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THE UK’S NO 1 MODEL MAGAZINE WIN HOGAN WINGS CONCORDES!
FREE INSIDE
32-page Hatton’s Catalogue
www.diecast-collector.co.uk November 2013. Issue 193. £3.80
WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONS! As the WRC turns 40, we look back at models of all the champions since the very first season in 1973
First look at the exciting new releases from Corgi for 2014. We have photos and details!
■ Auction News and Price Guide
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■ Cleared For Take-off! Aviation model news
ALL-NEW MODELS REVIEWED
PLUS
SHIPS AHOY!
Hornby Minic’s high quality but underrated range of diecast vessels from the 1970s p001 cover - RW.indd 1
ANTAR TO THE RESCUE We transport you back to look at the models of Thornycroft’s mighty range of vehicles
VANGUARDS IMPS
An in-depth look at models of the Rootes Group’s iconic rival to the BMC Mini
Display until 1 November
17/09/2013 17:21
NEW MODELS Chris Clifford takes a look at this month’s latest releases.
WHAT’S NEW? ▼
SUN STAR Jimmy McRae 1986 Metro 6R4 RAC Rally PRICE £79.99 LIMIT 2999 SCALE 1/18 REF NO SS5531
A stunning scale replica of the mighty Metro Group B rally car. The engine and cockpit detail is sensational. It’s easily one of the most intricate models that Sun Star has ever produced. Comes with ‘Racing’ decals, rather than ‘Rothmans’, because that’s how the car ran on the event. www.diecastlegends.com
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SHELBY COLLECTIBLES 1966 Le Mans winning Ford GT40 PRICE £59.99 LIMIT N/A SCALE 1/18 REF NO DC408
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A great model of the car which Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon drove to victory in the 1966 Le Mans 24 Hours. Representing fantastic value for money, you get opening doors, bonnet, engine cover, working steering and it even includes the spare wheel in the front. www.diecastlegends.com
EXCLUSIVE FIRST EDITIONS Series 1 SLF Dart 1 Door
PRICE £32.50 LIMIT NOT SPECIFIED SCALE 1/76 REF NO 35804
Somerset-based Badgerline was the operator of this bright and breezy single-decker, which ferried passengers on the 352 service in, and around Weston-super-Mare The application of the yellow company lettering over the green is surprisingly good, considering the former’s propensity for poor coverage. The vent detail under the rear window is very fine and the side window framing neat indeed. www.exclusivefirsteditions.com
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EXCLUSIVE FIRST EDITIONS Plaxton Panorama PRICE £32.50 LIMIT NOT SPECIFIED SCALE 1/76 REF NO 29509
The Panorama was appropriately named given its large windows, and the feature is well re-created here. All the interior detail is easily viewed through the aforementioned glazing and skylights, while the cream and maroon livery of Eastern Counties is pleasing to the eye…and beautifully rendered here. www.exclusivefirsteditions.com
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EXCLUSIVE FIRST EDITIONS RM Routemaster PRICE £32.50 LIMIT NOT SPECIFIED SCALE 1/76 REF NO 31510
The famous brands of Ty-Phoo Tea and BOAC enliven the red livery of this London Transport double-decker. It replicates the No.11 Fulham Broadway service, via Chelsea, Victoria, Charing Cross, Fleet Street and Bank. Noteworthy detail highlights include the excellent front grille, white-painted rear grab handles and in-scale mirrors. www.exclusivefirsteditions.com
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EXCLUSIVE FIRST EDITIONS Alexander Y Type PRICE £32.50 LIMIT NOT SPECIFIED SCALE 1/76 REF NO 22518
EFE’s splendid West Riding vehicle, GHD 416G, is defined by the roof and side white paint and its excellent opacity. Fine silver trim and the rich, scarlet lower section make this replica a feast for the eyes. It represents the X12 service to Manchester. www.exclusivefirsteditions.com
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SCHUCO Jack Brabham 1959 World Champion Cooper T51 PRICE £209.99 LIMIT N/A SCALE 1/18 REF NO SCH0325
