Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2024 i Diecast Collector

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AS we went to press with this issue Universal Hobbies released its new Valtra S416 in turquoise blue (product number UH6652). With all new tooling and limited to only 750 pieces, the 1/32 scale tractor is simply stunning. Each item is individually numbered under the chassis, and is complete with front and rear standard realistic UH coupling system, and adjustable third point linkage. Available from www.universalhobbies.fr, or your preferred retailer, the model will set you back in the region of €89.00.…

IT’S been ten long years since a new Corgi Aviation Archive Fairey Swordfish model has graced our display shelves, but that’s all just about to change. In the latest edition of Corgi’s Diecast Diaries series, Michael Clegg teased us with an exclusive first look at an advanced production sample model of the much anticipated new model. Many thought this model tooling was lost in a Far Eastern storage facility, but thanks to the investigative powers of the development team, the Fairey Swordfish is about to be unleashed once more. This latest release marks an aircraft which took part in Operation Torch towards the end of 1942 and wears the very distinctive markings of a Fleet Air Arm aircraft sporting modified national insignia. The model is available to pre-order, priced at…

Siku’s latest remotely controlled tractor has a metal chassis, metal rear linkage and plastic body panels. Powered by four AAA batteries (not supplied) the well-built model can be controlled by any Apple or Android device by downloading a free app. The app is easy to setup and allows the tractor’s speed and direction to be controlled using a virtual joystick or by tilting the phone or tablet. A separate handset is available at extra cost. There are buttons to switch on the road lights, work lights, indicators and warning beacons. Also the horn and engine noise, the sound for both is generated on the phone or tablet, are switched on and off from the app. The tractor travels at speeds up to a slow walking pace and as it stops…

The 1950s were almost certainly Land Rover’s peak as far as adventure expeditions and scientific explorations are concerned. The first Land Rover, introduced in 1948, had very quickly been noted by many people for its solid construction, simple mechanicals and, of course, its ability off road. Land Rover soon realised the sales potential of such expeditions, and the company’s engineers were quick to appreciate the benefits of seeing how their vehicles performed in tough conditions. So much so that during the 1950s, Land-Rover themselves were willing to provide vehicles and technical support to those in search of places never before accessed by car. Back then, almost anyone with a plan could approach bosses asking for vehicles and support, and many did. Among the most well-known of these expeditions are the…

No.617 Squadron, famously known as the ‘Dambusters’, is probably the most well-known RAF unit. Its fame came as a result of the daring raid of 16/17 May 1943, when the squadron successfully carried out Operation Chastise, which aimed to breach three dams in the industrial heartland of Germany and hence the unit’s ‘Dambusters’ nickname. The raid became the single most famous operation in the history of aerial warfare. For the attack the squadron used a special weapon codenamed Upkeep, actually termed a mine but more commonly referred to as the ‘bouncing bomb’. The Avro Lancaster used for the raid was the B.III (Special), modified from the standard Lancaster configuration to be able to carry one Upkeep each in a specially designed calliper device that could rotate it at the 500rpm…

Some years ago I conjured up the title above for a brief account of familiar British cars which have only been modelled overseas, mainly in partworks not directly sold here and therefore likely to have escaped attention (Diecast Collector April 2016). This is a convenient theme to re-open for some 1950s/1960s trucks and vans which were familiar in period and due to subsequent Spanish assembly have emerged with new identities from IXO/Altaya and related partworks. My adventure started several months ago with a bargain trio of attractive partwork models spotted in a shop window. Although commercial stuff is not my usual territory, I was fairly sure none of them had British 1/43 counterparts so was intrigued enough to investigate further. They were respectively an Ebro B-45 Coca-Cola delivery truck (originally…

Here’s a novel approach to diecast: buy a magazine and receive a free model (or maybe the elements of a model, necessitating the purchase of further magazines to complete the subject matter). Antique sailing ships in an impressive 1/84 scale; tanks and armour in 1/72 scale; American 1960s and 1970s classic cars in 1/43; 1/8 scale car kits and a motorcycle in 1/4 are amongst the varied offerings from DeAgostini. The company that made the word 'partwork' fashionable doesn’t neglect the sci-fi lover, either: choose from Robocop, Optimus Prime and Star Wars kits, if that’s your particular bent. The larger models are truly wondrous, it has to be said; but then they should be, because the owners of these kits will have shelled out quite a few hundred pounds to…

