It's almost the same shopping on line Martin, you should see my motor and parts collection from the last 12yrs, probably will never use most of them, (but at least you have bits when You need them,- that's my excuse lol) Curse you Hobby King !(and uncles Ali and Bang)😁☹️ Probably could have bought a better car by now!

JB

Hi Jb,
Unfortunately in the U.K. the way things are going the only shops that survive the Covid problem will be the big supermarkets and almost every thing else you will have to get online.

I use to love going in to a model shop to just have a look around and as you know that is fatal.
£40 - £50 GBP later you leave the shop thinking you got a bargain were as you only wanted to look around LOL!!
So who got the bargain ?

Martin555.

Check out our (virtually only) model shop in Auckland (100km round trip) which has truckloads of plane, plastic kitsets, scale cars, a 30ft wall of just fittings, everything you might need except boat stuff. Most of the boat kits are out of stock as they can't get them (and probably not the interest any more to warrant the cost, also expensive to ship down here) Most model shops had boat gear years ago, but you might as well say non existent now.

https://www.hobbycity.nz/

Another shop, Acorn models in Christchurch (2,205km round trip -cross strait ferry included- or a 2hr 40min return flight) had a branch in Auckland but has shrunk back to it's original home, and now doesn't appear to hold much boat gear either,- was a very big outfit years ago.

One of the original model shops -Modelair in Auckland (where I bought my first boat radio - OS Cougar 2ch- first marine motor,- OS 30, and plan for my old Vic Smeed MTB back in the late 60s amongst lots of other models) has changed hands a few times over the years and has pretty much disappeared.

There are a few small outfits which operate from home or on line only, but we are not exactly spoilt for choice. Quite often the Kiwi No 8 wire technology has to be utilised. Uncle Alis' is our new shop now for boat stuff,- either that or build planes.

https://www.acornmodels.co.nz/

Have a look inside Hobby city (360 view) on the google directory screen on right of page (search Hobby City separately on google and you should see it) Same thing with Acorn Models

https://hobbystation.co.nz/ Is another in Auckland owned by a Chinese guy, (has access to cheap stuff direct but rorts the price here ) which is supposedly ok (yet to visit) Most small model shops just sell cars or plastic kits, so don't really count.

JB

Some more pictures from a few weeks ago. Billing kits have been in short supply while they relocated and built a new factory. Modelshopleeds and Cornwall models now import directly from Billing cutting out the middle man Amerang trading.
I moderate on Billing Boats Facebook builders group so I stay in the know.

Very Envious.
Wish I had a shop like that near us.
When I first moved to Exeter,more years ago than I care to remember there were 4 if not 5 model shops.Now there are none.
Regards Bill.

I am really jealous. 26 hour drive for me.🤢

Reminiscent of Westbourne in its heyday - though it appears slightly more of the Flying stuff .
Looks like a very well run shop - do they do online I wonder.............

Now I'm jealous you two are just showing off. 15 Minutes T and 5 Minutes Mike. LOL
Rick

Most of the staff are called Andy 😂
Some of my purchase today for the London Titan build

I can go better than that, I'm only 7 mins away, "maybe too close for comfort".
But I agree its an Aladdin's cave with a vast array of tools, equipment and accessories not to mention the amount of stock they carry of both aircraft and boats. And really helpful staff.