STAFFORD SHOWGROUND by iCall asia

BEST OF

❯❯2018

DIECAST COLLECTOR AWARDS The most impressive releases of the year over seven categories

£4.30 • January 2019 • Issue 255

www.diecast-collector.co.uk

NEW & UPCOMING RELEASES BY

PLUS

OXFORD FOR2019

❯❯ FRENCH DINKY UP AGAINST C.I.J. Vintage toy rivalry across The Channel investigated

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

✚ Large scale model buses by Corgi

❯❯ AUDI SPORT QUATTRO How the rally giant tried to keep its contender competitive

❯❯ 11 PAGES OF NEW RELEASES More new model reviews than anywhere else!

Display until 2 January

Great Fairs to Be At - Great Fairs to Buy At

STAFFORD SHOWGROUND M ORE THAN

SUNDAY 9TH DECEMBER

300

10.30am - 3pm

THE PRESTWOOD AND ARGYLE SUITES, STAFFORD COUNTY STALLS SHOWGROUND, WESTON ROAD, STAFFORD, ST18 0BD Situated on the A518 Stafford to Uttoxeter road. Signposted from junction 14 of the M6 motorway. Free parking. Early Bird Entry from 8am £8. Adults £4, Senior Citizens £3.50, Children £1

A GREAT WEST MIDLANDS TOYFAIR

COVENTRY SUNDAY 16TH DECEMBER 10.30am - 3pm

180

STALLS

THE CONNEXION, RYTON-ON-DUNSMORE, NR. COVENTRY, CV8 3FL. The Connexion is just off the A45, with Free Parking for all visitors. Early Bird Entry from 8am £6. Adults £3, Senior Citizens £2.50, Children £1

HUNDREDS OF DIECAST MODELS FOR SALE

NEC BIRMINGHAM 550

THURSDAY 27TH DECEMBER 10.30am - 3pm

STALLS

HALL 18, NATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTRE, BIRMINGHAM, B40 1NT. The NEC is located at junction 6 of the M42. Easy access from M1, M5, M6 and M40. Unlimited FREE Parking for all Toy Fair visitors. Take the train directly to the NEC (Birmingham International Station is a short walk from Hall 18) Early Bird Entry from 8am £12. Adults £7.50, Senior Citizens £7, Children £2

BRITAIN’S BIGGEST TOY FAIR

DONCASTER RACECOURSE

MORE THAN

400

STALLS

SUNDAY 30TH DECEMBER 10.30am - 3pm DONCASTER EXHIBITION CENTRE, LEGER WAY, DONCASTER, DN2 6BB. Easy motorway access from the M1, M18, M62 and A1(M). Follow the brown racecourse signs. Free Parking for thousands of cars. Early Bird Entry from 8am £10. Adults £4, Senior Citizens £3.50, Child £1

ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S BEST FAIRS www.bpfairs.com Tel: 01604 846688 / 07966 527177

In this issue

EDITORIAL Publisher Rob McDonnell robm@warnersgroup.co.uk Editor Rick Wilson rick.wilson@warnersgroup.co.uk Editorial Design Cathy Herron Editorial Contributors David Pullen, Steven Downes, Richard Carlson, Francisco Mota, Michael Driver, Brian Gower, Mike Pigott, Paul Lumsdon, Christopher Moor, Brian Salter, Andrew Ralston, Rick Wilson Photography João Carlos Oliveira, Rick Wilson, Gary Hawkins Marketing Executive Katherine Brown Tel: 01778 395092 katherine.brown@warnersgroup.co.uk ADVERTISING Group Advertising Manager Claire Ingram Tel: 01778 391179 claire.ingram@warnersgroup.co.uk Multimedia Sales Executive Kristina Green Tel: 01778 392096 kristina.green@warnersgroup.co.uk Advertising Production & Design Nicola Lock Tel: 01778 392420 nicola.lock@warnersgroup.co.uk News Trade Distribution Warners Group Distribution Ltd Tel: 01778 391150 SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions hotline 01778 392006 Subscription rates UK and BFPO £42.99 Europe & Eire Airmail £69.99 Worldwide Airmail £89.99 Digital subscriptions are available from £17.99 – visit www.pocketmags.com/ diecast-collector for more information Can’t find a copy in the shops? Order your copy online at www.diecast-collector.co.uk CONTACT Write to us at: Diecast Collector, Warners Group Publications plc, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 9PH. Fax: 01778 392422 Website: www.diecast-collector.co.uk www.collectors-club-of-great-britain.co.uk Printing Warners Midlands plc Tel: 01778 395100

Contents January 2019 • Issue 255

News and Events All that is happening in the world of diecast collecting.

What's New 11 pages of this month's best new model releases from our panel of experts.

Subscription offer Subscribe and save with our latest offer - check it out!

New Oxford Diecast A sneak preview of what's coming very soon from the prolific manufacturer.

From the Editor's Collection Another glimpse into Rick Wilson's diecast stash.

Large Scale Corgi Buses Part 1 of Mike Pigott's look back at Corgi's bigger releases.

Bradscars Christopher Moor finds some models from his childhood.

Audi Sport quattro Francisco Mota compares a model trio of the rally car.

The Corgi Years Rick Wilson continues his journey, concluding 1963.

Diecast Collector Model Awards 2019 The models that impressed us most over the last 12 months.

This publication is printed by Warners 01778 395111

Gallic Rivalry The competition in France between Dinky and CIJ, investigated by Andrew Ralston. Cover Story Brian Salter reveals another publication cover that reminds him of a diecast - the General Aviation Monospar.

Porsche 911 GT3 racers part 3 Francisco Mota continues his coverage of the 911's racing development with models.

Vintage Dinky of the Month DTCA Chairman, Michael Driver, focuses on Austin’s distinctive wedge-shaped Princess.

Price Guide Value your collection with our auction result round up.

ToyFair Times All the best upcoming events in the diecast calendar.

Dear Editor Your chance to express your views on any diecast subject.

Next Month Your sneak preview of what is coming in next month's edition.

Off the Beaten Track Andrew Ralston goes 'on the road' with Dinky.

The Last Word Brian Gower notes some changes to East London's skyline.

DISCLAIMER All material published remains the copyright of Warners Group Publications Plc, no part of this magazine may be published without the prior permission of the publisher. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily the views of the editor or publisher and the greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy, but the publishers cannot accept responsibility for omissions or errors. While we take every care, we cannot accept liability for loss or damage to contributed copy/ material and the large volume of enquiries means not all correspondence can be replied to personally. Competition winners’ details are available from the editorial address; please enclose SAE with your enquiry. While every care is taken when accepting advertisements, we cannot accept responsibility for unsatisfactory transactions. We will however investigate any complaints. Data Protection – Warners Group Publications Plc may lend reputable companies the names & addresses of readers who have responded to offers, services and competitions organised by Diecast Collector magazine. If you do not wish to receive such mailings, please write or phone us at the given address.

BEST OF

❯❯2018

DIECAST COLLECTOR AWARDS The most impressive releases of the year over seven categories

£4.30 • January 2019 • Issue 255

SUBSCRIBE TODAY FOR

www.diecast-collector.co.uk

NEW & UPCOMING RELEASES BY

PLUS

OXFORD FOR2019

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

✚ Large scale model buses by Corgi

JUST £9.99 PER QUARTER Save time and money • Free delivery

❯❯ FRENCH DINKY UP AGAINST C.I.J. Vintage toy rivalry across The Channel investigated

❯❯ AUDI SPORT QUATTRO How the rally giant tried to keep its contender competitive

❯❯ 11 PAGES OF NEW RELEASES More new model reviews than anywhere else!

Display until 2 January

Turn to page 15 to find out more...

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

News&Events Here's a round-up of the latest hobby news and events.

IS THIS YOU?

CORGI CELEBRATES THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF FUSILIERS THE current Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, formed by the amalgamation of four former Fusilier Brigade Regiments in 1968, has inherited a history and set of traditions that stretch back over 330 years, with the formation of the 5th and 6th Regiments of the Line in 1685. To mark the 50th Anniversary of the formation of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, the Regimental Association, Corgi has announced a special celebration set in conjunction with the Go-Ahead Bus Group of the commemorative livery that is carried by two of Go-Ahead’s Wrightbus vehicles; one based in Newcastle and one in London. Arriving in 2019 in a premium presentation box and priced at £49.99, No OM46620 comprises one Wright Eclipse Gemini 2, Go North East, NL63 XCB, Route 309 Newcastle, and one Wrightbus New Routemaster, Go-Ahead London, LTZ 1394, Route 15 Tower Hill. NL63 XCB, a Wright Eclipse Gemini 2, received the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers 50th Anniversary promotional livery during April 2018. LTZ 1394, a Wrightbus New Routemaster was unveiled in its new Royal Regiment of Fusiliers 50th Anniversary promotional livery at an event that took place at the Tower of London in June 2018. Limited to just 1,000 sets, pre-order yours now at www.corgi.co.uk. ■

4 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

AS Corgi restructures under the watchful eye of CEO, Lyndon Davies, an opportunity has arisen that many of us would deem to be a dream job - Development Manager for Corgi. Working as part of a multi-disciplined team, the preferred candidate will have significant experience in mould tooling and project management, including design and function, feasibility studies for possible new items, costing and negotiation. You should be educated to HNC/D level and ideally be apprentice served in a similar industry, although candidates with a relevant degree qualification and experience in a fast moving development environment will be considered. Knowledge of Corgi’s product or an interest in diecast vehicles would be a distinct advantage, as would the ability to communicate effectively at all levels. A competitive salary and benefits package is on offer depending on experience. The role is primarily based Corgi’s Head Office in Kent, although regular travel is required both domestically and internationally. If you believe you fit the specification, please submit your CV indicating your salary expectations and a covering letter to recruitment@hornby.com. ■

THE FUTURE IS WOW! IF this is the future of electric city vehicles then sign us up now! Honda’s Urban EV Concept was unveiled for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2017 and the company’s CEO, Takahiro Hachigo said at the time “this is not some vision of the distant future ... the future is being built today". Seen more as a prototype than just a concept, Honda managed to achieve both with one car and it has already stated its intention to make this concept/prototype into an everyday car for Europe by 2019 as its first step towards two thirds of its global sales being electrified by 2030. But you don’t have to wait until 2019 to check this amazing car out for yourself. You can glimpse the future right now with this sublime 1/18 scale resincast from DNA Collectibles, No DNA000015, featuring its already legendary build quality and attention to detail. Sporting a rather pleasing flat white exterior with matt grey interior and some truly exquisite detail (just look at those wheels for starters!), it’s already in stock to buy now at www.dnacollectibles.com, priced at just CHF 179.00, and with a limited run of just 320, don’t delay or you might miss out on the future! ■

GOT A STORY? Contact rick.wilson@warnersgroup.co.uk

DERBYSHIRE based promotional model trucks specialist, Search Impex, is pleased to announce the release of a Scania R500 Highline, 6x2 single wheel tag axle tractor unit with a Nooteboom 4-axle, extender telestep trailer, customised in the livery of well known Scottish operator, McFadyens Transport Ltd. Based in Campbeltown, in the Scottish region of Argyll & Bute, it was back in 1901 that Charles McFadyen started a haulage business. Historically, a large amount of the business was based on livestock transport but today the business focuses mainly on timber haulage and wind turbine transportation for the renewable energy sector. McFadyen trucks are well-known and easily recognisable with their original colour scheme of Oxford blue, with contrasting red chassis and white wings, topped off with the trade mark bachelor blue grille and hand-painted livery. The models have been produced exclusively for Search Impex by WSI Collectibles as a certificated Limited Edition of 175 pieces, priced at £169 each (including UK delivery & VAT). For details of this and other models, collectors can visit the Search Impex website at www. search-impex. co.uk or call 01332 873555. ■

EXCLUSIVE MOSS VANWALL FROM DIECAST LEGENDS IN collaboration with renowned, Hastings-based collector-quality model maker SMTS, Diecast Legends has created a 1/18 replica of a Vanwall. But it’s not just any Vanwall, this is a high-detailed and accurate replica of the car that was shared by Stirling Moss and Tony Brooks at the 1957 British Grand Prix at Aintree. In qualifying for the 1957 race, it was clear to Stirling that it was going to be a tough race, with the Maseratis of Fangio and Behra dominating proceedings. By the end of the first lap of the race, however, Moss was in the lead. On lap 25 he came into the pits with a misfire. He went back out but the problem persisted. Brooks, Moss’ team-mate, was called in and his car was passed to Stirling. Gradually, Moss worked his way up the field, taking the lead with 20 laps to go. It was Moss’s first British Grand Prix victory in a British car, although he had to share the championship points with Brooks. SMTS began working on this project at the beginning of the 2018, and it is no exaggeration to suggest that it has been a labour of love for the team. The end result is a magnificent resin model, produced from highly accurate 3D files created in-house by SMTS’s digital design team. Production is limited to just 500 pieces worldwide and SMTS expects to produce around 50 pieces per month, because each car is individually built by hand by a single, skilled and experienced modeller. ■

Welcome It has been another fabulously busy month here and there has certainly been plenty to keep me occupied. Not only has the team been rather excitedly sifting through all the model reviews over the last 12 months to make our selections for the Diecast Collector Model Awards 2019 (see pages 51 to 58) but I've had a rather pleasant road trip down to the south coast. The main reason for going was to catch up with Lyndon Davies and photograph a good selection of the upcoming releases from Oxford Diecast, but I also found the time to visit the Brighton & Hove Bus Company. Brighton & Hove Marketing Manager, Mike Cheeseman, is a real collecting enthusiast and has an impressive collection of the company's buses in diecast form spanning several decades. I won't say anymore for now though as the article will be appearing in a future issue, although we have a timely glimpse at one of the models this month as it so happens that Corgi has just released its rather splendid Brighton & Hove 'Pride' Bus - turn to page 8 to see our extended review of this very eye-catching model. Returning briefly to our model awards, whilst we were making our choices, it got me wondering what 2019 has in store for us in terms of new models and January means just one thing in the world of diecast - it's showtime! Well, when I say 'show', I really mean that it's the time of year when all the major toy and model fairs take place. Diecast Collector will be visiting both the London Toy Fair and Spielwarenmesse at Nuremberg, armed with my trusty camera and portable studio, to capture plenty of the exciting new releases due to hit the shops throughout the year. It's a proper treat for someone like me who still gets a thrill from going into a toy shop to see what's on offer, it's just on a slightly bigger scale these days. It is also fairly safe as I can't actually buy anything whilst I'm there. Having said that, it's still quite risky as I always come away with quite a comprehensive wish list. Hopefully I can do the same for you with my reports in a few issues' time. You have been warned!

▲ Rick Wilson, Editor

Diecast Collector is part of www.ccofgb.co.uk January 2017 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

▼

NEW MCFADYENS KEEPING IN STEP

xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

News & Events

INCREDIBLE ONE-OFF CUSTOM FROM ESVAL IN 1950, 20-year-old Leo Lyons had a dream of building a custom car unlike any other - he would scratch build it from the ground up. Over the following few years, Leo became acquainted with some of the legends of Southern California speed and custom, such as Ed Iskenderian and both George and Sam Barris, who helped out. The chassis and body panels were purchased from the Ford Motor Company and the legendary firm California Metal Shaping custom designed and built many of the body panels. Recognised as the last significant custom Mercury built in the 1950s, Esval is commemorating young Lyons' vision with a limited edition resincast, featuring some truly exquisite detail and a sublime finish, replicating the car as it has been restored in recent times. For further information on this outstanding model, and to see more photos, visit Esval's website at www.esvalmodels.com. ■

KINGS OF THE ROAD LOOKING FORWARD TO GLORY DAYS FORWARD Models has announced the first two models in its new range of buses from the glory days of municipal transport, with halfcabs and ‘tin fronts’. The unmistakable green and orange livery of Glasgow Buses adorns a Weymann-bodied Daimler CVG6 with fleet number D69 and registration FYS 524, on route 11 to Yoker. It carries advertisements for OMO soap powder and Rentaset Televisions, printed to Forward Models’ usual high standards. A separate sheet of transfers will provide four alternative destinations. Another Daimler CVG6, this time a MCCW-bodied ‘K’ variant, is painted in the red and cream of Manchester with fleet number 4474 and registration NNB 284, on route 95 to East Didsbury. It carries advertisements for Crawford’s Cream Crackers and Heinz Ketchup, and it also includes a separate sheet of transfers with four destination options These latest models are packaged in Forward Models’ new seethrough carton. A stylish acrylic box top allows the model to be seen when displayed. The new package also carries a new logo. Both buses are priced at £49.00 each and are available from www.forwardmodels.net. ■

FRANK PHILLIPS WE'VE just received the sad news of the passing of Frank Phillips, the much-loved man behind the Bowburn Toy Fair. Frank's daughter, Rebecca, confirmed "After a short illness, my dad passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on Saturday 15th September 2018 in hospital, with his family by his side". The company's page on Facebook states: "It can now be confirmed Bowburn Toy Fair will continue next year, the running of which will stay with Frank's daughter, Rebecca. Dates will be advertised soon." "I just hope I can do him proud by continuing Bowburn as he wanted." she continued. We're sure you will, Rebecca. ■

6 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

A new brand to the market, "Road Kings", has released two large 1/18 scale tractor units. Largely diecast with a little plastic, both models feature very good levels of detail, including steerable front wheels and opening doors, and carry a RRP of £146.99. The striking blue and yellow 1976 Scania LBT 141 (No RKS 180011) carries the patriotic Swedish colours of ASG while the blue-cabbed 1969 Mercedes LPS 1632 (No RKS 180022) has a more-muted but equally well finished dark red chassis with black mudguards. Available now through wholesaler, John Ayrey Diecasts – www.ayrey.co.uk. ■

Take to the road! Introducing the latest OO scale models from E.F.E. by Bachmann

NEW E.F.E. OO SCALE BUS GARAGE! E99660 BUS GARAGE With its Art Deco styling the E.F.E. Bus Garage is the perfect way to display your bus collection and is also ideal for use on model railway layouts or dioramas. To help the modeller start creating their own bus diorama, the Bus Garage comes with a FREE E.F.E. bus worth £19.95!

•

• • •

Add Scenecraft OO scale structures & accessories to create a realistic townscape just like this one! Ready to use - Highly detailed, hand painted model. FREE E.F.E. vehicle included (RRP £19.95). Complements the 1:76/OO scale Scenecraft, E.F.E. & Branchline ranges. AVAILABLE NOW

E34115 AEC RT LONDON TRANSPORT CATFORD GARAGE 75

Certiicated release of 800 pieces

The iconic ‘RT’ represented standardised double deck bus operation in Central and suburban London and the surrounding Country Area from the 1940s to the 1970s. South London bus route 75 from Woolwich to Croydon dates back to 1912. RT types were introduced to the route in 1950 and continued in daily service for the next 27 years. Our model depicts RT3853, registered LLU 652, which performed the inal duty into Catford Garage on 25th February 1977, bringing crew operation with driver and conductor on the 75s to an end. COMING SOON

Model • Collect • Create

A Bachmann Product

New Models

new ew

Our team of experts take a look at this month's model releases, including fine handbuilt replicas, scale construction and the latest in farm models.

BUMPER PAGES!

MEET THE TEAM

Rick Wilson Editor and general reviews

Richard Carlson Handbuilt models

CORGI'S BRIGHTON & HOVE BUS WEARS ITS SENSATIONAL LIVERY WITH ABSOLUTE PRIDE 1/76 scale CORGI

Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company, Tunbridge Wells PRICE: £38.99 REF NO: OM46515A www.corgi.co.uk

▲

IT was in 1884 that the Brighton, Hove & Preston United bus company was formed, a consequence of the amalgamation of a number of smaller horse bus companies and it soon became the main transport operator for the area, the forerunner to today’s Go Ahead Group owned Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company. The company has invested heavily in vehicles from Wrightbus, with over 70 of

the second generation Wright Eclipse Gemini II vehicles on Volvo B9TL chassis in the fleet, all of which carry the names of people that have made a significant contribution towards the life of the local area during their lifetime. Fleet No 439, registration number BF12 KXS, has carried the name of Phil Starr since July 2015, when it was transferred from Bus No 401 (latterly 919). Phil Starr, who died aged 72 in 2005 shortly after his last show,

OM46515A has a destination of Tunbridge Wells on route 29 and it depicts the bus dedicated to local legend, Phil Starr.

8 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

performed on stages across the world as a Drag Queen for more than 50 years and raised many, many thousands of pounds for charity, including an orphanage in Thailand. The bus was painted in this striking livery for the area's famous Pride in our City event in August 2017 and the colourful scheme with striking graphics was well received. There is no doubt that this model would really stand out in any collection - deservedly so. Corgi's tooling for this type of bus has been well used - this is the 14th version of the Wright

THIS MONTH'S INDEPTH REVIEWS:

8 Brighton & Hove "Pride in our City" bus by Corgi 13 Avenue 43's 1969 Toyota EX-I concept car 18 Jonckheere 1935 Rolls-Royce Phantom I from CMF 19 Fangio's 1956 German GP Ferrari D50 by CMC 20 EDITOR'S CHOICE - Oxford's Fordson WOT1 JADA Brian's Mk1 Ford Escort RS2000 The Fast and Furious SCALE: 1/24 PRICE: £29.99 REF: JA99572

A popular car to replicate but at 1/24 scale this time and at an excellent price. Nice finish and some good detail. A bit of a bargain.

www.amerang.co.uk

Steven Downes Construction & Trucks

David Pullen Farming

MINICHAMPS Porsche 917 K - J. W. Engineering 1970 Daytona 24 Hours Winner

A huge diecast with a beautiful finish, replicating a very important Porsche, complete with the extra roof window for SCALE: 1/12 PRICE: £219.99 REF: 125 706602 visibility on the Daytona banking. www.ayrey.co.uk

▲ Thxxx

▲ This one is really going to stand out in your collection and the printed graphics are sensational.

& Queens Park. Corgi's execution of this complicated livery is outstanding and the complex graphics are astonishing plus the three-dimensional destination boxes are a treat. It's easy to miss the interior with everything else but it's very well done indeed. Given that this is the first issue eligible for the next Diecast Collector Model Awards, I think we have a real contender here already! DC

SCALE: 1/50 PRICE: €148.00 REF: 01-2549

Features a pivoting tailgate and adjustable landing legs. As expected from WSI, the finish on the model is of a very high standard.

www.wsi-collectors.com

OXFORD DIECAST Ford Transit Mk5 - AA SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £5.75 REF: 76FT033

The Transits just keep coming from Oxford, and rightly so - it's a cracking model and it's in a great livery. Beautifully finished.

▼

Eclipse Gemini 2 from Corgi (model number OM46506 wasn't used) and as 13 of those have been dual destination, this makes the Pride bus the 26th and 27th. This is also the third livery of a Brighton & Hove bus in the casting (all dual destination - the only one that hasn't been so far is the Harry Potter Studio Shuttle No OM46511). The dual destination options for this release are as shown here (OM46515A) on route 29 to Tunbridge Wells and OM46515B (route 21) with a destination of Brighton Marina

WSI MODELS Scania R5 Topline Half-Pipe Tipper Trailer “Steurer”

www.oxforddiecast.co.uk

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

New Models

CORGI Another re-release of the the Fab Four's The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour Bus bus from the excellent Magical Mystery SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £24.99 Tour movie. Beautifully finished and REF: CC42418 presented in updated packaging.

CMF An absolutely beautiful model, full of Mercedes Typ 770 Pullman-Limousine, marvellous detail and perfectly finished. The detail to the front and the excellent red/black, 1935, Kaiser Hirohito SCALE: 1/18 PRICE: €189,95 REF: 214162 windscreen visor are particularly good.

www.corgi.co.uk

www.modelcarworld.de

OXFORD DIECAST Volvo FH4 (G) Nooteboom Semi Low Loader Cadzow

Cadzow's lovely livery works particularly well on this tractor unit and trailer combination. Superb finish and the SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £24.95 REF: 76VOL4007 trailer affords plenty of display options.

TOP MARQUES Toyota Castrol Toms Supra GT/4

www.oxforddiecast.co.uk

www.ayrey.co.uk

IMC MODELS Mercedes Benz Arocs Bigspace 8x4 + 2x 6-axle Intercombi Trailer “Collett” SCALE: 1/50 PRICE: €249.00 REF: 32-0037

The custom ballast box and authentic printing of the graphics are complimented with a pair of Intercombitrailer modules and drawbar.

https://shop.imcmodels.eu

WEISE-TOYS Eicher Wotan I (3018) Tractor SCALE: 1/32 PRICE: €69.90 REF: 1056

SCALE: 1/18 PRICE: £239.99 REF: 056A

OXFORD DIECAST Duple Roadmaster - Ribble SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £16.95 REF: 76DR005

A famous Japan Super GT racer and star of the Gran Turismo gaming series makes for a stunning release by Top Marques. Exquisite throughout.

Oxford's latest release of its gorgeous Duple Roadmaster casting is decorated in the evocative Ribble livery and it's another absolute beauty.

www.oxforddiecast.co.uk

Latest edition of weise-toys’ beautifully engineered and detailed Eicher tractor now features a safety frame. It has a detachable weight and opening bonnet.

www.weise-toys.de

10 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

DIECAST MASTERS Cat D8T Bulldozer SCALE: 1/50 PRICE: £92.00 REF: 85566 www.diecastconstruction.co.uk

With a perforated upper spill guard that really adds to the realism. A single shank ripper is fitted to the rear and the individually linked tracks roll well.

New Models

SCALE: 1/72 PRICE: £54.99 REF: AA38109

Stunning replication of this famous aircraft with some absolutely superb printing, especially across the ribbed wings. An absolute treasure.

www.corgi.co.uk

OXFORD DIECAST Land Rover 1/2 Ton Lightweight RAF - Red Arrows SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £5.75 REF: 76LRL003

PREMIUM CLASSIXXS UAZ 452V Minibus (2206) light blue/white SCALE: 1/18 PRICE: €89,95 REF: 225410 www.modelcarworld.de

Making a great companion to any 1/72 scale replica of the Red Arrows, this eye-catching release of the Lightweight Land Rover is very pleasing indeed.

JADA Datsun 510 Widebody - blue/white SCALE: 1/24 PRICE: £25.99 REF: 99094B

www.oxforddiecast.co.uk

www.ayrey.co.uk

IMC MODELS The modules have working steering and Mercedes-Benz Arocs Bigspace 8x4 + plates covering the steering linkages 2x 6-axle Kamag K25 Trailer “Van Riel” with a ballast box fitted above the fifth SCALE: 1/50 PRICE: €249.00 REF: 32-0107 wheel.

OXFORD DIECAST Jaguar E-Type - Silver Blue

https://shop.imcmodels.eu

www.oxforddiecast.co.uk

BRITAINS JCB C220XLC Tracked Excavator SCALE: 1/32 PRICE: £27.99 REF: 43223 www.britainsfarmtoys.co.uk

Made of diecast and plastic, this impressive minibus is excellent value for money. Finished to the usual high Premium Classixxs standards of course.