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Vectis’ special diecast sale did its vendor proud, showing that there is no slowing down within the marketplace. Here, Corgi stole the limelight, with a No.225 Austin Seven Mini. This was the rare promotional issue for "Jensens" paints in red with a lemon interior. Including leaflet, it sold for a remarkable £1,470. Corgi’s Monkeemobile, with red body and white roof, was near mint but was rendered highly desirable because the detachable header card and collectors club folded leaflet. It was contested to £1,225. The superb "Rocket Age" gift set also aroused much interest. With RAF Land Rover and launching ramp, airfield and staff car, it was all there, with leaflets and in a good box. Much sought after by small boys on its appearance, this set made £2,205. Biggest sale…

DIECAST MYSTERY ■ This photo (above) was taken at Retromobile Paris just a couple of weeks ago, and how I spotted it, I do not know. It was in a veritable sea of stunning 1:1 full scale models, the like of which are rarely seen anywhere else. The Dinky Toys version is still the best and the smaller one of the two, is fairly crude by comparison with a poor paint job, or perhaps it is a repaint. It was not a mint model (as can be seen) notably with a missing side-loading door. It is certainly a new one to me, on a design that has been frequently modelled over many years. Please can you appeal for information in the magazine? John Bath, Surrey ED Can anyone out there…

A GREAT ROLL OF THE DYCE! CUSTOMISED promotional model vehicle specialists, Search Impex, has announce the forthcoming release of “Tilly Brig” - a 1/50 scale DAF XG+ (6x2) solo tractor unit, customised in the 50 years’ anniversary livery of well-known Aberdeen based operator Dyce Carriers Ltd. The models have been produced exclusively for Search Impex by WSI Models as a certificated Limited Edition (220 pieces). With the head office in Aberdeen and three further depots in Scotland (at Invergordon, Dalgety Bay and Grangemouth), as well as one in England at Poole, today’s operation runs a fleet in excess of 80 commercial vehicles. This comprises a mix of Volvo, DAF, MAN, Renault and Mercedes units and a variety of trailers, including extendables, flats, curtains and step frames, as well as a…

OXFORD AUTOMOBILE Austin Low Loader Taxi - Oxford Blue REF: 120AT002 SCALE: 1/120 PRICE: £7.45 OXFORD OMNIBUS Bedford OB Coach Southdown REF: 120OB002 SCALE: 1/120 PRICE: £8.95 COCA COLA Coca Cola Mercedes Sprinter REF: 76MSV007CC SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £10.95 OXFORD HAULAGE Scania T Cab Cylindrical Tanker Wilson McCurdy REF: 76TCAB011 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £31.95 OXFORD COMMERCIALS Land Rover Series 2 LWB Canvas Bronze Green REF: 120LAN2011 SCALE: 1/120 PRICE: £7.45 OXFORD COMMERCIALS Mercedes Whitby Mondial Ice Cream Van Tonibell REF: 43WM009 SCALE: 1/43 PRICE: £20.95 OXFORD AUTOMOBILE Austin Mini Metro Emberglow (Princess Diana) REF: 76MET001 SCALE: 1/76 PRICE: £8.95 OXFORD AUTOMOBILE Buick Century 1955 Carlsbad Black/Windsor Grey/Dover White REF: 87BC55007 SCALE: 1/87 PRICE: £9.95 Scammell Mechanical Horse Van Trailer LNER REF: 120MH004 SCALE: 1/120 PRICE: £9.95 B Taylor Builders (Auf…

May 2024 Issue 319 Remembering forgotten marques Exploring the background to a rare, but curvy, British sports car and the replicars made. PLUS… ■ The Darien Gap story ■ Audi Sport Quattro S1 ■ Corgi through the years ■ A-Z of diecast collecting ■ Auction results ■ All the latest news ■ Extensive selection of new model releases ON SALE 2 APRIL …or download the digital edition 7 days earlier! Please note: These planned editorial contents may be subject to change where necessary.…

