| Aircraft Magazines Guide |
United Kingdom
Subscription Only - Quarterly
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'21st Century Plastic Modeller' [Pamag (Publications) Ltd, ISSN 1470-0654]
'21st Century Plastic Modeller' is an aircraft scale modelling magazine for newcomers and budget-conscious modellers. The aim is to show that you don't necessarily need lots of aftermarket accessories and expensive new-tooled kits to make a good model. Accordingly, the magazine focuses on lower-priced aircraft kits from the major kit manufacturers (Airfix, Revell, Matchbox, Italeri etc) that are readily available in model shops. Sections of the magazine are devoted to help for newcomers, kit reviews, hints and tips and how-to-build articles. Each issue also contains a scale plans feature. The majority of subjects are 1/72 scale kits of aircraft of the major world powers, with occasional coverage of the larger scales and smaller countries. All of the articles are very well written and amply illustrated, albeit in black and white. The only colour in this A4 size publication is on the cover. The Editor is Ron Firth. The first issue was dated July/August 2000. It is produced by the publisher of 'Plastic Kit Constructor' (see below). Absorbed into Vol.7 No.2 of 'Mushroom Model Magazine' in 2002, when Ron Firth retired from publishing. |
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'Aero Collector' [Aero Collector, ISSN ?]
Magazine for aviation collectors and enthusiasts. It includes feature articles on various apects of collecting aviation-related items, and pages of 'for sale' and 'wants' small ads from dealers and collectors. Recent editions have included: Buying and Selling at Auction, features on Flying Clothing, Airline Timetables, RAF Clocks and spotlights on aviation artists as well as auction and sale reports, book reviews and an events diary. |
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'Aerospace Testing International' [UKiP Media & Events, ISSN ?]
'Aerospace Testing International', launched in July 2002, is now published quarterly to a global audience of aerospace testing, evaluation & inspection professionals. Coverage embraces the very latest news, features, industry interviews & in-depth technology profiles on available/developing technology, solutions plus specialist services for the aerospace testing community. Editorial encompasses developments for Research & Development test & evaluation, Flight testing & certification, Production/assembly testing & quality management, Operational test & evaluation (OT&E), Maintenance engineering test & inspection. |
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'Air Ambulance' [The Shephard Press Limited, ISSN ?]
'Air Ambulance' was a magazine devoted to the airborne EMS (Emergency Medical Services) industry. It featured both rotary and fixed-wing aeromedical operators and suppliers. A glossy A4 publication with many colour illustrations. Date first published not known. In 2001 the title was transformed into a magazine supplement. 'Air Ambulance Special Report' was now published quarterly in the March, June, September and December issues of 'Helicopter World'. Coverage each quarter included the latest news and comment, special reports, in-depth features, analysis, interviews and technology updates. 'Helicopter World' was replaced in 2003 by the bi-monthly 'Defence and Public Service Helicopter'. |
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'Air Photographic International' [CK publishing, ISSN 1350-4304]
'Air Photographic International' was a well produced mainly-pictorial magazine featuring high quality colour photos. It included both civil & military and subjects worldwide. The first issue was dated January/March 1994. It ceased publication in Spring 1997. Edited and published by Chris Knott. |
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'Aircraft in Miniature Magazine' [Aircraft in Miniature Ltd, ISSN ?]
Scale aircraft modelling magazine. Offers detailed illustrated tips and techniques for building, finishing, and customizing all types of aircraft from of all eras and from all countries. Reviews tools, accessories, and research sources. First issue dated June 2000. Very few issues published. |
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'AMCAR Quarterly' [Runway Six Nine, ISSN ?]
