Innehållsförteckning för November 2023 från Diecast Collector

MODEL trucks specialist, Search Impex, has announced the release of a Scania High R730 (8x4) tractor unit with a 3 axle - wide bed - 5 axle Nooteboom Pendel-X low loader, customised in the livery of heavy haulage specialist Hallett Silbermann. The models have been produced exclusively by WSI Models as a certificated limited edition (130 pieces). Based in Hatfield, Herts, Hallett Silbermann has specialised in heavy haulage and abnormal load movements for more than 70 years. In 2014, Hallett Silbermann was acquired by The Swain Group based in Kent but, since acquisition, has retained the running of its core operation from its long-established base in Hatfield. The acquisition formed a key part of The Swain Group’s Special Projects division which caters for heavy haulage and lifting and was very…

AS we went to print with this issue of Diecast Collector, Oxford Diecast went live on Facebook to introduce its latest catalogue of releases. All the models will appear on shelves over the course of the next year and there is definitely something for everyone. So much so, there isn’t room for all of them here. Below is just a very small selection of what will be available! You can view the full list on Collectors Club of Great Britain (www.ccofgb.co.uk) or from Oxford Diecast themselves at www.oxforddiecast.co.uk. Happy shopping!…

Cast your minds back to the November 2022 issue and you may well remember an article that updated something we featured 20 years earlier – the collection of Chris Copner. Teased among those pages was a new release of a scale replica of one of Chris’s real ice cream vans by Oxford Diecast at 1/43 scale – and now it’s here. Chris Copner and his ice cream vans are centred in Abergavenny, in South Wales, but he attends events all over the country. He started in 2009 with just one van that, in his own words, was in need of repair but, by 2021, Chris had been named as one of the top three ice cream mobile van exhibitors in the UK by the Ice Cream Alliance. Now he has…

VANGUARDS Ultimate Ford Escort RS Collection REF: VC01501 SCALE: 1/43 PRICE: £159.99 DUE: Autumn 2023 AVIATION ARCHIVE McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR2, Falkland Islands, 1991 REF: AA27903 SCALE: 1/48 PRICE: £179.99 DUE: Autumn 2023 AVIATION ARCHIVE Messerschmitt Bf109 E-4, Germany, 1940 REF: AA28008 SCALE: 1/72 Scale PRICE: £59.99 DUE: Autumn 2023 Messerschmitt Me262A-1A ‘Yellow 17’, Lt. Walter Hagenah, III./Jagdgeschwader 7, Lärz Airfield, Germany, 10th April 1945 REF: AA35711 SCALE: 1/72 PRICE: £59.99 DUE: Autumn 2023 AVIATION ARCHIVE Fairey Swordfish Mk.I, Operation Torch, November 1942 REF: AA36311 SCALE: 1/72 PRICE: £64.99 DUE: Winter 2023-24 JAMES BOND Aston Martin DBS 'Quantum of Solace' REF: CC03805 SCALE: 1/12 PRICE: £35.99 DUE: Autumn 2023 THE GREAT ESCAPE Triumph TR6 Trophy (Weathered) REF: CC08501 SCALE: 1/12 PRICE: £94.99 DUE: Autumn 2023 HEAVY METAL TRUCKS Motorhead REF:…

Since the early 1970s, when the Lancia Stratos was unveiled, model makers started to give the Italian car great attention, reproducing it in various scales. This seminal rally car was so different from its rivals that it looked like an UFO when parked next to an Escort MKII in a “parc fermé” of any rally venue. No wonder the diecast fraternity almost immediately started to look for replicas of this unusual car. At first, there were not many choices in the market for 1/43 models. French company Solido was one of the first to release good quality diecasts, at least by the standards of the time. Then, others followed through the years. The interesting thing is that the Stratos never fell out of fashion, neither among collectors nor scale model…

I have been reading with interest this series and after some considerable deliberation, I have managed to get a list of five. It is fair to say that I have a list of more than a hundred that just failed to make the 'final cut'. DINKY SUPERTOYS NO.948 MCLEAN GMC TRACTOR-TRAILER Without a doubt number one on my list. This model brings back so many memories. The truck of course was from the US TV series Cannonball which I was deemed too young to watch at the time as it came on 'too late', and of course video had not yet been invented, let alone streaming. It also shows how far diecast has progressed, as the box proudly pointed out 'with windows and opening doors'. This truck was a delight…

Many moons ago I collected Matchbox models. They were plentiful, not too expensive and the finite range of 1-75 appealed. The more I delved, though, the more complicated things became. That series had re-issues; then there were some models with plastic wheels, which could be silver or grey or black. Other variations kept coming to light, and this was before ex-Lesney employees began testing the marketplace with models that never made the final cut. Preproduction examples, often one-offs, sent prices into the stratosphere. And I haven’t even mentioned the boxes yet… I finally hung up my anorak when people (admittedly few) began to start counting tread patterns on the tyres. But… if you like diecasts of this size and are blessed with modest means, why not sample Bestbox? The story…