The British Trans-Americas Expedition was an incredible PR stunt undertaken by Land Rover, in the early 1970s, for its then brand new Range Rover. The Pan-American Highway is a network of roads stretching across the Americas, from Alaska’s Prudhoe Bay to the southern extents of South America, measuring about 18,000 miles in length. But there was a break in the middle for about 250 miles of unchartered South American jungle and the Great Atrato Swamp, known as the Darién Gap. The idea was for a pair of the new Range Rovers to tackle the route, including the missing section, in a bold move to boost sales, in the USA in particular. The plan was for the cars to start in Alaska and finish at the very tip of Chile, at…

Over the years there have been many customized and specially-built vehicles used to promote products, services and events. During the 1950s and ‘60s, these were very popular on the continent, ranging from standard cars and vans with displays on the sides or roofs, to bizarre creations that looked absolutely nothing like the base vehicle. In Britain, there were custom-built publicity vehicles made from fibreglass and shaped like the promoted product, such as Outspan Oranges and Cadbury Cream Eggs. In Japan publicity vehicles are also widely used, and some of these have been modelled by Tomica as part of the ‘Dream Tomica’ range of novelty vehicles. NISSIN CUP NOODLE Cup Noodle was invented in 1971 by Momofuku Ando, the founder of the Nissin Food Company, as a cheap and easy way…

Regular readers will hopefully be aware of this bimonthly study of an older toy and a modern equivalent. Last time we looked at Corgi’s Triumph Herald Coupe and matched it with a modern 1/76 Classix example. This month we are going to once again delve into the box of old cars that my uncle gave me. The next toy is the Corgi Rover 2000 in Monte Carlo Rally trim from 1965. In its day, the Rover 2000 was not only a very advanced car engineering wise (it was the inaugural winner of the European Car of the Year Award in 1964) it was also very good looking. Corgi first released its Rover 2000 casting, in blue, in 1963 as model 252. After the success of their Monte Carlo Minis (Corgi…

Taylor & Barrett is one of the unsung heroes of the British toy industry. It quickly grew from a small acorn into a company capable of making some of our finest metal toys and survived against the odds to recover from near extinction during World War Two. It made some absolutely splendid toys, yet never became a household name like some of its more illustrious big brothers. The company was formed in 1920 by Fred G. Taylor and his brother-in-law Alfred Barrett. They set up in business at premises on Schofield Road, London making lead figures and soldiers. Taylor had previously worked as a lift installer while Barrett had gained experience in toy making when employed as a lead caster at William Britains’ London factory. A short time later they…

Number 45 during the Lesney-era Superfast range comprises a racing car plagued with problems, the first BMW and a semi-tractor cab… something for everyone! FORD GROUP 6 Production: 1970-75 Catalogue: 1970-75 Box Styles: F, G, I The name "Ford Group 6" is something of a misnomer, as this car was really known as the Ford P68 or F3L, but it raced in the Group 6 class of GT racing, hence the model’s name. It wasn’t even a true Ford, having been designed by Len Bailey for a private racing team, Alan Mann Racing. The design saw only a short racing career and was plagued with problems, registering only lowly finishes at best due largely to the fact that, while the car was fast and powerful, it could be dangerously unstable…

POSHER & POCHER The last British Toy auctions sale yielded the usual array of collectables: one stand-out item was the Pocher - Rivarossi unboxed but fully built 1/8 scale Ferrari F40 model. Pocher’s creations were hugely expensive in the day and this lovely model measured 54cm in length and was in very good condition, with only a few very minor paint losses, such as around the rear body hinges. A few small parts were missing, including the gear knob and one of the rear body straps and there some letters were missing from the Ferrariri badge on the rear. It went for £300 plus premium. Two boxed Britains Tractors in very good condition were the 9324 County 1884 model and the 9597 Mercedes Benz Detachable Tractor and Tipping Hopper. The…

■ Item: Hot Wheels Mattel Redline Custom Volkswagen Condition: generally near mint with some age-related wear, rare version with no sunroof Sold for: £1905 (24 bids) ■ Item: Corgi Toys Gift Set 3 Batmobile Bat-boat and Trailer Condition: model very near mint, with box showing storage-wear to corners Sold for: £587.77 (31 bids) ■ Item: Lesney Matchbox MB5c Routemaster Bus "Baron of Beef" Condition: original near mint to mint, with rare decals to sides Sold for: £511 (30 bids) ■ Item: Matchbox SuperKings K-20 Peterbilt Wreck Truck Condition: near mint to mint, original in preproduction olive green Sold for: £930 (23 bids) ■ Item: Tri-ang Spot-On No.116 Caterpillar D9 Bulldozer Track Machine - empty box Condition: good, has an inner packing piece but some general wear Sold for: £560.99 (20…

