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The Warpaint series was concieved by publisher Alan W. Hall in 1993 when he had passed the usual retirement age and his long-established magazine publishing company of eight fortnightly and monthly titles was being wound up. Included in these were Aviation News, Scale Aircraft Modelling and Airfix Magazine all publications well-known to the model maker and aircraft enthusiast. He started his career after RAF aircrew service at the end of World War 2 by training as a graphic designer and went on to teach the subject at Stafford College of Art and the London School of Printing. Lured by wider aims he went into the cut-throat advertising world where he became art director of Press and General Ltd and then, wishing to get closer to his main interest in life, aviation, changed course and was appointed as the first editor of the eventual 100,000 monthly circulation Airfix Magazine knowing very little about creative writing but very willing to try. Much later he bought the title including it in his magazine empire in 1988. An opportunity to serve as Public Relations Officer at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough came his way in 1964 and for eight years he edited the Establishment’s house magazine and dealt with enquiries from press sources worldwide gaining a lot of experience on the way. But then, realising that he could possibly publish his own magazines he left the comfortable civil service life setting up his own business in 1972 with the title Aviation News which was originally intended to be a relatively cheap newspaper production, published fortnightly. It was successful and established itself amongst other aviation related journals as an authoritative medium that gave its readers value for money. Scale Aircraft Modelling followed two years later. Moving to larger premises in Milton Keynes in 1991 further titles were added ranging from computers to fly fishing. |
Being something of a workaholic but at the same time needing a rest from the strenuous life of managing a medium sized publishing house, Warpaint Books Ltd. was established in 1994 and was activated in 1996 after a period of retirement, rest and rehabilitation. Having the object of producing books rather than magazines Warpaint Books set about the production of aircraft titles that would be of value to the enthusiast audience that Alan Hall knew well by that time. It was intended to keep the highest standards in reproduction and background information that was possible within economic limitations. Somewhat to his surprise the enterprise was as successful as his magazine publishing business though not wishing to overtax his declining years (he’s now 80 years of age) he has restricted the sale to direct mail orders and through retail and wholesale outlets at a level which can be attained by one man working on his own apart from experienced financial assistance and a UK-based distribution service. Producing between six and eight titles a year the company will continue as long as Hall feels that the responsibilities of editing and publishing are within his capabilities. Widely travelled and having a news background on most of the important aviation happenings in the last 37 years, this experience is now put to good use for the benefit of aircraft enthusiasts worldwide. |
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