Never before replicated at this scale, the detailing and finish are superb. The front bodywork is removable, and the rear bodywork, secured by tiny catches, tilts up to reveal the intricate engine and chassis detail. Detailing all round is excellent and the reconstruction of the rack and pinion steering mechanism is remarkable. www.diecastlegends.com STOP PRESS!! Diecast Legends has also announced a limited edition version hand-signed by Sir Jack Brabham! PRICE £279.99 LIMIT 100 REF NO SCH0325S
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IXO Valentino Rossi 2011 Ford Fiesta RS WRC Monza
PRICE £39.99 LIMIT N/A SCALE 1/43 REF NO RAM467
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Valentino Rossi drove to second place in the 2011 Monza Rally, being beaten only by the World Rally Champion, Sebastien Loeb, in his Citroen DS3 WRC. The striking livery on the Fiesta featured Vale’s famous Sun and Moon design. It also sported the #58 on the front bumper, in tribute to his friend Marco Simoncelli. www.diecastlegends.com
EXCLUSIVE FIRST EDITIONS Atkinson Artic 2 Axle Flatbed
PRICE £29 LIMIT NOT SPECIFIED SCALE 1/76 REF NO 19306
It feels odd and rather refreshing at the same time to review an EFE model that isn’t a bus. Here, the company offers a delightful Bass/Worthington brewery vehicle (KFA 24), whose trailer is fully articulated. The real boon is the separate hollow plastic part, designed to replicate a strapped, covered load…and does it pretty well. Trailer support wheels fold down and the company logo printing is first rate. www.exclusivefirsteditions.com
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IXO Ford Fiesta RS WRC PRICE £39.99 LIMIT NOT SPECIFIED SCALE 1/43 REF NO RAM492
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The second Wilson/Martin-crewed rally car reviewed this month, this option replicates the #9 vehicle from last year’s Rally Monte Carlo. Gloss dayglo and satin black look superb together here, and open windows mean the splendid interior detail can be enjoyed to the full. Go fast indeed! www.abgee.co.uk
SUN STAR Ford Focus RS WRC08
PRICE £64.99 LIMIT 998 SCALE 1/18 REF NO 3948
Rally fans who like their models large won’t want to miss Sun Star’s impressive #5 Wilson/Martin Focus, which emulates the Stobart-branded car from 2010’s Rally of Great Britain. Opening doors and bonnet throw open a wealth of high-quality detailing, such as Recaro bucket seats, fire extinguisher and more. The printing of the sponsors’ markings is particularly impressive. A limitation certificate also features. www.abgee.co.uk
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IXO Jaguar XKR-S
PRICE £36.99 LIMIT NOT SPECIFIED SCALE 1/43 REF NO MOC138P
A sparkling metallic British Racing Green finish is just one pleasing feature of Ixo’s 2010 Jaguar. Others include fine wipers, dazzling alloys and convincing low-profile tyres, and super grille work at the front. The interior’s none too shabby either! www.abgee.co.uk
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IXO Lola B10/60 PRICE £32.99 LIMIT NOT SPECIFIED SCALE 1/43 REF NO LMM202
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Wow!...there’s no missing this stunning #13 car driven by the Boulion/Belicchi/ Smith trio, in the LMP1 category of 2010’s Le Mans. The rendition of the gold-coloured bodywork sections is eye-popping, while the myriad sponsors’ markings (which are superbly printed) make for a very busy-looking racer. Dreamy wheel and fine aerials only add to the sparkle. www.abgee.co.uk
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WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP IS 40 YEARS OLD
LEFT OVER CREST – 40! The Alpine Renault A110 was the first winner, in 1973. This is Thérier’s winning car in the rally of Portugal, by Troféu.
The WRC was officially born in 1973 and a lot has changed in the last 40 years. But one thing remains the same; the rush of driving a rally car, flat out, on some of the most demanding roads in the world. Francisco Mota pays homage to the manufacturers who have fuelled this passion with a collection of 1/43 scale models.