Two rams support the boom and single rams operate the dipper arm and bucket on Britains’ latest JCB excavator.

SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £5.75 REF: 76ETYPE014

DIECAST MASTERS Cat D7E Bulldozer (Pipeline Configuration) SCALE: 1/50 PRICE: £92.00 REF: 85555

Featuring opening doors, bonnet and boot, and some rather garish wheels, this makes an interesting model of this classic car at a bargain price.

The E-Type gets another outing at 1/76 scale in this rather fetching Silver Blue colour. This iconic British car is always a great addition to any collection.

Features an angle blade and rear winch. The roof detaches to fit the operator and the blade can be moved to one of three positions.

▼

CORGI Sopwith F.1 Camel B6401 No.3 Sqn. RNAS, Northern France, 1918

www.diecastconstruction.co.uk

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

New Models

CORGI Dornier Do17Z-10 Kauz R4+AK, I/ NJG.2, Erich Jung, October 1940 SCALE: 1/72 PRICE: £82.49 REF: AA38808

The versatile Dornier Do17 looks rather menacing as this night fighter variant. This 'Flying Pencil' features some really nice detail.

www.corgi.co.uk

OXFORD DIECAST Land Rover FC Signals - NATO Green SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £9.95 REF: 76LRFCS002

SCALE: 1/50 PRICE: €103.00 REF: 5519/0

The forward control Land Rover looks superb in the simple NATO green colours scheme and has the usual excellent level of detail.

SCALE: 1/32 PRICE: €69.90 REF: 1057

MATRIX SCALE MODELS Aston Martin DBR1 #7 Winner RAC Winner Moss/Brooks 1958

A rather splendid version of this famous DBR1 as part of the Matrix racing series. The car's stunning lines are SCALE: 1/43 PRICE: £95.99 REF: R40108-012 perfectly captured and finished. www.ayrey.co.uk

An electric drive delivery truck with autonomous capability. The sleek lines of the styling really do stand out and the model is a limited run of only 500.

www.man-shop.eu

WEISE-TOYS Lamborghini Spark 165 RC Shift Tractor

SCALE: 1/18 PRICE: €54,95 REF: 215049

This is a lot of model for the money. The detail may be a little basic but at this price, we really can't complain. The paint finish is excellent too.

www.modelcarworld.de

www.oxforddiecast.co.uk

CONRAD MAN CitE

MODEL CAR GROUP Land Rover 109 Pick Up Series II, blue/grey, 1959

OXFORD DIECAST Saro Bus - Maidstone & District SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £18.75 REF: 76SB002

The second release of the marvellous Saro Bus from Oxford. Beautifully finished in the attractive colours of Maidstone & District Buses.

www.oxforddiecast.co.uk

A new bonnet, cab interior and other detailing distinguish this model from weise-toys’earlier Lamborghini tractor. Door, window and roof panel open.

www.weise-toys.de

12 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

UNIVERSAL HOBBIES Doosan DX160W Wheeled Excavator SCALE: 1/50 PRICE: £50.99 REF: 8134 www.creative-masters.co.uk

Updated undercarriage with a height adjustable blade. All hydraulic lines have been replicated, as has the cabin interior with plenty of fine detailing.

TAKE A TRIP BACK TO THE LATE SIXTIES WITH TOYOTA'S FUTURISTIC CLASSIC

1/43 scale AVENUE 43

Toyota EX-I PRICE: £92.99 REF: 60010 www.ayrey.co.uk

some styling cues, particularly at the front, to Toyota's first generation Celica, introduced in December the following year. The EX-I was designed for long distance, high speed driving and it had an electrically controlled roof mounted spoiler for high speed stability. Inside, the wrap around instrument layout had its buttons and switches equidistant from the driver for maximum ergonomic comfort.

▲ You could be forgiven for thinking that this was an Alfa Romeo!

WIKING MAN 4R3 Tractor SCALE: 1/87 PRICE: £14.00 REF: 088403 www.wiking.de

Wiking has refreshed its MAN tractor by giving it yellow wheel rims, red body and mudguards. There’s a drawbar for towing equipment.

▲ In an era when concept cars were leaning heavily on the space age look, Toyota successfully blended that with some classic lines to make this beauty.

Until you look closely at the wings, and spy the legend just ahead of the A-pillar, you could be forgiven for thinking that this is an Alfa Romeo. The car looks familiar, but it doesn't.You might notice those Celica cues and you'd be onto something. A fascinating subject by Avenue 43 and definitely in the tradition of its parent company, AutoCult. Of course, that

relationship brings with it the exquisite quality and attention to detail. Fine examples of which are the finesse of the chromework shielding the headlights, the chrome door trim and those magnificently evocative alloy wheels. This is an absolutely stunning model of a fabulous car - once you've worked out what it is! DC

▲ The frontal styling influence on Toyota's later Celica can clearly be seen from this view.

DIECAST MASTERS Cat 349F L XE Tracked Excavator SCALE: 1/50 PRICE: £99.99 REF: 85943

A little sparse on the finer detail, but the linked tracks rotate well, the hydraulics are smooth and an operator can be fitted if required.

▼

SHOWN at the 1969 Tokyo Motor Show theToyota EX-I fastback coupe for two passengers was the most conventional of Toyota's three experimental prototypes introduced at the event. Designed by Toyota research engineers to accommodate a front-engined drive-train, the EX-I was styled specifically for long distance driving at high speed. Toyota executives announced at the show that there were no plans for production of the futuristic model, although it clearly leant

www.diecastconstruction.co.uk

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

New Models

SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £38.99 REF: OM40821B

The beautiful Lodekka appears once more as a dual destination release (OM40821A is to Salisbury). Excellent throughout in Wilts & Dorset livery.

www.corgi.co.uk

OXFORD DIECAST Citroën 2CV Coca Cola SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £5.45 REF: 76CT007CC

SCALE: 1/50 PRICE: €70.00 REF: 76000/20

Still looking great at this small scale, Oxford's 2CV makes a seasonal appearance in Coca Cola livery. Nicely finished and the small logo is well done.

SCALE: 1/32 PRICE: €59.35 REF: UH5304

IXO VW Polo R WRC, No.1, tour de Corse, 2016 S.Ogier/J.Ingrassia

Ixo's rally range at 1/18 continues to grow and the level of detail and finish at this price point is truly astonishing. SCALE: 1/18 PRICE: £69.99 REF: 18RMC018A A marvellous model. www.ayrey.co.uk

A repainted version of the MAN TGX XXL tractor is now available, featuring a fifth wheel coupling, steering front axle, tilting cabin and replicated engine bay.

www.man-shop.eu

UNIVERSAL HOBBIES Massey Ferguson 7746S Tractor

SCALE: 1/87 PRICE: €29,95 REF: 223419

GM's amazing Firebird III concept car is superbly recreated in miniature and, despite its size, features some wonderful detail.

www.modelcarworld.de

www.oxforddiecast.co.uk

CONRAD MAN TGX XXL 18.640 D38 Tractor

BEST OF SHOW GM Firebird III, silver, 1958

OXFORD DIECAST Scania Irizar I6 - Galleon Travel SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £23.95 REF: 76IR6004

A simply stunning livery! The graduated paint is superbly done and the printing is top notch, making this a real stand out release.

www.oxforddiecast.co.uk

With new colours and decals, the 7726S tractor also has newly tooled bonnet, mirrors, GPS receiver and driver’s seat armrest.

shop.masseyferguson.com

14 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

UNIVERSAL HOBBIES Komatsu WA600-8 Wheel Loader SCALE: 1/50 PRICE: £63.99 REF: 8127 www.creative-masters.co.uk

New tooling including a totally new engine compartment. Safety railings, detailed cabin interior and articulating chassis are just some of the features.

▼

CORGI Bristol Lodekka FS6B Wilts & Dorset, 38A Bournemouth Limited Stop

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New Models

CORGI The much loved Mk1 Escort is superbly Ford Escort Mk1 Twin-Cam - Blue Mink finished in this subtle shade of SCALE: 1/43 PRICE: £27.00 metallic blue. Well appointed, the car REF: VA09524 wears a period 1968-69 registration.

JADA Brian's Mistubishi Lancer Evo II The Fast and Furious

www.corgi.co.uk

www.amerang.co.uk

SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £16.45 REF: 76COM008CC

Oxford's excellent Commer Commando appears in Coca Cola livery. Usual excellent detail and finish - the livery certainly makes it jump out too.

www.oxforddiecast.co.uk

CONRAD MAN TGX XXL 18.640 Tractor “IAA 2018” SCALE: 1/50 PRICE: €70.90 REF: 76000/18

SCALE: 1/32 PRICE: £74.95 REF: 077838 www.wiking.de

SCALE: 1/24 PRICE: £26.99 REF: 18231

A super representation of the iconic Beetle, as seen in the popular movie franchise. Great value and comes with a figurine of the film's hero character.

www.ayrey.co.uk

The official IAA 2018 release with Lion graphics on the sides of the cabin, which can be tilted to reveal the engine bay.

www.man-shop.eu

WIKING Zurn ProfiCut 700 Whole Crop Header

GREENLIGHT COLLECTIBLES VW Beetle 1967 from Gremlins complete with Gizmo Figure

OXFORD DIECAST Heinkel Kabine - Spartan Red SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £5.45 REF: 76HE002

Heinkel's 'bubble car' survives the miniaturisation well and loses none of its charm. Lovely finish, retaining some nice detail from it's bigger sibling.

www.oxforddiecast.co.uk

A largely metal attachment for Wiking’s John Deere 8500 harvester, featuring a flexible skirt and transparent cover. Both discs and auger freely rotate.

UNIVERSAL HOBBIES Komatsu PC490LC-11 Tracked Excavator SCALE: 1/50 PRICE: £85.50 REF: 8120

New tooling for the upper engine area and side body with additional safety features including cameras also added. All hydraulic lines look really good.

▼

OXFORD DIECAST Commer Commando - Coca Cola

SCALE: 1/24 PRICE: £29.99 REF: JA99788

The Fast and Furious cars just keep coming and this is another really good replication at this price. Opening features really add to its appeal too.

www.diecastconstruction.co.uk

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

New Models

CMF'S REPLICATION OF JONCKHEERE'S TRULY MESMERISING CREATION IS FIRST CLASS

1/18scale CMF

Rolls-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe 1935 PRICE: €169,95 REF: 223335 www.modelcarworld.de

▲ The imposing length, menacing curves and oversize grille make this monster of a car a real beauty.

THERE are only a handful of cars that are as dramatic as the Jonckheere Coupe, based on a Rolls-Royce Phantom I. Its imposing length, menacing curves and oversize grille make the majority of other pre-war cars look boring by comparison. The Jonckheere Coupe was very much a part of the 1930s art deco movement with its stylish modernism and geometric shapes which were popular at the

time. This is especially true of the car’s apparently circular doors, although technically they are slightly ovoid, requiring two halfmoon pieces of glass that closed towards each other by means of a complex winding mechanism. Rolls-Royce incorporated high standards of luxury, reliability and craftsmanship into its cars. This design philosophy caught the attention of the Raja of Nanpara. His Great Nanpara

▲ Those incredible curves to the rear of the car certainly caused quite a stir back in the day and look just as amazing today.

TRIPLE 9 MGA MkI Twin Cam 1959, green SCALE: 1/18 PRICE: £79.99 REF: 1800165

A road going version of the Le Mans racer (right), complete with soft top. Well finished throughout and a lovely model all round.

www.ayrey.co.uk

18 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

Estate already featured a polished aluminum 40/50HP Silver Ghost when he ordered Rolls-Royce’s latest Phantom. When it arrived, the owner decided to change the conventional Hooper cabriolet bodywork and replaced it with what you see here. Cast in resin, those amazing doors don't actually open but the rest of the car is completely mesmerising anyway. The stupendously gorgeous lines of the Belgian Jonckheere coachbuilding concern are perfectly replicated to the

point where, thanks also to the flawless finish, if photographed in the right setting, you could be fooled into believing it was the real thing. The front wheels are sublime, right down to the tread pattern on the tyres fitted to them, and as for the front grille that is a masterpiece in miniature in its own right. The rest of the chromework is up to the same standard of finish too. Despite the lack of opening doors, the interior has not been skimped on and is well appointed throughout, although visibility is a little limited to fully appreciate this. Truly stunning by CMF. DC

▲ Detailing on CMF's model is truly top notch, featuring some incredible chromework from front to back - and side to side!

TRIPLE 9 MG EX182 Racing Green Le Mans 24 Hours 1955 #64 Lund/Waeffler SCALE: 1/18 PRICE: £80.99 REF: 1800163 www.ayrey.co.uk

One of the works entries from the Le Mans race in 1955. A stunning model and well made although the wheels look a little overdone.

FANGIO'S LONG-NOSED 1956 GERMAN GP WINNER IS A TRIUMPH BY CMC TOO

1/18scale CMC

Ferrari D50, 1956 long nose, Grand Prix of Germany #1 Fangio PRICE: £589.99 REF: M-181 www.ayrey.co.uk

SCALE: 1/18 PRICE: £49.99 REF: 1800805 www.ayrey.co.uk

▲ An absolutely mindblowing level of attention to detail in the cockpit. Note also the fuel filler cap, which opens just like it does on the real car. A really impressive touch is the inclusion of the starting set up with incredibly realistic battery trolley, especially with those leads.

▲ The D50's beautiful lines are in no way spoilt by the aerodynamic long nose, highlighted by the colourful application of striping.

A great value model of the mighty Stratos in a rather fetching colour scheme. Don't let the price fool you, the detail and finish are very good.

MATRIX Cadillac Superior 51+ Ambulance SCALE: 1/43 PRICE: £107.99 REF: MX 20301-193

A rather striking Cadillac ambulance in metallic brown and white. Absolutely stunning detail, particularly worthy of note is the front grille.

▼

SOLIDO Lancia Stratos Gr.4 1977 Monte Carlo Rally #14

panels opens up a whole new world of detail too. The aerodynamic pontoon body side with their complex curved sections are a delight too. Additional excellent touches are to the fuel filler cap behind the driver's head (it even opens) and the inclusion of the starter system as an extra really makes this an incredible model to display. All packaged in an impressive presentation box, this model oozes quality, which of course it should at this price. If collecting CMC models is your thing, this is definitely one that you really shouldn't miss out on. DC

▲

AFTER taking over the D50 project from Lancia, Scuderia Ferrari was heading for a very successful season in 1956, with both Juan Manuel Fangio and Peter Collins opting to use this long-nose version D50 for the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring that year. CMC always excels to the extreme when it comes to detailing and, of course, this long-nosed D50 racer is no exception. Aside from the obvious flawless finish, the detail incorporated is truly astonishing - from the riveting on the body panels to the cockpit interior. The steering wheel in particular deserves special praise with milled out spokes to save weight on the real car correctly modelled here and a realistic finish to recreate the leathered wrap to the rim. Finely detailed instumentation, fuel lines and textured driver's seat further enhance the interior. The spoked wire wheels are exquisite (all hand built) as are the knock-on hubs. Removing the body access

www.ayrey.co.uk

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

New Models

GREENLIGHT COLLECTIBLES Gulf Porsche 917K with Steve McQueen Figure - Le Mans SCALE: 1/43 PRICE: £32.99 REF: 86435

Another release in Greenlight's Steve McQueen Collection, depicting his role in the movie Le Mans. A good representation of both car and hero.

www.ayrey.co.uk

JADA Brian's Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-R The Fast and Furious SCALE: 1/24 PRICE: £29.99 REF: JA99686

A great model in its own right and as a bonus its straight out of the Fast & Furious movie franchise. Great finish and really good detail for the price too.

www.amerang.co.uk

OXFORD'S NEW FIRE TENDER MEETS HIGH EXPECTATIONS Editor’s 1/76 scale OXFORD DIECAST

Ford WOT1 Crash Tender Mickey Mouse - Museum of RAF Firefighting, Scampton PRICE: £14.95 REF: 76WOT001

CHOICE

www.oxforddiecast.co.uk

THE Fordson WOT1 (War Office Type 1) major foam tender was manufactured at the Ford Dagenham plant from 1940, replacing any production of Ford’s civilian range of cars and tractors The WOT1 was introduced as a general purpose chassis and during the World War II it carried searchlights, barrage balloons and froth fire extinguishers. The WOT1 formed the mainstay of the Royal Air Forces fire-fighting equipment at fighter and bomber bases during the war

and the early post-war years. It carried 300 gallons of water and 65 gallons of foam. The vehicle was manned by a crew of five - one driver and four firemen; the driver would act as pump operator. One fireman would be dressed in an asbestos suit, for rescue duties, and the other three would operate the foam hose lines, dressed in overalls, leather jackets and rubber boots, plus a steel helmet with a skirt to cover the head and neck area. They were also equipped with an axe & belt and a quick release knife for

▲ The first release of this new tooling is fantastic value - just look at the detail!

cutting aircrew harnesses. This Oxford model represents a unit that served in Europe with the advancing armed forces after D-day and provided fire cover in Germany during the Berlin Airlift. Registered 10 81 40, this particular unit is just one of three to have survived, despite being sold for scrap in 1953. Now safely installed at he Museum of RAF Firefighting at Scampton, Oxford's capture of all the detail is nothing short of stunning at this scale. As new tooling, this is the first of hopefully several releases - the

next one is already scheduled (another survivor, painted red and now at the Spitfire Museum near ex-RAF Manston) - and surely at least one more will follow of the other surviving unit at Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby, Lincolnshire. The amount of tooling required for this intircate model must have been extensive so this represents an absolute bargain and it's a beauty with a superb finish all over. DC

▲ So much work has gone into this and we can't wait for the next releases.

We really want your feedback! Do you agree with the Editor's Choice? Let us know your thoughts about this and the other releases at deareditor@warnersgroup.co.uk

20 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

ON SALE NOW!

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New Releases

New from Oxford Diecast Rick Wilson recently attended the Oxford Diecast open day held at the John Ayrey’s warehouse at Three Legged Cross, near Bournemouth in Dorset, where many of the company’s new and upcoming releases were on display including, as always, much new tooling.

t's always an exciting time when I get the call to let me know that another Oxford Diecast preview day is coming up. Be it either at John Ayrey's West Yorkshire or Dorset premises, the journey up is always filled with wondering what we're going to see - and this time, as always, we were not disappointed. The most obvious draw was instantly apparent - the first 1/43 scale coach ever from Oxford. Made to celebrate the company's 25th anniversary, the pretty

Weymann Fanfare comes in South Wales livery, an obvious choice really given the company's roots. When asked if this would be just the first of several at this scale, Lyndon Davies was quick to mention that it was "quite possible" - so no commitment then but having tooled for this one, I'm sure we'll see a few more at least. It's an absolute beauty by the way, especially as it will arrive in an impressive special commemorative presentation box. But of course this wasn't the only model on view. Most of the company's ranges

and scales were represented and there was certainly plenty of new tooling, especially at 1/76 scale - with plenty of newly tooled cars plus a new tanker for the recently announced Scammell Highwayman trucks (page 23) and a rather fabulous Bloodhound Missile Set, which actually comes with a Land Rover as well, although this isn't shown here (page 26). But there is so much more to look forward to as well as you will see in the following pages - and this is only some of what's coming soon too! DC

OXFORD OMNIBUS COMPANY

NEW TOOLING

Weymann Fanfare – South Wales (Oxford 25 Years Special Box) REF: 43WFA001 SCALE: 1/43 PRICE: £39.95 DUE: Q1 2019

22 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

Bristol MW6G – Tilling Transport REF: 76MW6004 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £18.75 DUE: NOW

Plaxton Panorama – A. Timpson & Sons Ltd. REF: 76PAN008 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £18.75 DUE: NOW

Bristol MW6G – Thames Valley REF: 76MW6005 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £18.75 DUE: Q2 2019

Saro Bus – London Greenline REF: 76SB003 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £18.75 DUE: NOW

OXFORD HAULAGE COMPANY

ERF EC Flatbed Trailer - Pollock REF: 76EC003 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £23.95 DUE: NOW

DAF 3300 Short Van Trailer - Pollock REF: 76D28003 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £22.95 DUE: NOW

Scammell Highwayman Tanker – Shell/BP REF: 76SHT001 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £14.95 DUE: Q1 2019

NEW TOOLING

Scammell Highwayman Tanker – Pointer REF: 76SHT002 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £14.95 DUE: Q2 2019

Mercedes Actros SSC Tipper – Ronnie S Evans REF: 76MB008 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £25.45 DUE: NOW

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

New Releases OXFORD AUTOMOBILE COMPANY

NEW TOOLING

Jaguar MkV Closed – Dark Blue/Tan REF: 43JAG5003 SCALE: 1/43 PRICE: £24.95 DUE: TBA 2019

Ford Zodiac MkII – Shark Blue/Pompadour Blue REF: 76FZ001 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £5.95 DUE: NOW

MG MGA – Dove Grey REF: 76MGA005 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £5.25 DUE: NOW

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Morris Oxford III – Sage Green/Twilight Grey REF: 76MO007 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £5.45 DUE: NOW

Rover P4 – Stone Grey/Juniper Green REF: 76P4004 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £5.75 DUE: NOW

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Austin Maxi – Tara Green REF: 76MX001 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £5.95 DUE: Q1 2019

BMC Transporter & 2 Mini 1275GT Set – British Leyland Nederland REF: 76SET54 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £21.95 DUE: NOW

24 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

NEW TOOLING

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Range Rover 3rd Generation – Bonatti Grey REF: 76RR3001 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £5.95 DUE: Q1 2019

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Bedford CF Ice Cream Van – Morrison Mr. Whippy REF: 43CF001 SCALE: 1/43 PRICE: £15.95 DUE: Q2 2019

Morris J2 Van – Skyways of London REF: 43JM024 SCALE: 1/43 PRICE: £13.95 DUE: NOW

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Citroën H Catering Van – Jamie’s REF: 76CIT001 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £7.95 DUE: Q1 2019

Ford Transit Mk5 SWB Low Roof – London Underground REF: 76FT031 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £5.95 DUE: NOW

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Sherpa Van – Telephone Service REF: 76SHP007 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £6.45 DUE: NOW

Sherpa Van - Electricity REF: 76SHP008 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £6.45 DUE: Q1 2019

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

New Releases N SCALE

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Ford 400E Van - Southdown REF: NFDE008 SCALE: 1/148 PRICE: £5.25 DUE: NOW

New Mini - British Racing Green with Union Flag REF: NNMN005 SCALE: 1/148 PRICE: £4.65 DUE: NOW

EMERGENCY

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MAN Pump Ladder – Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue REF: 76MFE005 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £18.75 DUE: NOW

Land Rover FC GS REF: 76LRFCG003 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £9.95 DUE: NOW

Land Rover Series I 88” Hard Top - RAF REF: 43LAN188021 SCALE: 1/43 PRICE: £12.95 DUE: NOW

OXFORD MILITARY

OXFORD AVIATION

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NEW TOOLING

Bloodhound Missile Set REF: 76SET65 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £24.95 DUE: Q1 2019 AMERICAN

Chevrolet Hot Rods 3-Piece Set REF: 87SET001 SCALE: 1/87 PRICE: £17.95 DUE: NOW

26 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

1965 Chevrolet Stepside Pick Up - White REF: 87CP65005 SCALE: 1/87 PRICE: £6.45 DUE: NOW

FROM THE EDITOR’S COLLECTION

50 years of Superfast Never lost for things to talk about, Rick Wilson delves into his model stash to share his favourites.

▲ The first three Superfast releases in 1969 with a 1970 catalogue. ▲

No 20 Lamborghini Marzal.

▲ Yours truly with No 23 VW camper in 1970. Photo: Peter Wilson

▲

hen I started this page in the last issue, I’d originally intended to launch it with this trio of models that properly set me off down the road of diecast collecting at a very young age, but I decided that my narrative would be put to better use in this issue, the first of 2019.You may well ask “why?”, and rightly so. At just approaching five years old, in early 1969, I came across a display in my parents’ friends’ newsagents in Blendon, near Welling, Kent. I was transfixed – Matchbox had released its Superfast range to compete with Hot Wheels, and it really grabbed my imagination. Matchbox would gradually modify most of its range at the time and fit them with its new Superfast wheels where possible, but the first three releases were all brand new for 1969 and each one was an eye-catching car, which made sense as they were going to have to really stand out in an increasingly competitive market. Sold in a slightly modified box, as photographed here, all three were very accurate replications of real cars making the news at the time: No 5 Lotus Europa, No 20 Lamborghini Marzal and No 56 BMC Pininfarina. Thankfully my pocket money stretched to buying all three over consecutive weeks. First into Wilson's World was the Marzal, followed by the BMC Pininfarina and then the amazing Europa. I cherished the latter so much that I actually got upset thinking that I would never be able to own a real one as Lotus wouldn’t still be making them when I was old enough to drive! I had no concept of the secondhand car market at that age, even though we had one on our drive – a Vauxhall Viva HB. In the image to the right, I’m seen posing in front of it in 1970 and you can just make out that my latest Superfast acquisition was No 23 VW Camper as I clearly wouldn’t put it down for the photo! I’d literally just bought it. My Superfast habit would come back and grab me big time during the early 2000s and the three you see here were among the very first that found their way back into my life, along with the fabulous VW Camper of course! The modern collection of my old Superfast favourites is still growing and I will be putting it to good effect for your enjoyment throughout the year as I celebrate five decades of these marketing marvels from Matchbox. DC

No 5 Lotus Europa.

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

LARGE SCALE BUSES BY CORGI

Corgi’s Big Buses Mike Pigott continues his series on Corgi’s 1/50 scale public transport models with a look at the range of British buses.

n our previous article, in the November 2018 issue, we looked at Corgi’s models of luxury coaches. This time we are looking at the local bus models, all but one of which are double deckers. The range was impressive in number, so much so that we’re splitting this range over two instalments. Corgi’s models were not the first large scale buses; as far back as the 1960s, Tri-ang had produced a large, heavy model of a Routemaster bus in its Spot-On range in 1/42 scale. Tomica of Japan had included a 1/43 AEC Regent bus in its large-scale Dandy range. French company Solido also produced a Regent in 1/50 scale that was available in open and closed top versions, which proved quite popular in the British market during the 1980s. Corgi desperately needed a good model of a double deck bus in its range. For some years it had been selling a 1/64 scale model of a Regent that was nothing more than a modified version of its toylike Routemaster bus with a new bonnet and grille. This unrealistic model was even packaged into mismatched sets with the new 1/50 scale Bedford OB and AEC Regal coaches. In 1992 the first double deck model was released, a Guy Arab II utility bus. A very popular model, it was later modified into Bristol and Daimler versions, plus a utility trolleybus. In 1994, a new model of the 1960s Daimler Fleetline was added to the range. The similar Leyland Atlantean, with a different rear engine cover, was added to the range around the same time. An open-top Atlantean was also produced. In 1995 the only single decker in the line was added, a

28 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

▲ Guy Arab II Utility Bus

Weymann-bodied bus. The most successful of the 1/50 buses was first released in 1996, and was still being produced until quite recently. This, of course, was the iconic Routemaster, which was available in open and closed top versions. Corgi turned its attention to the increasingly popular 1/76 scale over the next few years, and concentrated on the OOC range while 1/50 bus releases were fairly few and far between. In 2008 there was an attempt to re-launch the big bus range with new models of the RT and RTL buses of the 1940s, although only a couple of versions of each were released before the line was discontinued when Corgi hit financial difficulties. Corgi largely had the 1/50 British bus market to itself, with the only competition being the aforementioned Solido models, and the Hong Kong company Collector’s Models, which produced some very nice models of the MCW Metrobus.

