Innehållsförteckning för February 2023 från Diecast Collector

NEW SQUADRON FROM STAPLES AND VINE SERA Staples has proudly announced the release of a new wave of limited edition aircraft models. All of the aircraft are in production and available to order now. Feast your eyes on the list below. Visit Sera’s website at www.staplesandvine.com for more information and to place an order. 1/48 scale: • Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4 Hans-Joachim Marseille 1/72 scale: • English Electric Lightning F1A 56 Squadron 'Firebirds' (pictured)• Mosquito FB Mk VI Group Captain Pickard 'Operation Jericho• Messerschmitt Me 262A-1a Leutnant Alfred Schreiber 1944• Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6/AS Winter 1944-45• Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4 Hauptmann Wilhelm Johnen• Boulton Paul Defiant Mk I 255 Squadron 1941• Gloster E.28/39 First Flight May 15th 1941• Curtiss Kittyhawk Mk I Flight Officer Neville Duke• Messerschmitt Me 262B-1a/U1 Oberleutnant Kurt Welter 1945•…

Fiat Group was still running the old 131 Abarth in the World Rally Championship, at the start of the 1980s, when Audi launched the quattro and changed the rally scene forever. Four-wheel-drive and a turbo engine immediately proved to be the perfect recipe for multiple wins, on the various kinds of terrain and in all weather conditions. At this time, the WRC was still under Group 4 regulations, the new Group B rules were announced for 1982 and the Fiat Group had some hard decisions to make. The first was to change again from Fiat to Lancia, as its works brand, to tackle the championship. After precociously retiring the Lancia Stratos in 1976, to make way for the 131 Abarth in the name of marketing needs, now the administration was…

The MG TC, which had been essentially a stop-gap model, enjoyed surprising success in the North American market with some 10,000 being built between 1945 and 1949, most of them crossing the Atlantic. As a result, improvements to the TD of 1949 in areas such as steering and rigidity were specifically designed to enhance the car’s appeal in the USA. Sales of this model peaked in 1952 until it gave way to theTF the following year, itself another stop-gap until the arrival of the much more modern MGA in 1955. With so many real T Types going to America, it was no surprise that numerous toy and model versions were made there, whether in the form of metal toys from the two biggest firms, Tootsietoys and Hubley, or in the…

Firstly, I have to thank Mike Pigott for making me dig out my annual when he submitted his article on pages 54 and 55. It served to remind me that I have a fair few of the models that are featured within its pages so, of course, I had to get them out of storage to share here. Thanks also toVectis Auctions for filling the picture gaps where I don’t have them (yet). As Mike pointed out, there aren’t too many pages inside the annual that actually feature its products. We’ll start first with the cover then. Flying high are a Spitfire and a BAC Lightning. Mike pointed out that these could be either a reference to a plastic kit, or diecasts from the SkyBusters range. Given the ambiguity, and…

Back in the July 2017 issue, we looked at a set of three model vehicles by Tomica of Japan that were based on some of the most popular characters from Marvel Comics. They were part of the 'Dream Tomica' line, which featured mostly fictional vehicles from TV, movies and comic books. An exception to the rule was the trio of Marvel vehicles, which were not based on any cars seen in movies or comics. Instead, they were interpretations of the sort of vehicles that heroes might conceivably drive for their crime-fighting duties. To tie in with the 2016 film Captain America: Civil War, Tomica re-released two of the Marvel cars in new finishes as special limited editions. In the film, the government attempts to gain influence over the Avengers and…

You’ve been at it a long while,” a dealer said to me at a recent diecast fair, “what’s your best collecting year, Chris?” “1950” I said without hesitation. Then I stopped to think about what I had just said. And, yes, it is 1950. That’s the year I discovered Dinky Toys, once the most beautiful toy cars I’d ever seen. I remember the thrill of receiving the Ford Fordor (No 139a), Morris Oxford (No 40g), Estate Car (No 27f), and Observation Coach (No 29f). They were wonderful surprises because I was too young to get any pocket money to save up for them. Dad bought them for me at Don France’s hobby shop in Lambton Quay, Wellington. They are the last Dinkys I had for many years that were bought…

THE AMERICAN SCENE Charles Barnett was back on the trail across the Atlantic this year and found plenty of temptation. I am incredibly lucky in that I am able to visit the USA now and again, and was able to make it across to take in three of my favourite events during autumn 2022. After a three-year, Covid-enforced break, I was keen to see what changes there had been, as well as get in amongst all those toys and models, of course. First was the huge Fall Carlisle car show, in Pennsylvania, just outside the town of that name – it’s about 20 miles from state capital Harrisburg. Aimed at selling full-size classic cars, it incorporates a huge swapmeet for parts, literature and of course, toys and models of all…

