Innehållsförteckning för July 2025 från Diecast Collector

HOT on the heels of last month’s “Into Summer” feature Thorsten Sabrautzky tells us that Autopioneer’s latest model, announced appropriately at Easter, will be of the very interesting Opel Ei (Egg) from 1912. Due for release at the end of the year the model is the result of Herr Sabrautzky extensive, and ongoing, research about this very early venture by Opel into aerodynamic design that predates the work of Paul Jaray and other popularly accepted exponents of the ‘Streamliner’ design movement by a decade. Designed by Max Lochner the Opel Ei was one of many early experimentations in automobile design influenced by the fledgling aircraft industry and against a contemporary prejudice against all enclosed car bodies on safety grounds. As with some of the previous Autopioneer releases this Opel brings…

Although collectors have had to wait two years for Universal Hobbies to release its Massey Ferguson 760 combine, after first showing the prototype at Nuremberg in 2023, it has definitely been worth the wait! Weighing just over 1.1kg the beautifully engineered combine has good levels of detailing. It has a detachable 15ft grain table, moulded in a high-grade plastic and provided with crop dividers, drives, knife, feed auger and reel. There are two rams to set the height of the freely rotating reel. The feed elevator is supported on two rams, there’s also the flotation spring, and has the drive detail. There are wing mirrors and good-looking lights provided on the engine cover and fully glazed cab. While there’s no access to the cab interior it’s provided with operating levers,…

Hawker Hurricane Mk.I, P3383/UF-E, P/O WML ‘Billy’ Fiske, ’B Flight’, RAF No.601 Squadron, Tangmere, 11th August 1940 PRICE: £59.99 SCALE: 1/72 REF: AA27609 RELEASE: June 2025 B-17F Flying Fortress, 'Royal Flush' 42-6087, LD-Z, 100th BG, Lt Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal, 8th Air PRICE: £189.99 SCALE:1/72 REF: AA33322 RELEASE: August 2025 Handley Page Halifax MkV, DK186 ZL-L, 'London’s Revenge / L for Lana', RCAF No. 427 Sqn, RAF Leeming, 1943 PRICE: £169.99 SCALE: 1/72 REF: AA37210 RELEASE: September 2025 Junkers Ju87B – 1 Stuka, S2+LM – W.Nr 5600, Uffz Pittroff and Uffz Scubert, 4/StG77, 8th August 1940, Attack on Convoy CW9 Peewit PRICE: £64.99 SCALE: 1/72 REF: AA32520 RELEASE: August 2025 Messerschmitt Me109E-4/B Wk-Nr 1106 'Yellow 1', Oberleutnant Walter Rupp, Manston, 17 October 1940 PRICE: £59.99 SCALE:1/72 REF: AA28009 RELEASE: September 2025…

Making copies of diecast toys is something that knows no national boundaries. We saw last time how diecast lookalikes of toy vehicles from the USA, Belgium and Germany were made in the UK and the same thing happened in many other countries. The process is by no means confined to the distant past and, in spite of tighter legal protections, more recent ‘clones’ can still be found. This is a vast and fascinating subject but in this article we’ll limit the discussion to a selection of diecast models copied in Europe, in particular in Spain, Portugal, France and Scandinavia. At the outset, though, it is important to distinguish between copies and reissues. A copy generally results from a toy company getting hold of an existing product and replicating it, presumably…

Pay just £41.99 for 12 issues Saving 30%* when you subscribe yearly! Why subscribe… ■ Features from the world of vintage, nostalgic toys and models ■ Handy tips and price guides featured every month ■ The latest releases from all the major manufacturers ■ Get inspired with the latest auction, toyfairs and events FREE GIFT! Get a copy of the Toy Collectors Price Guide 2025* HOW TO ORDER YOURS… Simply scan the QR code seen here, visit https://ccofgb.uk/CollectorsGazette or call our team on 01778 392006 and quote GAZ/SUBS25. *T&Cs apply. Free gift available while stocks last. Rate applies only when you subscribe to 12 issues of Collectors Gazette via a Direct Debit. Offer is valid from 13th February 2026. See website for details.…