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he year 1973 marked the first edition of the World Rally Championship. No manufacturer wanted to be left out, so there were entries from BMW, Citroën, Datsun, Fiat, Ford, Lancia, Opel, Peugeot, Alpine, Saab and Toyota. Thérier won in Portugal,driving an Alpine A110 1800 and Troféu modelled this car with exceptional quality. Big negative camber to the rear wheels is a highlight. The energy crisis lead to five WRC events being cancelled, in 74. Fiat started leading the championship but Sanremo was the season’s turning point when Munari’s Lancia Stratos HF won against a fleet of seven Fiats. Lancia then decided to launch an attack on the title against Fiat. Munari won again in Canada and Andruet in Corsica, enough to clinch the championship. HPI launched a model of Andruet’s car in Corsica, a great looking piece, full of details like the front bonnet louvres, five spoke wide wheels and a perfect stance. Due to antitobacco laws, all the Marlboro stickers were left off of the model. The 1975 season started in much the same way the previous had ended, with Lancia
Stratos HF facing an armada of Fiat 124 Abarth Spiders. At the first outing, Munari won the Monte Carlo rally ahead of a trio of Fiats, then Waldegård did the same in Sweden. As Lancia had got off to a great start, a committee inside Fiat Group decided that Fiat would not fight against its sister manufacturer. With four wins in the season, Lancia was crowned champion. The second Stratos HF in this collection is the car driven to victory by Munari in the Monte Carlo rally. Still without aerodynamic devices, the car featured the first version of the Alitalia livery and had four spotlights. The model was released some time ago by Minichamps and lacks some interior detail. In 1976, Lancia continued to aim for the title, the Stratos HF, now featuring a roof spoiler, rear wing and the most popular Alitalia livery. Monte Carlo started with a one-two-three for Lancia, led by Munari, who would also win in Portugal and Corsica while the fourth win for Lancia, out of ten events, went to Waldegård in Sanremo. Minichamps also released the 1976 Stratos HF, again in Munari’s Monte Carlo version. The model differs from the 1975 model in its livery, of course, but also in the new wings. The quality standard is the same,
correct, but not brilliant. The Stratos era was declared over in 1977, Fiat Group deciding that it would be better to promote the new 131 Mirafiori model. The Stratos was only allowed to compete in five rallies, with Munari concentrating on the new FIA Cup for rally drivers. At the first outing, Stratos won its third consecutive Monte Carlo, proving that it was still the best car. With Lancia out of the equation, Ford decided to attack Fiat, with the MKII Escort 1.8 RS. The season was decided in Fiat’s favour only in the last rally. The works Fiat team cars were sponsored by “Olio Fiat” in dark blue and yellow colours. The satin finish is perfectly reproduced by Troféu in its 1/43 model that represents Markku Alén’s victory in Portugal. Proportions are perfect, roof pillars very thin and details like the fuel cap on the rear boot, extra spotlights and tarmac wheels are all great. Alitalia sponsoring changed from Lancia to Fiat in 1978 and this is the major difference in Troféu’s 1978 131 Abarth that replicates Alén’s third Portuguese win, the Finn getting the FIA Drivers Cup. The last year of the decade saw Ford’s
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From 1974 to 1976, Lancia won the title with the Stratos HF. The 1974 Corsica winner in “Marlboro” colours is by HPI. The “Alitalia” 1975 and 1976 Monte Carlo winners are both from Minichamps.
Fiat won three times with its 131 Abarth. Left to right we have a 1980 Röhrl car, followed by two of Alén’s cars; 1977 “Olio Fiat” and 1978 “Alitalia”, all winners in the Portuguese rally. All three models by Troféu.
Escort 1.8 RS beating Fiat and all the others with Waldegård winning the first World Drivers Championship. Ford had a programme of eight rallies from a total of twelve in a year that saw Fiat cutting back in its rally activities. Troféu’s Escort 1.8 RS depicts Hannu Mikkola’s car in Portugal, where he won easily. Crisp lines, thin “glass” and very good details, like the extra spotlights, mudflaps and interior race seats with belts makes for an excellent model.