FAIRS 2 MARCH Ludlow, Tony Oakes, 01270 652773 or 07825 631323 3 MARCH Worthing, SRP Toy Fairs, 07739 998012 / 07498 912091 Wimborne, Steve Clements Fairs, 01380 725322/07732 330305 9 MARCH Crewe, Crewe Model Engineering Society, 01270 505781 10 MARCH Lincolnshire, J & J Fairs, 01522 880383 Walsall Wood, Transtar Promotions, 01922 643385 Newton Abbot, Ray Heard, 01823 480097 12 MARCH Hook, Steve Clements Fairs, 01380 725322/07732 330305 17 MARCH Rainton, Jim Corr Toy, Train & Sci-Fi Fair, 07504 035955 Orpington, SRP Toy Fairs, 07739 998012 / 07498 912091 Wickham, Steve Clements Fairs, 01380 725322 / 07732 330305 19 MARCH Wooton Basset, Steve Clements Fairs, 01380 725322 / 07732 330305 24 MARCH Spalding, J & J Fairs, 01522 880383 Tenterden, SRP Toy Fairs, 07739 998012 / 07498 912091 Plymouth, Plymouth…

ILARIO models retailer, British Heritage Models, has told us of the latest model to be announced from premium quality builder, Ilario of France. Hand-built in resin, the new addition to the range is the 1936 Mercedes Benz 540K Spezial roadster, with coachbuilding by Erdmann & Rossi. Two variants are available: open, limited to 35 models, and closed, limited to 40 models. The models are £285 each or can be purchased via BHM’s ‘3easypay’ scheme; spreading the cost over three months with payments of £95 per month. More details can be had from British Heritage Models by calling 01244 320761, emailing bhm-uk@talktalk.net or by visiting www.britishheritagemodels.co.uk.…

SPARK has recently announced the cars that it will be replicating in 1/43 scale from this year’s Monte Carlo Rally – and what a selection it is! As usual, the resin model manufacturer will be covering the works Toyota (Elfyn Evans, Sebastien Ogier and Takamoto Katsuta) and Ford (Adrien Fourmaux and Gregoire Munster) teams. It is presumed that an announcement for reigning double world champion Kalle Rovanpera will follow in the near future, the Finn only contesting a partial programme this year. Spark has also announced replicas of the new Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 machine and, as usual, a set of Alpine A110s from the RGT element of the event. You can view all of these new 1/43 replicas from the 2024 Monte Carlo Rally at www.diecastlegends.com, or your preferred…

OXFORD’S NEW FRENCH FIGHTER WEARS A GERMAN LIVERY AND HAS TWO VERSIONS The Morane-Saulnier M.S. 406, a French fighter aircraft capable of exceeding 250mph, was developed and manufactured by Morane-Saulnier from 1938. One of only two French designs to exceed 1,000 in number, it was France’s most manufactured fighter during World War II. The M.S. 406 was a low-wing monoplane of mixed construction, with a fabric-covered wooden tail, and a bonded metal–wood material (Plymax) skin fixed to Duralumin tubing. Plymax consisted of a thin sheet of Duralumin bonded to a thicker sheet of plywood. Morane-Saulnier had a long history of producing warplanes dating back to before World War I, but in the inter-war period, it had concentrated on civil designs. The aircraft was Morane-Saulnier’s first low-wing monoplane, first with an…

It’s been a busy few weeks in the toy collecting market, with two of the biggest trade fairs opening their doors to members of the industry. First up was London Toy Fair, organised and run by British Toy & Hobby Association, and held at Olympia. The Toy Fair is the largest dedicated toy, game and hobby trade exhibition in the UK. Three packed days of business, with more than 260 exhibiting companies ranging from the large renowned brands right through to the new start-up companies and one-man bands. The Toy Fair is a showcase, providing industry visitors with a real overview and insight into a fun and exciting market. It is also a great place to see new models as they are launched for the year ahead… While the diecast…