PACKAGING The first utility buses came in the ‘brown paper’ style boxes. This was soon replaced by the retro-style Corgi blue and yellow packaging. In the late 1990s, the 1/50 bus range was renamed ‘The Connoisseur Collection’, and came packaged in large dark green boxes with a vac-formed tray and a replica driver’s badge. The few Premium Edition models were sold in plain dark green boxes with paper outer wrappers. The final releases in the Buses in Britain line came again in dark green packaging, initially in window boxes, and later in closed boxes with lift-off lids.

THE UTILITY BUS In contrast to the initial two luxury coaches produced by Corgi, the first double deck model was of a Guy ‘utility bus’, one of the most uncomfortable vehicles ever built! Utility buses dated back to the Second World War, and were first built in 1941. At the time, all motor manufacturers had turned production over to war work, mostly making military vehicles. However, on the home front, there was a desperate shortage of local buses. Large numbers had been destroyed by enemy bombing raids, while rationing of products like petrol and tyres meant that many more citizens were dependent on public transport. The Ministry of Supply approached Guy Motors of Wolverhampton and requested production of a double deck bus chassis. Although Guy was mostly making armoured cars, the company still retained facilities for building buses. The wartime version was based on the reliable pre-war model, the Guy Arab, but was a completely ‘no-frills’ bus. Due to wartime shortages, materials such as aluminium were not available and the chassis had to be made from cast iron. Chrome plating was not available for the grill or headlights, and these were finished in black. The bodywork was woodframed with sheet steel panels, and the profile was very angular to facilitate easy repairs. Interior fittings were pretty austere, with wooden slat seats and very few opening windows. Bodywork could be fitted by various companies, but all looked very similar due to having to adhere to strict Ministry guidelines. Demand for new buses continued throughout the war, and other manufacturers such as Bristol and Daimler also produced a suitable bus chassis. In addition, there was an equivalent utility body for trolleybuses. Austerity bodies were not liked by the travelling public, and after the war many were re-bodied with more stylish bodywork and more comfortable interiors. A few have survived into preservation.

Corgi’s models were not the first large scale buses; as far back as the 1960s, Tri-ang had produced a large, heavy model of a Routemaster bus in its Spot-On range in 1/42 scale. Tomica of Japan had included a 1/43 AEC Regent bus in its large-scale Dandy range. French company Solido also produced a Regent in 1/50 scale.

GUY ARAB MK II UTILITY BUS Corgi’s first Utility bus was the Guy Arab II, which was the most numerous type. It was a big, heavy, impressive model with quite a lot of diecast metal used in its construction. The upper and lower decks were separate metal components, and were joined together with a tongue under the front destination screen. An internal pole held the back of the roof in place, although this was cleverly disguised as a handrail at the top of the rear stairs. The interior stairs were cast as part of the lower deck and looked right, but were not touched up in another colour. The wide front wheel arches were part of a separate casting. The bonnet was also a separate piece, and featured a row of vertical louvers. Both of these parts were interchangeable, so that other marques of utility buses could be produced by substituting a small number of new components. The base was also diecast, and had quite a lot of cast-in detail, although painted a rather too-shiny gloss black. The base component also formed the floor of the open rear deck, and a thin piece of metal wire was held in place here to act as grab-rail post. There were two clear window components for the upper and lower decks, although

▲

Bristol K Utility Bus.

the glazing was not flush with the window frames. The few window vents were part of the body castings and were too thick. The interior was also moulded in separate parts for each deck, with a black plastic steering wheel for the driver. The interior was not very well detailed, although the seat ‘slats’ could be seen; in 1992 the market was not yet demanding super-detailed interiors. The grille surround was in plated plastic, as were the small headlights mounted on the mudguards. A small bump on the top of the grille may be meant to be the Guy ‘Indian chief head’ radiator cap. The radiator bars are represented by a black plastic insert. There were side safety rails between the wheels which were also a separate plastic part. Early releases appeared to have some minor teething problems. These included the grille, headlights and non-removable wing mirrors being chrome-plated, when utility buses had these parts painted black. It may have been possible that Corgi had based its model on a bus that had been modified post-war, when upholstered seating and other ‘luxuries’ were added. The front destination board was also too small; this was because it was not possible to tampo-print over the metal tongue and slot. Later issues included paper labels with alternative destinations for the buyer to fit. Corgi’s first Guy Arab release was in the attractive colours of Brighton-based Southdown Motor Services, as shown here. This was quite an appropriate choice, as Southdown operated 100 Guy utility buses during and after the war. The body was painted an attractive apple green, with cream window bands and roof, plus dark green wheel arches. It had advertisements for Henty & Constable Ales on one side, and Handley’s of Southsea department store on the other. The cream-painted roof indicated this was a post-war livery. The Guy Arab proved to be a very popular model and between 1992 and 1997 it was released in no less than 18 different liveries, plus a final 19th version in 2001. One particularly impressive version was in a wartime London livery of all grey with imitation ‘safety netting’ on the windows.

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

LARGE SCALE BUSES BY CORGI BRISTOL K UTILITY BUS

▲ Daimler CW Utility Bus. ▲

In 1994, Corgi was able to modify the Guy Arab into a different marque of bus with the addition of a new bonnet, grille, front wheel arches and headlights. The new bus was a Bristol K utility bus, manufactured by Bristol Commercial Vehicles. Bristol was commissioned to produce an austerity version of it pre-war ‘K’ series bus in 1944, and by the end of the war around 250 ‘K56’ utility buses had been completed. The Corgi model was only produced during 1994 and ’95, with only three liveries issued, probably due to the limited number of real Bristol K56 buses built. It was fitted with a tapering Bristol grille, which was all black except for a small printed ‘Bristol’ badge. The bonnet was higher than the Guy bus, and had a row of vertical louvers with straps in between them. The diecast wheel arches were narrow and did not extend below the grille. There were some minor casting variations in the bodywork. The upper rear window was split rather than being full-width, while the rearvision mirrors were replaced with slots and separate mirrors for the purchaser to fit. The front destination board was now a label that had to be applied, although the side and rear boards were tampo-printed. As mentioned, Corgi only produced this model in three liveries: Bristol in green, London in red, and Cardiff in brown. The version illustrated is in the wartime livery of London Transport, and is in bright red with white window bands and a dark brown roof. The wheels and interior are in dark brown plastic. It is on route 97 to Hanwell (not the same route as today’s 97) and has advertisements for Maples Carpets on one side and Tizer soda on the other. London Transport mainly used AEC buses, but during the war had to take whatever was available, resulting in a number of Guys and a few Bristols joining the fleet.

Daimler Fleetline.

DAIMLER CW UTILITY BUS Corgi’s third variant of the utility bus was based on the Daimler CW. Daimler of Coventry had been producing mainly armoured cars during the war, but in late 1944 received an order to manufacture an austerity version of its CW bus chassis and several hundred were produced. Unfortunately, by the time the bodywork was completed by outside bodybuilders, the war was over and there was no more demand for utility buses. However, the Ministry was able to convince London Transport to take 100 of them in order to reinstate its Green Line country bus service which had been suspended during the war years. This model again featured some new components such as the bonnet, grille and headlights, although the wheel arches appeared to be the same as on the Bristol. The bonnet had no vents, but two circular access holes, while the black grille was a typical Daimler type with a ‘fluted’ top. The destination blinds were now all labels with alternative routes for the buyer to apply. The Daimler CW was produced from 1994 to 1996 and was available in 8 different liveries. The model illustrated is one of the London Green Line buses previously mentioned. It is painted Lincoln green with white window bands and a chocolate

30 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

brown roof. The interior and wheels are made from dark red plastic. This model features no advertising, only gold Green Line roundels.

UTILITY TROLLEYBUS During the 1930s, a large number of municipal transport corporations ran fleets of electric trolleybuses, including many routes in London. Trolleybuses are somewhere between a bus and a tram; they are powered by overhead wires but run on rubber tyres. They are more manoeuvrable than trams in that they can pull into stops or around other traffic and are not limited to running on tracks in the middle of the road, although because of the power lines cannot deviate from a set route. The main advantage of trolleys is that they are very powerful, very quiet, and produce no pollution. As with the motor buses, during the war a large number of trolleys were destroyed in the Blitz,

▲ Utility Trolleybus.

Corgi’s utility trolleybus uses the same base and upper deck as the utility bus, but with a heavily modified lower deck. Like most trolleys, it has a full-width front with widely-spaced headlights and no grille. Fitted to the roof is a metal gangway with two large brackets attached to the trolley poles. The poles are made of metal and have plastic collectors at the ends. The poles can rotate and lift, but do not stay in the up position on their own. The interior and glazing is similar to the utility bus, but with a modified driver’s cab with electrical equipment next to the driver. The model was manufactured between 1994 and ’97, with both Karrier and Sunbeam versions produced, although the casting was identical for both marques. There were five Karriers (Bradford, Newcastle, Ipswich, Nottingham and Derby) plus three Sunbeams (Reading, Maidstone and Ashtonunder-Lyme). Included in the packaging was a pair of plastic trolley wire poles, which was a nice touch. The version illustrated is a Sunbeam in the Reading livery of maroon with thin cream stripes, and carrying adverts for C. & G. Ayres coal and coke.

DAIMLER FLEETLINE

and operators were desperate for replacements. The Ministry of Supply authorised the two main trolleybus manufacturers, Sunbeam and Karrier, to produce an austerity chassis for a trolley, which was two-axle rather than the more common threeaxled trolleybus chassis. These were then fitted with a modified version of the utility bus bodywork. As trolleybuses did not have grilles, and were flatfronted, there was no real physical difference between Sunbeam and Karrier models. After the war, extensive damage was done to tram and trolleybus wires and tram tracks. As a result, many municipalities made the decision to wind down their trams and trolleys and replace them with buses. Because of this, the operators were reluctant to invest in new trolley systems given that they were intending to shut them down anyway. This meant that a lot of utility trolleybuses were still running in the 1960s when the majority of systems were shut down.

Corgi desperately needed a good model of a double deck bus in its range. For some years it had been selling a 1/64 scale model of a Regent that was nothing more than a modified version of its toylike Routemaster bus with a new bonnet and grille.

During the 1950s, there was a big drop in bus ridership in the UK as more people were able to afford cars. The bus companies responded by introducing big, rear-engined machines, which were known as OMO (one man operation) buses, as the driver could collect the fares without the need for a separate conductor. The two main suppliers of rear engined chassis were Leyland, with its Atlantean model, followed by Daimler’s Fleetline. Double deck buses were not suited for under-floor engines, such as used in the Burlingham Seagull coach, as this would require high floors that would make a double decker too tall. Early Fleetlines had a lift-up rear engine cover that needed a large recess to open, hence the set-back lower deck rear windows. The Fleetline remained in production for 20 years, with several thousand produced in wide range of different body styles from various coachbuilders. Corgi’s model Fleetline is based on a very early example from around 1962 with bodywork by Northern Counties. It is certainly an impressively large piece of diecast metal, and at around 19cm in length is significantly larger and heavier than the Utility Bus. The upper and lower decks, plus the base, are all diecast. Surprisingly, the rear engine cover is part of the base casting and is mask-sprayed in body colour. The folding front doors and opening window vents are part of the body casting but appear slightly too thick; the vents should have been touched up in silver. The interior has the correct seating layout on both decks, with a cross-hatched design that looks like a check pattern when viewed from some angles. The front half of the bus is held together with a long brass screw, which is not an ideal solution, but is positioned close enough to the steps to pass as a handrail. The glazing is not flush and there is no representation of wipers on the split windscreens. However, the headlamps have clear inserts, and there are rear-view mirrors for the buyer to fit. The underside is well detailed, and there are

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

LARGE SCALE BUSES BY CORGI

plastic side safety rails between the wheels. Corgi’s Fleetline was only produced in three liveries; Birmingham in beige and dark blue, Manchester in red, and Rochdale in white with blue stripes. Unfortunately there were no London versions; although London Transport had thousands of Fleetlines, they had different bodywork. The version shown here is the Manchester version, in bright red with a white band between the decks. It features advertising for Pearl Assurance on one side and Crawford’s Cream Crackers on the other. The interior is all black, and there are City of Manchester crests printed on each side. The bus is on route 96 to Whitefield.

LEYLAND ATLANTEAN The Leyland Atlantean was the first of the big rearengined, one person operated buses, pre-dating the Fleetline and remaining in production until 1986. Like the Fleetline, early Atlanteans were fitted with ‘bustle’ style rear engine covers and recessed lowerdeck back windows. The Atlantean was one of the most successful British buses of all time, and was the most common bus in many regions for decades. There were particularly large fleets in Manchester, London, Liverpool and Glasgow. It was also a big success in terms of exports, with large numbers being sold to Australia, Ireland, Singapore and Iraq. Corgi’s Atlantean is a very similar model to the Fleetline, being based on a very early vehicle with MCW ‘Orion’ coachwork. All of the components are identical, except for the base, which incorporates the engine hood. The engine cover is really the only visible difference from the Fleetline, which had a slightly different shaped hood and stamped sheet metal pattern, plus two thick bumper rails as opposed to the three thinner rails on the Leyland. Also, both buses have a different type of drive train cast into the base. As with the Fleetline, the Corgi Atlantean was not in production for long, with only four liveries produced during 1994 and ’95. One of these was the first production Atlantean operated by Wallasey Corporation, in cream and yellow. Another interesting livery was the ‘Gay Hostess’, an Atlantean decked out to luxury coach specifications that ran a highspeed service from London to Manchester via the motorways. This was painted cream with red trim and had blanked out rear windows to hide the ‘rest

32 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

▲ Leyland Atlantean Open Top (left) and Leyland Atlantean (right).

▲ Note the differences on the rear hoods of the Atlantean and Fleetline.

room’, although Corgi did not modify the interior component with airline-style seats. Illustrated is a version on the green and cream colours of Maidstone & District Motor Services, on route 26 to Faversham. The fourth type was in the dark blue livery of Hull, with its unusual curved white lining. In 2004 the casting was briefly revived in the livery of Scout Motor Services, now with improved detailing such as windscreen wipers and silver-painted window vents.

LEYLAND ATLANTEAN OPEN TOP A second variation of the Leyland Atlantean was produced in 1995; an open top tour bus. In the past it was quite common for bus companies to run open-top buses over existing routes in the summer, particularly in seaside resort towns, but sometimes even in London. It is still common to see open top buses running on special tourist services throughout Britain and the world. Corgi’s Atlantean open topper retained most of the components of the closed version, but with a new diecast upper deck component. Instead of having a roof, it now had a top deck that extended to waist height, with a safety rail on top. The new top deck fitted well and the thin safety rail was finely cast. However, what let this model down somewhat was the interior moulding. With an enclosed top it looked okay, but without a roof it was obvious that the seats were solid mouldings without legs, so didn’t look particularly realistic. There were only two versions produced, during 1995 and 1996. The first was in the livery of Devon General, in cream with red stripes and a blue interior. It was on route 12A between Torquay and Babbacombe, and was an example of an open-top bus running a regular route. The second version was a dedicated tour bus in the livery of Guide Friday, which ran ‘hop-on, hop-off ’ tours in regional cities around the UK. The Corgi model was based on the Brighton tour, and was in the company’s colours of dark green and cream, and was fitted with brown seats. The decoration on this model was quite impressive, with coloured pictures of four Brighton landmarks applied to the sides.

FURTHER RELEASES In the second part of our look at these larger scale buses by Corgi next month, our attention turns to its Weymann, Routemaster and RT/RTL releases. DC

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BRADSCARS MODELS

Bradscars revisited

played with Bradscars as a child. They were the first diecasts I’d saved up my pocket money for. In 1953 I’d never seen anything like them before. They were so much smaller than any other model cars I’d ever seen. The Austin, Morris and Riley cost me seven shillings and sixpence. My favourite was the pale green Riley. I’d rather have had the Dinky Toys Riley seen in the Meccano Magazine, but New Zealand’s tight import controls in the 1950s kept Dinkys out of the country’s shops for most of the decade. Bradscars would have circumvented those regulations as they were conceived as model railway accessories, not toys. As a born again model vehicle collector of about 25 years, I spotted a green Riley at a toy fair in early 2017, and was led into temptation. I bought the Riley, Morris and Austin for NZ$270 (£140). With hindsight I think I might have paid more than I should have for play-worn models. I knew nothing about Bradscars at the time, and later decided to research the brand. I’d have test driven my original models without looking at their bases. The childhood games at the toy petrol pumps were what interested me then. I discovered Bradscars are rare models of four British saloons from the early 1950s in approximately 1/76 scale. Three were diecast in lead and one was a plastic moulding, manufactured in England by Bradshaw Model Products Ltd of Hove. Their target audience was originally the era’s OO gauge model railway enthusiasts. Production of Bradscar models probably ended around 1954-55. Ramsay’s Catalogue of British Diecast Model Toys 15th Edition states: “They are not mentioned in Bradshaw’s own extensive 1955/56 catalogue.” The Bradscar range may have continued longer if they had been advertised more often in publications other than those for model railway enthusiasts. A rare

34 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

▲ The three Bradscar lead models in the order introduced (l to r): Morris, Riley and Austin.

▲ This base was fitted to the Riley 1.5L RMA (above)

▲ A regular Riley base.

▲ This Riley was bought mounted on to a Morris Six base.

Christopher Moor finds some models from his childhood at a toyfair and decides to explore their history. Photos by Ross de Rouffignac

attempt to promote the models to a wider audience was in the May 1953 Games and Toys magazine, where four models were advertised. It appears that the Morris Minor saloon in this advertisement did not go into production. Bradscars are basic models, minus the Perspex windows and plastic interiors that would be expected today. Few of the lead castings are now seen without any paint loss or wear, and some even show the start of corrosion. Finding a mint or near mint specimen would be a major challenge for any collector now. They did not have catalogue numbers on their bases, nor were they individually boxed. Being sent to retailers packed in dealers’ boxes might have contributed to the paint damage now seen on most surviving Bradscars. Few choices existed in the way of model cars for OO scale electric train layouts when the first Bradscar, a Morris Six, debuted at the Annual Model Railway Exhibition at London’s Central Hall in 1951. This Morris Six casting is believed to be the first model version manufactured of the classic English saloon. Many will notice a resemblance between the Morris Six and the Wolseley 6/80 police cars from British crime movies and TV shows of the 1950s. Apart from the radiator grille and trimming, their bodies seem almost identical. The Bradscar Morris Six had a lead body casting mounted on to an embossed black tin plate base bearing the Bradshaw logo. Morris Six appeared on the base before the logo with Bradscar (regd.) after it. Early examples of the model exist with plain bases. The 60mm model’s lead wheels had fine tyre treads cast into them, and were painted black. Bumpers, radiator grille and headlights received hand detailing in silver paint. Sometimes the smooth axle end rivets received a silver paint finish, too.

5 Although the casting failed to capture the sleekness of the real car, the model pleases some collectors more than others in the range. The 1/76 scale Morris Six currently produced by Oxford Diecast is much more realistic-looking. A Riley 1.5 RMA was the next Bradscar, and issued in 1952. This 61mm lead model receives unfavourable comparison with the larger Dinky version - no 40a, renumbered as no. 158 in 1954 - because of the heavy appearance of the radiator grille. Some Bradscar Rileys went on sale with Morris Six bases fitted, and with a body painted in a light green shade similar to that of the Dinky model. An Austin A30 four door sedan was the last of the lead Bradscars, going into production in around 1953. This model differed from the Morris and Riley because the base was lead. The words Bradscar, Hove, England, Austin 7 appeared cast into the base across four lines without any Bradshaw logo – the “Austin 7” denotes the name the Austin A30 was launched under at the Earls Court Motor Show in October 1951. Another difference between the Morris and Riley is the 47mm Austin’s smaller black metal wheels without cast tyre treads. Its major design fault is the skinny rear window that is nothing like the half oval of the real car. Dinky did a better job with the model in 1958, as one of its last saloons without windows fitted. An injection moulded plastic Jaguar Mk VII was the final Bradscar, introduced in 1954. Moulded into the base are the words ‘The New Bradscar, Made in

1 The Austin 7 (A30) was the last lead Bradscar. 2 The Riley 1.5 L was the second lead Bradscar. 3 The Jaguar Mk VII was the final Bradscar and the only one made of plastic. 4 The Morris Six was the first Bradscar. 5 Rear views of the Austin (l) , Riley (c) and Morris (r) models.

England’ – the model was not identified as a Jaguar, although it clearly was the MKVII. When I bought the Morris, Riley and Austin that inspired this article, the same dealer sold me a black Bradscar Riley for NZ$100 (£52). What swung the purchase was the model being mounted on a Morris Six base and its condition being fairly good overall. If I had bought my models on eBay, perhaps I could have got a better deal. A Riley, Austin and Morris sold for two-thirds what I had paid during the past northern hemisphere spring, the price including Air Mail postage to New Zealand. The condition of the models was similar to those I had acquired. Paint-damaged Riley and Austin models have sold on eBay from as low as £9.50 during the summer, and at the last toy fair I attended in 2017, I saw an Austin A30 in need of a repaint with an asking price of NZ$70 (£36). I walked on, not turning back for a second look. DC

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

AUDI SPORT QUATTRO

Too short, too late In the mid-eighties Audi needed to improve the original Quattro for rallying. Francisco Mota shows why making the car shorter was not enough to keep it competitive, and compares three Sport Quattro scale models, from Minichamps, CMR and Troféu. Photos by João Carlos Oliveira

uring the 1983 WRC season Audi started to feel the heat from its competitors after several years of domination with the original Quattro, having introduced four-wheel-drive to the rally scene. Peugeot had announced a mid-engined purpose built rally machine for the following season, taking WRC cars to the next level. Audi’s management still thought that having a technical link between road and rally cars made the marketing message more credible, so it decided to keep its in-line five-cylinder engine at the front of the car. On the other hand, feedback from the

36 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

▲ From left to right, three diecasts of the 1985 Audi Sport quattro: CMR by Ixo, Minichamps and the recently released Troféu.

▲ Birdseye view shows the different windscreen proportions between the three.

drivers was that they wanted more agility from the Quattro, so the simplified solution was to chop a bit from the length of the car and, as improbable as it may sound, that was exactly what Audi did! The Quattro’s wheelbase was reduced by 320mm, making the car 244mm shorter overall, and the body was widened by 57 mm. Shorter and wider always makes sense on a race car, of course, but the engine still sitting in the same place made for a huge front overhang. We will be back to look at the dynamic effects of this in a minute… Probably more relevant was the introduction of a new four valve per cylinder straight five engine, the first DOHC rally Quattro and the first ever car with fully electronic injection and ignition systems. It was a much stronger engine and the first that Audi had made specifically for rally use – it wasn’t just a road car unit prepared for competition. Audi started with a cautious maximum power of 390bhp, only 20bhp more than the last evolution of the original longer Quattro. With development, this soon increased to over 400bhp and close to 500bhp - a real monster! For the first time, Audi also developed a central differential and a six-speed gearbox to cope with the extra performance. However, from the very first tests, Audi’s drivers claimed the car’s handling was unpredictable and close to undriveable. The short wheelbase only made the front biased weight distribution seem even worse, with the front end pitching at every braking point, and lifting under full acceleration. Additionally, the engine only delivered its full potential above 5,000 rpm, giving the drivers serious turbo-lag to deal with. The car’s WRC debut was at the 1984 Tour de Corse, but it only lasted seven stages before engine troubles forced it to retire. At the same event, Peugeot’s new 205 T16 also made its first appearance

▲ From left to right: CMR by Ixo, Minichamps and Troféu. The first one is clearly not at the same level as the other two. Note the mud flaps on the Minichamps model.

and it led the rally until Finnish driver, Ari Vatanen, threw it over a cliff. However, the message was clear and Peugeot would soon start winning rallies. After this, Audi Sport Team used the Sport Quattro in selected rallies only during the second half of 1984 season. It had not given up on the old well-proven LWB Quattro and that was what made a large contribution to the marque win both titles that year. A Sport Quattro won just one rally during its entire WRC career, the 1984 Ivory Coast event, and achieved just a few podium finishes before it was completely overhauled and became the aerodynamic, fire-spitting monster known as the Sport Quattro S1. Minichamps, CMR and Troféu German model maker, Minichamps, released a first 1/43 scale model of this unloved Quattro, available in the classic white and yellow “HB” livery. Two variants were released, both second place finishers, the first as driven by Walter Röhrl in the 1985 Monte Carlo rally and the other model replicates the car driven by Stig Blomqvist in that same season’s Acropolis rally, in Greece. Neither of the two features the HB cigarettes brand logos as is mandatory by law but, while rallying on French soil, the car didn’t carry those at Monte Carlo, so there’s not much harm done here – although this wasn’t the case for the event in Greece. However,

▲ The front overhang is much longer on the CMR by Ixo version (far right) and it's not the correct shape either.

▲ Another view from to top to show how the rear window dimensions are so different between the three models.

▲

From left to right, side views for comparison of the CMR by Ixo, Minichamps and Troféu versions. Minichamps looks the best, but Troféu’s proportions are closer to the real car.

Audi Tradition released this same Acropolis model some years later, sold by Audi dealers, and it features the correct HB logos. All models are now out of production and sold out so it may prove difficult/ expensive to get any of these Minichamps scale models on your shelves. Ixo released its own Sport Quattro replica, but it was only released in one of its many partwork collections, not as a standard release. This year, German brand CMR decided to order a batch of Ixo’s models and sold it in their own packaging, giving it some added dignity and collectability. The variant retained is Röhrl’s 1985 Monte Carlo car. The third scale model is a new kid on the block, just released, and is another diecast – this one made by rally scale models specialist Troféu. It represents the first outing of this car at the 1984 Tour de Corse, also driven by Walter Röhrl. This one comes with HB logos included separately, for the collector to apply at home along with Rothmans lettering for the door’s rally number plates. So, between these three diecasts, which one is the best?

SHAPES AND PROPORTIONS Side by side, the three models show how surprisingly interpretations by different manufacturers can be of the same car. CMR’s repackaged Ixo has

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

AUDI SPORT QUATTRO 1

a much wider roof and a shallower, lower and wider windscreen than the other two.You do not need to check many period photos to realize that Minichamps and Troféu made a better job at catching the boxy shape and proportions of the real thing. The rear window is also too big on CMR’s Sport Quattro plus the rear body and wing are slightly arched when viewed from above. It is also the only one that has the exhaust pipe on the left, while the others have it on the right. Wheel arch extensions are not beefy enough plus the front grille is too low and features headlamps that are too small. Looked from the side, CMR’s model also looks to have much front overhang. Between Minichamps’ and Troféu’s versions, the former has a windscreen that is a little too raked, but the five spoke white wheels with gravel tyres fill the wheel arches better. Also the tyres and wheel arches are wider on the Minichamps model and look a little better. As a gravel car, this one comes complete with very realistic mud-flaps plus extra protective skid plates under the car. The front sump guard that worked as a wing, feeding air under the car and pushing the front-end upwards particularly during jumps, is well modelled on both. The rear section of the Troféu model also looks to be a little lower and Minichamps design looks more realistic here. Troféu wins with a slightly better main front main grille though, both in terms of shape and finish, with the correct sized Audi logo and better light lenses.