Subtitled 'American Civil Air Registers Quarterly Review'. AMCAR started as 'US Register Quarterly Review' in September 1977. The name changed with issue 11 to 'American Civil Air Registers' when the Canadian register was included. With issue 43 it finally became 'AMCAR'. Issue 96 was dated December 2003. The contents comprises listings of new registrations for US and Canadian civil aircraft, together with production histories of particular aircraft types. |
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'Helicopter Life' [FlyFizzi Ltd, ISSN 1743-1042]
'Helicopter Life' appears to be a sort of 'Country Life' magazine for private helicopter owners. Printed on glossy paper with colour photos on nearly every page, it features a range of topics of interest to helicopter pilots and helicopter owners. There are feature articles on the uses some owners put their helicopers to, visits to commercial/public service helicopter operators, flight test reports, piloting experiences and a look back at helicopters in history. The editor is Georgina Hunter-Jones. First issue dated Summer 2004. |
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'Helicopter World' [The Shephard Press Limited, ISSN 0262-0448]
Subtitled The world's leading civil helicopter magazine. This magazine was launched in May 1981 under the title 'Hereford's Helicopter World'. It was initially published twice a year by The Hereford Press Ltd and edited by Geoff Sutton, but it later became quarterly. At an unknown date circa 1986 it was taken over by Shephard Press and renamed 'Helicopter World'. By the late 1990s it had increased frequency to 10 times per year, and in 2001 it absorbed sister title 'Air Ambulance'. In 2003 it was similarly absorbed into 'Defence Helicopter' to become the bi-monthly 'Defence & Public Service Helicopter' (which see). |
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'Insignia' [Blue Rider Publishing, ISSN 1360-4848]
First issue dated November 1995. A magazine which concentrates on off-beat military aviation subjects, with an emphasis on aircraft colours and markings. Mostly historical but some contemporary articles. Includes frequent features on the evolution of national markings for a specific country (with drawings of each variation), aircraft operated by various air forces and profiles of unusual aircraft types. Extremely well illustrated with many colour and tone drawings of aircraft and markings, rare photos and tables of data. A4 size, 34-38 pages each, many colour/b+w photos, many tone profiles and tone 3-view drawings. Published by the company which produces the Blue Rider high-quality decal sheets for model aircraft. Originally launched as a quarterly, but from 1999 publication has become increasingly erratic - averaging only two issues per year. |
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'Jets' [IPC Media Ltd, ISSN 1464-2990]
'Jets' magazine covered modern and classic jet aircraft - both civil and military. Issue one (dated November/December 1998) was launched as a news-stand bi-monthly magazine, but circulation wasn't as high as anticipated, and it quickly disappeared from news-agents shelves. It survived at least another three years as a quarterly 'niche' subscription title. The content comprised short sections of news, book reviews and readers letters, plus features on military and civil jet types, pilot's impressions, test pilot experiences, combat use, civil transports etc. Civil aircraft did not feature very highly. An A4 size, full colour magazine with about 76 pages in each issue. Illustrated by many colour and b+w photos, plus cockpit panel diagrams etc. Edited by Tony Holmes and then Alan Harper. Ceased publication during 2002. |
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'Mushroom Model Magazine' [Mushroom Model Publications, ISSN ?]
'Mushroom Model Magazine' aims is to cover aircraft modelling topics that the mainstream magazines are unlikely to cover. 24 pages in each issue, illustrated with b+w photos and scale drawings with colour photos on the outside and inside covers. Recent issues have had only a single page of advertising, leaving the entire remainder of the magazine available for editorial material. Kit and book reviews can be painfully honest, and so may give totally different impressions of the review subject than will be found in other publications. The editor is Roger Wallsgrove. First issue dated Summer 1996. Ceased publication with Vol.10 No.4 in 2007. |
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'Plastic Kit Constructor - PKC' [Pamag (Publications) Ltd, ISSN 0263-4899]
Subtitled For Aircraft Modellers. 'Plastic Kit Constructor' focuses exclusively on researching and building plastic aircraft kits, both vintage kits and current releases. Features include "sketch pad" showing details of various aircraft, kit and product reviews, scale drawings, construction articles, and tools and techniques. The editor is Ron Firth, who launched the original aircraft modelling magazine 'PAM News'. |
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'Propliner' [Propliner Magazine Ltd, ISSN 0269-4018]
Sub-titled 'The International Review of Piston-Engined and Turboprop Transport Aircraft'. A magazine entirely devoted to the history and activities of (mostly civilian) propeller-driven transport aircraft around the world. Each issue includes: Prop news, The Independents (news of UK prop activities), over 100 black & white pictures, a centre spread colour section and in-depth features and historic articles by leading writers. |
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'The Putnam Aeronautical Review' [Putnam Aeronautical Books, ISSN ? ]
New subscribers might have expected this title to apply the famous Putnam book format of aircraft company and aircraft development histories to subjects too small to cover in book form. Instead they got a miscellaneous collection of articles on aviation in World War 2, civil airports and photo features. A sadly missed opportunity. The editor was John Motum. An A4 size publication with 64 pages each, illustrated by dozens of b+w photos and some line drawings. The first issue was dated January 1989. Publication ceased with issue 8, but all 8 issues were subsequently re-issued in two bound volumes by Conway Maritime Press. |
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'Quarter Scale Modeller - QSM' [Guildhall Leisure, ISSN 1308-4294]
Subtitled 'The Magazine for 1/48th Scale Aircraft Modellers'. Packed with articles and features on scale aircraft modelling in 1/48th scale. Glossy A4 publication. First published November 1995 by AIRgen Publications. Ceased publication after 19 issues in late 1998 and combined into the bi-monthly 'Aircraft Modeller International'. Edited by Neil Robinson. |
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'The Royal Air Force Quarterly' [Gale & Polden, ISSN n/a ]
The full title was 'The Royal Air Force Quarterly and Commonwealth Air Forces Journal'. This publication was the professional journal of the RAF, providing a forum for the development of air power strategy and tactics during the inter-war years, and also covered many other aspects of life in the RAF. Published between 1930 and 1953 for members of the RAF. Edited by Sqn Ldr C G Burge. The January 1931 issue had 192 pages with many b+w photos/illustrations and 2 fold-out maps. |
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'Seventy Second Scale Modeller - S3M' [Guildhall Leisure, ISSN ?]