From Group 4 to Group B The eighties started with Group 4 but would evolve into Group B regulations. In 1980,
there were 12 events and seven different manufacturers won rallies. Fiat had returned in full shape, with Alén joined by Walter Röhrl, the German won four events and clinched his first championship. Fiat’s new livery, with stripes in three shades of blue is very well applied on Troféu’s model, a nice variation for the 131 Abarth. 1981 saw two surprise champions: Ari Vatanen won the drivers championship with three victories in a semi-privately entered Ford Escort and Talbot Sunbeam won among the manufacturers, with only one win by Guy Fréquelin. Ixo produced the Talbot Sunbeam Lotus that Fréquelin drove to second place in
Monte Carlo. It’s a nice model but with some flaws, like the size and shape of headlights and rear lamps. Audi won six out of ten events and clinched the 1982 manufacturer’s title but Röhrl beat Michèle Mouton with his conventional Opel Ascona 400 to the driver’s title. Mouton’s win in Portugal, one of three during the season, was perfectly reproduced by Troféu, the Audi Quattro featuring small wheel arch extensions and a high rear wing, typical of the Group 4 evolution version. Group B replaced Group 4 regulations from 1983 and new cars arrived on the rally scene, like the small Lancia Rally 037. Lancia’s new car was a supercharged, mid-engined, rear-wheel drive, lightweight prototype that won the manufacturer’s title with the same number of wins as the Audi Quattro. Mikkola, in an Audi, won the drivers title. HPI produced a great model of the Lancia Rally 037, in this case we picked the Monte Carlo winner by Röhrl. The Martini livery looks stunning, the shape is perfect and there are terrific details like the front headlamps, sliding windows or riveted rear wing. The engine is well rendered and can be seen through the rear window. In 1984, Audi dominated both championships, Stig Blomqvist winning a record five times. Audi had brought a new sponsor, HB cigarettes, that changed the livery to white with yellow stripes. Minichamps reproduced the Monte Carlo winner by Mikkola without the HB logos, which is correct as the car had to run that way on French soil. It´s a good model, with a precise shape, six spotlights, detailed transmission and suspension. Peugeot won both championships in 1985. Timo Salonen took the title for drivers with five wins. The 1985 Peugeot 205 T16 shown is the Evo I that Vatanen took to victory in Monte Carlo. It’s an old fashion Skid model with some modernised parts. The other 205 T16 is the E2, also from Monte Carlo but the 1986 edition, where it finished second in Salonen’s hands,
Ford was first in 1979, this is Mikkola’s Escort 1.8 RS, a Troféu model that replicates his victory in Portugal.
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Surprise winner in 1981 was Talbot with this Group 2 Sunbeam Lotus. This is Guy Fréquelin’s second placed car at Monte Carlo, made by Ixo. Inset: Minilite wheels and riveted extensions, two nice details.
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HILLMAN IMP 50TH ANNIVERSARY
VANGUARDS IMPS Following the 50th anniversary of the Hillman Imp’s launch in 1963, David Lynn starts a two-part account of the various Vanguards and related releases of the Imp saloon and Chamois/Californian coupé ranges by describing the Imp’s history and the road saloons
Three later Mk3 liveries – 02618 Deluxe blue, 02622 Super Imp turquoise, 02619 orange.
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he Hillman Imp was launched in May 1963 as one of the more ground-breaking - literally ventures from within the British motor industry, but its ultimately gallant failure has become seen as a classic example of the endemic fault lines which led to much of the sector’s collapse from the 1970s onwards. My childhood featured a succession of Imps as my father worked for Rootes as a die-casting engineer, so I was brought up with the story of their development and a tribal allegiance which has lasted to the present. Today the Imp has become a bit of a Marmite car, polarising opinion between those who admire the advanced technology and design and the audacity of a small conservative manufacturer in creating a brand new factory to produce it, and those who regard it as a chronically underdeveloped product with an outdated rear-engine format and with a crippling reputation for unreliability which doomed it to failure and destroyed the viability of the Rootes Group as an industrial force. Both perspectives have strong foundations and much has been written to try to establish where the balance lies; my own perspective is that the Imp’s design had more than enough attributes for real success in the rapidly evolving 1960s market but was executed by the wrong
