RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

As deadly and destructive as Covid-19 continues to be, the stay-at-home initiative has helped to repatriate some to the Hobby world, and brought fresh interest in the likes of venerable British company Hornby (famed maker of model trains, and owner of Airfix, Humbrol, and Dinky toys).
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54729801


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornby_Railways
https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/
Hornby has also been associated with other Brit classics: Scalextric and Meccano.

So, even the darkest of clouds, it seems, might have wee hints of a silver lining.

43rdRecceReg wrote:As deadly and destructive as Covid-19 continues to be, the stay-at-home initiative has helped to repatriate some to the Hobby world, and brought fresh interest in the likes of venerable British company Hornby (famed maker of model trains, and owner of Airfix, Humbrol, and Dinky toys).
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54729801


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornby_Railways
https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/
Hornby has also been associated with other Brit classics: Scalextric and Meccano.

So, even the darkest of clouds, it seems, might have wee hints of a silver lining.

Whole hobby industry is booming due to covid

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I'm not surprised, I've noticed some changes.
Stores have had problems keeping up, not just from delays with the supply chain, but the higher demand for their products.
And being a moderator, I always scan the list of members online, for those spammers that joined a few days prior and decide it's time for them to post their drivel. And in doing so, I notice some unusual forum names that I've never seen before, and on closer inspection, some are long term members, possibly with more time on their hands this year.
Same with hobby related YouTube videos, I'm sure they have increased in numbers this year. And with the YouTube algorithm, it seems to be pushing more hobby related videos into the suggested watch list. I've noticed a few comments from people that have watched a few that don't usually follow hobby related videos, and were surprised to be offered such things.

Every cloud and all that!!

Yes, its been a huge boom for anything related to hobbies but also outdoor rec, an area I'm in. Sadly, I have no time to devote to my hobbies or go camping now since everyone wants to get outdoors.

Here's an excellent NYT article on Giant, the Taiwanese bicycle behemoth, who has seen a huge increase in business this year.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/17/busi ... rtage.html

Sadly even I have still have an MFO box full of trains, some have never been used. The oldest train must be 56 years old, Princess Elizabeth, white metal wheels that will run like a sparkler on the newer type of tracks.
One day I may do something with them, along with the unmade but boxed Airfix kits of aircraft.

Rattlesnake road wrote:Sadly even I have still have an MFO box full of trains, some have never been used. The oldest train must be 56 years old, Princess Elizabeth, white metal wheels that will run like a sparkler on the newer type of tracks.
One day I may do something with them, along with the unmade but boxed Airfix kits of aircraft.

I'm sure your story will be a familiar one to some members.
The (actual) Princess Elizabeth was a beautiful loco, and I'm sure that if your model version is in good nick, a few collectors would be interested in it.
My Scots grandfather worked on the railways outside of Glasgow, and my (Irish) G-Grandfather was a railway mason killed by a train in the Bramhope tunnel. Thus I had a long assocation with the Railways (and the Military too) But the best we could get in the 1950s was a
clockwork tinplate train. Something along these lines:


Of course, even the budget tinplate models are collectables these days.
Family Austerity meant no electric choo choos.


I think it's great, though, that they've somehow kept Hornby going, as well as Airfix (always loved their models-also had a few) and other British classic model companies. Long may it continue.
However, it's sad that it should take a lethal pandemic to ensure Hornby's immediate future.

Any hobby that is not team based has made the most of the situation , when lockdown started turbo trainers for cycling dried up overnight . Probably other home trainers as well , any hobby thats home based has done well. And thats due partly to massive delays in new stock resulting in lots of stuff thats been cluttering up shelfs being bought. And putting orders in ahead of deliveries to make sure you get it . Another winner is the DIY market.

Hi all
But I am finding it very hard to buy anything now, nothing is in stock, I assume , due to Chinese production down. I’m talking tanks and trains. I thought it would be a good time to modify my OO train layout, but I can’t even get any track! ( mind you they are made in Uk I think):
There are not many locos available at present.
As for tanks, I’m looking to buy another 1:16 Tami, but it’s a question of what you can get, not what you want. And Torro, I bought an M16 Half track on e bay this week, the guy hasn’t actually got them, he’s just hoping to get some soon, but taking orders! Sure I can demand a refund, but it’s dissapointing.
Ranting again! Lol
W

Spoke to my local slot car store this week. They gave off an air of frustration - they're getting plenty of calls and internet pre-orders for stock announced at the beginning of the year, but no indication as to exactly when this stuff will turn up.

I ordered an expensive slot car from France through them back in March and I've given up on the order. The manufacturer said yes they had it in stock, and then never sent it, and later announced it had sold out.

This kind of uncertainty means the store is very busy, and not selling much.