Special Edition SCR

[tommydeen]

Yes we do build our

Yes we do build our WTC's out here. but that only could be done after
spending almost three grand on tooling to make the parts for the WTC's
ie; two lathes and a table top mill... with that said i see 500 members
right now? how long will it be before we run out of qualified members
to edit the SCR. I think Kasser is thinking outside the box here
Tom Spettel
#0607

[Guest]

When you also consider that

When you also consider that you can generally rely on about 10-15% of an organisation to actively contribute (if you're lucky), the pool of talent reduces further.

It's a fact of life that ten years ago, the only model submarine forum you could visit was this one.

Now you have about ten.

Added to that is the increasing sophistication of the internet. At one time it used to be painfully slow to download a photo. Now it's simple to download HD video. therefore it's much simpler to share information,and far more sophisticated than a printed magazine.

Therefore people don't really need to join an organisation such as ours to gain information.

For instance- the Dive-in's I organise are attended by only one other member of the Sub Committee.

[Rogue Sub]

Yes, it seems to me

Yes, it seems to me we have one option. we have to increase the value of the SC membership. As billy mayes said "where is the wow". There needs to be something that membership includes that is incapable of shifting hands from one person to another.

For instance my fly club membership offers access to the private field for a a year and the AMA offers not only a magazine but insurance coverage and access to any ama field in the us. That pretty good darn deal.

I know you cant compare the 2 hobbies, due to mere popularity, but it is an example and its what it has been my main area of focus.

[kazzer]

Therefore people don't really need

Therefore people don't really need to join an organisation such as ours to gain information

Isn't that the truth! The demise of the printing industry is upon us. Almost daily, you hear of another newspaper in financial trouble, and most magazines these days are a rip-off, having only two or three articles and the rest is padded with advertising. People are turning to the web for information. I get all my news from my link to the BBC One Minute World News, haven't bought a paper in years.

Subculture has mentioned electronic transfer of the SCR as his preference, and those that want a printed hard copy could always print it themselves on glossy paper.

If the SCR were to go 'electronic' what would be the purpose of collecting the 'dues'? 95% of that money is poured into SCR publication.
Lets not also forget that shortly there will be no editor, and there is a dearth of material to publish, so what is the point? Maybe we should just bite the bullet, chop it on the head, cry a few tears and move on.

Before anyone accuses me of negativity, let me say that I would love to see an active association, promoting the hobby, with its own flourishing magazine, bringing in hundreds of new members (customers), but the practicality of this seems to be slipping away. I hope Nuke Power comes up with the answer. I'll certainly support his project financially if it passes muster.

[scott t]

A suggestion for increasing membership:
Gift

A suggestion for increasing membership:
Gift subscription may be purchased for someone other than
a member or past member who has not subscribed for three
years.
The hook that will get you opening your wallets ... the gift price is half off.

The benifit more circulation, more members, etc.

Another suggestion: Take the address of past members not active
for say two years and send one free copy to ten people each issue.
4x10=40 interested subfreaks.

Scott

[Guest]

Good stuff, are you volunteering?

I

Good stuff, are you volunteering?

I think it's very unlikely that submarines are ever likely to be a mass market item.

Two reasons i think this-

1. Ideal venues for sailing them are few and far between.

2. A lot of modellers just don't get it. In fact I find a lot of modellers regard model submarines and their operators as somewhat sinister. I quite enjoy this in a devilish sort of way,but it's not everyone's cup of tea.

[Guest]

I agree there 100%.

I agree there 100%.

[kazzer]

1. Ideal venues for sailing

1. Ideal venues for sailing them are few and far between.

Certainly true for the UK, but not so in the USA. Many large pools at home, hotels, and clubs. I can think of over one hundred small man made ponds withing 20 miles of my property, and that is without counting the Finger Lakes and Great Lakes.

[Guest]

Can you get access to

Can you get access to them though?

There are quite a few good size swimming pools around my way, but the vast majority will not allow you access to them, or they want extortionate fees for their hire.

It took me a long time (years) to find the two venues that i run the Dive-in's at now.

