Diecast Collector August 2023

DUE to arrive at retailers in August, Matrix has confirmed a pair of 1/43 scale resincast Mini Clubman Estates, adding to its recent Mini-related releases of Paul McCartney’s Radford Mini de Ville and a brace of Riley Elf MkIIs. All will be limited editions, as is the norm with Matrix releases. The new Clubman Estate models will be available in red (No MXMM430171) or metallic blue (MXMM430172). Prices are yet to be confirmed, but will be around the usual figure for a Matrix release. For more information and to pre-order, contact your preferred Matrix Scale Models retailer.…

FOLLOWING on from the news of the newly-tooled wheel detail for Corgi’s specially-commissioned The Professionals Bodie’s Capri Mk3 last month, Professionalmania has received the final production sample, complete with the finished box and collector’s card. What an absolute stunner and it will look superb alongside the company’s recent release of Doyle’s Escort Mk2 RS2000 Scheduled for August production, numbers are limited – the previous Professionalmania commission sold out really quickly. To find out more, and to pre-order this magnificent model, drop Tony Buller an email at professionalmania@hotmail.com.…

OUR handbuilt-models specialists, Charles Barnett and Mike Coupe, both tell us that white-metal manufacturer Brooklin Models has relocated once again. Following its move from the long-established factory in Bath, to a unit in Paulton, near Bristol, the company has moved premises again, and the models will now be built alongside, but separate from, those of its sister company, SMTS, in Hastings, Sussex. New models will still be developed in a small unit near Bristol, however. There is good news in that the company wants to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its British range, Lansdowne Models, and plan to release a model of the Morris Minor “1 Million”. The original version of this car was of course a celebration, in itself, of a million Morris Minors being produced. It was a…

LAUNCHED to coincide with the centenary celebrations of the famous Le Mans 24 Hours, Ixo has just begun a new series that brings together 50 of its excellent event-related cars covering the last 100 years, from 1923 to the present day. Each of the 25 issues, published every two weeks, will comprise a pair of 1/43 scale replicas, priced at €24.50 including UK delivery, although UK customs charges will also need to be applied now, of course. To find out more, and to start your subscription, visit Ixo's specific web pages at www.ixocollections.com/en/45-subcription-collection-24h-le-mans.…

IN the April issue, on page 26, in the report from Nuremberg, we reported on the forthcoming 1/76 scale Alexander Dennis Plaxton Panorama new tooling, commissioned from Holland Oto by Buckie Model Centre. There was an early prototype version on display in Germany that we shared in the magazine. But now, Chris Hall at the Buckie Model Centre has shared design cell images to demonstrate the first three liveries that will go into production shortly, scheduled to arrive in time to go on sale in late September or early October. There are three different liveries, which will all be available in three variations. Each variant is limited to 250 pieces. • Megabus livery: YX69LCA “Aberdeen Angus” (destination Aberdeen Via Dundee) YX69LCF “London Calling” (destination London M20) YX69LCC “Caledonian Cruiser” (destination…

By the time that the next issue rolls around, I will be facing the fact that I first started writing for and editing this magazine a full 10 years ago. Wow, that has come around really quickly, relatively speaking. This has led to me reflecting on the changes we have seen in our hobby over this period. Manufacturers have come and gone, scales have waxed and waned in terms of popularity, and materials used have developed, as have production techniques. Change is something that we Brits are said to be unwilling to adapt to easily. But adapt we must, in order to survive - it's in our genes. I won't give too much more away this month, but in the next issue, there are going to be a few changes…