Number 40 during the Lesney-era Superfast range comprises a couple of striking sports cars (which never actually existed!) along with a farming-themed vehicle. GUILDSMAN I Production: 1971-75 Catalogue: 1972-75 Box Styles: H Supposedly based on a Vauxhall concept car, Guildsman I was painted hot pink with a white interior, unpainted base and grille, with a great expanse of green-tinted glazing. It had a ‘flaming star’ decal stuck on the bonnet. The most unusual thing about the real Vauxhall Guildsman was that it never actually existed! Lesney approached Vauxhall for permission to model one of its concept cars, but for some reason chose to model one of the entries from the Vauxhall Craftsman’s Guild design competition. This sports coupé, designed by a young man named Phil Gannon, was chosen. However, this…

■ Corgi 261 “James Bond” Aston Martin DB5 taken from the film “Goldfinger”, gold body, red interior with “James Bond” figure, sliver trim, wire wheels. Good plus to excellent (couple of small marks on edges) still a lovely bright example, inner pictorial stand ise xcellent, outer blue and yellow carded picture box is good plus to excellent (does have small label on non picture side) with secret instruction pack containing lapel badge, folded leaflet and 2 spare bandit figures. Sold for £220, Vectis, September. ■ Corgi 266 “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” with “Caractacus Potts”, “Truly Scrumptious”, “Jeremy & Jemima” figures, with light gold trim, complete with front & rear wings. Overall condition is generally excellent (couple of small marks around wheel edges) inner plastic cloud and card display are excellent,…

When she was around thirteen, my daughter developed a gift. She would stop whatever she was doing, look at me and say “Yes?”. I would say “Yes, what?”, then she would tell me I was about to say something to her…which I was. When this first started I found the phenomenon unsettling but I soon came to accept it as something both touching and useful, especially as it saved time; no need to ask her to put her book down or take her headphones off. Now it seems that Wifey can do something similar. Long before I started scribbling on odd scraps of paper or spreading photographs over the table, she will tell me that I am ‘ticking’ when I don’t think I’m doing anything. It’s obviously a girl thing,…

NORTHCORD Model Company has released its first model from the UK9500 range. Model UK9501 uses the Scania OmniCity double-deck casting and carries the vintage livery with West Midlands fleetnames. Available from retailers later this month, the 1/76 scale bus will retail for £66.99. The vehicle replicated is National Express West Midlands 4780 (BU08 EHZ), on route 67 to Birmingham, with ‘via Tyburn Road’ carried in the front destination. Number 4780 was new to Perry Barr garage in March 2008 carrying registration BV57 XLB. The registration was soon changed to BU08 EHZ. Number 4780 was repainted with West Midlands PTE livery in June 2019 and named ‘Brian Robinson’ accordingly. The replica features excellent detailing, inside and out, such as realistic-looking hand poles and handrails. This is a one-piece casting whose clean…

BRITISH Heritage Models is now selling an ultra-high-quality range of 1/43 scale models from Ilario of France. These high-quality resin hand-built models depict rare, coach-built cars. Coming with a wooden base, leatherette insert and display case, the excellent level of finish makes them among the best 1/43 miniatures available. Production runs in this series are usually only in double figures, making for very rare pieces. Because of their quality and rarity, they are more expensive than other models on the market. To overcome this Frank Jones, owner of BHM, is launching '3easypay'. Collectors can order a model of their choice and pay for it over 3 equal amount monthly instalments. The model will then be posted to the customer (this is not on hire purchase as the model is paid…

The fifth and sixth versions of Aviation 72’s Folland Gnat single-seater have just arrived. Aviation 72 released the first three examples of its newly-tooled Gnat at the beginning of 2020. Following in the contrails of Aviation 72's successful two-seat T.1 trainer variant that has spawned many versions in 1/72 scale, the model's casting was modified to replicate the original solo cockpit 'light fighter' F.1 that first flew in 1955. Initially released in three schemes (RAF Cosford Museum XK724, Finnish Air Force, and Indian Air Force E1974), this trio of 2020 releases together won the Aviation category in our Diecast Collector Awards in 2021 (see the January 2021 issue). The fourth version, replicating RAF XK740 as preserved and on display at the Solent Sky Museum, landed in Spring 2022 (reviewed in…