[kazzer]

Can you get access to

Can you get access to them though?

There are quite a few good size swimming pools around my way, but the vast majority will not allow you access to them, or they want extortionate fees for their hire. It took me a long time (years) to find the two venues that i run the Dive-in's at now.

A lot of the lakes around here are 'State Owned'. Erie Canal is 363 miles long, lots of access there. With more than 7,500 lakes and ponds, 50,000 miles of rivers and streams, and hundreds of miles of coastline, New York State has some of the finest fishing in the country. If you can fish it, you can 'submarine' it. Well almost! I guess the problem is one of more 'do you want to risk a boat in there?' What with shopping trolleys etc. some of these waters could be dangerous to dive in.

One of the major differences between the USA & Europe seems to be size of boat. Americans like the smaller scales 1:72 1:96 etc. whilst Europeans seem to go for 1:32 etc. I see that in the lack of sales of my larger boats in the USA, and vice versa in the UK.

I have a 15 x30 pool and my 32 scale British S Class is a complete waste of time in it. I can't turn and can't reach full speed. However, my smaller models, like Trumpeter Kilo and the 1:144 Revell Skipjack are wonderful to operate. Even Merriman's larger Skipjack is a dream in this pool. I guess Americans generally have more pools per capita, so the trend here is to smaller 'pool friendly' boats. Perhaps those logs you guys tend to go for are the problem, and you need to scale down. I certainly think that would give you more pools to play in.

The other problem I see is the desire to have complex diving systems, capable of deep dives. If you have folks deep diving in 'shopping trolley' infested waters, then you are asking for trouble, and as Merriman says, "Are you prepared to go in and get it?" Not me, I've just seen the Erie canal drained out and there is a LOT of CRAP down there. My point is that if you resign yourself to 'periscope depth', engineer the boat to only do that, then you can sail in these more dangerous waters with less fear of loss, so more venues become available.

At periscope depth,(antenna on the raised periscope) the boat trimmed with ballast tanks flooded, and consideration to some corrosion resistance, then you could probably sail in salt water, opening a host of navigable public areas along coast lines. Whats more, these public venues would have a lot more spectators, and the potential for getting more people interested in the hobby.

I imagine an impromptu get together on a resort beach would cause quite a stir. Might even get a few of those beached whales out of their deck chairs to take a peep!

[pirate]

Jim (subdude),
Please send me your

Jim (subdude),
Please send me your article with pictures on how you build your WTCs.
I'll put it in the SubCommittee Report.

Thanks.
Pete

[pirate]

Just an FYI,
On the comment

Just an FYI,
On the comment about going digital with the magazine and not printing, therefore saving staff and money...

This does not save any staff. The magazine would still have to be produced in the same manner. It just goes to PDF instead of the printer. And you'd still have the Production Designer's cost.

Just so you understand, that is no less work. And that's why I've said all along, without the tangible paper hard copy result at the end of all that work, it wouldn't have been worth it for me to spend the time.

[pirate]

I like the gift subscription

I like the gift subscription half-price idea. Of course you'd have to make it only good with a full paid subscription.

But how many current members would team up with another one to get two for the price of one-and-a-half? That would screw us even worse.

[g2tiger]

my thoughts,

Perhaps a special edition

my thoughts,

Perhaps a special edition might not be a bad idea. What got me into "da" subs was a special edition of ship modeler specifically on submarines MANY years ago. Perhaps we could work in conjunction with an R/C boat mag and produce our own edition working with them somehow and have it placed on the shelves of the book stores and such.

Most surface modelers wont touch a sub for many reasons but they are not afraid of the challenge. Perhaps we could showcase the advancements and new equipment that is available which may make them rethink their next choice and make it a sub. This might make them more inclined to join the SC which will bolster our membership.Sorry if I covered something already covered in previous pages, I'm running short of time and just read the last and first pages.

Respectfully,

Charlie

[g2tiger]

Perhaps the drive motto could

Perhaps the drive motto could be "PULL the PLUG!" and build a sub! haha!