Who can claim to have bought every issue, then?

[Chris558]

Aircraft Illustrated, the UK's longest running Aviation monthly is celebrating its 40th anniversary, in its latest (march) issue. As I buy it now and then, I thought I'd buy this special edition (rather than reading it in the shop!!) even though it came on the scene three years before i did!

I realised that the milestone this publication has reached, highlights something of a turning point for it, and others: Forums such as this one on the internet and other aviation sites have obviously revolutionised aviation news. we now know almost everything, almost instantly, or when something special is about to happen, such as XH558's return to flight. Whereas before, we'd have to wait a month to find out these things. I even used to think that everything would eventually be on-line, but I'm now sure it won't be (hopefully!) as there is nothing like getting away from the computer screen and sitting down to read your favorite av-mag (aviation magazine) with features that are unique to them....and a new magazine smells great aswell!!

What's your favorite av-mag?

[Garry Russell]

I had every issue until June 2001

Don't have many of them now

In the early days it was a far better mag than it became.

When I stopped it was just really about airshow reporting whereas in the early days it was in depth articles and superb drawings by Alfred Granger

Garry

[steve p]

Never been a big fan. I've got most issues of Aeroplane Monththly from its start up until a few years ago though. A while ago I had the stupid idea to scan them all and stick them on the 'puter. I'm now up to about 1980, with no end in sight... STUPID

Best wishes
Steve P

[Hot_Charlie]

I've been reading FlyPast and Aeroplane (Monthly) for the best part of 12 years now on a regular basis. Initially I preferred FlyPast, but then Aeroplane caught up, and in some ways surpassed FP IMHO. However, the paper quality of AM has been going down the pan, and, what's worse (again, only IMHO), the editorial quality of the magazine has also decreased in the past 18 months - partly I suspect through editorial direction, and partly through the sad loss of one or two regular contributors.

Occasionally purchase some of the others: Pilot/Flyer/Today's Pilot if there's an interesting feature or flight test; same for AFM (normally some doom and gloom RAF story)/Aircraft Illustrated/Air International (managed to squeeze into that last month... ).

[T6flyer]

I confess to have only bought it now and again...but I did buy up to 5 copies of the same issue when I had articles published!!

Martin

[RAF_Quantum]

I just bit the bullet and bought a complete set of AI off ebay. The chap's downsizing house and had every copy from issue No.1 until 'last months' Feb 08. I've just bought the March 40th Anniversary issue to top it off. I've had a quick scan through some of the early issues and there's some cracking articles in them. I've just got to find some room to keep them now

John

[Garry Russell]

Nice one John

The earlier issues especially were very good before they just went all airshowish

There is a Britol Freighter article

Feb, March, April and May 1969

Also about 1970/71 ish or about then there was an article and drawings of the Vickers Windsor. Someone here wanted some info on the type

Garry

[airboatr]

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[Nigel H-J]

Back in the early seventies I was an avid reader of Flight International which is still going strong however, I hardly ever give it a second glance now.

Tend to go for the ones' that offer a bit of everything from days gone by up to the present.

Nigel.