Subtitled 'The Magazine for 1/72nd Scale Aircraft Modellers'. Companion title to 'Quarter Scale Modeller' (see above). A magazine packed with articles and features on scale aircraft modelling in 1/72nd scale. Glossy A4 publication. Issue No. 6 was dated November 1998. Ceased publication after 7 issues and then combined into the bi-monthly 'Aircraft Modeller International'. |
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'Small Scale Aviator' [? publisher, ISSN ? ]
A magazine for 1/72nd scale aircraft modellers. The contents comprised details of the latest kit releases, articles on aircraft modelling, notes on conversions, plus kit, decal and book reviews. First issue dated Summer 1997. Vol 1 Number 3 was dated Winter 1997. No further information. |
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'Vintage Aircraft' [Vintage Aircraft Magazine, ISSN 0308-3330]
'Vintage Aircraft' was one of the first magazines dedicated to preserved aircraft. It covered the whole aircraft preservation scene - preserved aircraft, pilot's impressions of historic aircraft etc. Initially published quarterly, the frequency had increased to bi-monthly by 1979. The first issue was dated July 1976. It was edited by Gordon Riley and Bob Ogden. A4 size publication with 32 pages in each issue. Number 28 was dated Autumn 1983. It ceased publication in 1986, after issue 36. |
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'Warbirds Worldwide' [Warbirds Worldwide Ltd, ISSN ? ]
A magazine dedicated to the modern warbird scene. Founded and edited by Paul Coggan. Featured aircraft restoration news, articles on flying preserved historical military aircraft, plus features on their use in the past. Regarded as the specialist magazine of the warbird community. 60-64 pages of glossy paper in each A4 size issue, with 16 pages of excellent colour photos. First issue published May 1987. Closed down in early 2000 after reaching Issue No. 52. The editor also published several editions of the authoritative Warbirds Directory, a worldwide survey of warbirds in book form. |
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'Wings Of Fame' [Aerospace Publishing , ISSN 01361-2034]
Subtitled The Journal Of Classic Combat Aircraft. First issue dated November 1995. This magazine was launched as a historical companion to 'World Air Power Journal', covering the period 1939 to 1970 approximately. Each issue comprised 160 glossy pages of similar size and design layout to WAPJ, but with a larger proportion of b+w photos. This publication comprised long and detailed feature articles on unit histories, first hand combat stories, rare aircraft types, variant by variant analyses and surveys of air forces in the past. A 60-page centre feature on a famous warplane was included in each issue - giving a detailed history of the type, its weapons, markings and operators. This title initially suffered from an apparent editorial desire to pander to an American readership: of the 31 articles in the first 4 issues, 17 were on US subjects. This trend later appeared to abate somewhat as the magazine began to mature. A later article on the Vietnam War from the point of view of the Vietnamese Air Force was a welcome example of it's increasing scope. In December 2000, Aerospace Publishing succumbed to financial pressures and ceased operations. AIRtime publishing, the US distributors of WoF, subsequently launched a high-quality replacement title called 'International Air Power Review'. |
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'World Air Power Journal' [Aerospace Publishing, ISSN 0959-7050]
First issue dated Spring 1990. A larger than A4 size publication, comprising 160 pages each of glossy paper with no advertising. Colour illustrations were featured on nearly every page - photos, 3-view drawings and foldout artwork - plus line drawings, cutaways and some b+w photos. A magazine dedicated to modern military aviation in extreme detail. The contents included news, military air operations, new aircraft briefings, air forces analysis and photo features, aircraft variants in detail etc. Each issue had a 60-page centre feature on a single aircraft type - the emphasis being on the evolution/technical development of the design rather than it's operational use. A unit by unit survey of all the operators of that type was usually included. The earlier overwhelming bias in favour of US subjects later matured into a more wide ranging look at world military aviation - albeit with the occasional reversion to contents more worthy of the title "AMERICAN Air Power Journal". In December 2000, Aerospace Publishing succumbed to financial pressures and ceased operations. AIRtime publishing, the US distributors of WAPJ, subsequently launched a high-quality replacement title called 'International Air Power Review'. |
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| First Created: 18 January 1997 - Last Revised: 8 February 2009 | ||||
| Copyright © 1997 John Hayles. e-mail: john@aeroflight.co.uk | ||||