people who were unable to deliver the resources and strategic direction needed to realise its full potential, and it was then inherited after the Chrysler takeover by management who did not understand what was needed. The Imp’s genesis started in the mid1950s when Rootes believed expansion was the only way to survive, and like many other designs was heavily influenced by the impact of the Suez Crisis and the belief that small economical cars were needed alongside the liberalisation of car-buying restrictions from high purchase tax and the new availability of hire purchase. The launch of the Mini in 1959 also demonstrated that traditional formats would quickly become obsolete without innovation; Rootes had never produced a rear-engined car before, but saw this as a valid direction alongside European makers such as Renault, Fiat, Simca and inevitably VW. The Chevrolet Corvair in the US was a strong stylistic inspiration, both directly and through the indirect route of the heavily influenced NSU Prinz 4 from Germany. This was a new market segment for Rootes below their mid-range models, requiring additional production facilities in a new factory at Linwood near Glasgow; Government incentives and weak internal direction meant the still family-run company was unable to resist political pressure to
build this new facility which at the time was the most modern in Europe with a Novell-IBM computer controlling the factory processes, but in an area remote from existing Rootes plants and with a workforce largely unaccustomed to car production. Within the constraints of the rearengine format the Imp was innovatively engineered with a cutting edge technology for the time of an alloy engine block and a precision drivetrain with an all-syncromesh gearbox, a pneumatic throttle and other features. However the combination of all these elements required intensive durability proving before launch and this was not achieved. The financial drain of the factory costs was proving critical and the pre-arranged deadline of the official opening by the Duke of Edinburgh forced a premature launch of an underdeveloped car. Faulty water pumps and automatic chokes, overheating, water leaks, and throttle problems caused big reliability issues from the start, and the Imp’s reputation never recovered. Planned annual production was 150,000, but when production ended in 1976, only 440,032 had been made, despite exports to over 50 countries around the globe by 1966, and CKD assembly in Australia, New Zealand, Malta, Eire, Venezuela, Uruguay, Costa Rica,
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Early Lledo and Corgi era Mk1 Deluxe saloons – 02615 Polar white in front, and L-R behind 02616 Loch blue, 02613 silver, 26000 Tartan red, 26008 maroon, 26004 almond green.
South Africa, Portugal, Malaysia, and the Philippines. However, Rootes were by now effectively bankrupt, and in 1966 were bought out by Chrysler who had little sympathy for small cars and focussed the company
direction into mid-range saloons and the later Avenger and Chrysler 180, as well as a longer-term amalgamation with Simca. This left the Imp relatively neglected to soldier on without continuing development, apart from badge-engineered range expansion
and a superficial facelift in 1968, while sales shrank to a trickle and production stopped in 1976.
Production history Explanation of Mk1-3 sequence This is given for convenient discussion of the various model liveries. The Mk1 designation was only used retrospectively for the early Imp and Chamois saloons – no other versions were released in this first period. Rootes officially applied the Mk2 name from October 1965 but this was a superficial marketing exercise to suggest that early reliability problems had been resolved, and the only visible difference was a tiny shield on the front wings. All range expansion into the various Hillman/Singer/Sunbeam saloons, coupés, Husky estate, and Commer van occurred during the Mk2 period, so Chamois Coupé and Californian models are Mk2 or later. The Mk3 designation was never applied by Rootes, but is often used for the 1968 range revision when visually obvious facelift changes masked a lack of real evolution.
Imp timeline of major versions
Oct 1964 Hillman Collection set HI1003 containing 02613 with 04004 Singer Chamois Coupé and 06803 Hillman Minx SIIIa.
Sept 1965
Hillman Imp launched as Standard and Deluxe Singer Chamois saloon launched Mk2 designation applied, Hillman Super Imp and Commer Imp Van launched
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May 1963
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KINGS OF THE ROAD
LONDON TRANSPORT AEC ROUTEMASTER Rick Wilson looks at this transport icon and highlights a few models past and present.
History Designed by London Transport, the first prototype of the Routemaster was completed and unveiled just over sixty years ago in July 1954. The look of London’s streets would be changed forever. This iconic design outlived several of its replacements and, although officially withdrawn from general London Transport use in 2005, is still in service today on two “heritage” routes, numbers 9 & 15.
NEW SERIES
Right: Routemaster in operation near London Bridge, March 2013. Below: The famous AEC badge.
Preservation Of the 2,876 examples built, approximately one-third of these still exist in preservation, with many of these in regular service with charter companies for promotional and occasional hire, but there are also some still on sightseeing duties throughout the UK, notably in Edinburgh and York. Former London Routemaster operator, Stagecoach, even exported several to Montreal where they now operate a daily tourist service. Routemasters can also be found in many farflung places, including the Falkland Islands!