Many of us who collect motorsport-related scale model cars, are always looking for winners of a certain event, or wins by a favourite driver. There are numerous derivatives of this “glory hunting”, as many as each of us can imagine. Sometimes, collecting themes like this ends up having several repeated scale models, and that’s for a reason. When a driver has the chance to be in the most competitive car of an era, and is able to extract its maximum performance, he may well repeat victories in consecutive seasons. That’s something difficult to avoid, when collecting winners of great events like Le Mans 24 hours or the Monte Carlo Rally, to name just a pair of the most popular themes among 1/43 scale model cars collectors. But, what if we…

There looks to be a growing resurgence of interest in these pages for ancient motoring and I’m meaning the vehicles more than the drivers, before you ask. Before anybody gets in too deep, I would like to pay homage to Britain’s most well-known and famous vintage vehicle, the lady Genevieve. Nearly 70 years ago now the people at film producers J.Arthur Rank were about to look for two vehicles to take part in a race, as it was put then; a comedy dramatisation of two participants in the annual London to Brighton run. The fact that one of the cars was given the name Genevieve has proved to be pure brilliance. The film actually made six stars, four with two legs a piece, two with four wheels. John Gregson and…

With sales starting to show real signs of slowing down due to the increased competition and changing trends, 1972 was nevertheless still an encouraging year. There were definitely some interesting releases that would have made it into a “Corgi Hall of Fame’, if such a thing existed, notably the Police Range Rover and the new series of Formula 1 racing cars that heralded the arrival of 1/36 scale into the range. Starting with the January releases, of course, there were four and that Police Range Rover was one of these. No.461 Police ‘Vigilant’ Range Rover, to give it its full title, came in the usual orangey-red and yellow window boxes, with some rather wonderful artwork as a backdrop. The model itself, at 1/43 scale, featured rotating spotlights on the roof…

Recently there have been reports about UFO’s which have come to earth and the mystery of these sightings still provides interest. This interest in space has been around for a long time and was portrayed in comics, films and television from the 1930s onwards and from early times looking up into the skies and wondering. There were of course science fiction novels by H G Wells, Jules Verne and many other authors. I avidly read the books and followed the films and programmes. The toy manufacturers were also happy to produce space models and so were Dinky Toys during the 1970s and 80s. The U.S.S. Enterprise (No.358) landed in April 1976 and is discussed in the Meccano Magazine that month. This says ‘No.358 U.S.S. Enterprise from the tremendously popular television…

Warwick and Warwick’s latest auction, held towards the end of January, was another very successful sale. The diecast section certainly flew away! Lot 229 was a selection of aircraft, featuring various 1/32, 1/48 and 1/72 scale Corgi Aviation Archive models. Selling for a notable £1,240, against its estimate of £229. A Dinky 513 Guy Flat Truck with Tailboard, 1st cab type, grey cab and flatbed, black chassis, wings and hubs sold for £120 and had an estimate of £100. While lot 348, a Dinky No.952 Vega Major luxury coach with purple sides, blue interior, sold for £110 over an estimate of £100. Lot 358, a Shackleton Foden FG 6-wheel Platform Lorry, finished with a blue body and red wings, grey chassis and fuel tanks, in blue/yellow box and Dyson 8-ton…

■ Corgi Heavy Haulage 1/50th scale 18005 Pickfords Industrial Set, comprising of Scammell Contractor x 2, Nicolas Trailer, Bogies and Generator “Pickfords”, limited edition with COA 4000 produce. Condition appears to be near mint (unchecked for completeness) in excellent lift off lid box. Sold for £40, Vectis, January. ■ Corgi Heavy Haulage 18003 “Wynn’s” Scammell Contractor x 2 Nicholas Girder Trailer, Bogies & Stator Core Set. Condition appears to be excellent to near mint (unchecked for completeness) in an excellent lift off lid box. Sold for £50, Vectis, January. ■ Corgi a boxed Heavy Haulage 1/50 Scale CC12305 Scammell Contractor x 2, Girder Trailer, Bogies and sheeted load “Eddie Stobart Ltd Carlisle” set. Condition appears to be near mint (unchecked for completeness) in excellent box. Sold for £45, Vectis, January.…