Sovietwarplanes

Hi,
I am considering if the division in sub-forums of this forum can be improved. At present time, the same topic could be posted indifferently in many different categories, and it's very difficult to find an old one.
I was thinking to a new division of posts for aircraft type, plus some general categories about modelling, colors and so on. The old topics could be gradually moved into the new categories.
What do you all think of this? Any ideas?
Regards
Massimo

I do like the idea of having separate areas for specific aeroplanes, and also for colours and markings.

Regards,

Jason

Hi Massimo,

I too like the idea of division by different planes.


All the best.

Jean

This seems to work well on Scalemodels.ru, where the "pinned" threads are divided by aircraft type, and have topic titles like, "Material About Yak-1", "Material About Yak-7 and Yak-9", and so on.

John

Given the low number of overall postings, is this really necessary? 

If a posting can appear in a number of different places, could this not be because it touches on a number of different matters?  If (for example) the subject is camouflage on a Yak 1, it may have relevance to other types.  If the split is betwen a/c types, then those searching for details of camouflage or general markings may miss it.  If you also have a separate section for camouflage and markings, then to which should it be posted?

I have no objection to you organising the site however you wish, but there is no such thing as a perfect set of categories so any future organisation may not produce the clarity you desire.

Hi Graham,
I am uneasy with the classification now in use, I can't find easily even some posts that I have started myself. I know that there will always be posts regarding more than one subject. Eventually, some topics containing only links to other topics inserted in different categories could make the research easier.
Maybe I could try to insert new catergories, and we could discuss if they can really replace the older classification.
An alternative could be a more precise definition of what should be posted in each existing category, plus a constant work to move the old topics and the new ones when posted wrongly.
Any ideas?
Massimo

Hi Massimo,
division on model planes and real planes worked really well.  I am talking about the division you introduced in January-February ("new forum").
Those two could be devided by period: inter-war period, GPW, postwar period.

If someone starts a build and have a question/comments about a specific plane, unit, colours/markings, i.e. questions/comments about the real plane, he should start a tread in "Real planes" section. How is that applied when building a model should be posted in "Model Planes" section.  It should be "one project, two treads".

Sources could be the third section:  random e-bay photos, wrecks, books/magazines, links.

Regards,
KL

Hi,
I'm doing some tests of reorganization on the postwar category, creating child boards and moving there some old posts. Of course the postwar age is scarcely represented on this forum and there was not so much need to reorder it, but as already written, I'm utilizing this as a test before making something on the planes of GPW.
What do you think of this criteria? Any suggestions?
Regards
Massimo

Hi,
I have completed the reordering by type of the topics about postwar planes. Nearly all the posts were about built models or kits. I would include them aside eventual articles on the real things.
I'm thinking to do so for the planes of all the other ages too, because many posts on models contain discussions or links related to the real things.
Any comments or suggestions?
Regards
Massimo

Hello Massimo:

Regarding "Pre-WWII" topics,I would group Polikarpov fighters (biplane and monoplane) in just one topic,and well as the twin and three/four engined planes in a topic that could be named "Multiengined planes".By far,I like the divisions you?re making to the forums.Greetings.

Martin

Hi Martin,
thank you for your suggestions. I have thought on this, because Polikarpov fighters of '20s and '30s were widely predominant on non-Polikarpov fighters.
So, to simplify the classification and to obtain categories of comparable weight, I've opted for monoplane and biplane fighters without indication for the design team.
I've simplified other categories too, because there are too few posts to utilize them all.
I've started to move posts on prewar planes to the new categories from other existing subforums.
Note that I-15s and I-16s are considered prewar planes even if utilized during the GPW.
Regards
Massimo

Hi Massimo,  :)
I don't see any advantage in this new subdivision but if you like it it's OK.
It doesn't make search any easier:  Anatra Khioni is in "multy engined planes" and it could be in WWI planes.
Tread about pilawskii's I-16 book should be in the Books section.

I still believe that basic division on models, real planes and sources (like books) makes more sense.

The real problem are treads that stray off, like the new I-16 decal tread that evolved into discussion about protective colours.  Moderator should stop something like that and start a new tread.

KL

For that, I think you can "split" a thread and make the new discussion a new topic.

Hi Massimo,
you can have a loock in the LEMB luftwaffe's forum organization.
I find it very clear.

the organisation is:
I) planes
II) colours and marking
III) theater of operation
and others...

http://www.luftwaffe-experten.org/forums/ (http://www.luftwaffe-experten.org/forums/)

Xan

Hi Konstantin,
I've corrected this. Not it should be not ambiguous.
Yes, but it evolved in discussions regarding the painting of the plane, not only the book. I have to think about the sources, books and links; I think that links to sites on many arguments should remain where they are, while links and books on a particular plane should go with the topics on the plane, eventually in a topic pinned to remain always in the first position (if the forum software offers this option).
Hi JP,
I think I'll do this
Hi Xan
general markings and painting have their own subforums, while discussions related to specific planes should go aside the planes themselves, in my idea.
At present time I have not seen posts on threaters of operations here, eventually they can go in the 'general category' of the relative period, as all things that doesn't fit with the new categories.
Regards
Massimo :)

Hi all,
I've made new categories for the GPW era. Please, have a look and let me know your comments, possibly before I start to move the existing topics.
Regards
Massimo

I like it so far Massimo,well done.Greetings.

Martin

Same.  I think there will simply be a small adjustment period, and then it will be fine. 

I see you've been busy Massimo!  I have to say I like the new organization.

Good work, Massimo - well done! Thank you for all the extra work you're putting into these improvements!

John

Thank you. By the way, has anyone an idea how to split a topic? I haven't found an appropriate command. Have I to cut and glue each single old post in a new one?
Regards
Massimo

That's strange - on every post, up in the top right-hand corner of each one, I see "Quote", "Modify", "Remove", and "Split Topic". That's how I split the topic "Yak-1b from Amodel Yak-1" off from the thread "Art Model Future Releases". Maybe I have different moderator authorizations from you? Obviously that should be changed! If you need me to do anything, just let me know what it is.

John

That is right John. I didn't see it, I usually see posts from the 'last ten' lists.
Thank you
Massimo