Above: A working example in preservation at a transport festival in August 2013. Below: More detailed models are available. These fine examples are from EFE (both red LT versions and Delaine route 101) and Oxford Diecast (Delaine route 102).
Models As you can imagine with such an icon, especially over a 60-year lifespan, models have been in plentiful supply throughout. These range from the early toys by Matchbox, Corgi and Dinky right up to the excellent versions for collectors currently available from specialist manufacturers such as EFE and Oxford Diecast. With new releases being announced on a regular basis, it seems that the Routemaster will live on forever, and rightly so. DC
Left: A more recent offering from Matchbox. Below: A played-with example of the Dinky 289 model. This will be the subject of a restoration in these pages soon!
This fantastic diorama is just one example of the incredible range available for 1/76 scale modelling by Kingsway Models - www.kingswaymodels.com
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PRICE GUIDE
96 50N TIO O CR UE AV N CT ES UR ICIO AP S IC D R E P LIST ! LISTED!
Welcome to our regular Price Guide section where we highlight a variety of collectables that have been sold through auction houses during recent months.
For hundreds more prices realised, see the latest Toy Collectors Price Guide 2013, on sale now, also available to order online at www.diecast-collector.co.uk NOTE: All prices quoted in the guide include the saleroom buyers Commission plus VAT.
▲Corgi Toys Jean Richard Circus Set. Very good. Sold for £30, Aston’s 17th July.
▲Dinky Toys two-tone blue version of the Pullmore Car Transporter (982) with the Loading Ramp (994). Both very good. Sold for £83, Aston’s 17th July.
▲Corgi Toys model of the 1966 RAC International Rally winning BMC Mini Cooper ‘S’ (333). Very good. Sold for £225, Aston’s 17th July.
▲Lone Star, Farmer’s Boy Gift Set with a Tractor and three attachments, with a boxed Disk Harrow from the same series. Both excellent. Sold for £18, Aston’s 17th July.
▲Timpo Toys Racing Car Set, with MG Record Car, Star Racer, Speed of the Wind, all with bare metal hubs; three-petrol pump; two dispenser and four figures. All tied on to blue card insert. Very good. Sold for £180, Aston’s 17th July. ▲Budgie Toys model of a Scammell Scarab (702) ‘Royal Navy’. Very good. Sold for £35, Aston’s 17th July.
▲French Dinky Supertoys Unic artic Tanker (887) in BP livery. Issued late 1960’s. Very good. Sold for £200, Aston’s 17th July.
▲Corgi Toys ERF 44G Delivery Van with the ‘Moorhouses Jams’ logo one side and ‘Moorhouses Lemon Cheese’ on the other. Very good. Sold for £165, Aston’s 17th July.
▲Corgi Toys model of the MG GT Competition Model. Very good. Sold for £75, Aston’s 17th July.
▲Corgi Toys Fiat 2100 (232) issued 1961-63. Very good. Sold for £65, Aston’s 17th July. ▲Timpo Toys ‘The Famous Timpo Cars Set’, with Articulated Tanker, Utility Van, MG, Star Racer, Blue car, Green car, Three petrol pump, with figures and accessories, most still strung to card insert. Very Good. Sold for £330, Aston’s 17th July.
▲Corgi Toys Land Rover 109’’ WB (438) with grey canopy. Very good. Sold for £60, Aston’s 17th July.
▲Timpo Toys Petrol Station Set No. 3. With Star Racer, MG, Speed of the Wind Record Car, Saloon Car, three figures, three petrol pumps and two dispensers. Strung to plain card insert. Very good. Sold for £165, Aston’s 17th July.