DECALS AND DETAILS Each car refers to a different rally, so rally plates and rally numbers differ, as do registration plates - all are

1 The CMR by Ixo was never released by Ixo itself. It was only sold as a part work and now as commissioned by CMR. 2 Minichamps released its Sport Quattro many years ago. This is the Acropolis rally version.

▲ Detail of the sliding side window on the CMR by Ixo model.

▲ The version by Minichamps has 'quattro' lettering etched into the rear window.

▲

Troféu is the most recent to come to the market with its replica of the first appearance of Audi's Sport Quattro in the WRC. HB logos are provided for the collector to apply.

very well printed on all three models and correctly positioned. Note that on the Minichamps model the three red-grey-black stripes on the rear pillar do not overlap the yellow stripe over the rear arch - that is how the car rallied in Greece. On Troféu’s car, both front wheel arches omit the Michelin sticker – this is also correct. Troféu went for a more realistic aerial, while Minichamps opted for one slightly tilted rearwards and CMR’s is just too thick. Troféu also modelled better wipers, but Minichamps’ version features an engraved “Quattro” in the rear plastic window, a very difficult detail to make correctly and that only this model offers. Looking inside all three, Minichamps and Troféu have given more attention to the detail, mainly in steering wheel design and the shape of the racing seats. Both Minichamps and Troféu supply their products with the correct tyre tread, gravel for one and tarmac for the other. Troféu chose to replicate the numerous air intakes at the front - necessary for cooling the engine bay, one of the problems in the real car – with decals featuring a mesh pattern, while Minichamps just painted these all in black. Conclusion: CMR’s scale model is not at the same level as the other two. It’s more basic – but cheaper too. Troféu makes a very attractive Sport Quattro scale model with accurate lines and some very good detail. It is expected that, as usual with this brand, Troféu will go on to release a complete collection of different versions. The Minichamps is easily the rarest of the three and for some it is the most desirable, not only because it is more difficult to find but also because, overall, it looks the nicest. DC

▲ Rear view of Troféu’s model shows its excellent proportions, although the tarmac wheels look too small.

38 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

Vintage Corgi

CORGI THROUGH THE YEARS Rick Wilson continues his series of yearby-year articles from the beginning of the brand in 1956. We continue our look at 1963 with the releases for the second half of the year.

he second half of 1963 began with two new releases – the rather fun No 240 Fiat Jolly was, fittingly as it was summertime, an open-bodied styling by Ghia of Fiat’s popular little car.Very much in the style of Corgi’s previously released Bermuda Taxi, it featured a canopy and chrome detailing to make it a very airy experience to drive. A suitably dressed pair of figures occupied the front seats. The second release in July gave us another hint of what was to come the following month, but for now No 465 Commer Pick-Up Truck joined its sibling, No 464 Commer Police Van, that had been released in June. Taking the basic cab and chassis unit from the police van and painted red, the new truck featured a yellow cutaway rear body section that gave partial shelter to a bench seat that backed onto the cab unit. Apart from giving us a further glimpse into one of Corgi’s now sought after gift sets, this release was notable for the addition of the fabulously innovative “TransO-Lite” system that channelled any available light through to the headlights by way of solid but clear plastic tubes and first seen on No 441 Volkswagen Toblerone Van earlier in the year in February. A flashing effect could be produced by placing a digit over the entry point in the cab roof then removing and replacing, removing and replacing in quick

succession. Simple but wonderfully effective! So then, onto one of my favourite Corgi releases and the answer to the teasing hints offered in previous months – August saw the arrival of the exciting Gift Set 24 Commer Constructor Set. Comprising two of the Commer cab and chassis units, one standard (painted white) and one with Trans-O-Lite headlights (red), and featuring four different rear bodies – the pick-up cutaway back, again in yellow, a full van back in red, an open–sided back in light blue and a white back taken from the police van but with non-barred windows and a more-to-scale light on the roof that was non-powered this time. Three plastic accessories finished the set off and these were the same bench from the pick-up, a milk bottle load for the open-sided back and a milkman figure to complete the scene. All the component parts were arranged in a moulded Styrofoam base and the set was finished off with an attractive lift-off lid that showed how all the parts worked together. This amazing set survived in the range for five years but

▲ Nxxxl. Photo credit: Vectis.

▲ Gift Set 24 Commer Constructor Set.

▲ Gift Set 27 Machinery Carrier with Bedford Tracotr Unit and Priestman Cub Shovel. Photo: Vectis.

Gift Set 15 Silverstone Racing Layout. Photo: Vectis.

▲ No 252 Rover 2000 Photo: Vectis.

40 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

No 310 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray. Photo: Vectis.

1963

PART 2

too but it was a real winner in terms of features (and sales) too – a shade over 1.75 million were made in its six year production run – not bad for a model of a car of which only six were made in real life! The stylish Chrysler-engined Ghia 6.4L was obviously at the front of the queue when Corgi were handing out features as this model has plenty – “fully loaded” to use an example of contemporary vernacular. It was Corgi’s first release that, in terms of opening features, has the “fab four” – both doors, bonnet and boot all open. In fact the bonnet is released by pushing down on the front suspension whereby a peg is pushed up to raise it enough to then get a fingertip underneath to finish the job. Add to that jewelled headlights, plated bumpers and engine, tipping front seats and a dog lying on the parcel shelf and it’s easy to see why this was one of Corgi’s best sellers. There was a huge contrast between the Ghia 6.4L and one of December’s two releases – the N.S.U Sport-Prinz is a well-cast model of a pretty car but had no special features at all! It was meant to be a forerunner to a new budget range but due to rising production costs, this concept was quickly abandoned as the original target price of 2/6d was impossible to achieve when taking necessary profit

▲ No 251 Hillman Imp. Photo: Vectis.

▲ No 608 Shell and BP Service Station. Photo: Vectis.

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

▼

were much ‘loved’ so it’s fairly hard to find a mint example now. But August wasn’t done yet and there were two other great releases that month too. No 310 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray appeared in three eye-catching colours – Metallic Red, Polychromatic Silver or Bronze and if the car’s exquisite styling wasn’t enough, this was Corgi’s first model to feature retractable headlights and it was also fitted with a new suspension design with the axles reacting with springy plastic leaves instead of sprung wires. Rounding out the month, two existing models were combined to make another exciting gift set. June’s No 1131 Carrimore Detachable Axle Machinery Carrier was paired with May’s No 1128 Priestman “Cub” Shovel to make Gift Set 27 and I’m sure plenty were put to good use that summer around the beaches of the British Isles, delivering the attractive digger onto many an improvised sand-based construction site for the relocation of tons of the grainy stuff. Having gone for a big summer flourish, Corgi was a little quiet on the new releases front for a bit, in fact there were none in September at all and October only produced one, but it was a beauty. No 252 Rover 2000 came in either one of two shades of metallic blue (light or dark) or Polychromatic Maroon. Interestingly though, it was fitted with the Trans-O-Lite system, piping light to the headlamps from the rear window this time. November would bring us only one new release

Vintage Corgi 1

1 No 240 Fiat Jolly. Photo: Vectis. 2 No 241 Ghia 6.4L. Photo: Vectis. 3 No 465 Commer Pick-Up Truck Photo: Vectis. 4 No 316 N.S.U Sport-Prinz. Photo: Vectis. CORGI TOYS 1963 JULY - DECEMBER RELEASES No

Title

Scale

Released

Withdrawn

Sales

240

Fiat Jolly

1/40

July

1964

205,000

241

Ghia L 6.4

1/48

November

1969

1,753,000

251

Hillman Imp

1/43

December

1966

593,000

252

Rover 2000

1/46

October

1966

384,000

310

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

1/46

August

1967

1,189,000

316

N.S.U. Sport Prinz

1/40

December

1966

345,000

465

Commer Pick Up Truck

1/45

July

1966

217,000

GS24

Commer Constructor Set

1/45

August

1968

345,000

GS27

Machinery Carrier and Priestman Cub Shovel

August

1972

263,000*

Source: The Great Book of Corgi 1956-1983*

+ 1969 sales (figures lost in fire)

CORGI TOYS 1963 JULY - DECEMBER PRODUCTION COLOURS No

Title

Colours produced

240

Fiat Jolly

Blue with silver and red roof

241

Ghia L 6.4

Metallic blue, metallic gold or metallic green

251

Hillman Imp

Metallic blue or metallic bronze

252

Rover 2000

Metallic blue or polychromatic maroon

310

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

Polychromatic maroon or metallic red

316

N.S.U. Sport Prinz

Metallic red

465

Commer Pick Up Truck

Red main body with yellow rear upper

GS24

Commer Constructor Set

Various as per constituent vehicles

GS27

Machinery Carrier and Priestman Cub Shovel

As per constituent vehicles

Source: The Great Book of Corgi 1956-1983

42 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

margins into account. Corgi’s final new release of the year was the No 251 Hillman Imp, in either a gorgeous deep blue or a flashy metallic bronze. The car’s fabulously quirky design was well replicated and the Corgi version even featured the real car’s opening rear window, to allow access to a suitcase (which also opened) and folding rear seats. The year had also proven to be a busy one in terms of accessories released. In addition to those mentioned in the first-half instalment last time, Corgi added yet more items to its Corgi Kits range: No 608 Shell/BP Service Station, No 609 Shell/BP Forecourt Accessories and No 610 Metropolitan Police Box and Public Telephone Kiosk all added some interesting scenarios. Two amazing gift sets were also introduced that combined several of the existing kits into impressive sets. Only 8,000 were produced of each and, if found in unmade condition today with good boxes, fetch a very handsome price indeed. Gift Set 25 ,Shell and BP Garage Layout, comprised No 601 Leofric Batley Garage (x3), No 602 AA & RAC Boxes, No 606 Lamp Standard Set (x2), Nos 608 and 609 mentioned above, and three cars. Gift Set 15, Silverstone Racing Layout, included No 602 AA & RAC Boxes, No 603 Silverstone Pits, No 604 Silverstone Press Box, No 605 Silverstone Club House and Timekeeper’s Box, seven cars and three figure packs – No 1501 Racing Drivers, No 1502 Spectators and No 1503 Race Track Officials. Moving onto 1964 next time, it was the year that was to see the launch of the Corgi Classics brand and there was plenty of new tooling in the main range too. It was also the year that yours truly came into being, so rather a ‘classic’ year then, I’d say! DC

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Commercial vehicles DA59 AEC Mercury artic low loader 'Hine Bros.' (circa 1956-1966) . . . .£8

Oxford Diecast - Commercial vehicles DA87 D Series Bulk Tipper - 'Hoveringham' (Circa 1973 - 1983) £8.99

N6208B Scania Metropolitan double deck bus - "Charles OM46515A Wright Eclipse Gemini 2, Brighton & Cook, Cambridgeshire" (RRP £31) . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . . £5 Hove, Brighton Pride, Route 21, Brighton NEW . . . . . .£33 OM46515B Wright Eclipse Gemini 2, Brighton & Hove, Brighton Pride, Route 29, Tunbridge Wells NEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £33 OM46512B Wright Eclipse Gemini 2, Brighton & Hove, White Hawk 1A . . £33

Corgi "Trackside" (inc Lledo Diecast Vehicles) - Commercial vehicles

NFDE008 Ford 400E Van Southdown NEW . . . . . . . . £4.50

EFE - Buses

DA69 Karrier Bantam flatbed coal & coke load "S.B.Tawn & Son Solid Fuels" (circa 1964-1974) . . . . . . . . . . . . . £9.99

NFT006 Ford Transit LWB High in white . . . . . . . . . . £4.50 DG146018 GUY Pantechnicon - Freeborn's Removals (RRP £8.99) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . . £4 24327 30' BET Dual Purpose "North Western" (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . £7.50 DB01 Leyland FG flatbed "Co-Operative Fuels" - coal and coke loads. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £10.50

NSHL03TK Scania Highline tanker - "Eddie Stobart" . .£12

Military ground vehicles DG206000.(D) Scammell Townsman box trailer "Rail Freight" (RRP £12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . £3.50 35307EFE 36' BET 6 bay bus "East Kent" . . . . . . . . . . .£22 L16 Pack of two Forklift trucks - British Rail . . . . . . . . . . £8

Corgi Collectables - Buses OM40821B Bristol Lodekka "Wilts and Dorset" - Route 38A "Bournemouth, Limited Stop" NEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£33

NCHT002 Churchill Tank 1st Canadian Army Brg. Dieppe 1942 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£6

HO Gauge (1:87 Scale)

L15 Pack of two Forklift trucks - British Railways . . . . . £8

Oxford Diecast - Cars

Britbus - Buses

35207EFE 36' BET 6 bay single lamp "Stratford Blue". (RRP £28). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . .£9 35304EFE 36' BET 6 Bay Twin Lamps Bus "Isle of Man Road Services" (RRP £27.50) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BARGAIN . . . . . . £9

OM40821A Bristol Lodekka "Wilts and Dorset" - Route 38A "Salisbury, Limited Stop" NEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £33

35701 36' BET RC Class 4 bay coach "Greenline" 705 service (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . £7.50 87SET001 3 Piece Set Chevrolet Hot Rods NEW. . . . . .£15 R901 London "WestLink" Volvo Olympian d/deck bus in red/grey (RRP £36) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . . £9 Public Service vehicles 87BC55003 Buick Century 1955 - "California Highway Patrol" . . . . . . . £5

OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)

99201 AEC Regal 10T10 s/deck bus "U.S. Army Red Cross" (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BARGAIN . . . . . . £8

OM42521B Dennis Trident East Lancs "Preston Bus, 8 Moor Nook" (RRP £36.99) . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . £26

Airfix - Military ground vehicles

24321 AEC Reliance/BET 1950's s/deck bus "Jones of Aberbeeg" (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . .£8

A01314V AEC Matador and 5.5 inch gun - Airfix Classics range - plastic R804BRI Scania 113 Alexander d/deck bus 30601 AEC Renown (595 LCG Route 8/9) d/deck modern bus "King kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £5.50 Alfred". (RRP £19.95). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BARGAIN . . . . . . £8 "Borehamwood Travel Service" (RRP £33)BARGAIN . . . £6 OM43917A Guy Utility Bus, Burton Corporation, 6 A01309V Bren gun carrier & 6 pdr anti-tank gun - Airfix Classics range plastic kit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £5.50 N6404 Scania Metropolitan d/deck bus "Newport Corporation" (RRP £33) Anglesey Rd via Station & Uxbridge St.. . . . . . . . . . . . . £33 A01315V WW1 Mk1 Male tank - Airfix Classics range - plastic kit. . . £5.50 BARGAIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £9.50 OM43917B Guy Utility Bus, Burton Corporation, 6 Calais Rd via Station & Belvedere Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£33

Bachmann Branchline - Boats and Ships - civil N6204 Scania Metropolitan d/deck bus "Whippet Coaches" (RRP £33). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . . £6 OM46618B New Routemaster - Stagecoach London, 15 Trafalgar Square (RRP £38.99) . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . £29

34112 AEC RT Bus 'London Transport' (RRP £34.95) BARGAIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£26

44-557 Small fishing boat (RRP £54.95)BARGAIN. . . . .£27

Base Toys - Buses

24322 BET Leyland Tiger Cub 1950's s/deck bus "Stratford Blue" (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . .£8 N6209 Scania Metropolitan double deck bus "G & G of 13918 Bristol FLF Lodekka - Stagecoach East - 128 to Cambridge OM46619B New Routemaster, Go Ahead London, 88 Leamington" (RRP £31) . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . . £5 Clapham Common . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £34 (RRP £29.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BARGAIN . . . . . £12 OM46313A Routemaster, London & Country, Route 406, Epsom. . . . .£33

B117B Bristol Lodekka LD6G "Southern Vectis - Ryde 25006 Bristol RE flat front "Devon General" . . . . . . £25.45 29412 Bristol RELH D/P coach "Bristol Omnibus NBC" (RRP £24.95) Esplanade" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£21 N6106 Scania Metropolitan double deck bus "Trathens, B205A Bristol MW5G - Ribble (Tilling Red) (334) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £17 London" (RRP £31). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . . £5 CC42418 The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour Bus NEW. . £21.50 BARGAIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £10

£4 P&P for 2 or more items

UK P&P £2

£7 P&P Next Day (Orders before 2pm)

37201 Foden S24 8W Oval Tanker "Miers Transport Ltd" (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . £9.50 32802 Trader short bulk tipper lorry "London Transport" (RRP £19.95) BARGAIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £10

Underground vehicles

36001 Leyland RTL d/deck bus "Chieftain" (RRP £19.95) 22605 AEC Ergo Flatbed "Western BRS" (RRP £19.95) 26503 Bristol utility 1940's d/deck bus "Provincial" BARGAIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £6 BARGAIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £8 (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . £8.50 80602 1959 Tube Stock motor trailer car - London Underground "Northern Line". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£17

Forward Models - Buses 28817 Leyland Titan 2 door d/deck bus "London 37601 AEC Ergomatic 2 axle flatbed "Alan Firmin" Northern". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £19 (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . . £8 28807 Leyland Titan d/doors d/deck bus "Cambridgeshire Constabulary" . . £8

37602 AEC Ergomatic 2 axle flatbed "London Brick Co. - Phorpres" 18610 Bristol VR3 open top "New Forest Tour" 27309 Leyland Titan TD1 1930's d/deck bus enclosed stairs "Samuel (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . .£8 Ledgard". (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BARGAIN . . . . . . .£8 (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BARGAIN . . . . £9.50

GDM-20 Daimler CVG6K "Manchester Corporation Transport" 95 East Didbury Crawfords Crackers / Heinz Ketchup adverts (NNB 284) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£49 35001 AEC Mandator Artic Flatbed "British Road 27202A Leyland Titan TD1 early 1930's d/deck bus open Services" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £16 38122 Bristol VRT 'Solent Blueline' (RRP £29.95) BARGAIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£13 staircase "Birkenhead Corporation" (RRP £19.95)BARGAIN. . £8

Northcord Model Company - Buses

38801 AEC MkIII 3-axle Dropside "B.R.S Derbyshire 24814 Mercedes Minibus "First Eastern Counties" Group" (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . £10 38119 Bristol VRT BR Engineering Training Bus (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . . £9 (RRP £37.50) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . .£27 UK6506 ADL Enviro400 MMC - "First Bristol" . . . . . . . .£48

34601 AEC MkIII artic box van "Monks Transport" 26610 Plaxton Paramount 3500 coach "East Yorkshire" (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . . £8 (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . . £8 UK6501 ADL Enviro400 MMC - "Go Ahead London" 16220 Bristol/ECW MW coach "Bristol Omnibus" (RRP £55.99) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . .£44 (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . .£8 18014EFE Daimler MCW Fleetline "Greater Manchester Transport" (RRP £32.50) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BARGAIN . . . . . . £9 26409 Daimler Utility Bus "Lytham St. Annes" (RRP £19.95)BARGAIN £8 26207 Guy Arab 1 Utility Bus "Bristol Tramways" (RRP £19.95)BARGAIN .£8 26311 Guy Arab 2 utility 1940's d/deck bus "Cardiff Corporation" (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BARGAIN . . . . £8.50

34802 AEC MkV Mandator Flatbed "Whitbread" 26704 Plaxton Paramount 3500 s/deck coach "National (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . £9.50 Express Rapide" (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . £11 21605 Albion Ergo 2 axle Flatbed 'Harris & Miners' (RRP £19.95) UK6502 ADL Enviro400 MMC - "National Express West BARGAIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£8 Midlands" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£48

30510 Guy GS Special "London Country". (RRP £19.95) BARGAIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £9.50

Oxford Diecast - Buses 31801 RMA Airport Routemaster d/deck coach "London Transport" (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . £7.50 34501 Bedford TK bulk Tipper "Thomas Carey" (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . . £9

76BI001 Beadle Integral East Kent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £15.50

30511 Guy GS Special "Stevensons" (RRP £19.95) BARGAIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£8 16536 Leyland MCW Atlantean "Hants & Dorset NBC" (RRP £24.95) BARGAIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £8.50

31706 RMC Routemaster bus "Green Line Route 720" £22

23605 Bedford TK Luton van "Woodlands Transport Tunbridge Wells" (RRP £19.95). . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . . £8

76BI002 Beadle Integral Maidstone & District . . . . . £15.50

17223 Leyland National "Maidstone & District NBC" (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . .£9 31702 RMC Routemaster coach "London Country NBC" (RRP £24.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . £9.50 29803 Wright Dennis Lance s/deck low floor bus "Badgerline" to Bus Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£8

22914 Bedford TK short Boxvan - BR Rail Express Parcels (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . . £9

Commercial vehicles 76MW6001 Bristol MW6G Royal Blue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£16

99647 Leyland National Mk2 Long & Trailer "British Railways Sealink" (operated by Western National) (RRP £24.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . £9.50 17705 Leyland National Mk2 long s/deck "Cumberland NBC" (RRP £24.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BARGAIN . . . . . £11 14606 Leyland National MkI short coach "Chiltern Bus" (RRP £24.95) BARGAIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £9.50

34502 Bedford TK short bulk tipper "Marstons Bricks" (RRP £19.95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . . £8 23102 AEC Ergo 4 axle Flatbed 'McPhee's' (RRP £19.95) 35501 ERF KV 4-axle flatbed "Chain bridge Honey Co" (RRP £19.95) BARGAIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £9 BARGAIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£9 76COM008CC Commer Commando Coca Cola . . . . . . £14

All items in stock when advert created. Prices valid until 31/12/18 . Errors excepted.

76JAG2001 Jaguar MkII in Regency red. . . . . . . . . . . £4.50 76MA002 Mercedes Sprinter 515 CDi Modern 76LAN188009 Land Rover 88" Canvas in bronze green . . . . . . . . . . £4.50 Ambulance - London . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £8.50

76SDV002 Rover SD1 3500 Vitesse Metropolitan Police . . . . . . . . . £4.50

Commercial vehicles 76TIP001 AEC Ergomatic 6-Wheel Tipper "Hoveringham" . . . . . . . . . £11

76DR005 Duple Roadmaster Ribble . . . . . . . . . . . . . £14.50

76ACF003 Austin Cambridge A60 Farina Maroon B Snowberry White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £4.50

76MMC006 Morris Minor Convertible Maroon B/Tan NEW. £4.50 76ATKL002 Atkinson 8 Wheel Flatbed 'Chivers' . . . £11.50

76IR6005 Irizar i6 - Guideline / Official England Football Team Coach - Collector's Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£19 76ASS002 Austin Seven RN Saloon Light Royal Blue . .£4.50

76MMT008 Morris Minor Traveller in Almond green . £4.50 76ATKL004 Atkinson Cattle Truck - "J Haydon and Sons" . .£13

76IR6004 Irizar i6 Galleon Travel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£20 76ASS001 Austin Seven Saloon RN in Fawn. . . . . . . £4.50 76MO007 Morris Oxford III Sage Green/Twilight Grey 76CA030 Bedford CA Ice Cream Hockings . . . . . . . . £5.50 NEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £4.50 76BED002 Bedford J1 Lomas Birmingham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £5

76PD2005 Leyland PD2/12 Edinburgh . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£17

76SOM001 Austin Somerset Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £5 76BD021 Bedford OWLC Tanker Petroleum Board. . . .£11 76SFT005 Standard Flying Twelve Pastel Green NEW . . . . £4.50

76LRT008 Leyland Royal Tiger Standerwick . . . . . . £14.50 76PD2001 Leyland Titan PD2/12 Maidstone & District . . . . . . . . . . . . £18

76SOM002 Austin Somerset Buckingham Green . . . . . . £5 76J4002 BMC J4 Van British Rail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £5.50 76SR007 Sunbeam Rapier MkIII Light Green Metallic/ Embassy Black NEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £4.50 76PAN007 Plaxton Panorama - Ribble . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£16

76IS001 BMW Isetta signal red . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £5 76IS002 BMW Isetta RAC NEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £4.50 76CRE010 Vauxhall Cresta Moonlight Blue/Bermuda Blue £4.50 76PAN008 Plaxton Panorama A. Timpson & Sons Ltd NEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£16

Public Service vehicles

76SB002 Saro Bus - Maidstone and District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £16

76105007 Ford Anglia in light blue/Ermine white . . . £4.50

76TCAB004CC Coca Cola T Cab Box Trailer . . . . . . . . .£19 76DAF03REC DAF 105 "Hough Green Recovery" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £17

76SET31 6 Piece London Fire Brigade 150th Anniv. WLG/ TLM/Regent/F8/F106/AEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £65

76SB003 Saro Bus London Greenline NEW. . . . . . . . . .£16 76IRZ001 Scania Irizar PB Eireann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £17 76IRZ003 Scania Irizar PB Ulsterbus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £17

76CAP008 Ford Capri Mk3 Signal Orange . . . . . . . . . £4.50 76D28001 DAF 2800 40ft Curtainside Robsons . . . . . . .£19

76REG001 AEC Regent III/Merryweather Fire Engine "London Fire Brigade". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £12

76IRZ005 Scania Irizar PB White. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£17 76FCC001 Ford Consul Capri Lime Green/Ermine White£5

76WFA007 Weymann Fanfare North Western . . . . . £14.50

76D28002 DAF 2800 tipper Alfred Hymas . . . . . . . . £19.50

76FTC001 Ford Transit Connect Royal Mail . . . . . . . £4.50

Cars

76MFE001 MAN Pump Ladder fire engine "Avon Fire & Rescue". . . . .£11

76COR3009 Ford Cortina MkIII Sunset . . . . . . . . . . . . £4.50

76SET53 5 Piece Triumph Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £24.50 76AUS005 Austin 1300 Teal Blue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £4.50 76AA001 Austin A40 Farina MkII "Agate Red/Black" . . . . . . . . . . . £4.50

76DAF001 DAF 85 40ft Box Trailer Royal Mail. . . . . £19.50

76MA006 Mercedes Ambulance East Midlands 76HE002 Heinkel Kabine Spartan Red . . . . . . . . . . . . £4.50 Ambulance Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £8.50 76DAF004 DAF 85 Short Fridge Trailer Trevor Pye £19.50

UK P&P only £2

@hattonsmodels and

/hattonsmodelrailways Military ground vehicles

25,000 76VOL4007 Volvo FH4 (G) Nooteboom Semi Low Loader Cadzow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £21 76BD023 Bedford OYD 15th Scottish Infantry Div UK 1943 . .£11