Over the past few years I have found myself increasingly disinterested in the new automobiles on display in dealer’s showrooms. That abruptly changed just a couple of months ago when I happened, by chance, to have the pleasure of seeing a couple of brand-new INOS Grenadiers on forecourt display. They brought a sparkle to my eyes and surge of automotive enthusiasm pulsing through my veins of the sort I had almost forgotten. Then more recently I noticed the INOS merchandising range is ramping up and includes a pair of 1/18 diecast models by Minimax Import & Export Co.Ltd. which is probably better known to many readers by way of its ‘Spark’ brand. The emerging INOS Grenadier story has fascinated me from the outset, with its multi-national connotations and success against…

Corgi’s 1/72 scale Hawker Siddeley Harrier represents the classic vertical/short take-off and landing (V/STOL) fast jet in nice style. The model features rotating jet nozzles and the unusual undercarriage configuration with an outrigger wheel on each wingtip. HARRIER HISTORY The Harrier was developed in the 1960s from the Hawker P.1127 and Hawker Siddeley Kestrel prototypes. By the end of 1965 an order was placed for six developmental aircraft, XV276-XV281. The first of these carried out its maiden flight, powered by its Pegasus engine, at Dunsfold on 31 August 1966. During trials these Development Batch aircraft proved very successful and an order was placed for the first Harrier GR.1s, the first of which, XV738, carried out its maiden flight on 12 December 1967. The first Harrier to be delivered to an…

Corgi had high hopes for 1969 of reversing the slight decline in sales and had readied an impressive line-up for the coming year. But, on 10th March, disaster struck when the warehouse, and all of its contents, were destroyed in a huge fire. The blaze affected both the warehouse and offices, including details of recent production figures, hence the constant reference in the lists to in these pages “+ 1969 sales (figures lost in fire)”. Prior to this tragedy, the year had actually started well, with two new models for January in the shape of No.271 Ghia 5000 Mangusta with De Tomaso Chassis and No.345 MGC GT Competition Model. The Mangusta was a stunning release, complete with a removable chassis – displayed separately in a tiered window display box. The…

Looking back at the 1970s and the oil crisis, it reminds us that today’s challenges are not unique. I remember before these problems you could fill up your car without thinking about cost and even earlier, I remember when petrol was four shillings and eleven pence a gallon. As Dinky Toys produced road vehicles, they would need to find a Dinky Toys garage supplied by a Dinky Toys tanker. The series had a number of tankers from early basic models up to more detailed later models with added features. The last Dinky Toys tanker was the Foden S20 Fuel Tanker (No.950) announced in the October 1978 Meccano Magazine. The Dinky Toys News tells us that ‘Always high in the popularity ratings are fuel tankers and this, the latest tanker in…

As we press the big red ‘print’ button on this issue, a fantastic selection of models will go under the hammer at Vectis Auctions – The Danny James 1975-82 Superfast Collection! The sale will be held over two days and is expected to achieve more than £50,000. The collection includes models spanning from 1975 to 1982, with box types J-M, as well as a number of pre-production trial models, rare models assembled and sold in Brazil, and a large number of individual model variations, including colour shades, wheel variations and base colours, plus Gift sets and Trial packs. The sale is aimed at a collector audience with lots as low as £10, giving buyers a chance to fill the gaps in their collections. Models expected to do well include: •…

MINI AIR CONCORDE ■ Congratulations on a first-rate issue after taking over the reins following Rick’s departure. I have collected diecast model planes in years gone by and for a while had a regular table at Sandown Park and other swapmeets trading in them. I was particularly interested therefore in the feature on Concorde diecasts (October 2023 issue). I was actually not surprised though, to see that one notable model was not covered in this otherwise comprehensive review of models of the plane. It was never widely available in the UK and is very scarce now. The model in question was made sometime in the late 1980s by Mini Air, a Japanese company whose products are sometimes confused with Aero Mini models that were current at the same time. It…

WE have received information from Mike Coupe at Spa Croft Models regarding a third colour variant on the forthcoming Matrix Model’s 1969-1980 Mini Clubman Estate. This latest variation will be in yellow and should be available later this month. Matrix has also announced the 1963-1967 Wolseley Hornet in two-tone green (scheduled for an October release). Prices for either model have yet to be announced, but based on similar Matrix models, both are likely to have a retail price of around £112.…

Formerly known as The Classic, this year’s event held over the 3-day August Bank Holiday weekend, enhanced its position as the world’s largest historic motor sport gathering. Despite mixed weather, it was packed with enthusiasts and their families, who enjoyed a very full programme of 20 races that covered the whole spectrum of the sport. All had full grids, some of 50-plus competitors, and all featured full-on action, despite the rarity and value of the machinery. Once again, RM Toys was the main area of interest for us model collectors, with a vast selection on offer, including hundreds of boxed and unboxed models and old toys with prices ranging from just £1.00 apiece, as well as their usual wide selection of new current releases in all scales. There was one…

