Stats n' stuff

[Armortek]

With all this rain this weekend, been doing some behind the scenes cleanup and looking at some forum statistics.

As a headline, the numbers give a great indication of the value that people attach to the content in this forum and a very healthy sign for the 1:6 scale market as a whole. ...

Comparing the last six months (April to Oct 19) with the same period last year -
Number of people who viewed the forum increased by 16.34%
The average time people spent on the forum increased by 42.16%
Average number of pages people viewed per session went up by 16.27%

The US showed the greatest growth in visitors along with Germany. China was not far behind, but I think I know why

Last statistic of the day - our Forum now stands at just over 42GB ! As a reference Wikipedia is "only" about 10GB.

Finally, if you have read this far and want to continue to show your support, it would be great if you could follow this link across to Facebook and give Armortek a recommendation:

[nfo]https://www.facebook.com/pg/Armortek/reviews/[/nfo]

[Stephen White]

The Forum is in good health. Revealing data, Kian. It would be interesting to know whether this growth is focussed on any particular part of the Forum. We all recognise the popularity of WW2 Wehrmacht kit but are there other areas which are driving growth? Is there another underlying success story in the data, which would suggest something other than Tiger tanks appeals to those who read the Forum?

[Brian Ostlind]

Sweet, will the survey data be revealed or is that a secret?

[Armortek]

..........Is there another underlying success story in the data, which would suggest something other than Tiger tanks appeals to those who read the Forum?

Unfortunately the data that we get does not go to that level of detail. Google Analytics can help, but it just generates strings that some one would need to trawl through - like this : "/Forum3b/index.php?sid=bb...82cdb77c9f0678cc6b85c851f"

Sweet, will the survey data be revealed or is that a secret?

That is a tough question. Although we would like to share the full details of the survey, we don't want to give anything away to companies that try to copy our plans. We will share some details like last time and what we can also say is that the next model is one of the most voted for this time around.

[John Clarke]

That is a tough question. Although we would like to share the full details of the survey, we don't want to give anything away to companies that try to copy our plans. We will share some details like last time and what we can also say is that the next model is one of the most voted for this time around.

I cannot think for a moment of another company that could come close to copying your plans, quality and/or world leadership.

as the song says "Nobody does it better......."

[Gerhard Michel]

In Germany we sometimes are surprised a little at the attention that german WW II vehicles are treated with in the whole world. Some comrades here would prefer to get a modern german tank like Leopard II with its varieties like Büffel, Keiler and so on. Generally a non-combat vehicle like a bridge-laying tank or an armored recovery vehicle might be a nice addition to the actual offers.

In fact this forum is the only tank model forum I know above 1/16 scale that has an increasing number of members, threads and so on. The other tank model forums I visit are not in this lucky position.

[Brian Ostlind]

In Germany we sometimes are surprised a little at the attention that german WW II vehicles are treated with in the whole world. Some comrades here would prefer to get a modern german tank like Leopard II with its varieties like Büffel, Keiler and so on. Generally a non-combat vehicle like a bridge-laying tank or an armored recovery vehicle might be a nice addition to the actual offers.

In fact this forum is the only tank model forum I know above 1/16 scale that has an increasing number of members, threads and so on. The other tank model forums I visit are not in this lucky position.

Everyone likes to imagine taking over the world, right? Germany went for it in WW2 and it was a legendary struggle. Quite fascinating and the vehicles were their means of doing it.

[Chris Hall]

I'm with John Clarke, but from a less sycophantic perspective.....

We all know who the Chinese Opposition are. Their quality looks superficially good, but their electronics are questionable, as is their self-build ability, and their pricing is off the scale . So the only advantage I can see in them 'hitting' the forum is to see if they can produce something new. But if Armortek is doing sound market research, producing what the Buying Public want, and basing their engineering on cutting edge equipment and sound research at Bovington, Wheatcroft etc., is there anything to worry about ?

After all, "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery"

As for where the recent burst of interest lies ..... just look at all the Chieftain threads before the thing even existed in 3D ! Does this suggest that Armortek needs to 'move with the times' and go beyond WW2 ? After all, the serried ranks of Tigers can get pretty tiresome ...... and there are notable gaps to fill either side of the 1944-45 focus.

But ultimately, Kian, you're lucky to have such a large amount of data to work with !

All the best,

Chris

[Steve Lewington]

Nicely put Chris
Steve

[John Clarke]

I'm with John Clarke, but from a less sycophantic perspective.....

I could take the hump with that remark, but because it's relatively true, how can I?

Most Human beings like flattery especially if it is sincere.