OR76ROR003 Land Rover Defender 110 posable rail 76DXF002 DAF XF Euro 6 curtainside - "Wreford's wheels - "British Rail" - non-motorised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £5 76QLR003 Bedford QLR 8 Corps HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£12 Transport" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £21.50 76VOL4004 Volvo FH4 (G) Tipper Wains Transport . . . £19

Farming and construction

OR76ROR002 Land Rover Defender 110 posable rail wheels - "Network Rail" - non-motorised. . . . . . . . . . . . . £5 76DXF003 DAF XF William Armstrong Houghton Parkhouse livestock trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£22

76CHT004 Churchill Tank 6th Guards Brigade 1943. . .£11 76SET36 3 Piece Farm Trailers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £14 76SET12 Baler, Livestock Trailer & Farm Trailer tripleset . . . . . . . . . . .£14

76CMP008 CMP LAA Tractor 1st Canadian Div. . . . . £8.50

76LO001 Leyland Octopus trailer - "Tesco" . . . . . . . . . £13

76DT001 Diamond T980 Tank Transporter TRC Western Desert 1942 GHQ Cairo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £21.50

76SCT005 Eddie Stobart Car Transporter - Christina Frances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£27 76CHV001 Combine Harvester - Red . . . . . . . . . . . . £13.50

76LW001 Living Wagon Maroon/Red . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £10 76WOT001 Ford WOT1 Crash Tender Mickey Mouse (Scampton) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £12.50 76FCG005 Ford Cargo Box Van Parcelforce . . . . . . . . .£11 76TEA001 Ferguson TEA 20 Tractor in grey . . . . . . . . . . £4

76MB004 Mercedes Actros SSC D-TEC Combitrailer/ Container John Mitchell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £21.50 76MJ004 Morris J Van "Royal Mail" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £4.50

76LRL003 Land Rover 1/2 Ton Lightweight RAF - Red Arrows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£5

76FCG004 Ford Cargo Box Van Royal Mail . . . . . . . . . .£11 76FMT001 Field Marshall Tractor in Marshall green . £4.50

76J4001 Morris J4 van - "Royal Mail". . . . . . . . . . . . . £5.50 76TPU001 Ford Transit Dropside - Stobart Rail . . . . . .£10

76SH006 Scammell Highwayman Low Loader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £11.50 76RAB006 Scammell Scarab Flat "British Railways". . . . . . . . . . . . . £8.50

76LRFCA002 Land Rover FC Ambulance Nato Green . .£8.50 76TRAC001 Fordson tractor in blue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £4

76S94004CC Scania 94D 6 wheel curtainside - "Coca 76TPU002 Ford Transit Dropside Network Rail . . . . . . .£10 Cola" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £14

76LRFCG003 Land Rover FC GS NEW . . . . . . . . . . . . £8.50 76JCX001 JCB 3CX - 1980s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £17

76SCL001 Scania Crane Lorry 'D R Macleod' . . . . . . . . £16 76FT026 Ford Transit LWB High - Police Network Rail Speed Camera. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£5

76FT033 Ford Transit Mk5 AA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£5

76LRFCS002 Land Rover FC Signals Nato Green. . . £8.50 763CX001 JCB 3CX Eco Backhoe Loader JCB . . . . £19.50

76SHL03TK Scania Highline Petrol Tanker "Eddie Stobart" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £19

76LRFCS001 Land Rover FC Signals Nato Green Camouflage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £8.50 76JS001 JCB JS220 Tracked Excavator JCB . . . . . . . . £20

76VOL01ST Volvo FH3 3 Axle Nooteboom Semi Low 76LRL004 Land Rover Lightweight Berlin Scheme. . . . .£5 76FT005 Ford Transit van high top LWB "Network Rail" . .£4.50 Loader - Eddie Stobart. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £19.50 76ML1001 JCB Major Loader Mk1 Excavator JCB . . . . £20

76SET25 Military 3 piece set - Italy 1943. Matador, Tilly & MWD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£17 76KOM001 Komatsu PC340 standard (fully poseable) 76STOB020 Konecranes Reach Stacker - 'Eddie Stobart' £21.50 76VOL4005 Volvo FH4 (G) Flatbed Trailer P McKerral & 76KRS006 Konecranes Reach Stacker Maritime Transport . . . . . £21 Co Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £21 boom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £17 76SP004 Pioneer Artillery Tractor "Royal Artillery 1st Army" . . . . . . .£11

2 or more items £4 P&P

Next Day £7 P&P

10/09/12 AA28003 Messerschmitt Bf109E-4 , Fähnrich HansJoachim Marseille, ‘White 14’ 1940. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £42

CC14118 DAF XF Fridge Trailer "Blair International, Ballymena, County Antrim". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£73

AA33617 Panavia Tornado GR4 ZA461 15XV R Squadron AA28101 Curtiss P-40B Warhawk, 160/15P, 2nd Lt. G. Centenary Scheme 2015 (RRP £76.99) BARGAIN. . . . . £55 76SP005 Pioneer Recovery Tractor "RAF Blue Scammell" . .£11 Welch, 47th PS, 15th PG, USAAF, Pearl Harbor - NEW TOOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £37 CC99203 Edward Stobart 1954-2011 Commemorative Set (Scania 4 Series Curtainside and Scania 111 Tractor Unit) (RRP £124.99) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . .£83

AA38808 Do17Z-10 R4+LK I/NJG 2 Gilze - Rijen October 76SM001 Sherman Mk3 Tank - 10th Armoured division, 1940 NEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £69 1942 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£11

AA27502 Short Sunderland Mk.III, ML788/2-S, No.422 Squadron RCAF, Pembroke Dock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £108

CC15812 Mercedes-Benz Actros (MP4), Curtainside Trailer, McGawn Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£73

76SM002 Sherman Mk3 Tank - Royal Scots Greys, Italy 1943 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£11

AA38807 Dornier Do17Z-2 U5 + BH 1./KG 2 'Holzhammer' Tatoi Greece May 1941 'Operation Marita' . . . . . . . . . . . £69

AA38209 Douglas C47A Skytrain Berlin Airlift (RRP £119.99) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . £92

AA27503 Short Sunderland MkIII W3999 RB-Y 10 Squadron RAAF, Mount Batten Early 1942 . . . . . . . . . £130

CC13746 Scania R (Rear Tag) Moving Floor Trailer "Williams Transport, Huntingdon" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £66

AA39213 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IIa P7823 / TM-F ‘Down Belfast Telegraph Spitfire Fund’ - 100 Years of the RAF . £42 CC13739 Scania R Curtainside "C. J. Haynes & Son Ltd Milton Keynes" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£72

76VW031 Volkswagen VW van RAF Police . . . . . . . . . . .£5

AA33618 Tornado GR4 ZA459 15 Squadron Op. Ellamy AA38208 Douglas Dakota C-47, 'Kwicherbichen', BBMF £102 100 Years of the RAF (RRP £79.99). . . .BARGAIN. . . . . £56

CC13749 Scania R Curtainside Trailer "Eddie Stobart, Ireland" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£73

76WMB003 Willys MB US Army NEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£5

Pocketbond "Classix" - Cars EM76822 Morris Minor convertible - blue (RRP £4) BARGAIN . . . . . . £3

AA36409 Eurofighter Typhoon T3 ZK380 II(AC) Squadron AA39105 Westland Whirlwind XA868 Falkland Islands/ - 100 Years of the RAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £59 HMS Protector 1963 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £52

Commercial vehicles

CC13752 Scania R Moving Floor Trailer "Motward Timber Recycling Ltd, Huntingdon" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£68

Oxford Diecast - Aircraft - military AA36013 Hawk XX246 / 95-Y 100 Squadron - 100 Years of the RAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £42 EM76507 Jen-Tug & Parcels Van Trailer "BRS Parcel Services" (RRP £8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . .£4

CC13777 Scania R, Curtainside Trailer, Lucey Transport AC087 Spitfire X4590 Hendon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £13 Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£73

EM76615 Morris J Van "Telephone Engineer" (RRP £4)BARGAIN . £2.50

1:50 Scale

AA27304 Hawker Fury K2065 1 Squadron RAF Tangmere 'C' Flight Ldr's Aircraft - 100 Years of the RAF . . . . . . . £42

Cararama - Commercial vehicles EM76630 Morris Minor Van "British Railways" (RRP £4) BARGAIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £2.50

CC13778 Scania R, Feldbinder Tanker, A & R Burnett £73 AA27607 Hawker Hurricane Mk.I, V6799 McKenzie, 501 Sqn, Gravesend 1940 - 100 Years of the RAF . . . . . . . . £42

CR026 Scania cab - plain white (no or operator). . . . . . £10

EM76649 Morris Minor Van "Royal Mail" (RRP £4.25) AA27606 Hawker Hurricane MkI YB-J, ‘Winged Popeye’ P.O BARGAIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£3 Leonard Walter Stevens No.17 Sqn, Debden , 1940 . . . . . £43

1:72 Scale

CC13779 Scania R, H.E. Payne, cab only. . . . . . . . . . . .£47

AA27602 Hawker Hurricane MkI, P3120, 303 Polish Squadron, Flying Officer Z K Henneberg, Northolt, September 1940 (RRP £39.99) BARGAIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£32

CR027 Scania trailer in white . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £11

Corgi Collectables - Aircraft - military AA34214 Chinook 27 Squadron ZA683 2016 - 100 Years of the RAF £64

Corgi Collectables - Commercial AA35415 Jaguar T.4 XX838 No16 (R) Squadron Coltishall - 100 Years of the RAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £52

AA34018 Consolidated B24H Liberator 'Male Call' 453rd Bombardment Group 8th AF 1944 - Jimmy Stewart . .£109 AA28104 Curtiss Hawk 81-A-2 P-8127 , Robert 'R. T.' Smith, 3rd Sqn Kunming, China, June 1942 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £43

vehicles

CC15602 Volvo F89 Fridge Trailer "Grangewood Transport, London" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£61

CC16003 Volvo FH, Curtainside Trailer, V.G. Mathers, AA28004 Messerschmitt Bf109E-4 'Yellow 1' 9./JG 26, CC14122 DAF 105, Fridge Trailer, FreshLinc, RAF Caffiers, France, August 1940. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £43 Holbeach Livery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £73 Inverurie, Scotland, new tool. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£68

UK P&P only £2

@hattonsmodels and

/hattonsmodelrailways

Prices valid until 31/12/18

43RUB002 Austin Ruby Saloon dark blue . . . . . . . . . . . £16 43RRC002 Rolls Royce Corniche Conv. (Closed) Persian Sand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£21 43RSC002 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud I black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £21.50

CC16007 Volvo FH, Maxwell Freight ‘Liberator’ cab only, VA12611 Ford Escort Mk2 1.6 Harrier, Strato Silver new tool. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£45 (RRP £27.99) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . . £21 43RUB003 Austin Ruby Saloon Dark Green . . . . . . . . . £15 43RSC001 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud I Sand/Sable . . . .£21

VA12510 Ford Fiesta Mk1 Supersport, Sunburst Red . £24 CC16005 Volvo FH, Step-Frame Trailer, Anderson new 43RUB001 Austin Ruby Saloon Maroon. . . . . . . . . . . . . £15 tool. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£68 43ASS004 Austin Seven RN Saloon Westminster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£13

1:48 Scale

43EMP003 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud/Hooper Empress Black/Silver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£21

Corgi Collectables - Aircraft - military VA12204 Ford Sierra XR4i Press Car (RRP £27.99) BARGAIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £21 43JAGVII005 Jaguar MK VII - Twilight blue . . . . . . . . . . £17 43RSD002 Rolls Royce Silver Dawn two tone grey. £21.50 43RSD001 Rolls Royce Silver Dawn/Std Steel Maroon/Black . . . . . . . £21

Commercial vehicles AA28401 English Electric Lightning F6 XR728/JS , RAF Binbrook, as preserved (RRP £131.99) BARGAIN. . . . .£95 VA10208 Leyland Princess 2200 HL, Sandglow . . . . . . £24 43JAG9004 Jaguar MkIX Black/Imperial Maroon. . . . . . £19

43AT004 Austin Low Loader Taxi in burgundy . . . . . . .£16 AA37708 SE5a F-904 Major C E M Pickthorn (MC) RAF No.84 Squadron France November 1918 - 100 Years of RAF (RRP £59.99) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . .£44

43LR2S003 Land Rover Series II SWB Hard Back Post Office Telephones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £14

VA05810 Morris Minor 1000 - Turquoise . . . . . . . . . . . . £24 43JAG5003 Jaguar MkV Closed Dark Blue/Tan NEW . . £21

VA07006 Sunbeam Alpine Green XRW302. . . . . . . . . . . £25

43TX5001 London TX5 Taxi black. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £10.50

Military ground vehicles AA38109 Sopwith F.1 Camel, No.3 Squadron RNAS, Lloyd S Breadner, Bray Dunes Aerodrome 1918 NEW £47

43JAG5002 Jaguar MkV DHC Closed British Racing Green .£21

O Gauge (1:43 Scale) VA06713 Triumph Spitfire - Mk3 Saffron . . . . . . . . . . . . £24

Corgi Collectables - Cars 43LAN188021 Land Rover Series I 88" Hard Top RAF 43JAG5001 Jaguar MkV DHC Open Opalescent Silver £21 NEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£11

Any or Multiple Scales

VA10111 Triumph Stag Mk2 - British Racing Green NEW £24

Corgi Collectables - Aircraft - military

VA06519 Corgi 60th - Rover P6 3500 VIP, Brasilia . . . .£13 43JI006 Jensen Interceptor Mk2 in Silver Grey . . . . . . . £16

VA10509 Triumph TR7 FHC - Triton Green . . . . . . . . . . £24

VA10818 Ford Capri Mk3 3.0S - Arizona Bronze (RRP £27.99) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BARGAIN. . . . .£22

AA28402 English Electric Lightning F.6 XS927/N - RAF No.74 Squadron ‘The Tigers’, RAF Tengah, Singapore, 43MGZ008 MGZB Birch Grey/Twilight Grey. . . . . . . . . . £16 1969. NEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£109

Other Scale

VA08506 Wolseley 6, Rheingold Metallic . . . . . . . . . . . . £24

VA09523 Ford Escort Mk1 Mexico Sebring Red . . . . . .£24

Oxford Diecast

Oxford Diecast - Cars

Farming and construction 43R25003 Rolls Royce 25/30 - Thrupp & Maberley Black. £21

43AMDB2004 Aston Martin DB2 MkIII DHC Snow Shadow VA09524 Ford Escort Mk1 Twincam - Blue Mink NEW £24 Grey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £21 43R25002 Rolls Royce 25/30 - Thrupp & Maberley Green £21 SP140 Showmans Living Caravan . . . . . . . . . . . . .£12.50 43AMDB2001 Aston Martin DB2 Mklll saloon in British Racing Green .£21

2 or more items £4 P&P

Next Day £7 P&P

1/72 scaledistribution Military Diecast Wholesale Aviation models

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DIECAST . MODELS . HOBBIES . TOYS

Diecast Collector Awards

And the

AWARDS

2019

winner is? new models released during 2018 and the overall standard that we have seen has been incredibly high. The criteria for selection was very simple, it had to stand out and with good reason too. Plenty stood out that didn’t even make it to the final selection. Just being the most accurate rendition wasn’t sufficient – you

have to take into account value for money, desirability and originality. Somebody could make the greatest scale model ever but if its of a subject that has limited appeal or costs almost as much as the real thing, then its not going to make its way into many collections. Are you ready? Then we shall begin. DC

▼

WELCOME to our look back at the very best of the model releases that we've reviewed in Diecast Collector over the last twelve months. Shortlisting these finalists was a difficult task in itself but then to have to choose a winner in each category has been very difficult as there have been some remarkable

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

Diecast Collector Awards

❯❯ TV & FILM

To start of this year's Diecast Collector Model Awards, we have a new category. TV & Film has produced some absolute belters over the years and certain movie franchises have a huge appeal when it comes to memorabilia and collectables.

Then there are others that have a niche almost cult-like appeal but that doesn't make the models any less spectacular if they are well made. We also looked out for originality, something that hasn't been well covered in the past.

AUTO WORLD 1958 PLYMOUTH FURY "CHRISTINE" PRICE: £119.99 REF NO: AWSS119

www.amerang.co.uk Reviewed in Diecast Collector No 250 (August 2018), Auto World's 1958 Plymouth Fury from Christine features highly convincing rust-effect paintwork and dulled chromework, to make it look like a down-at-heel car - just like the hero car in the film in one of its many guises, which varied from looking like this (when it had just been bought by one of the lead characters) to absolutely pristine. The vast majority of rusty models look fairly unconvincing, but this one is very good. The paint effects for the flat, sunbleached paint, rust lines and even for the tarnished chromework are well done plus there are working headlights, powered by batteries under the car and the overall shape is good. These all helped us elevate it above the more frequently produced subjects.

1st place AWARDS 2019

ALSO

STARRING

■ AUTO WORLD 1959 Cadillac Ambulance "Ghostbusters" Ecto-1 PRICE: £119.99 REF: AWSS118 www.amerang.co.uk

www.amerang.co.uk

The subject of another extended review, this time in Diecast Collector No 253 (November 2018), Auto World's attention to detail enabled it to scoop a "Highly Commended" in this category to go with its overall winner. The most obvious extra is the rubberised Slimer ghost, but that wasn't a factor in our judging (fun though he is!). What we really like is all the opening features and the good level of detail both inside and out. Oh and the price too.

In a world of models where Batmobiles are plentiful, this is a very impressive replica for the money, and even features Robin in the passenger seat. Great details and the shape is spot on. Reviewed in Diecast Collector No 246 (April 2018), this particular release scored on so many points. At 1/24 scale, it's big enough to be a centrepiece of many a collection and it definitely won't break the bank. It features opening doors and some good detail too.

52 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

■ JADA 1966 "Batman" Batmobile with Batman PRICE: £24.99 REF: JA98259

1/18 SCALE & ABOVE We have again seen a steady supply of releases in these larger scales with an increasing number of 1/12 scale releases too. Whilst some collectors aren’t keen on them for a variety of reasons, the manufacturers are producing more, proving there is a demand.

❯❯

One advantage of them is the increase in potential for detail, but the costs and space constraints can negate this for some. We have seen some truly astonishing models, and some new brands to market too in fact one in particular came straight in at Number One!

DNA COLLECTIBLES Bond Bug 700ES PRICE: CHF 159.00 REF: DNA000003 www.dnacollectibles.com

AWARDS 2019

ALSO

STARRING

www.laudoracing-models.com

■ BEST OF SHOW 1971 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser - Gold PRICE: €119.95 REF: 222636 www.modelcarworld.de

Also receiving the Editor's Choice award in Diecast Collector No 248 (June 2018), the realism incorporated into this resincast is sensational. The alloy wheels are absolutely superb - the cooling vents and strengthening webs are very delicately cast into them, and the Dunlop branded racing tyres are wonderful. The engine's finned sump, complete with Abarth logo, is brilliantly replicated, as is the simple interior. A wonderful model of a superb, extreme racing machine. Bellissimo!

Like the other two models on this page, this stunning creation was also an Editor's Choice, in this case in Diecast Collector No 253 (November 2018). The first thing that strikes you is the choice of colour - a very subtle shade of gold, not garish at all and nicely understated. The classic seventies styling is outstandingly replicated and the chrome detailing is astonishing. The model looks incredibly realistic and thoroughly deserves its highly commended status.

■ LAUDO RACING 1964 Fiat Abarth OT 1600 PRICE: £85.00 REF: LM105B3

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

▼

1st place

For a new company to the market in 2018, DNA Collectibles has certainly made a huge impression with the passion and dedication of four friends shining through in its models. The choice to model the bodacious Bond Bug in 1/18 scale as only its third release was inspired and it easily got picked as our Editor's Choice in Diecast Collector No 254 (December 2018). The decals are sublime and the finish is absolutely spot on. Lovely little touches like the wording around the fuel cap and the roof opening catch really finish this off superbly, as do the rivets to the rear wheel flaps. The body shape is perfectly replicated and the stance looks totally correct. Although the canopy doesn't open (it's a resincast), it is still possible to view the interior and DNA has really gone to town on the detail here too. The seats look very realistic and the detail on the instruments is wonderful. We feel it's a real winner!

Diecast Collector Awards

❯❯ 1/43 SCALE

Just like last year's awards, this scale was probably the most difficult to choose from. In the UK, this is still the most prevalent scale and the number of new releases almost gave us a mountain to climb as there have been some stand out offerings.Value is a tricky one here, as there have been some really great inexpensive releases that

compromised detail for cost, yet still display well. But in the end, in order to truly stand out in this category, we decided in favour of a vehicle that literally stands out too. The fact that this has never been made in miniature before might have held some sway too. AutoCult's quality makes it worth every penny as well.

AUTOCULT Johnson Wax House Car PRICE: £111.99 REF NO: 9005 www.ayrey.co.uk In an extended review in Diecast Collector No 244 (February 2018) AutoCult continued to excite us with another of its fabulous models of misfits and one-offs that many of us haven't even heard of. We love this approach and the models are equally as appealing. The finish is always top notch and this is no exception to that rule. Perfect paintwork, beautifully crafted details and an amazing subject - always makes for a winning combination in our book.

1st place AWARDS 2019 ALSO

ALSO

STARRING

■ OXFORD DIECAST Austin 7 Ruby Saloon PRICE: £17.95 REF: 43RUB001 www.oxforddiecast.co.uk

PRICE: £42.99 REF: NEO 46330

Awarded the Editor's Choice in Diecast Collector No 245 (March 2018), Oxford Diecast's model of the Austin 7 Ruby saloon is a lovely little casting. It is very crisp and captures the shape, proportions and stance of the 1930s Ruby perfectly. Finished in this classic maroon with black wings and a red pin stripe, it truly looks the part. Its a solid and well built model. Factor in that this model is less than £20 to buy, this represents incredible value.

In Diecast Collector No 246 (April 2018) the super stylish Humber Super Snipe by Neo was the subject of an extended review and it's easy to see why we wanted to give it plenty of space. Neo's model is exquisite and it's hard to find fault. The metallic pewter colour is correct for the period and really suits the shape of this classy estate. The chromework is superb and the interior details are wonderful right down to the bar between the catches on the rear seat.

54 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

■ NEO Humber Super Snipe Estate www.ayrey.co.uk

SMALL WONDERS For the purpose of this category, we have grouped together all the small scale releases – eg 1/87, 1/76, N scale etc. There are always compromises when building models in such small scales and some vehicles are more successful than others. However, when you do find a model that is a genuinely outstanding example, it is

❯❯

massively satisfying as a result. For this category the consideration of ‘value’ was of less importance and most are fairly inexpensive to buy. In the end, it was no surprise that the winner came from a company that constantly astounds us with the quality and volume of its new tooling at the smaller end of the 'scale'.

OXFORD DIECAST JCB Major Loader MkI Excavator PRICE: £24.95 REF NO: 76ML1001 www.oxforddiecast.co.uk

AWARDS 2019

ALSO

STARRING

■ OXFORD DIECAST Burlingham Seagull - Wallace Arnold PRICE: £8.75 REF: NSEA001 www.oxforddiecast.co.uk

www.amerang.co.uk

Another Oxford Diecast (for which we make no apology) and considering this is the smallest award winner this year at just 1/148 scale, there is still an astonishing level of detail, particularly to the texture of the tiny seats inside. Reviewed in Diecast Collector No 246 (April 2018), this incredible little coach truly defies its size and exhibits a fabulous finish to its Wallace Arnold livery right down to the tiniest of crests that adorn each side.

Norev's model of the famous Mercedes-Benz Renntransporter comes with a lovely little model of the W196R Stromlinie. The subject of an extended review in Diecast Collector No 247 (May 2018), it's a winning combination in looks and display - and the level of detail for this small scale is very high. The paint is superb and the proportions are spot on. This is a bargain at just £14.99 and would easily grace any racing car enthusiast's collection.

■ NOREV Mercedes Renntransporter with W196R Stromlinie PRICE: £14.99 REF: NV311000

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

▼

1st place

This model was first seen in Diecast Collector No 243 (January 2018) as part of the upcoming Oxford Diecast preview day at John Ayrey's in Dorset, prior to its release in the early part of 2018.The market leader at 1/76 scale in terms of the amount of new tooling and value for money, it is easy to see why Oxford Diecast is as successful as it is. There must have been a staggering amount of tooling required to make this model, especially given its size as some of the details are tiny but still so well done.

Diecast Collector Awards

❯❯

AVIATION

Throughout 2018 we have seen some superb releases from the likes of Corgi, Oxford Diecast and Aviation 72, to name just a few. Most the new releases we have reviewed have been in the popular 1/72 scale and have varied from Cold War military subjects through to Great War biplanes, with a small number of passenger aircraft subjects.

The quality is still extremely high, with well researched liveries of actual aircraft and the stories behind the models well presented by their respective manufacturers. In the end, the top three came from the manufacturers mentioned earlier and the winner proved that if you get it right, it really is worth the investment in new tooling.

CORGI English Electric Lightning F.6 XR728/JS RAF Binbrook PRICE: £132.99 REF NO: AA28401 www.corgi.co.uk

1st place AWARDS 2019

Corgi's much-anticipated large scale new tooling of the incredible English Electric Lightning finally appeared in the pages of Diecast Collector No 248 (June 2018) as an extended review, which of course it just had to have given the amount of detail and excitement generated in the build up to its release. The model is superb - the detail in the casting is spot on and the shape, proportions and colours are just right. It can be displayed in flight, or if you fit the substantial optional undercarriage, it can be displayed, complete with the pilot's cockpit access ladder, at rest. The canopy can be displayed open or shut and it even comes with the intake and exhaust covers. The attention to detail is absolutely first rate. The wait was most definitely worth it.

ALSO

STARRING

■ OXFORD DIECAST Twin Beech - Bristol Airways G-BKGM PRICE: £34.95 REF: 72BE001 www.oxforddiecast.co.uk

PRICE: £79.99 REF: AV7254003

Another recipient of an extended review, in Diecast Collector No 252 (October 2018), Oxford Diecast's newly tooled Twin Beech is a fabulous recreation of a beautiful aircraft. The story behind this very aircraft is a most interesting one, but that's already been told in the relevant issue. The lines are very well captured and a couple of niggles with the size of the antenna and the pitot tube apart, it really is a splendid model and one that is most definitely worthy of being highly commended.

Reviewed in Diecast Collector No 250 (August 2018), Aviation 72's most recent release of its excellent Gloster Javelin casting, of an aircraft that is now preserved at the Norfolk and Suffolk Museum in Flixton, is absolutely fabulous. This delta-wing interceptor is very well modelled with a good level of detail and a very realistic finish all over, making it an easy pick for our shortlist. We particularly like the variety of payload and undercarriage options supplied.

56 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

■ AVIATION 72 Gloster Javelin FAW9 XH892 - Norfolk & Suffolk Museum www.clevelandsdiecast.co.uk

COMMERCIALS This category has a very broad scope, both in terms of scales (1/18 to N scale) and types of vehicles eligible. From HGVs to construction vehicles, via delivery vans, emergency vehicles and mechanical horses. If that wasn't hard enough, the cost factor gave us just as big a variation too, with examples at just a few pounds right up to

❯❯

several hundreds. We tried to bring a little common sense into play in the last area and you will see that all three are at the reasonable end of the price spectrum. Overall though, we had to go with some seriously intricate new tooling that was incredibly well executed and all for a bargain price too.