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THORNYCROFT TRUCKS
ANTAR TO THE RESCUE B
Childhood memories have inspired John Tailby’s mighty collection.
ack in the B.R.S days of the 1970s my dad was Works Foreman at the Repair Centre in Irthlingborough, Northants. From time-to-time its AEC Matador “Wrecker” would be sent out to recover a broken down or accident damaged lorry. On one occasion the Matador itself broke down on the way back with a vehicle in tow. A5 garage was called to assist. It had recently acquired an Army Surplus Thornycroft Tank recovery vehicle and had adapted it for its own use. It was this vehicle that eventually towed the combined load of Matador and disabled lorry back to the repair centre. When I am out driving on the motorways nowadays I am always fascinated to see the modern Army tank transporters. They are usually in convoys with a recovery vehicle bringing up the rear. These huge vehicles are a “Europeanised” version of the U.S Army’s M1070 made by the American Oshkosh Truck Corporation. They were introduced around 2001. We would have to go back to 1951 to see the first Thornycroft “Mighty Antar” transporting the tanks. A job which it did until the early 1980s.
This vehicle was named after Antar ibn Shadded a Sixth Century poet-warrior known for his great strength and powers of endurance. Based in Basingstoke, Hampshire the Thornycroft company had produced lorries since 1898. Petrol and diesel engines replaced the early steam lorries and the most famous, the “Mighty Antar”, was made in 1950 originally for oil field construction work in the Middle East. At the time it was the largest vehicle of its type in the world, rated at 85 tons. It proved ideal for the British Army and was soon adopted by the Army as its main tank transporter. It replaced the Diamond T, the American truck which had served throughout the war years of the 1940s. With an overall length of 31ft and a wheelbase of 21ft this 11ft wide vehicle was a huge machine. MKI and II versions were powered by Rover Meteorite V8 Diesel or petrol engines and had two radiators hence the wide square front end. Drive was put through two gearboxes giving twelve ratios and enormous low speed power fuel consumption was high in the 18000cc petrol engine at just 1mpg. The MKIII from 1958 had a Rolls Royce 8
cylinder 16200cc diesel engine with one radiator and a redesigned more streamlined cab and bonnet. It also had a new six speed transmission which gave better performance and economy all round. Fifth wheel versions could pull a 50 or 60 ton semi trailer loaded with a Chieftain or Centurion tank. The fifth wheel coupling on the tractor could be replaced by a ballast body for recovery work etc. In this form it could pull a ‘Dyson’ or ‘Crane’ drawbar trailer and load. MK3 versions were still in use with the
Above: The real thing in action.
Above: John’s own Code 3 model.
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Above: The mighty Dinky 660 carrying the Dinky 651 Centurion tank. Below: Dinky advert in the Meccano Magazine and impressive cutaway spread in “The Eagle”.
the growing Dinky military series. It was intended for use with Centurion-Tank No 651 issued a few months earlier costing 7s11d. Early models have tractor units and trailers permanently coupled by a rivet and the later issues, now very rare, have detachable trailers. A spare wheel is fitted to a holder on top of the mounting pin. The model is of the MK1&2 design with square cab, wide front and round mudguards. Details include a finely cast radiator grille clearly highlighting the “T” of Thornycroft in the word “Antar”. There is a driver dressed in khaki and a roof mounted turret. Only later issues have window glazing. Large equipment boxes/fuel tanks
enclose the winch area behind the cab, with additional lockers slung below. The chassis section features a deeply moulded sump guard at the front. The large low loader type trailer features six wheels on two axels and together with the tractor unit form one of the largest Dinky Toy pieces made at the time at 13 and 1/4 inches long. The rear loading ramps are separate castings which are
Budgie “Amazon” salvage crane.
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Army until the 1980’s when they were replaced by the new Scammell Commander. When they were disposed of, some started a new life in civilian heavy haulage and recovery work. Whilst the Antars had been soldiering on for over thirty years, great changes had taken place within the company that made them. In 1961 Thornycroft was aquired by A.E.C, then in 1970 Leyland took over both Thornycroft and Scammell. At that time the Basingstoke factory was closed and production moved to Scammell’s Watford plant. Soon after the Thornycroft name disappeared altogether. Today restored and preserved Thornycrofts can be seen at transport festivals. A Thornycroft Society is active and holds a great deal of archive material on the Antar and other models. The Mighty Antar was modelled by at least three different manufacturers, who all chose the military variant. These were Dinky, Lesney and Kemlow. Dinky Toys produced a splendid model as a tank transporter No660, first announced in the June 1956 Meccano Magazine as ‘One of the finest die cast miniatures ever produced.’ Costing a hefty 17s 6d (87.5 pence) it was a welcome addition to
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11/10/2013 16:41