Esval’s long-awaited models of the 1947 H.R.G. 1500 have been released and our specialist on hand-built models, Charles Barnett, tells us more… The models were shown in prototype form in David Wright’s excellent article on the H.R.G. marque and models in the June 2023 issue, and the production versions differ from these in some details, notably the windscreens, which are now photo-etched. The colour shades on the open versions are a little different, and on the red open version and the green top-up one, the inside of the wings are now body colour rather than beige. All are very well-finished and detailed, down to the decal for the fascia dials and switches, and each represents one particular car, so there are significant differences between each model apart from the colour.…

When it comes to being a diecast collector, I reckon that I must classify myself as being very much on the fringe of the hobby. Like many others, I have other more time-consuming pastime passions but still, from time to time indulge in a little swap meet bartering as I build up my small collection of predominantly steam-powered vehicles from the Corgi Vintage Glory range. Although I still have a modest well-used collection of semi-battered Corgis from my childhood, I still like to buy and collect diecast vehicles as and when the bug, as they say, bites. I suppose as railways are my main interest, traction engines or as some folk call them, ‘boilers on wheels’, are a natural progression for a side interest which started back in 1973. As…

Not all superheroes are dark and gritty. Some are ‘family friendly’ types such as Pixar’s The Incredibles, while others are aimed at very young children, including the Powerpuff Girls and today's subject, PJ Masks. PJ Masks is based on the ‘Les Pyjamasques’ series of children’s books by French writer Romuald Racioppo, about a trio of children who change into superheroes at night and fight crime in their pyjamas. In 2015, the books were adapted for TV with the anglicised title ‘PJ Masks’. The show is a British-French co-production and made with computer-generated animation. The team consists of Connor (Catboy), Amaya (Owlette) and Greg (Gekko), three young children who live in the same street and attend primary school together. They each possess an animal amulet which gives them the abilities of…

Founded in 1938, the Société Nationales des Chemins de fer Francais (SNCF) operates France’s state-owned railway company. Headquartered in the Parisian suburb of St. Denis, the company that manage the road of iron (Chemins de fer), structures its organization into five divisions. ‘SNCF Voyages’ provides passenger transport. While ‘SNCF Logistics’ runs the freight transport section, which has a long and distinguished history of collecting and delivering customer’s baggage and other goods. French Dinky modelled three trucks to reflect the importance of SNCF’s off rail activities. In 1949, when the production of French Dinky Toys restarted after World War Two, they introduced model 25JJ based on the pre-war Ford ‘Poissy’, named after the Paris suburb where the vehicle was built. The introduction of models based on this out-dated vehicle was an…

Astra-Pharos or Astra (as it’s often referred to) has its roots in the 1930s, so will soon be celebrating its centenary. Although it did not manufacture diecast vehicles as such, its range of military subjects in a large scale was extensive; more than that, quality was a company trademark and its output was well engineered, inviting longevity. Astra finally ceased toy production in 1954, although the company was not wound up until the mid-1970s. A background in electrical power drove early production, which focussed on model searchlights and traffic lights; this was not too surprising, since the toys were actually an off shoot of the company’s main business, that of dynamo, spotlight and tail light manufacture. However, as the rumblings of a global conflict began to make themselves heard in…

Andrew Woodhall’s collection continues to be sold off at Vectis: a Mattel Hot Wheels Custom Beetle in dark metallic aqua but without a sunroof, and with accompanying button, raised £1,041, while his Models of Yesteryear Y7 Jacobs biscuit van in brown and cream with knobbly black plastic wheels was a rare variant: this crunched the estimate and sold for £900. For Matchbox fans, a Mini Ha-Ha in red with windows and a flesh-coloured driver raised an eyebrow or two, and was knocked down for £900. A Bing gauge 1 4-4-0 locomotive and tender stole the show at Vectis recently. Lined for the South East and Chatham Railway, in green, and in electric format, fitted with a modern three-rail mechanism, it made £3,920. Close on its (w)heels was a Bassett-Lowke Caledonian…

■ Item: Corgi Toys Gift Set No.48 Ford Transporter and 6 cars Condition: excellent, complete with all original cars, accessories and spare decals Sold for: £659.99 (3 bids) ■ Item: Fallout Fusion Flea in lime green Condition: excellent, with box, limited edition number 153 of 250 Sold for: £1519 (2 bids) ■ Item: Minichamps 1/18 Williams Renault FW14 Senna/Mansell 1991 Condition: excellent, signed by Nigel Mansell, one of 750 examples made Sold for: £590 (27 bids) ■ Item: Dinky Toys 28b Pickfords Type 1 Delivery Van Condition: original pre-war model without fatigue and minimal paint loss Sold for: £1,320 (40 bids) ■ Item: Minichamps 1/18 Andy Warhol BMW M1 Art Car Group 4 Condition: like new with original box and art book, Perspex case has some blemishes Sold for: £605…