OXFORD DIECAST JCB JS220 Tracked Excavator PRICE: £23.95 REF NO: 76JS001 www.oxforddiecast.co.uk

1st place

Like the winner in the Small Wonders category (page 55), this model was first seen in Diecast Collector No 243 (January 2018) as part of the upcoming Oxford Diecast preview day at John Ayrey's in Dorset, prior to its release in the early part of 2018. It became immediately obvious that the level of detail and the intricacies of this new tooling were going to make it hard to beat, even this early on in the year. Couple that with an almost perfect finish and an incredible price for all of this and it should be easy to see why we chose it as our category winner.

AWARDS 2019

ALSO

STARRING

■ IXO Mercedes Sk 1844 with Tanker - Hoyer PRICE: £71.99 REF: TTR001 www.ayrey.co.uk

www.amerang.co.uk

Appearing in Diecast Collector No 249 (July 2018), Ixo's beautifully finished Mercedes tractor unit coupled to this rather pleasing tanker with its semi-polished appearance is rather eye-catching. So much so that it was right up there on everyone's list. At an impressive 1/43 scale, the model commands a big presence and at this scale the level of detail and finish is much easier to appreciate something this model makes it very easy to do.

Receiving an extended review in Diecast Collector No 246 (April 2018), Norev's superb 1/43 scale model is of the Mk1 Ford Transit shown it in its purest form. The painted 'FORD' badge across the extended grille, complete with the white painted lower section were deleted early on and this model sports chrome bumpers quarter bumpers at the rear with the spare wheel hung underneath. This is a delightful model that will enhance anyone's collection - its a true motoring icon.

■ NOREV 1965 Ford Transit Van PRICE: £44.99 REF: NV270521

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

Diecast Collector Awards

❯❯ BUSES & COACHES

Our final category covers all public service vehicles. One of the most popular categories in terms of number of releases over the last twelve months, helped by the resurrection of EFE by Bachmann, this was always going to be a tough one to call. The vast majority have been in the popular 1/76 scale but

that's not been exclusive, although that scale has locked out the whole podium in this case. In terms of prices, this category doesn't usually nudge the top end in that respect, although our ultimate winner does hang around a little higher than most - but just look at that quality and detail!

NORTHCORD MODEL COMPANY ADL Enviro400 Go Ahead London PRICE: £55.99 REF NO: NMC UK6501 www.ayrey.co.uk

1st place

Northcord Model Company announced the first release of its long awaited new tooling of this distinctive, modern double-decker in the early part of 2018. It was reviewed in Diecast Collector No 248 (June 2018) and the first thing that strikes you is the quality of the detail, with recessed destination boards, highly detailed interior (with no casting strengtheners visible) and a flawless finish with a perfectly applied standard Go Ahead London red livery. Its higher end price is totally justified and its a worthy winner.

AWARDS 2019

ALSO

STARRING

■ CORGI Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 - Harry Potter Studio Shuttle Bus PRICE: £39.49 REF: OM46513 www.corgi.co.uk

PRICE: £29.99 REF: E20458

Like the Northcord bus above, Corgi's striking Harry Potter Studio Shuttle bus was reviewed in Diecast Collector No 248 (June 2018), proving that if you wait long enough, two will always come along at once. Whilst Corgi's bus lack the extreme detail of the Northcord, it's much cheaper and the tampo printing nearly won the category for it (it was close!). An astonishing job of application here, one could almost call it magical!

It is so good to see the name EFE carrying on and the fruits of this newly improved casting under the watchful eye of parent company, Bachmann, were reviewed in the July 2018 issue of Diecast Collector (No 249).Sitting alongside Oxford Diecast at the cheaper end of the 1/76 bus and coach market doesnt mean either company scrimps on quality - far from it, as you can see from this delightful example in the striking and evocative colours of Leicester's Midland Fox.

58 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

■ EFE Bristol VR MkIII - Midland Fox www.bachmann.co.uk

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FRENCH DINKY VERSUS CIJ

Gallic Rivalry In the UK, Dinky and Corgi competed with each other; in France, there was a similar rivalry between CIJ and Dinky - but, as Andrew Ralston explains, there were important differences because of CIJ’s links with Renault. ▲ Since the 1930s CIJ had made ‘Les Jouets Renault’ in tinplate for the car company and new subjects were added post-war. On these Renault 4CVs the doors and bonnet are marked by stencilled lines – a typical CIJ touch. Photo: Bruce Sterling, USA

▲ In the 1950s CIJ and Dinky Toys dominated the French diecast market. Other makers such as JRD and Quiralu operated on a smaller scale and Solido, who made various constructional diecast vehicles, did not enter the market for Dinky-type cars until the launch of the 100 Series in 1957.

▲

uch has been written about the rivalry between Dinky and Corgi Toys. Battle commenced in 1956 when Mettoy launched the new Corgi range - ‘the ones with windows’ - and things became increasingly intense in the early 1960s when the two firms strove to outdo each other by adding all kinds of operating features and gimmicks to their models. Until then, Dinky largely had the British market to itself – and a good proportion of the world market, too. In France, however, a similar rivalry between two diecast ranges had emerged some years earlier. Before the British Dinky factory had to counter the Corgi threat, the French factory at Bobigny had already been fending off a rival in the form of The Compagnie Industrielle du Jouet, better known by the initials CIJ. This article looks at how this rivalry developed, who emerged as the winner, and how it took a different course from the competition between British Dinky and Corgi.

As CIJ made so many Renault vans, French Dinky turned instead to the Citroën H.

Whenever two manufacturers compete with a similar type of product, an element of overlap is inevitable. Thus, in the UK, there were numerous cars that found their way into both the Dinky and Corgi ranges: the Studebaker Golden Hawk, Jaguar E Type,Vanwall racing car, Jaguar Mark X, and so on. As far as French Dinky and CIJ were concerned, there was less duplication in the diecast ranges of the 1950s and an examination of the history of CIJ reveals that certain clear demarcation lines had already been laid down many years earlier. CIJ’s close links with the Renault car company determined not only the content of the CIJ range but that of the Dinky catalogue as well. To understand how these two diecast ranges of the fifties developed, we need to go back to the 1920s, to a small town called Briare in the Loiret region, about 90 miles south of Paris. Marcel Gourdet was a tinsmith to trade and he began to devise various mechanical toys which were marketed for him by Paris toy distributor Albert Migault. In the 1920s the pair had great success supplying tinplate models to Citroën but this contract came to an end when the motor manufacturer ran into financial difficulties. Now trading under the name Compagnie Industrielle du Jouet, the toy company secured a similar deal with Citroën's rival, Renault, and for the next three decades benefited from a close working relationship which gave them the right to make ‘Les Jouets Renault’. Production of equivalent toys for Citroën was subsequently continued by JRD. Prior to the second World War, many of the Jouets Renault took the form of large and highly-detailed tinplate models of cars such as the Nervasport

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

FRENCH DINKY VERSUS CIJ 1

▲ The Panhard cab could be regarded as Dinky’s equivalent to the CIJ Renault. This, too, was supplied with a covered trailer or tanker. Photo: Vectis

and Vivasport cabriolets in 1/10 scale, with some versions coming with folding hood, opening doors, driver and passenger figures and even a pet dog. There was also an extensive range of trucks with loads such as milk churns or sacks. One particularly impressive model was the mobile butcher’s shop, a type of vehicle often seen in French markets, with a fold down counter - and miniature cuts of meat to go on it. After the war, things changed dramatically at Renault. Co-founder Louis Renault was accused of collaborating with the Nazis and put in prison. He died while awaiting trial and the company was nationalised as the Régie Nationale des Usines Renault. Nevertheless, the connection with CIJ was maintained; the toys were soon back on sale and work started on new ones based on post-war Renaults, the most important of which was the revolutionary 4CV, the small rear-engined car that, along with the Citroën 2CV, made motoring accessible to the ordinary Frenchman. This was produced in tinplate, spray-painted and detailed in the characteristic CIJ manner using stencilling to represent door shut lines and bars on the grille. Clockwork powered and 18 cm in length, the 4CV came in numerous finishes, including a black and

62 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

▲ CIJ used the Renault Fainéant tractor unit for various articulated trucks. This covered trailer is of tinplate, harking back to CIJ’s earlier method of construction. Photo: Vectis

1 The Renault 4CV allowed many post-war French families to afford a car for the first time. The CIJ diecast version was guaranteed to be a best seller. 2 Production problems with this lithographed tinplate Dauphine meant that few examples were produced.This particular version is now extremely rare. 3 Renault 1000kg ‘Shell’. 4 The Dauphine was meant to be the 4CV’s replacement, though the two cars did in fact continue in production simultaneously for some years. The CIJ diecast came in taxi, police liveries, single and twotone colour schemes. 5 The Frégate was the largest car in the 1950s Renault range. Two completely different CIJ castings were made, this two-tone Grand Pavois version being the later. 6 This shooting break was based on the Frégate saloon and the attractive ‘woody’ finish is achieved by a complex process involving several stages of paint masking.

white police car and a very elaborately-decorated one in white, red and dark blue advertising ‘l’apéritif St.Raphaël’. Even so, tinplate toys of this kind were falling out of fashion and the way ahead for model cars lay in the form of diecasts. CIJ’s decision to enter the Dinky Toy sector of the market was therefore a significant one and, of course, the existing Renault link was a huge advantage in getting a foothold, especially as the first subject chosen was the 4CV which would be so many French children’s first experience of a family car. No wonder CIJ eventually sold 400,000 of them! Launched in 1949, the small diecast 4CV is 80 mm in length, making it approximately 1/45th scale, and there are a huge number of permutations to choose from if all the colour choices and wheel variations (solid metal, tyres with metal hubs and tyres with plastic hubs) are taken into account. Rarest of all is another drinks promotional in ‘Cinzano’ livery, with intricate blue and white stripes sprayed on the sides. A publicity ‘caravan’, or procession of advertising vehicles, followed the Tour de France cycle race, and the Cinzano 4CV was one of a number of free gifts that were simply thrown from these to children in the crowds lining the

▲ The Citroën ID 19 estate car: another model made by both CIJ and Dinky. Later versions of the CIJ did not have the cast-in roofrack. Photo: Vectis

▲ CIJ managed to get a Citroën Ami 6 onto the market before the Dinky version. Photo: Vectis

▲ Dinky Citroën estate had an opening rear door. Both CIJ and Dinky also offered the Citroën in the form of ambulances, the CIJ having a batteryoperated roof light. Photo: Vectis ▲

The majority of CIJ models were Renaults, but not all. This is the Panhard Dyna Z 54.

roadside. After the real 4CV received a facelift with a three rather than six bar front grille – for decoration only, of course, as the engine was at the back – the CIJ model was also updated. Other period Renaults followed: the larger Frégate saloon, the Manoir estate car, and the Prairie/Savane/ Colorale range, an unusual vehicle designed to appeal to colonial and rural customers and sometimes seen as a forerunner of today’s people carriers. Similarly, the vans and trucks in the CIJ range were almost exclusively Renaults. The small Dauphinoise and larger 1000kg vans appeared in multiple liveries and there were many larger commercial vehicles based on Renault prototypes as well. Of the cars and trucks pictured in CIJ catalogues of the period, about 75% were based on Renaults. But things started to go wrong for CIJ in 1956. That year, the new Renault Dauphine was launched and Renault specified that CIJ should make both diecast and lithographed tinplate models of it. Hitherto, CIJ’s practice had been to spray-paint tinplate models after they had been pressed in the mould, as opposed to printing the colours and details onto the tinplate sheet prior to moulding the shape. But the company lacked experience of this method; the printing of the sheets was outsourced and when these arrived at the CIJ factory it was discovered that existing machinery did not adapt well to the process and many of the toys were not up to standard. As a result, CIJ failed to supply the order in time and,

CIJ failed to supply the order in time and, because of the technical issues involved, very few of these promotional Dauphines were made. CIJ paid a heavy price, losing the exclusive right to produce metal Renault models.

because of the technical issues involved, very few of these promotional Dauphines were made. CIJ paid a heavy price, losing the exclusive right to produce metal Renault models. (It seems that toys made from other materials were not included in the original contract as companies like Norev and Minialuxe made Renaults in plastic). To make things worse, the company founder Marcel Gourdet died in 1957. Under new ownership, the diecast range was relaunched using the ‘Europarc’ name, but by 1964 had more or less come to an end, though a few hybrid models using a combination of components from CIJ and another small diecast firm, JRD, could be found from toy wholesalers for a few more years. CIJ’s loss was Dinky’s gain. The CIJ diecast Dauphine was produced, but Dinky also added a Dauphine to its catalogue in 1957, followed by a Floride in 1960. By 1962, it was clear that a close relationship had developed between Dinky and Renault as models of two new cars, the R8 and the R4L, were made to coincide with the launch of the real thing. By this stage, Dinky Toys were fitted with windows, seats, suspension and steering. Both these models were produced between 1962 and 1970, with the R4L being one of a group of French Dinkies imported into the UK in 1962. Rarer variations include an R8 police car (made only in 1969), an R4 in Autoroutes or Postes livery, and an updated R4 with a new grille, produced in Spain in the later

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

▲

FRENCH DINKY VERSUS CIJ The Facel Vega Facellia – a French rival to sports cars like Triumphs and Alfa Romeos. Both Dinky and CIJ planned to model it, but CIJ got there first and the Dinky never reached production.

▲ Dinky, too, chose a 1955 Chrysler, in this case the New Yorker convertible.

▲ CIJ made two American cars. This is the 1955 Chrysler Windsor sedan.

▲ Dinky also made a Plymouth: a 1956 Belvedere hardtop. This blue and white combination is one of the more unusual ones. Photo: Vectis

▲ CIJ chose the Estafette in van form. One of the best models sold under the later ‘Europarc’ label, it features numerous opening parts.

seventies after French Dinky production stopped. Having proved to Renault that they could deliver the goods, Dinky went on to model many subsequent cars produced by the Régie in the later sixties and seventies such as the 16, R6 and R12, though by then CIJ was no longer around. However, CIJ still continued to produce new Renault models up until the early sixties, even though they no longer enjoyed the exclusive right to to do so. Two of their last completely new Renaults – the Floride and the Estafette van – were arguably better than the Dinky equivalents. The CIJ Floride, which had an opening bonnet and removable plastic hardtop, was more sophisticated than the Dinky coupe. Likewise, the Dinky Estafette pick-up had a removable canopy but no opening parts, while the CIJ Estafette delivery van was an ingenious design with two sliding side doors and a rear entrance that opened in three sections as on the original vehicle. This was also available as a minibus, and there were further Police and Gendarmerie variations too. In the fifties CIJ had produced many different liveries on the base of the old Renault 1000kg van and if the company had survived a bit longer it might also have made the Estafette with colourful advertising logos. In addition to all these Renaults, CIJ did have contacts with a number of other car manufacturers. They seem to have had a good relationship with Panhard, for example, as three of that firm’s cars (the Dyna, Dyna Junior Sports and Dyna 54)

64 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

▲ The other CIJ US car was a 1956 Plymouth Belvedere. The two-tone finish follows a pattern seen on other British and French Dinky Toy American cars. ▲ The Renault 1000kg van in CIJ came in numerous liveries, such as this ‘Astra’ margarine issue.

▲ CIJ no longer enjoyed exclusive rights to model Renault cars after 1956, and Dinky took advantage of the situation by introducing their own model of the Dauphine. Photo: Vectis

were produced. To represent Germany there was a good model of a Mercedes 220 - this being the earlier more rounded ‘Ponton’ shape than the later Dinky 220SE with angular bodywork, wrap-round windscreen and pointed tailfins – and the inevitable Volkswagen Beetle. An interesting twist to the CIJ/Dinky rivalry occurred in relation to an exotic French convertible called the Facel Vega Facellia. Carmaker Jean Daninos had built expensive V8-engined cars but came up with the idea of a smaller sports car to rival the likes of Triumph and Alfa Romeo. Unfortunately, it was put into production too quickly and the ensuing warranty claims bankrupted the company. The Facel Vega joined the CIJ Europarc range in 1961 and for a long time it was the only diecast replica of this car available. Finished in metallic grey or maroon with a removable plastic hardtop, it was a good likeness and had several unusual features: the base was painted in the same colour as the body and the windscreen and dashboard were combined as a single transparent plastic moulding. A Meccano trade catalogue for 1961 includes a drawing of the same car as a forthcoming Dinky release, with catalogue number 519, but it was never produced – no doubt because CIJ got there first. However, there were a few points at which the ranges of both manufacturers did overlap. CIJ’s two American cars – a 1955 Plymouth Belvedere sedan and a 1955 Chrysler Windsor sedan – were paralleled

▲ The overall shape of the Dinky is not quite so good as the CIJ. On the other hand, in terms of play value, it had an opening bonnet and boot. Photo: Vectis

▲ Renault 1000kg in a ‘Postes’ livery similar to that of the French Dinky Peugeot van.

▲ The CIJ Estafette also came as this attractivelydecorated ‘Hostellerie du Cheval Blanc’ minibus.

▲ The Renault Estafette was familiar on French roads for many years. Dinky modelled it as a pick-up, a glazier’s truck and later as a camper van.

▲ To add a further layer of complexity to the CIJ story, when the JRD diecast range ceased production, CIJ bought over some of the tooling and various JRDs were briefly issued in small quantities under the CIJ name, such as this Citroën van in the livery of ‘Brandt’.

by Dinky’s 1956 Belvedere hardtop and ‘55 Chrysler New Yorker convertible. With their white tyres and choice of alternative two-tone colours, the CIJs look very much like Dinky products. Other French cars to appear in both Dinky and CIJ ranges were the Citroën ID 19 estate and ambulance, and the Simca 1000. Though Dinky already had existing links with Simca, having modelled the Simca 8 Sport in 1952, the Aronde in 1953, the Versailles in 1956 and the Vedette Chambord in 1959, somehow CIJ managed to make a deal with Simca to get advance access to the plans of the small 1000 saloon and have a model of it ready to launch simultaneously with the real thing on 17 April 1962 in a special numbered edition of 350. Both Dinky and CIJ also modelled the Citroën Ami 6 saloon, but CIJ just managed to get their version out first. An understanding of the development of Compagnie Industrielle du Jouet in the light of the company’s connections with Renault therefore explains as much about the subjects that Meccano France chose to model as it does about CIJ itself. The British Dinky range provided a fairly wide cross-section of cars made in the UK – Ford, Austin, Morris, Riley, MG, Hillman and so on were all represented. The French factory tried to do a similar thing: the main French car makers of the time appeared in the catalogue, such as Citroën, Panhard, Peugeot and Simca, with the notable exception of the one that was more familiar on French roads than

any other: Renault. It was the same with commercial vehicles: Dinky modelled the Peugeot D3A and the Citroën H vans because CIJ had the Renault 1000kg, and produced Panhard articulated trucks as their equivalent of CIJ’s Renault Fainéant. CIJ later updated their tractor unit with more modern Somua and Saviem designs but these, too, were all part of Renault. The Renault 1000kg van was definitely CIJ’s preserve, issued in numerous liveries: Astra (margarine), Boucherie (butcher’s shop), Primistères (a food shop), Teinturerie (dry cleaners), postal liveries of France, Germany and Belgium, and Police, Ambulance and minibus variants. Though never issued as a delivery van, the Renault 1000kg did appear in the French Dinky range in the form of a military ambulance, though the proportions are not quite as accurate as the CIJ. In short, if you want to understand the development of the French Dinky range up to the early sixties, you need to know something about the history of CIJ. The models we’ve look at in this article are long obsolete and some of them are very rare. But what of today’s collecting scene? French Dinky and CIJ are still with us in the sense that exact replicas of many 1950s models are being made in China. As a result, there are now even more parallels between the CIJ and French Dinky ranges than there were sixty years ago - a subject we’ll be examining in the next issue. DC FURTHER INFO. The history of both French Dinky and CIJ has been well documented in a number of books published in France: Jean-Michel Roulet’s Histoire des Dinky Toys Français, first published in 1978, has been revised and expanded in several new editions. Les Jouets Renault by Mick Duprat (published in 1994 by Rétroviseur) tells the story of the CIJ company, focusing particularly on the rare tinplate models and the 1950s diecast range has been systematically catalogued in Les Jouets CIJ en Zamac by Thierry Redempt and Pierre Ferrer, published by Editions Drivers. This also deals with the question of how former JRD models were taken over by CIJ towards the end of the firm.

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

COVER STORY

World Class Monospar Inspired by another publication cover, Brian Salter recalls a vintage diecast.

inky toys have gone round the world as we all know, but even I was surprised to find that the inspiration for this one, for real, had done just that. For some reason, probably the Dinky, I’ve always been able to spot a General Aircraft Monospar, or more correctly an illustration of one. No aeronautical buff at all, but the fairly recent spotting of this book meant an instant purchase. Even the colour of the ‘bird’ seemed familiar, and so it was. First published in 1969 it recounts the story of the return of Australian registered VH-UTH to Britain a few years earlier. The Monospar moniker relates to a patent single spar wing structure of such strength and lightness as to markedly improve the aircraft’s load carrying ability. The prototype flew in May 1932, an ST-3. In production the ST-4 totalled around 30 aircraft whilst it was left to an ST-10, G-ACTS, to win the 1934 Kings Cup Air Race. By this time Dinky No 60e had been issued as part of its first aircraft models ever, the 60 series set of six. The three-passenger ST-10 paved the way for the four passengers of the ST-25 ‘Jubilee’ of which some 55 were built. In general, General sales were good, some to airlines and many went overseas. At least four were configured as air ambulances, amongst the first anywhere to fulfill the role. Not only did Dinky miss out on the Kings Cup but the air ambulance also, both very topical subjects and they received much publicity. The then new Frog Penguin plastic kit Monospar was only ever sold as an air ambulance complete with long side door much like a giant letter box. This was G-AEYF and the only kit to come complete with a figure, albeit horizontal! Dinky never really tried to be authentic here. There were no registrations at first with G-ABVP being used later. It was re-issued as No 66e medium Bomber (!) in 1940, now in camoufl age alongside the other five series 60 aircraft. This might actually be the most authentic yet as some were impressed into the R.A.F. and VH-UTH was in fact camoufl aged down under. This brings us nicely back to the cover and

• www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

▲ This early version of the Dinky must be pure co-incidence in its colour similarity with VH-UTH. How tasty is that?

▲ Nearly there. After a very chequered life once back in the UK, doesn’t she now look great at Newark Air Museum? Top Published in 1969 and written by the pilot, it is a great story on various fronts – personal, travel and the aircraft itself.

how handy that the early Dinky Monospar is at least just a little reminiscent of UTH. The aircraft had a number of owners and was not without mishap before its flights home by the author, and just as many owners after. Maybe its Monospar construction helped it through some very difficult years. To follow its story you need the book and now a visit to Newark Air Museum where she awaits you in all her splendour, as a lady should. DC

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PORSCHE 911 GT3 RACERS BY MINICHAMPS – PART 3

Changing times In this third instalment, we look at the time when Minichamps had to change its tooling in order to keep on producing GT3 racers. Francisco Mota now focuses on some of the models it released, when the GT3 RS became the GT3 RSR. Photos by João Carlos Oliveira

n issue 251 (September 2018), we left the Porsche 911 GT3 Racers by Minichamps at the end of the second series of this iconic racing car. Remember it all had started with the 911 GT3 R, a racing car designed and built by the German company, and then sold to privateer teams. Porsche then developed its customer racer further and came up with the RS version. The nomencaltures reflect a clear inspiration from the much earlier classic 911 Carrera models, so it was logical that the next generation would be the 911 GT3 RSR. As with the two models before it, this third evolution is still based on the first 911 to feature a water-cooled, flat-six engine, known by the internal code of 996. Porsche presented the racing version of the RSR in 2003, soon after the road car received a small but visible facelift that included bigger front teardrop shaped headlamps and other detail changes to the bumpers and rear lights. There were small power upgrades according to each version and further detailed changes to the cabin. All of this was sufficient enough for Porsche’s internal code to change to 996-2.

68 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

▲ When Porsche moved from the 996 to the 996-2 series, Minichamps had to update its tooling (centre and right) and then again when the new 997 series was launched (left).

▲ This is the chassis from the 996-2 series, featuring a nice detailed engine lower part, suspension and exhausts.

The racing version GT3 RSR, based on the GT3 road-car, exploited the regulations for endurance and sprint races in the GT2 class. The aim was still the same – make the car eligible for as many international, regional and local championships as possible to broaden the customer base. The incredible success that the two previous iterations had achieved meant that the new version had to be something very special so Porsche worked hard and did not rest on its laurels. The new 911 GT3 RSR unveiled in 2003 was the first in this series to feature a sequential gearbox, a change welcomed by amateur drivers, not only because it made changing gear faster, but also because it was much less prone to expensive driver errors. Suspension geometry improved yet again, but the engine was kept close to the RS version. Crucially for Minichamps, the detailed changes to the bodywork made it impossible to carry on using the same tooling as before. A new diecast body had to be designed, featuring the new shape headlamps, new front and rear bumpers, new rear lights and new air intakes, such

▲

A cxxx

▲ Thexxx

▲ Corxxx

▲ This is the presentation 996-2 GT3 RSR car. Note the new front end with bigger headlamps and redesigned bumper.

▲ Thxxx

The rear wing and its supports are also a new design, as are the rear bumper and exhaust pipes.

A new diecast body had to be designed, featuring the new shape headlamps, new front and rear bumpers, new rear lights and new air intakes.

as the group of three slots that can be seen on the top of the front bumper. Minichamps started with the 2003 presentation car, painted white with GT3 RSR graphics on both sides of the car and on the nose. Side mirrors were red and there was a new mesh grille on the front bumper, which also featured a splitter, already seen on some 996-1 examples. Wheels were still the two-piece crossed spoke affairs, with the central insert painted white and tyres marked with Michelin lettering. The rear wing had slightly different side plates, profile and double central supports. Tail-lights had the same shape but were coloured differently and there was a third brake light at the rear, just under the small spoiler. The interior also featured some small changes, like the new gear lever. If you turn the model upside down, there is a decent representation of the lower suspension and a very convincing flat-six lower end. Both the engine and gearbox are modelled and painted silver, with the double three-into-one exhaust system painted light gold. A very nice touch. There is also a tow ring painted red, positioned under the rear bumper.