It never ceases to amaze me how diverse and fascinating the monthly roll-out of highly-detailed, resincast models from AutoCult is, and indeed how fresh and appealing the subjects modelled are. So much so that I only have space to take a selective dip into the list of recent models and ones that are perhaps not so well-known because of the limited Swiss market they are made for. THE CLASS OF 2022 I find it very hard to pick out particular examples from both the AutoCult and Avenue 43 2022 releases to highlight, just because there are so many and with such a variety of reasons why they attract. We start with the last quarter of the year. From September, the Porsche 917/20 Designstudie - 1969 (#07025) and theWillys FC-150 PTT…

Corgi was really getting into its stride now, so much so that the 1965 release year runs to seven pages, so we’ve split this one over two issues. We naturally start with the first half of the year, so here come details of the releases from January to June. January saw the introduction of a whole range of military reworkings of existing models, all now painted in drab military green with US Army markings. These were produced specifically as a response to calls from distributors in the USA and, as such, all initial production was shipped across the Atlantic. So, technically, there were no new models in the first month of the year for the home market. These vehicles would, however, begin to appear in UK shops later in the…

Number 31 in the Lesney-era 1-75 Superfast range featured a classic American luxury sedan, a weird and wonderful customised Beetle and finished up with a caravan, which then carried on for many years after the Lesney bankruptcy. LINCOLN CONTINENTAL Catalogue: 1970-71 Box Styles: G For its comparatively short run as a Superfast (although longer than some), the stylish Lincoln Continental acquired a new colour when it received its Superfast ‘upgrade’ – a very pleasing and subtle metallic lime green. For 1971, the body received body modification to the wheel arches, so that the wider, second generation Superfast wheels could be fitted. With its light interior and clear glass, it was definitely a favourite in the shops, thanks to its faithfully-replicated body and an opening boot. In May 2021, Vectis Auctions…

There is a fascination in seeing a tipper wagon, especially when it is tipping its load. Today we have large eight-wheel tippers and others often seen at road repair locations. Aside from these, there are many other smaller tippers used for delivering sand, gravel or materials to building sites. This whole range of tippers was captured over the years by Dinky Toys, from the early basic 25 series tippers, with no tipping mechanism, to the large Leyland Dump Truck No 925 with its tilt cab and other working features. A medium size tipper was introduced to the series, in May 1964, as the Dinky Toys Bedford TK Tipper (No 435). The Meccano Magazine advert on the back page that month describes all the features including “New Bedford TK cab with…

A TALE OF TWO VWS AND A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN HAMMER PRICES IT just goes to show that, even today with specialist publications, like our Ramsay’s British Diecast price guide (available at www.ccofgb.co.uk), final prices at auction can vary wildly when there are two (or more) bidders are both keen to snaffle their quarry. What we have here is a classic case of exactly this, with two very similar examples of the same vintage model, albeit in differing condition. Both were sold recently, just over a week apart, but the final prices demonstrated a huge disparity, with the one in the worst condition, surprisingly, selling for an awful lot more. The Hot Wheels Custom Volkswagen Bug without sunroof, from 1968, was made in Hong Kong, and these were mainly sold…

Awesome Alfa Production of the pretty Alfa Romeo 4C might have now ceased in Italy, but we celebrate the delightful design with 1/43 scale models. Please note: These planned editorial contents may be subject to change where necessary. PLUS… ▪ Lancia Rally 037 part 2▪ Hot Wheels 1999▪ Standard Vanguards▪ Renault 4 part 1▪ Chipperfields Circus part 3▪ The Corgi Years – 1965 part 2▪ Oxford Diecasts new TT range in detail▪ Collecting by numbers – Superfast #32▪ Auction results▪ All the latest news▪ Extensive selection of new model releases, reviewed by our team of experts March issue on sale 1st February or download the digital edition 7 DAYS EARLIER on 25th January at www.pocketmags.com/diecast-collector…

SUCCUMB TO THE LURE OF THIS PRETTY LITTLE ITALIAN SPORTY CLASSIC 1/18 scale LAUDORACING - MODEL 1968 Fiat 850 Sport Coupé PRICE: € 109.90 REF NO: LM118G www.laudoracing-models.com FIAT’S popular little 850 saloon was joined by a coupé variant at the 1965 Geneva Motor Show, with the original 843 cc engine, producing 47 hp, still at the back. For 1968, the coupé got a bit of a makeover, becoming the Series II and receiving the additional Sport moniker - in recognition of the sportier interior, restyled front and increased engine capacity (now 903 cc, producing 52 hp). More than 2.3 million units of the 850 series left the Fiat factories, including the bare chassis that were supplied to external coachbuilders. Of the Coupé, just over 340,000 were built between 1965…