We are "probably" the most complex animals on earth and our needs and wishes change throughout our lives. What would be acceptable at one time may not be acceptable during another time.

I for one, could not "now" contemplate buying a large scale model Armored Fighting Vehicle from any one other than Armortek, be it second hand or new.
I am sincere in that fact.

I have had experience of buying from other manufactures, and shall not name them. but have always been left wanting, like their sound modules

Where else are you going to find such wealth of like minded wonderful people on their very own forum.

At the end of the day If you want some thing that will feels right, looks right, performs rights and given an option ability to maintain it right.

Sycophant or not, there is nowhere else to go.

[simon_manning]

Having seen some of the chieftain and M3 production in progress, it made me appreciate what goes into one of these kit's, from design, to a packed kit ready for delivery is a marathon of work, and thinking, not anyone could do it or cope with the amount of work involved, even though i have a few Armortek vehicles i never thought much about it, well done and keep it going, regards simon manning.

[Chris Hall]

Most Human beings like flattery especially if it is sincere.

John, I'm certainly not looking to disagree with you ! I just see it from a somewhat different perspective ......

I'm sure that Kian, Monique, Chris and the rest of the team get a warm fuzzy feeling when they read good reviews. And I, like you, have looked at the competition and agree that Armortek is the cream of the crop. But that by itself isn't enough ......

Armortek is a business. We must never lose sight of that. It cannot survive in what is unarguably a luxury niche market with just kind words. It needs to maintain (and constantly improve) quality, bring the right products to market that will sell relatively quickly in sufficient numbers, and hit the right price point. This is done through market research and attention to production costs, which I'm confident Kian has a good grip on.

I sincerely hope that the band wagon rolls merrily on, attracting new people to our happy little fraternity. And there's the rub. We're all getting older, and money is always tight, so new people need to come on board to keep it all alive. WW2 tanks will always be attractive to the World of Tanks generation but, as Chieftain has shown, there's a clear market for ex-tankies who want to build 'their' tank. That suggests things like Scorpion and Challenger for the UK market, Leopard for the Europeans, and anything from Sheridan to Abrams for the developing US market. Russia ? Depends on demand.

Finally, and totally unscientifically, just take a brief look at the Armortek Kits part of the Forum. If you discount the Tiger and KT, the stand-out models in terms of topics raised and posts viewed are Chieftain (possibly the kit that has generated the most pre-production excitement ever ?), Centurion, and the WW1 Mark IV, with an honourable mention for the 25-pdr and limber (probably the best value kits ever made, with a service history covering a quarter of a Century). Just sayin' ........

Chris

[John Clarke]

I have to agree with you again Chris on all points.

Which is why we have to give credit to Armortek when it's due.

I shudder to guess how much it costs to develop an new model knowing the market could be hit and miss.

What people say they want and would actually raid their bank accounts for must be a mine field of guess work.

When you think about it, Armortek out strip any large scale model AFV manufacturer in the world with their range of models past and present.

If the way forward is a deposit driven model payment plan like the Famo. Then I'm sure their business plan will drive it that way.

As for great models, In the eyes of the owners they all are.

A 1/6 scale Chieftain arrives tomorrow, can't say that from any other manufacture.

[mark lawson]

Chieftain certainly has been a popular hit with people but I don't think Challenger would go down as well, Leopard on the other hand will appeal to many nations not just Germany and the thing with Leopard is that it wouldn't matter which variant it would still sell well, some of the Russian tanks such as T55 may also appeal to East Germans and a number of former East European countries not just Russia. The only real way to what will sell and what wont is to build the models and offer them the rest is just speculation.

[John Clarke]

I actually never thought Armortek would build the Chieftain, but always hoped they would, and here we are.

Even though I had a beautifully built 1/5 scale Chieftain, it was not associated with any builder or forum.
In my view it was one off and had to stay that way, it would always be an isolated noveltiy.

When it was annouced Armorteks next model was to be the the Chieftan, it was time to "put up or shut up". And we did, we put up.

If there is market for the Leopard 2 (not a tin foil 1 please) or something, make a noise, Famo Famo Famo is still ringing in my ears.

Armortek will be all ears, Another model could lead the way with new options like Stabilisation or an illumination pack.

But the last thing Armorteks needs is a storeroom full of unsold models, because it sounded like a good idea.

The market is small, finicky, and careful with it's finances (old, I'm actually 15 next year ), If selling Tigers, Panthers, and KT's keeps the books black, then so be it.

I'm sure odd Gem will appear now and then.

Just out of interest how would a model manifacturer do Chobham or Dorchester, Thin laminated plates on a cast turret, don't think so.
Just a basic flat plated turret. Hummmm sort of spoils it.

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