THE FIRST RACE VERSIONS The 911 GT3 RSR was delivered to the first customer teams in 2004, and Minichamps did not waste any time replicating these first examples as they started to replace the previous RS version in the hands of the best privateer teams and gentlemen drivers. Those teams raced the new car against other teams still operating the older but reliable RS version. One such team was Alex Job Racing, which entered a white car with yellow flashes and race number 23 in the Sebring 12 Hours event. This was the first round of the 2004 American Le Mans Series and three German drivers drove the car to 8th place overall and, most importantly, first home in the GT class, followed by its sister car and other four 911 GT3 RS or RSR. As a start, it could not really have been better. The Minichamps model follows the original car very faithfully in terms of shape, details and livery. There is a black front splitter, front mesh grille but the rear third braking light is correctly absent from this model. The rear wing is held up by aluminium painted pillars, representing the trellis style used by the new RSR cars. The McKenna sponsored livery

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

PORSCHE 911 GT3 RACERS BY MINICHAMPS – PART 3 Car number 81 was raced at Le Mans 2004 and entered by The Racer’s Group. Number 23 was entered in that year’s Sebring 12 Hours by Alex Job Racing.

is quite straightforward, but nothing is missing from the bodywork. A nice addition to any Porsche collection, and a winner at that. Even if the bug of the main theme in this series of articles did not bite you, this is one not to miss. The Racer’s Group car, raced at Le Mans as number 81, finished eighth in the GT class and 18th overall. There are a few interesting points on this model when compared to the Sebring car. Individual grilles for each of the front bumper air scoops replaced the one-piece front mesh grille. There is no front splitter and the rear wing pillars are solid items as in the GT3 RS. The most impressive thing about this model is the blue Oakfield sponsored livery. There is a darker hue at the front, which becomes lighter towards the rear, making the model very visually appealing. In 2005, most of the top privateer teams already had their 911 GT3 RSR cars to race with, so there was a lot to choose from at Minichamps HQ when they met to decide which cars they should reproduce as 1/43 scale models. From this season we chose three cars, all with very colourful liveries. The first one entered the 2005 Le Mans 24 Hours race run by Flying Lizard Motorsport, painted half in silver with the other half a vibrant red. This livery would become a classic in endurance racing, with the North American team using it for many seasons to come. The car finished a creditable fourth place in the GT2 class and 13th overall. Looking at period pictures it seems the real car had smoked side and rear windows, which is something not featured on the model. However, Minichamps did select the correct single piece crossed spoke chromed rims.

▲ Maldives sponsorship made for an eye-catching livery.

▲ McKenna also featured on both sides of the Alex Job car.

▲ The head of the snake would became synonymous with the Flying Lizard cars.

Rear wing pillars are the trellis type and there is no front splitter. The colour separation, between the red and silver areas on this model is accomplished very well, with a little help from a certain lizard’s head. Next to this North American entered car, we have another that raced under the same flag – the white, yellow and red number 90 White Lightning Racing entry. The livery really is very colourful with those red flashes on either side plus the light green roof and pillars. Here, the big single piece rims are painted satin silver for a much more realistic look. The rear window features a single metal stripe down the middle, something that is unusual, most often, a pair of stripes would be used, if any. This is also a very iconic livery from this era, used by this team for several seasons. In 2005, this car finished second in the GT2 class, after having been victorious the previous year. The third model in this group of three, from the 2005 season, is in a very distinctive dark red with chequered silver lines, the colours of main sponsor Gordon, but also with Gulf giving some support. The Belgian Gordon Team was very successful in the domestic championship and decided to enter the European Le Mans Series in 2005 with this GT3 RSR. Apart from the decals, which cover most of the model, the set of parts used here is quite standard issue, with nothing to differentiate it. It still features the double piece wheels, with the traditional golden crossed spoke insert. The model reproduces the car as it raced in that season’s 1000 km SpaFrancorchamps race. For the last group of 996-2 series GT3 RSR cars, we have four different models; the first two were

▲ From left to right: Flying Lizard, White Lightning and Gordon - they all entered the GT3 RSR 996-2 at both Le Mans and Spa during the 2005 season.

70 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

both seen in the 2006 Le Mans 24 Hours race. Race number 83, entered by the German Seikel Team, led the GT2 class for no less than seventeen hours before one of the drivers was left with the gearbox lever in his hand. He was able to crawl back to the pits and solve the issue, but lost the lead and what looked like a certain win, one of many stories that are so typical of Le Mans. The model features a nice livery - mainly white with silver and red stripes along the body. Wheels are of the single piece satin silver type and the model does not have the pair of front black winglets at each front corner, as per the real car. Nevertheless, it does have the third stop light at the rear, as it should. The second model in this quartet, with race number 90, raced against the previous 911 GT3 RSR in the same Le Mans event. This is another White Lightning Racing Team machine, featuring the same basic livery scheme as seen before, but this time painted differently. The lower red flames are now dayglow green and the sponsors are not the same. However, the set of parts is standard, without any special details worth mentioning. The car was a retirement during the race, not due to mechanical failure, that was rare with this type of car, but caused by an accident. We leave Le Mans for a moment and go to another famous racetrack, the Nürburgring. The 911 GT3 RSR was one of the favourites among many privateer teams that raced in VLN, a German series that has an interesting feature as all the races throughout the season are held at the same venue, the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The white and blue car with race number 118, raced in 2007 under

1 Note the small Spark sticker on the front wing, this is a nice bit of fair play by Minichamps. 2 In this shot the detailed wing design can easily be seen.

▲ Nice roof livery on the Slovakian Team car.

the Team Werner banner. From Minichamps’ point of view, it was quite a straightforward variant to produce, since all the parts were standard. The only issues they had to solve were two extra air ducts, placed behind the rear wheels, and three more in the place where the road car has its registration plate. All of this was solved with bespoke decals – it is not the best solution, but obviously the least expensive, because this avoided any expensive changes to the basic tooling. Finally, the last of this 996-2 series is an unusual car. The yellow, blue and red car with race number 77 was seen at the 2008 Sebring 12 Hours, entered by a Slovakian team: Auto Racing Club Bratislava. The livery is very original with a nice combination of graphics and colours, the model features a front splitter, under the bumper, and the front wheel rims have the crossed spoke inserts painted black, while the rear wheels keep the traditional chrome and golden combination. A great looking 911 GT3 RSR and a nice way to close another chapter in the life of Porsche 911 GT3 Racers.

ENTER THE 997 SERIES ▲ Happily, oil only spilled from the car as part of the sponsor's livery. ▲

These are some of the last 996-2 GT3 RSRs to race. From the left we have a pair of cars that raced at Le Mans in 2006, followed by a VLN 2007 car and a 2008 Sebring machine.

The 996-2 road car was getting to the end of its life, so Porsche had to replace it for the next generation, called the 997. The company’s motorsport division had a lot of work to do to get the new car up to the level of its competition, which came mainly from Ferrari. The new 911 GT3 RSR series 997 was unveiled in 2006 and it had some interesting new features. The engine was enlarged to 3.8 litres and delivered 485bhp at 8500 rpm, with its larger bore

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

PORSCHE 911 GT3 RACERS BY MINICHAMPS – PART 3 pistons running to 9000 rpm. The road car’s sixspeed sequential gearbox was unchanged from the 996-2, but the racing engineers changed it for a new unit, with gears from the successful opentopped RS Spyder prototype, before delivering the first cars to customers in 2007. The body was 10% stiffer and wheel arches widened it by 50mm on each side. There were new radiators, placed mid-front and in the sides, and the battery was moved to the front to improve weight distribution. Bigger tyres and new suspension geometry, with new shocks and a new power steering system were other improvements. Carbon fibre body panels made up the majority, only the roof and rear wings were in steel. Polycarbonate side and rear windows reduced the weight further. Brakes had new six-piston aluminium calipers and disc brakes were bigger. There was a new aerodynamic package, which made the car 7% more efficient. Overall, this was a completely new car, only the name remained the same. The first time a 911 GT3 RSR 997 was raced it was entered by Manthey Racing, a team very close to Porsche, in the 2006 Spa-Francorchamps 24 Hours race. This was a real-life test, to make sure the car was ready for customers around the world the following year. Minichamps produced the presentation version, sold by Porsche dealers and someone made a Code 3 out of it, with the necessary decals to replicate car number 111, which finished the race behind its sister car in 15th place. Here we can see the new tooling and the changes it brought, starting with the return to the classic ovoid shaped headlamps, enlarged wheel arches and wider mesh grille in the front bumper with an air duct on

▲ Note the Portuguese flag after Pedro Lamy’s name. He was one of the first to drive the new 997 GT3 RSR.

top of it. There are extra air ducts to the rear, behind the wheels and a taller wing with a new profile. The twin exhausts are now in the middle and engine cover features two air intakes. Next to it, we have car number 87, as raced in the 2008 Sebring 12 Hours, which features some changes – namely a black front grille with two winglets each side and smaller air ducts just ahead of each front wheel. The rest of the car is similar, including the big-chromed wheels. The car, raced by the Farnbacher-Loles team, did not finish the race; the livery is the most basic of all: white with some stickers on it.

CUSTOMER CARS

▲ A new feature of the 997 GT3 RSR was the middle mounted exhaust pipes.

3 Car 111 was the first 997 GT3 RSR car to race, at Spa in 2006. The model is a code 3, based on the presentation model with race decals. Next to this is car number 87, as raced in the 2008 Sebring 12 hours. 4 The Flying Lizard car (left), as raced in the Long Beach round of the 2007 ALMS. Car number 76 (right) is the 2007 Le Mans class winner.

One of the first international races where the new 997 GT3 RSR had been made available to privateer teams was the 2008 Sebring 12 Hours that took place, as always, in March. Tafel Racing Team entered number 71 with a very nice white and blue colour scheme, where it seems the main sponsor pulled out at the last minute. The car features a red mesh grille at the front for easy identification from the pit wall but the rest is standard tooling. The team finished third in the GT2 class and 15th overall. The next model also raced with number 71 in 2007, this was the Seikel Motorsport car entered at Le Mans – it retired from the race due to engine troubles. It has one of the most attractive liveries, with two shades of blue and the big Felbermayr logo on each side. Satin silver wheels look gorgeous on this model and this one has two roof aerials, one in the middle and a smaller one to the rear. The third model in the same group is car number 93, also raced at Le Mans in 2007 and entered by Autorlando Sport. A very nice livery with waves of blue and red and a pair of roof

In this trio we can see cars from the 2008 season - a Sebring entry on the left and a pair of cars entered at Le Mans.

72 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

▲ Number 5 is a 2008 Sebring diecast that we can compare with the beautiful Bilsteinliveried number 3, that raced at the Nürburgring 24 Hours and is a resincast. 5 Check out the slots in the side rear windows, to let out hot air from the cockpit. 6 Front double winglets were a regular feature on the 997 GT3 RSR.

aerials. It finished the race in 21st place. The next pair features another Flying Lizard Team car, as raced in the Long Beach round of the 2007 ALMS. The car finished second in the GT2 class and was best Porsche. It is interesting to compare this with the “old” 996-2 911 GT3 RSR from 2005 and see the different livery arrangement on the front bonnet and rear wing. It also serves to illustrate the changes in shape between the two, mainly to the wheel arch design. Later in the year, IMSA Performance Matmut raced the number 76 car, painted white with red and blue waves as per the French tricolour flag, under which this team raced. The car won the GT2 class and finished in a very respectable 15thplace overall. This is a very nice model, featuring a pair of roof aerials and chromed rims.

DIECAST OR RESIN? The last pair of GT3 RSR shows where Minichamps went after the 997 GT3 RSR. The 2008 season was the last before Porsche updated the GT3 RSR, number 5 was seen at that year’s Sebring 12 Hours, entered by Vici Racing and driven to 19th place overall and sixth in the GT2 class. The model has double winglets at each front corner and the tyres are marked with the brand Kumho, as per the team’s choice for the race. We’ve put this diecast face to face with one of the first resin 911 GT3 RSR made by the German model maker, the yellow and blue Bilsteinsponsored version that raced with number 3 at the same year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours. The car, entered by Land Motorsport, did not finish the race. Minichamps changed to resin for this and many other Nürburgring cars because they always have something different from the standard version. In this case, the general shape is very similar, but there are a number of details exclusive to the ‘Ring car. There is a much longer splitter at the front, which needs two cables to hold it in place,

and one small winglet at each front corner. Wheels are two-piece items and, at the rear, the wing is completely flat, the double exhaust pipes are slightly different and beneath there is a diffuser. Minichamps would carry on using resin for most of its racing models but there was still a place for diecasts. The proof of it is the 2009 911 GT3 RSR, another update to the racing car, following a small restyling to the road car. The model we are showing is the presentation car, sold by Porsche dealers, and painted white and black. There is a new bumper with differently profiled winglets, plus a reworked front bonnet, with several slots to extract are at the front edge and two NACA ducts closer to the windshield. The model features chromed wheels with black inserts, a little bigger than before. The rear bumper has a slightly new shape and the twin pipes at the middle are of smaller section. The livery features the suppliers that worked with Porsche in this new project. Beneath the skin, there was a new radiator system to cope with the new engine, increased from 3.8 to four litres, with the same 9000 rpm rev limiter but more torque at lower crank speeds. For Minichamps, this was another starting point for another batch of GT3 RSR models. So the story does not yet stop here. DC

▲ Note the new air slots in the front bonnet on the updated 2009 GT3 RSR.

▲ The 997's rear wing also featured a new design and profile. ▲

This is the 2009 presentation car, featuring some important body improvements, making Minichamps change its tooling yet again.

▲ Anoxxx

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

TOP VINTAGE MODEL

Princess 2200 HL Saloon DTCA Chairman, Michael Driver, focuses on Austin’s distinctive wedge-shaped family car.

he cars from British Leyland have certainly had mixed reviews over the years. The group encompassed many famous brands one of which was Austin. This marque was well represented in the Dinky Toys series and then later in some of its models of BL cars. One of these models was the Austin Princess. Although to a larger scale, many of these Dinky Toys were not so popular at the time – but things do change. In 1977 the Dinky Toys Princess 2200 HL Saloon (No 123) was introduced and is seen in the April 1977 Meccano Magazine in an advert with other models. It is mentioned in the Meccano Magazine of January 1978 in a review of recent models. The Dinky Toys News states “Based on the unique and distinctive ‘Wedge’ from Leyland Cars, this appealing toy captures all the unusual atmosphere of the real car”. It also says that it is “finished in a smart bronze colour with black rear roof pillars simulating the vinyl-covered pillars of the real car”. The bronze car with its black rear pillars is shown in the 1977 Dinky Toys Catalogue with a yellow interior and in the 1978 edition, a blue interior. The production model was then sold with a black plastic interior and has chromed ‘Speedwheels’. The cars chrome-work is in silver and the base is in black plastic. There is a version in white which has a matt black top half and roof. It has plastic wheels with matt solid silver centres and the registration is DKY 123. An all-white model was also produced and one in white with a blue roof.

• www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

▲ Dinky Toys Princess 2200 HL Saloons – the prototype Police Car and a production model in metallic bronze.

▲ Dinky Toys Princess 2200 HL Saloon in white with black roof and rear pillars.

▲ Dinky Toys Catalogue 1978 part image showing the model with a yellow interior.

▲ Image from the January 1978 Meccano Magazine article.

Unlike many other later Dinky Toys, the Princess 2200 HL Saloon had no special features such as opening doors, bonnet or boot. This was no doubt to keep production costs down. The models were sold in the red, yellow and blue card hanging boxes. It was deleted around 1980 although they could still be found in the shops after the Meccano factory closure. In the latter days of Dinky Toys a prototype of the Princess 2200 HL Saloon was made using the white and black model as a police car. The car has the DKY 123 number plates and on the front doors, bonnet and boot are blue labels with the word ‘Police’. The plastic roof box with red lights, light blue sections and the word ‘Police’ on the front and back is taken from the Dinky Toys Rover 3500 Police Car. The real Austin car used the name ‘Princess’ from 1975 to 1981. The name had been originally used for the Austin Princess cars made under the Vanden Plas name. The engine was developed from the Austin-Morris 1800 as a four or six cylinder unit. There was a manual four speed gearbox or automatic transmission and it was fitted with hydragas suspension. The wedge shaped four door body was unusual at the time and did not appeal to everyone’s tastes. DC FURTHER INFO. There is now a growing interest in the later Dinky Toys and they are often discussed and illustrated in the DTCA Journal articles. If you would like to find out more details or join, then visit the website at www.dtcawebsite.com.

. R

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V Budgie Toys Gift set No 5A, excellent in excellent box, including red tanker, blue tanker, artic with load, refrigeration truck and log truck. £160, Warwick & Warwick, September.

V Matchbox Regular Wheels No 75b Ferrari Berlinetta, metallic green, type A headlamps, bare metal base, chrome hubs. Mint in excellent plus E4 box. £30, Vectis, September.

V Dinky Toys Guy Van (1st issue) “Slumberland” No 514, good plus in good blue Supertoys box, red cab with silver grille, Slumberland decals to body sides and front, red ridged hubs. £130, Warwick & Warwick, September.

V Matchbox Regular Wheels 6a Quarry Truck orange cab & chassis with gold trim, grey tipper body, metal wheels. Good to good plus in excellent type B2 box. £30, Vectis, November.

V Matchbox Regular Wheels No 73b Ferrari F1 Racing Car, red body with racing number 73 decals, white plastic driver, type B exhaust, gloss black base. Near mint. £50, Vectis, September.

V Matchbox Regular Wheels No 74b Daimler Fleetline Bus, red body & base with Esso labels. Near mint to mint in good plus to excellent F2 box. £50, Vectis, September.

V Matchbox Regular Wheels 17a Bedford Removals Van green body with silver trim, metal wheels. Near mint in good plus type B2 box £50, Vectis, November.

V Matchbox Regular Wheels 58a BEA Airport Coach dark blue body, silver trim, colour decals, gloss black base, rare 18-tread plastic wheels. Good in good plus type B3 box. £60, Vectis, November.

76 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

V Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y16 1928 Mercedes SS Coupe metallic silver body, metallic red chassis with rear differential cast. Mint in excellent plus purple/ yellow window box. £60, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 23n Maserati Racing Car red with ridged hubs, black treaded tyres, white stripe and driver, silver trim, racing no 9. Excellent in a good plus box. £110, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 101 Sunbeam Alpine Sports Car pale blue, cream interior with driver, light beige ridged hubs, black smooth tyres, racing no 26. Excellent plus in a poor box. £50, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 108 MG Midget Sports Car red, ridged hubs, black smooth tyres, dark tan interior, driver, racing no 24. Excellent in good box with correct colour spot. £70, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 108 MG Midget Sports Car off white, maroon interior, driver, silver trim, red ridged hubs, black smooth tyres, racing no 28. Excellent in good box. £70, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 114 Triumph Spitfire Sports Car red, cream interior with plastic driver, chrome spun hubs. Good plus in good box. £80, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 114 Triumph Spitfire Sports Car silver, red interior with plastic driver, chrome spun hubs, black treaded tyres. Excellent plus in good box. £80, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 114 Triumph Spitfire Sports Car “I’ve Got a Tiger In My Tank” gold, red interior with plastic driver, chrome spun hubs. Excellent in good to good plus box. £80, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 133 Cunningham C5R Road Racer white with blue racing stripes, no 31, tan interior, light blue driver, mid-blue ridged hubs. Excellent plus in good plus box. £60, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 164 Vauxhall Cresta Saloon two-tone green/grey, ridged hubs, black smooth tyres, silver trim. Near mint in excellent box. £130, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 185 Alfa Romeo 1900 Super Sprint red body, off white interior, silver trim, spun hubs, black treaded tyres. Good plus in good plus box. £60, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 165 Ford Capri purple body, yellow interior, chrome trim, cast hubs. Excellent plus in good plus box. £60, Vectis, November. V Dinky 187 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Coupe two-tone green/cream, silver trim, chrome spun hubs, white treaded tyres. Excellent plus in good plus box. £70, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 134 Triumph Vitesse metallic aqua, white flashes, red interior, silver trim, chrome spun hubs, black treaded tyres. Near mint in good plus box. £80, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 234 (23h) Ferrari Racing Car blue body, yellow nose, ridged hubs, grey treaded tyres, racing no 5. Excellent in good plus dual numbered box. £110, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 449 Chevrolet El Camino Pick-Up Truck two-tone turquoise/cream, silver trim, red interior, chrome spun hubs, black treaded tyres. Excellent plus in good plus box. £80, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 167 AC Aceca Coupe two-tone grey/red, ridged hubs, black treaded tyres, silver trim. Excellent plus in good plus box. £60, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 194 Bentley Coupe light metallic brown, pale cream interior, blue tonneau, chrome trim, spun hubs, black treaded tyres. Near mint in good box. £140, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 134 Triumph Vitesse metallic aqua, white flashes, very pale grey interior, chrome spun hubs, black treaded tyres. Near mint in excellent box. £340, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 110 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible metallic red, black interior and tonneau, cast wire wheels. Near mint in good plus rigid perspex case. £80, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 167 AC Aceca Coupe two-tone cream/brown, light beige ridged hubs, black smooth tyres, silver trim. Excellent in good plus box. £60, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 144 Volkswagen 1500 light metallic brown, red interior, chrome spun hubs, black treaded tyres, green case. Excellent plus in good plus box. £90, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 181 Volkswagen Saloon greyish-blue body, chrome spun hubs, white treaded tyres, silver trim. Near mint in good plus box. £80, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 182 Porsche 356A Coupe cream body, silver trim, chrome spun hubs with black treaded tyres. Excellent in excellent box. £150, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 197 Morris Mini Traveller green body, light blue interior, silver trim, spun hubs. Good plus in good box. £320, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 205 Ford Cortina Lotus Rally Car “Rallye Monte Carlo” white body, red bonnet, boot and racing stripes, pale blue interior, 2 aerials, cast spun hubs. Excellent plus in excellent box. £90, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 116 Volvo 1800S rarer metallic red body, pale blue interior, cast wire wheels. Excellent plus in excellent rigid perspex case. £110, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 158 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow metallic red, off-white interior, cast hubs. Excellent in good plus rigid perspex case. £80, Vectis, November.

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

▼

V Dinky 142 Jaguar Mark X mid-blue, red interior, silver trim, chrome spun hubs, black treaded tyres, green suitcase. Excellent plus in good plus box. £70, Vectis, November.

PRICE GUIDE

V Dinky 175 Cadillac Eldorado purple body, black hood, yellow interior, cast hubs. Excellent plus in good plus rigid perspex case. £110, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 218 Ford Capri Rally Car metallic red, black bonnet, yellow interior, cast hubs, chrome trim. Near mint in good plus rigid perspex case. £70, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 276 Airport Fire Tender red body, grey nozzle, black treaded tyres, battery operated roof light. Excellent in good plus box with inner packing ring. £45, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 968 “BBC TV” Roving Eye Vehicle green, grey roof panel and side flashes, Supertoy hubs, black treaded tyres, Camera Man & Camera. Excellent in good box. £90, Vectis, November.

V Corgi 226 Morris Mini Minor metallic maroon, lemon interior, silver trim, cast hubs. Excellent plus in good plus box. £80, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 407 Ford Transit “Kenwood” Van light blue body, white roof, red interior, silver trim, cast spun hubs. Excellent in fair box. £70, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 969 “BBC TV” Extending Mast Vehicle green, grey flashes, Supertoy hubs, black treaded tyres, satellite dish. Excellent plus in good plus box with packing piece. £100, Vectis, November.

V Corgi 233 Heinkel Economy Car orange body, lemon interior, silver trim, flat spun hubs. Near mint in excellent box. £50, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 117 Four Berth Caravan two-tone pale blue/cream, cream/ red/blue interior. Excellent plus in good plus box. £160, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 581 Horse Box “British Railways Express Horse Box Hire Service” maroon body, red Supertoy hubs with black treaded tyres. Excellent in good plus box. £90, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 260 Morris Commercial “Royal Mail” Delivery Van red including ridged hubs with black smooth tyres, silver trim, black roof panel. Excellent in good plus box. £60, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 918 Guy “Ever Ready Batteries For Life” blue cab, chassis and back, red Supertoy hubs. Good plus in good blue and white striped lift off lid box. £110, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 263 Superior Criterion “Ambulance” off-white body, with harder to find red interior, roof light, chrome spun hubs. Excellent plus in good plus box. £140, Vectis, November.

V Dinky 967 “BBC TV” Mobile Control Room green, grey roof/ side flashes, Supertoy hubs, black treaded tyres. Excellent in good blue and white striped lift off lid box. £80, Vectis, November.

CORGI • DINKY • HORNBY • WRENN

• MECCANO • SCHUCO

CORGI • DINKY • HORNBY • WRENN

GAZETTE

CG mastehead_NEW.indd 1

07/11/2012 09:15:52

Produced in association with

COLLECTORS GAZETTE 07/11/2012 09:15:52

VALUE YOUR VALUE YOUR VALUE YOUR VINTAGE VINTAGE VINTAGE TOYS! TOYS! TOYS! £6.99 • www.ccofgb.co.uk

Over 1000 of the latest auction results to help put an estimate on your collection.

Indepth features on all your favourite toy collecting genres!

PLUS...

Dinky, Corgi and many more!

ii TV & FILM

Q From Batman to Bond

himself, we have it covered!

RAILWAYS ii ii DIECAST

Q From Hornby to Wrenn,

Q Hundreds your locos of models from help value we

Dinky, Corgi and many more!

ii TV & FILM

This police motorcycle sold for £150!

PLUS... ii RAILWAYS ii DIECAST

ii TV & FILM

ii RAILWAYS

£6.99

Q From Batman to Bond himself, we have it covered! 24/10/2018 11:41

p001 cover_CH.indd 1

Order your copy by calling 01778 392006, or go online to www.ccofgb.co.uk n

Q Hundreds of models from

This police motorcycle sold forcollecting £150!

ii DIECAST

Indepth features on all your favourite toy genres!

This police motorcycle sold for £150!

PLUS...

V Corgi 320 Ford Mustang Fastback blue body, off white interior, chrome trim, wire wheels. Excellent in good plus box. £100, Vectis, November.

ON SALE NOW! The Toy Collectors Price Guide 2019

ALSO

Indepth features on all your favourite toy collecting genres!

CG mastehead_NEW.indd 1

Over 1000 of the latest auction results to help put an estimate on your collection.

ALSO ALSO

V Corgi 222 Renault Floride dark red body, off white interior, silver trim including door handles, flat spun hubs. Excellent in good plus box. £60, Vectis, November.

V Corgi 255 Austin A60 “Motor School” Car export issue finished in darker blue, red interior and roof turning disc, silver trim. Excellent in fair box. £70, Vectis, November.

• MECCANO • SCHUCO

YOUR ESSENTIAL FIELD GUIDE TO CLASSIC TOY COLLECTABLES COLLECTABLES TO CLASSIC TOY £6.99 • www.ccofgb.co.uk YOUR ESSENTIAL FIELD GUIDE CLASSIC TOY COLLECTABLES Produced in association with COLLECTORS ESSENTIAL FIELD GUIDE TO COLLECTORS YOUR Produced in association with

V Dinky 294 “Police Vehicles” Gift Set 2nd issue with Ford Transit, Mini and Range Rover. Excellent plus with correct accessories in good outer box. £220, Vectis, November.