Exactly twelve months ago I first came face to face with LBWorks makeovers of the Nissan R35, thanks to Solido’s inaugural pair of releases in 1/18 [‘Road & Track’ – February 2022 issue]. They have now been joined by a further pair of colour variations in 1/18 and two new 1/43 versions. Following on from last month’s spotlight on theAlfa Romeo Giulias in both 1/43 and 1/18, I am very quickly warming to seeing complementary models of the same vehicle (differentiated by subtle differences) released concurrently in both scales. WILD IN 1/18 That first pair of Nissan GT-R (R35) Liberty Walk Body Kit in Orange metallic and Mint green pastel are now joined by versions in Metallic Blue (S1805801) and Pearl Grey (S1805802). Whilst the Pearl Grey finish is perhaps…

What a lovely and evocative name Lagonda is – ever wondered where it came from? Well, it is an original Shawnee Native American name for a small town in Springfield, Ohio, called Buck Creek. It was here, in 1859, that one Wilbur Gunn was born. Wilbur’s father founded the Lagonda Corporation, making tube-cleaning machinery. Young Wilbur was interested in both engineering and in singing, and he came to Britain as an opera singer. He built a steam yacht called Giralda, claimed to be the fastest boat on theThames, and then began, as did so many other motor manufacturers, making motor cycles in 1898 from the greenhouse of his home in Staines. The Lagonda Company in Great Britain was formally founded in 1899, making 1999 its centenary. A major programme of…

In 2003 a British company called Product Enterprise Limited introduced a range of model vehicles called 'Gerry Anderson Diecast Classics'. These were large items similar in size to 1/18 scale model cars. Product Enterprise made a wide range of vehicles from nearly all theTV-21 programmes, from Supercar through to Space: 1999. Yet, there were no models from the most popular show, Thunderbirds, and this may have been because the license was unavailable due to the live-action feature film being in production around this time. Surprisingly, there were no models from Joe-90 either, but unsurprisingly there was nothing from obscure show The Secret Service, which didn't feature any futuristic vehicles. The majority of models were based on Space: 1999, with six different types of Eagle spacecraft released (see RickWilson’s article in…

During the early months of 2022, when we began planning our first proper holiday for five years, to Sicily, a little light bulb flickered on in my mind. Anyone with a whiff of Castrol R in their veins will most likely have heard of the famous race that used to take place around a public road course on the island – the Targa Florio. Long since succumbed to the sensibilities of driver (and spectator) safety, the original circuit, and some of the infrastructure, still remains. Planning to undertake the 45-mile Piccolo circuit in our humble hire car, I soon hatched a plan to bring along a couple of appropriate models for a photoshoot. A dear friend of mine, Michael Keyser (who actually helped with a huge amount of research for…

DATE: 14th November 2022 TITLE: Corgi Juniors Club Racing Gift Set 3020 SOLD FOR: £190.00 BIDS: 8 Corgi Juniors Club Racing Whizzwheels Gift Set 3020, including figures and accessories, comprising Mini Cooper S, Marcos XP, Ferrari 512S, Morgan Plus 8, Land Rover Wrecker Truck (rear hook missing), Lotus Europa, Ford Capri, and Trailer. Also in the box are five track official figurines and a set of bollards. The box is all original and a little tattered, and the vehicles have clearly been played with, but all are in decent condition for their age. DATE: 27th November 2022 TITLE: Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y-6a AEC Lorry Duck Egg Blue SOLD FOR: £1034.58 BIDS: 36 Much sought-after version of the Yesteryear Y-6a AEC Lorry in the incredibly hard-to-find Duck Egg Blue. Wearing…

DIECAST AMERICANA & VETERAN VAUXHALLS THANK you for such a nice presentation of my Desert Island Diecasts article in the December issue. As usual, there was plenty to enjoy in the magazine, but two items particularly struck a nostalgic chord with me. Brian Gower in his Americana UK piece mentioned about the chance to buy a new 1959 Chevrolet Impala in Streatham, which ties in perfectly with my all-time favourite Corgi American model, No 248, the (1959) Chevrolet Impala, which was a two-piece casting with plated trim, finished in a light brown tan, with white roof. A really stunning Corgi of which I have a lovely mint and boxed example. By way of total contrast, in your reply to Chris King’s letter, about a diecast "Genevieve" Darracq, you mentioned the…

Aside from when I have worked from home, the most congenial building in which I spent time was a tall, grey Victorian house, the last but one in a long south London street. It was so unremarkable that I passed it twice before walking up the short path and pushing the front door. Then I knew I was in the right place. Once past the official-looking reception area, a passage led to a big kitchen, which retained a feeling of slightly chaotic domesticity. You could easily believe that a large family had recently left the table with its mugs and toast crumbs – me, the visiting uncle. My office was on the first floor, overlooking a walled garden. The view was an immediate distraction as winter turned to spring, although,…