local" shops now, along with the odd order to the 'King. Sorry, but I don't feel I'm missing out on much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban8 Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 I am not so sure, I would hazard a guess that most of us started with airfix kits and they were available from toy shops as well as model shops - I know thats the way I got interested - Airfix kits, then other makes (Revel, Heller) lead me into proper model shops and there were HUGE great planes on the ceiling (ok they were probably 48" span free flight Keilcraft and Verons - but to me they were enormous!) That's quite right. I suppose I started buying Airfix kits around 1964 when I was seven. They could be obtained from the local post office that had a small toy section, as well as newsagents that also sold a few toys. They were mainly the 1/72 scale kits that came in a plastic bag with the picture of the completed model and instructions stapled to the top. As I recall, they were displayed on a rotating stand that didn't take up too much space. I came across some of these kits being sold at Old Warden a while back and it transported me back all those years to my childhood and the excitement of selecting a model with my pocket money. I think they cost about 1/3d (about 7p) so easily affordable on pocket money of 2/6d (12.5p) a week. I see that a 1/72 Airfix Spitfire quick build kit (whatever that is) is around £6 or £7 now, so not really pocket money price any more and made in India, probably for a few pence per unit. The larger boxed kits were usually only to be found in larger toy/hobby shops. My wife bought me a book of the art of Roy Cross, who produced the stunning artwork for many of the Airfix kits of that time (complete with Swastikas and scenes of mayhem and destruction), recommended reading for the nostalgic. Edited By Cuban8 on 18/02/2015 07:57:13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin 216 Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 My local model shop is Lancaster models 39 miles one way, usually combine a visit with SWMBO shopping expedition, about 4 times a year. Steve Webb is next nearest at 65 miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Bastow Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 About 25 miles for me to Inwood Models. However as its not far from my flying club which I pass on the way to the shop I normally go on a day I am flying. i go straight to the shop then back to the field. Like many people I guess I do quite a lot online these days but I still like to use the shop when I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Etheridge 1 Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 John, The three model shops I mentioned that were situated in Croydon had all closed by 1976. The last and best was Heset Model Supplies (HMS). They had a sale just before closing so I bought a KK Spectre and Junior Monitor plus a Veron Mini Concorde and an OS 10 RC which I still have. My nephew Nigel may still have the Spectre. The shop was located opposite Whitgift school and exists recently as a car accessory business. Hunts was located on the corner of Coombe Road and London Road. The Sportscraft shop like most others in West Croydon probably sells anything but English goods that is assuming it burn not burn to the ground during the riots as did the former junk shop where we used to buy second hand engines such as my ED Racer. The shop in St Georges Walk was 'Model World' which sold mainly plastic kits but some flying models, moved to the new Central shopping precinct. My wife wasted over £100 in the shop on a helicopter model I and other club members have never been able to fly. It is still in my loft-perhaps I should sneak it into the EDMAC 'Bring and Buy' event?!. 'Model World has closed as did Beatties which was opposite Marks and Spencers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erfolg Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 I really do not see the Internet traders as being uniquely modern trend. It is an expanding trend using differing technology. Just pick any old modelling magazine, from the 50s and 60s, there you will find piles of adverts, many for brands now forgotten Britfix, Xacto, Keil Kraft, Mercury amongst many. Along side them there were other adverts for Roland Scott, H. J. Nicolls, The Manchester Model Shop, who were not just saying come to our premises and purchase a kit, they also had lists of kits, second hand motors and RC equipment, informing the reader that both Mail Order and Hire Purchase was available. On reflection, model train magazines have been dominated for years by mail order etc. I guess because each purchase involves quite a bit of money. I imagine that these retailers were also chasing sales from the colonies and also the armed forces, offering an alternative to NAFI and local drinking holes. These distance traders of old, no doubt were of a similar mind set to many of todays Internet traders, in that they were seeking far more sales than could be generated relying on footfall alone. I will confess that I never envisaged the impact of the Internet on retailing that has occurred. My initial reaction being, not much different to Mail Order, for example Littlewoods. Perhaps there is another option missing on the Polling options, that is my LMS is just a few clicks away on my PC, Note Pad etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomtom39 Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 I remember having to cycle six and half miles (each way) to buy my first "commercial" R/C combo (It had taken me just over two years of Saturday jobs / birthday cash etc to save up). When I got there the price (1970's inflation) had gone up by approx £1 and the shop manager was not prepared to budge (Harry Brooks) . So had to cycle all the way back and borrow from some mates and ride back again. Not sure if I'd be able to do it now! (I was 14 years 9 months 3 days old at the time!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayCee Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 I notice from the poll that 20% are 'On Line' buyers. I have to admit that I do purchase most of my Lipo batteries 'On Line' due to price, but try to use my local model shop as much as I can...once there gone there gone! Nice to meet up with other local modellers and browse through all the goodies on display. JayCee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leccyflyer Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 Nice to have a local model shop - for lots of folks the nearest model shop could easily be more than 100 miles away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayCee Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 Well hands up...I'm the lucky one 'Mick Charles Models' (Epsom) is at the bottom of my road. Spent hours... and a few quid in there JayCee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Plains Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 I can't use the poll, as my LMS is less than 5 miles away. Not as close as JayCee's one though!! Jeez, I'd be penniless if that were the case! How's your bank account feeling JC? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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