• MECCANO • SCHUCO

TOY COLLECTORS TOY COLLECTORS COLLECTORS TOY 2019 2019 GUIDE PRICE GUIDEPRICE GUIDE 2019 PRICE £6.99 • www.ccofgb.co.uk

V Dinky 936 Leyland 8-wheeled Chassis red, silver, plastic hubs, three 5 ton weights. Excellent in good plus box. £100, Vectis, November.

V Corgi 236 Austin A60 “Motor School” Car light blue, red interior and roof turning disc, silver trim and side flashes, spun hubs. Excellent plus in good plus box. £60, Vectis, November.

Q From Hornby of models from Q Hundreds to Wrenn, £6.99 we help value and many more! Corgi Dinky, your locos

Q From Batman to Bond

himself, we have it covered!

Q From Hornby to Wrenn,

£6.99

we help value your locos 24/10/2018 11:41

78 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

V Corgi 330 Porsche Carrera 6 export issue in off white, blue doors and bonnet, racing no 60, black interior, driver, cast hubs. Excellent in excellent box. £70, Vectis, November.

V Triang Spot-On MG Midget red body, white interior with plastic driver, chrome trim, cast flat spun hubs. Excellent plus, unboxed. £50, Vectis, November.

V Budgie Toys 272 “Mike Mercury” Supercar harder issue to find in red, grey and silver, with figure. Excellent in good plus box. £340, Vectis, November.

V Mercury 55 Mercedes Formula 1 Racing Car silver, black seat, racing no 4. Good plus in good box. £30, Vectis, November.

V Mebetoys A73 Lancia HF “Marlboro” metallic red and white, racing no 9, cast hubs. Near mint in good plastic and perspex display case. £80, Vectis, November.

V Mercury 53 Ferrari Supersqualo red including hubs and seat, racing no 9. Excellent in good box. £35, Vectis, November.

V Corgi 208S Jaguar 2.4 litre Saloon primrose body, red interior, silver trim, flat spun hubs. Excellent in good to good plus box. £60, Vectis, November.

V CIJ 3/3 Facellia silver body, black hood, brown interior, chrome hubs. Excellent plus in good box. £45, Vectis, November.

V Corgi 235 Oldsmobile Super 88 light blue body, white flashes, red interior, silver trim, spun hubs. Excellent plus in good plus box. £60, Vectis, November.

V CIJ 3/2 Renault Etoile Filante French Blue body with red and white stripes. Excellent in fair box. £50, Vectis, November.

V Corgi 235 Oldsmobile Super 88 steel blue, white flashes, red interior, silver trim, spun hubs. Excellent plus in good plus box. £60, Vectis, November.

V Corgi 334 Mini Cooper “Magnifique” blue body, pale cream interior, chrome trim, cast hubs. Near mint in good plus box. £70, Vectis, November.

V Tekno 824 MGA 1600 Sports Car red body, yellow interior, cast hubs, silver trim. Excellent plus in good box. £80, Vectis, November. V Corgi 344 Ferrari 206 Dino Sport red body, white doors, black interior, racing no 30, red-spot wheels. Excellent plus in excellent box. £60, Vectis, November.

V Tekno 931 Monza Spyder blue, white, red interior, racing no 88, cast hubs. Near mint in good box. £80, Vectis, November.

V Corgi 378 MGC GT red body, black bonnet and interior, Whizzwheels, with correct black luggage case. Near mint in excellent box. £80, Vectis, November. V Tekno 931 Monza Spyder red, black interior, racing no 69, cast hubs. Near mint in good box. £70, Vectis, November.

V Corgi 342 “The Professionals” Ford Capri silver body, 3 figures. Near mint, inner carded tray is excellent plus in good box. £90, Vectis, November.

V Mercury 56 Mercedes Racer silver, blue seat, chrome flat spun hubs with grey tyres, racing no 66. Good plus in good box. £50, Vectis, November.

V P.R Models “Savon Ambre Le Chat” Delivery Truck finished in two-tone green/yellow complete with cat figure. Excellent in good correct carded picture box. £360, Vectis, November.

V Way-Boy’s “Byrrh” Barrel Van red, grey plastic wheels. Good plus to excellent (does have wear to both side decals) in good box. £45, Vectis, November.

V Corgi 262 Lincoln Continental Executive Limousine blue body and interior, cream hood, chrome trim, spun hubs. Good plus in good presentation bubble pack with leaflet. £130, Vectis, November.

V Corgi 354 Commer “Military Ambulance” green, red interior with driver, blue tinted windows and roof light. Excellent Plus in good box with inner packing piece. £70, Vectis, November.

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

Retro Ronnie Toy Fairs

BUS/RAILWAY COLLECTORS FAIR

SWINDON

PUDSEY CIVIC HALL, LEEDS SATURDAY 12th JANUARY 2019

www.retroronnie.com

Sunday 6th January Swindon Town FC County Ground, SN1 2ED • From 10am • Early bird from 8am Booking ring 07708 385061 or 07900 266427

Over 100 stalls 10am to 3pm Admission £2

Enquiries to Barry Rennison 0113 236 3695 Email: rennison@cc-email.co.uk www.samuelledgardsociety.org.uk

TOY, TRAIN & SCI FI FAIR GATESHEAD INT. STADIUM Neilson Road, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear NE10 0EF

(Just off Felling-by-pass, A184)

SATURDAY 8th December 2018

10.00am-3.00pm

• Admission: Adults £3.00, Children/Senior Citizens £2.00, Early Bird £5 • Buy, sell and swap trains, diecast cars, buses and trucks, soldiers and more! • Free parking, working exhibitions and cafe facilities

Interested in selling your collection or want a table to sell your stock? Contact Jim on 07504 035955 or email: jim_corr73@hotmail.co.uk

BOWBURN TOY & TRAIN COLLECTORS FAIR Bowburn Community Centre, Durham Road, Durham DH6 5AT

Sunday 23rd December 10am - 2.30pm • Refreshments

To advertise your business here in the next issue please call Kristina on 01778 392096 or email her at kristina.green@warnersgroup.co.uk

available • Free car parking

For all enquiries contact Rebecca Phillips on 07730 568131

www.j-jwebbtoyfairs.com

DON’T MISS THE ANNUAL EAST MIDLANDS (NEWARK) TOY & TRAIN COLLECTOR’S FAIR to be held at THE GEORGE STEPHENSON EXHIBITION HALL, NEWARK & NOTTS SHOWGROUND, WINTHORPE, NEWARK, NOTTS NG24 2NY (on the junction of A1/A46 towards Lincoln)

START OFF YOUR YEAR BY VISITNG US ON

NEW YEAR’S DAY TUESDAY 1st JANUARY 2019 “Always an exciting date on the toy collecting calendar. This very large fair always boasts an excellent selection of old and new toys, trains, models and much, much more. Held in the The George Stephenson Hall which is well lit and spacious with indoor catering and masses of free parking.” 10am - 2.30pm ADMISSION: Adults £4.00, Seniors £3.50, First Child £3.00 Under 5’s free

Bookings 220 n pitches ow being taken! Approx.

STALLHOLDERS: Enter from 6.30am. Pitches priced from £37 per 6ft.

For more information about this fair, please contact Lorraine on 01522 880383 or jandjfairs@virginmedia.com

t h e 37th 2 8 th Elsecar

To y

Tr a i n F a i r Admission:

Adults £1.50 p 7pm - 9pm

Tuesday December Children 50 Tuesday11th 21 February Elsecar Heritage Centre, S. Yorks.

Space for 150+ stalls @ £15 6ft, £28 12ft

Brown ‘Elsecar Heritage’ signs off jct 36 M1

Tinplate • Collectable Toys Diecast Models • Dolls • Model Railways

Newcomen Fairs Ltd, Elsecar Heritage Centre, Nr Barnsley, S. Yorks., S74 8HJ 01226 744425 www.newcomenfairs.co.uk e: sales@newcomenfairs.co.uk

£££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ Lego, Lledo, Matchbox, Corgi, Old Dinky, EFE, Brooklin, Conrad, Lion, ££ £ £ £ Hornby, Scalextric, Britains, Solido, NZG, Tekno, boxed, railway etc. £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ (established in 1981) £ £ £ £ YOU NAME IT WE BUY IT! £ £ £ Can collect from anywhere in the world within 48 hours! £ £ £ Send us a list or call our hotline now! £ £ £ BARGAIN WORLD: 26-28 Market Street, Huddersﬁeld, HD1 2HG £ £ £ Email: jonathan@bargainworldleeds.co.uk £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £

COLLECTIONS URGENTLY REQUIRED

+ LARGE SURPLUS STOCKS A SPECIALITY + Tel: 07702 046795

LEEDS MODEL CENTRE

Bulldog Fairs

Great Toy Collectors Fairs in the Southwest of England

Thornbury Friday 28th December Thornbury Leisure Centre Alveston Hill, BS35 3JB

Fre Parking* * Light refreshments

Admission: 10.30, £2.50 each Early Bird from 08.30 £5.00 each Dinky*Corgi*Hornby*Marklin*Star Wars*Lima Meccano*Matchbox*Boats*Planes*Lledo.

Shepton Mallet Sunday 27th January Royal Bath & West Showground BA4 6QN

10.30am--2.30pm

Adults £4.00 each under 16yrs free with an adult Early Bird from 08.30 £10.00

Easy access from A 303, Shepton Mallet is on the A371 Castle Cary Road Probably the Best Toy Collectors Fairs in the West Call us on 01373 452857 or 07917 125641 Email: bulldogfairs@aol.com web site: www.bulldogfairs.com

EVENTS

TOYFAIRTIMES FAIRS 05 DECEMBER 18 • Burton on Trent, Malcolm Townsend, 07951 072790 08 DECEMBER 18 • Gateshead, Jim Corr, 07504 035955 • Chester, Tony Oakes, 01270 652773 • Brentwood, J & J Webb, 01522 880383 09 DECEMBER 18 • Ashington, David Parsons, 07742 609865 • Stafford, Barry Potter Fairs, 01604 846688 • Wimbourne, David Rees, 01202 590158 • Northfleet, SRP Toy Fairs, 07739 998012 11 DECEMBER 18 • Elscar, Newcomen Fairs, 01226 744425 • Hook, Steve Clement Fairs, 01380 725322 13 DECEMBER 18 • Theydon Bois, Joe Lock, 07866 641215 15 DECEMBER 18 • Gloucester, Steve Clement Fairs, 01380 725322 • Hawkinge, SRP Toy Fairs, 07739 998012 16 DECEMBER 18 • Essex, R & G Toyfairs, 01206 251351 • Leeds, The Leeds Pudsey Toy & Train Fair, 0161 283 1255 • Coventry, Barry Potter Fairs, 01604 846688 • Southport, Barry Stockton, 0151 334 3362 • Eastleigh, Steve Clement Fairs, 01380 725322 • Huntingdon, J & J Webb, 01522 880383 • Orpington, SRP Toy Fairs, 07739 998012 18 DECEMBER 18 • Wooton Bassett, Steve Clement Fairs, 01380 725322 23 DECEMBER 18 • Durham, Bowburn Collectors Fair, 07730 568131

27 DECEMBER 18 • Birmingham, Barry Potter Fairs, 01604 846688 • Worthing, SRP Toy Fairs, 07739 998012 • Llandudno, Llandudno Toy & Train Fair, 01492 517004 28 DECEMBER 18 • Carmarthen, Chris Dyer Fairs, 01643 702757 • Haydock Park, Barry Stockton, 0151 334 3362 • Thornbury, Bulldog Fairs, 01373 452857 29 DECEMBER 18 • Bolton, Barry Potter Fairs, 01604 846688 • Worcester, Tony Oakes, 01270 652773 • Wirral, Barry Stockton, 0151 334 3362 • Bexhill-on-Sea, SRP Toy Fairs, 07739 998012 30 DECEMBER 18 • Doncaster, Barry Potter Fairs, 01604 846688 • Rayleigh, SRP Toy Fairs, 07739 998012 01 JANUARY 19 • Newark J & J Webb, 01522 880383 • Bridgnorth, Tony Oakes, 01270 652773 • Colchester, SRP Toy Fairs, 07739 998012

AUCTIONS 04 DECEMBER 18 • Stockton-on-Tees, Vectis, 01642 750616 05 DECEMBER 18 • Stockton-on-Tees, Vectis, 01642 750616 • West Sussex, Bellmans, 01403 700858

06 DECEMBER 18 • Stockton-on-Tees, Vectis, 01642 750616 07 DECEMBER 18 • Newent, Smiths of Newent, 01531 821776 • Taunton, Greenside Taylor Hunt, 01823 332525

11 DECEMBER 18 • Newbury, Special Auction Services, 01635 580595

12 DECEMBER 18

05 JANUARY 19 • Romford, SRP Toy Fairs, 07739 998012 • Cardiff, Chris Dyer Fairs, 01643 702757 06 JANUARY 19 • Eastbourne, Robert Horscraft, 01323 899879 • Spalding, J & J Webb, 01522 880383 • Falkirk, McLaren Models, 01324 624102 • Walsall, Transtar Promotions, 01922 643385 • Potters Bar, Peter Levinson Toy & Train Fair, 0208 205 1518 • Bolton, Barry Potter Fairs, 01604 846688 • Swindon, Ronnie Davis Toy Fair, 07708 385061 • Midhurst, SRP Toy Fairs, 07739 998012

• Newbury, Special Auction Services, 01635 580595 • Leominster, Brightwells, 01568 611166 • Tunbridge Wells, C & T Auctions, 01233 510050

13 DECEMBER 18 • Sheffield, Shefﬁeld Auction Gallery, 0114 281 6161 • Stockton-on-Tees, Vectis, 01642 750616

14 DECEMBER 18 • Stockton-on-Tees, Vectis, 01642 750616 17 DECEMBER 18 • Downham Market, Barry Hawkins, 01366 387180 • Newark, Northgate Auction Rooms, 01636 605905

For more event dates, news and models visit our website...

❯❯ www.ccofgb.co.uk January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

LETTERS

DearEditor… EMAIL YOUR LETTERS AND QUESTIONS TO deareditor@warnersgroup.co.uk OR WRITE TO US The Editor, Diecast Collector, Warners Group Publications plc, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 9PH.

MORE ON THAT MATCHBOX ZODIAC I saw the letter in the last issue from Brian Gower. He mentions the silver on the grille, which is something that raised a question mark with me too, as most of the time, the paint does go down to the bumper without any space being left which is body colour. I looked on the internet to see models for sale or any photographs of the front of the No33 Zodiac. It isn’t common but it appears that there are a few models out there which do have the body coloured space. I wonder if that depends on who painted them in the factory? That said, my Zodiac may have had some of its silver ‘refreshed’ a bit at some point in its life. If anyone has anything to add to the debate, I’d love to hear it! I’ve photographed all four of my Zodiacs to demonstrate the differences on all of them with regard to how the front ends were painted. As you can see, none of them have been painted quite the same. Alex Marsden, Crawley ED Many thanks for sending the photos, Alex and the comparison of all four is interesting – the plot thickens, as the expression goes. Thoughts, anyone?

REPLACEMENT TRACKS I am trying to make a contact with someone at ROS. I need to buy a replacement set of tracks for my ROS Prinoth Bison Snow Groomer machine model. Can you help me, please? Jeff Evans, via email ED I got in touch with our ROS reviewer, David Pullen. He tells me that it looks as though the model was made around 2010 and it has been dropped as it’s not in the current catalogue. The 2018 catalogue now shows a Prinoth Leitwolf (80104.2). Unless the tracks are exchangeable it’s unlikely ROS will hold spares. Here are ROS’s contact details: ROS S.r.l., Via G. di Vittorio 15, 25033 Cologne (BS), Italy. The telephone number is +39 030 715338 and a contact email is info@ros-srl.it.

A MISSING CARABO AND A COLOUR QUANDRY REGARDING the recent feature about the Alfa Romeo Carabo, I saw this amazing creation at London’s Earls Court Motor Show in 1968. Whilst any mention of this stunning car is always welcome, I note that the best model is missing from the article, the one by Spark, which is one of only two models that I’m aware of made in the Carabo’s original colour scheme, as shown on page 57. The Spark is one of them, the other is by Kyosho in 1/64th scale. Sadly I no longer have my Spark as it was sold to raise funds for something else. I do have one by Matchbox, but this is a toy. The Dinky body in the feature looks fine, but why are the wheels chrome and the windows green? When there was only one car ever made - why, why, why are so many models of them produced in all the colours of the rainbow? For ‘toy’ manufacturers, Italian supercars seem to be a prime target, or they were. For instance, models of De Tomasos, Ferraris, Maseratis and Lamborghinis have been made in a myriad of colours, most of them wrong. Another prime example was the 1967 Lamborghini Marzal. Only one car was ever made, painted silver, yet if models of it are to be believed, it was mass produced in any colour so long as it wasn’t black. My Whitebox example, although excellent in all other respects, is still wrong as it is white, which may be due to in almost all photos of the original it looks white, so I guess the model was made based on pictures not the actual car, which if taken in sunlight may look white. Mick Haven, via email ED Many thanks for your observations, Mick, and I have to confess that I'd completely missed the fact that the Spark version was absent from the article. As for the cars being a different colour to the real thing that there was only ever one of, I can only imagine that, in the case of the Matchbox Superfast in particular, it was for commercial reasons as the powers that be probably considered the metallic pinky-purple to be more appealing to the market. Bizarrely there were few Superfasts made in green but this one should have been an obvious choice really. I'm tempted to convert my spare example and it would make a nice short article - so thank you for the inspiration!

OLDSMOBILE WHEREABOUTS HAVING seen the Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser on page 20. I WANT ONE! However I was unable to get any info of how to buy one from the web address stated on line when I got the page up on your web site, i.e. www.modelcarworld.de. Do you by any chance have a contact address from which I could purchase this model? John Stevens, via email

82 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

ED Sorry that you've had some difficulty tracking this one down. Here is the direct link to the page: http://www.modelcarworld.de/ uk/BoS-Models/222636/Modelcar-Oldsmobile-Vista-Cruiser-goldwood-optics-1971.htm. It is a fabulous model and I'm sure that you'll be very pleased with it.

MODIFIED METEOR

MODELLER NEEDED

I'M writing to you concerning your excellent piece on the Meteor fighter in the November issue as I have a couple of points that you might find of interest. The first concerns the scale of the Dinky Meteor – which is quoted as 1/200. In Sue Richardson’s authoritative New Cavendish book Diecast Toy Aircraft she gives the scale as 1/197. A small 'nit pick’! The other item concerns the installation of an undercarriage on the Dinky model. The images below show how good the Dinky Meteor looks with an undercarriage fitted. This is a conversion I did a few years ago. I drilled through each wing and inserted a pre-angled piece of aluminium wire to act as the undercarriage leg. The wire was fixed with epoxy and when set the protruding part was filed flush with the surface of the wing. A small white metal wheel was then fitted and the end of the wire crimped to secure the wheel in place; as was the practice with Solido and Mercury die cast planes. In an attempt to prevent the Meteor sitting on its tail the legs were set well back on the wings to alter the centre of gravity. The nose leg and wheel is a single piece of aluminium wire inserted in a hole drilled in the underside of the nose. The end of this wire was crimped to represent a wheel. The model was then sprayed and transfers applied to finish the job. I sold this one-off model at a swapmeet in the days when I sold model aircraft – I hope the current owner still has it in good order. Jeffrey Stevenson, via email

A few years ago, through your magazine, I was put in touch with Clarke Tait who lives in Scotland. He scratch built a fire engine for me and did a cracking job. Sadly he became ill and was unable to build my second appliance so I am looking for someone who builds in white metal or maybe brass and could do this for me. It's a 1950's HCB Commer K1 as used by Kent through to 1967. I have plenty of photos etc. Any thoughts please? HELP! Paul Cornish, via email

ED I have to confess to the fact that I had rounded the scale up as I'd calculated it as 1/198 so you're right to pull me up here! You've made a lovely job of the conversion and I'm tempted to have a go myself too as it has always frustrated me that its display options are a little lacking otherwise. I hope your model is indeed still around.

ED Hello Paul, lovely to hear from you again and glad we could be of help with your original build, but I’m sorry to hear of Clarke’s illness. Is there anyone out there who can step in and help Paul with his latest model?

TRANSPORTER AVAILABILITY I was reading November’s issue of Diecast Collector and I am very interested in your article on page 39. As an avid Land Rover model collector of 1/43, 1/48 and 1/50 scale models, the Land Rover Transporter looks great. Do you know if the conversion kits are still available through Brian Salter? If so, would a contact address/email be possible if he is happy to be approached? Douglas Smith, via email ED I've spoken to Brian and sadly there are no more kits available. Fifty were made in total and mine was one of the last. But I have a plan - when it's finished I will offer the completed set as a prize. It will be a good few months yet, at some point during late 2019.

IN NEXT MONTH GULF’S 1970 DAYTONA WINNER A detailed look at Minichamps’ big scale model of a famous Porsche.

February Issue 256

■ Corgi Competition ■ Oxford Anglia Supervan ■ The Champ that Jensen Built ■ Matchbox Superfast 50th Anniversary - pt.1 ■ Aveling Barford Road Roller ■ Corgi 1/50 Scale Buses part 2 ■ Silver Arrows part 2 ■ Fast Fighters in the Sky ■ NZG 50th Anniversary ■ In the Spotlight: Little Wheels ■ Dinky vs CIJ part 2 ■ All the latest news ■ More model reviews than any other UK magazine by our team of experts…

Please note: These planned editorial contents may be subject to change where necessary.

February issue on sale 2nd January or download the digital edition 7 DAYS EARLIER 24th December at www.pocketmags.com/diecast-collector January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

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OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

French Dinky Roadway Layout Andrew Ralston goes 'on the road' with Dinky.

▲ The road signs that go with the layout have been recreated by Atlas. ▲

he Dinky Toys News pages which appeared in the Meccano Magazine month by month in the fifties placed much emphasis on creating layouts for Dinky Toys and readers were encouraged to send in photos of roadway scenes they had built. Though Dinky made many roadside accessories, the company did not go as far as Tri-ang’s Spot-On range which offered an elaborate roadway system with interlocking sections, street furniture and buildings or Matchbox who made a series of cardboard roadway layouts in the sixties, complete with cut-out buildings. One late offering from Meccano Limited was the ‘Dinky Way’ set which comprised four vehicles, cardboard roadway sections, and plastic road signs with self-adhesive stickers. In this category it would also be appropriate to include the Dinky Pavement set, first seen before the war and made up of cardboard sections in three, six and twelve inch lengths, together with corner pieces. A new pavement set, designed on the same principle but containing a variety of angled corner sections, appeared in 1958. This could be laid out on a floor or table to create a roadway system in the sense that the spaces between the pavements would represent the roads. Advertisements in 1958 issues of the Meccano Magazine showed the set being employed in this way. A less elaborate product of this type came from French Dinky in 1969. In fact, it was even more simple and basic in concept than the pavement set, consisting simply of a sheet of paper, not even printed in full colour, with cartoon drawings of buildings and roads. One side, marked 'Route', was printed in red and had caricatures such as countryside buildings, a man in a boat fishing, trees, birds, and so on, while the reverse side, in grey and marked 'Ville' (town), depicts urban architecture. This playsheet – described as a ‘Circuit d’Essai,’ which roughly translates as ‘test track’ - was part of a Meccano-Tri-ang promotion linked to the introduction of a new series of Dinky road signs ('Panneau de Signalisation'), available in two boxed sets, 'Route' and 'Ville'. The roadway could be obtained free from Dinky stockists, the idea being that the signs would be placed on numbered spots on the layout. Simultaneously, in a rather desperate attempt to be seen to offer something for nothing, each new Dinky model came with a 'free' model road sign,

Roadway sheet shown with some of the recent Atlas replica French Dinky Toys.

▲ Reverse side showed a simple town layout.

▲ Cartoon-style drawings on the French Dinky roadway sheet

though Meccano-Tri-ang stressed that these signs would all be different from the ones in the boxed sets in case the offer discouraged people from buying these sets. However, in 1969 the number of youngsters interested in playing with toy cars was diminishing, and Dinky was losing ground. Indeed, the French Dinky range would only be around for another three years, though production of some of the models did continue for a time in Spain. A monotone sheet of paper with drawings of roadways hardly seems likely to aroused much excitement or stimulate greater sales at a time when both Hot Wheels and Matchbox were offering much more fun with hi-speed plastic tracks that let the cars zoom around at speed and do somersaults. As such, Dinky’s ‘Circuit d’Essai’ quickly faded into oblivion. DC

January 2019 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk •

THE LAST WORD

Hickory Dickory Docklands Brian Gower observes some changes to East London's skyline.

e can only guess what mechanical chaos was caused when that renegade mouse ran up the clock but I am constantly hearing now of what time itself has allowed to happen to once familiar parts of London. When I first dropped into a pub called the Anchor Backside it was surrounded by old warehouses that made the narrow back streets that led to it gloomy whilst the Thames slapped against the lower flanks of the Anchor, giving drinkers and diners the impression of being aboard a creaking vessel, shortly to cast off from its grimy mooring. Waitresses, dressed as serving wenches, darted around adding to the illusion that time had slipped. Twelve years later, visiting Rotherhithe with almost-Wifey, we found the Anchor in a wasteland of charred timbers and dust. It was the only building still standing, except for some distant glittering towers that seemed to be moving closer as darkness fell. Once inside, it was as I remembered it although the wenches had been replaced by young men with earrings but, if we looked across the river to where ancient buildings were untouched, the devastation outside could be forgotten. Not too far away, Bermondsey’s antique market continued to fill a large, drafty car park every Friday where I still had friends. All gone now. No stalls, no cafés, no deals, no laughter. I am not even sure that the colourfully named street, Wild’s Rents, where the Rover could be safely left, hasn’t been obliterated by a gated estate for the wealthy. Something that hasn’t gone, because it was never there, is a stall selling old diecasts. One man in Portobello Road sold them and there was the occasional shop with a small display amongst other transport-related ephemera. Consequently, if you did find some, they were cheap. Although I wasn’t actively collecting at the time, I bought whatever turned up and, sometimes, could be tempted by a new Corgi or Dinky toy. I should have bought everything, old and new, purely because I wanted to. I didn’t because my main reason for being in the markets was to make money and I was already collecting other things and, as I try to tell myself, I can’t have everything. Time changes many things and I now realise too late that buying all the new diecast models back then would have saved me a lot of money later, quite apart from the pleasure of having them at the time. I bought almost nothing

86 • www.diecast-collector.co.uk • January 2019

Corgi No 241 Ghia 6.4L Chrysler.

▲ Corgi No 245 Buick Riviera.

▲ Corgi No 382 Porsche 911 Targa.

between the 1960s and early ‘70s. Dinky Toys, Corgi Toys, Matchbox Super Kings, all passed me by, so when I made a belated return to collecting, I didn’t know what I had missed. The small selection shown here represents my discovery of those models. The Ghia 6.4L Chrysler, bought with other models, cost me eight pounds. If I sell on the ones that I don’t want from the same lot, it will have cost me nothing. Bargains, then, can still be found. Finding them now, bargains or not, gives me the unusual, if illusory, experience of recapturing time; a rare pleasure as I’m sure you all know. Tock-tick. DC

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