Every Diecast Collector reader will know a little about Oxford Diecast, I reckon. Aside from the ubiquitous 1/43 scale offerings, this manufacturer has seen fit to cater for rail layouts up and down the land (in 1/76), as well as producing vehicles in 1/87, 1/120 and the minute 1/148, or N scale, to those in the know. It also has espoused the large, well-detailed 1/18 scale – its Bubblecars are worthy of note here. Go to any swapmeet and you’ll see dozens and dozens of the 1/43 miniatures for sale: they are simply everywhere. After all, Oxford Diecast has formulated almost 20 different categories of vehicle, thereby assuring something for (nearly) everyone. Arguably Oxford has seized the crown latterly worn by Dinky and Corgi, and thanks to parent Hornby, the…

■ A limited edition Citroen SM in 1/12 scale by Otto. This is car number 460 of only 999 made in this size. It measures approximately 41 cm long and appears in ear mint condition, it is slightly dusty from display and comes with its original box. Sold for £65, British Toy Auctions, April. ■ A boxed 1/6 scale 1932 TE Lawrence Brough Superior SS100 # 062135500. This large scale model appears mint in a very good box. Sold for £280, British Toy Auctions, April. ■ A boxed 1/18 scale Porsche 356 T5 B 001 made exclusively for Porsche Club GB members. The car appears near mint (one windscreen wiper missing) in a display case in its original Porsche Club packaging. The outer box has some storage creasing and small…

In the 1960s and 70s there was, I would say, a greater emphasis on 'Road Safety' in primary schools than there is today. I can clearly recall brown-covered exercise books with the rules of the Green Cross Code printed on the front. I am not sure if any child actually read them – I know I didn’t! Then there was the Tufty Club for younger children, a campaign run by RoSPA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) which many remember from that era, though in fact it dates from as far back as 1953. This really took off in the sixties when a network of ‘Tufty Clubs’ was set up and by the 1970s as many as two million children were members of these. The main character in…

A new 1/18 scale model is set to delight collectors this year. Cult Scale Models will release a detailed replica of the 1988-89 Rover 827Vitesse Fastback in Q2. The model will be available in three colours: Targa red, Pulsar silver, and metallic dark green. British Heritage Models is offering these collectibles at £174 each, which includes UK postage and packaging. This release is expected to appeal to classic British car enthusiasts and scale model fans alike. For more information or to order, contact BHM at 01244 320761, email bhm-uk@talktalk.net, or visit www.britishheritagemodels.co.uk.…

AUGUST 2025 Issue 334 ON SALE 1 JULY …or download the digital edition 7 days earlier! Majorette Alpine A110 There are certain cars that cause a bit of exciting amongst collectors… Is the current Alpine A110 one of them? Please note: These planned editorial contents may be subject to change where necessary. PLUS… ■ Oxford Diecast releases ■ Fiat 850 in miniature ■ A-Z of diecast collecting ■ Models 'Now and Then' ■ Auction results ■ All the latest news ■ Extensive selection of new model releases ■ And much more……

Autobianchi was an Italian manufacturer, created jointly by Bianchi, Pirelli and Fiat in 1955. It produced only a handful of models during its time, which were almost exclusively small cars. Its products were priced higher than Fiat models of similar size and the brand was used by Fiat to test innovative concepts that could later be found in mainstream Fiat vehicles. One of the most well-known Autobianchi models is the A112, launched in November 1969 as a small hatchback. Production of the A112 ceased in 1986. It was developed using a shrunken version of the contemporary Fiat 128’s platform and the mechanicals of the A112 subsequently underpinned the Fiat 127. The A112 proved very popular in Italy for tuning and racing, so it was somewhat inevitable that a certain legendary…

Fifty years after it was launched, the Lotus Esprit still makes heads turn when it passes in the streets. The Giorgetto Giugiaro wedge-shaped design was so ahead of its time in the seventies that it still looks great today. With just one major restyling through its life, and a few minor body updates, the Esprit stayed in production from 1976 until 2004 in Hethel, Norfolk. A total production run of 10,675 cars were delivered to customers, in several consecutive special series. Giugiaro was responsible for the first version, the Series 1, and the first minor changes in 1978 that led to the Series 2. Between 1982 and 1988, the Series 3 brought a few more detail changes and the Turbo Esprit was launched in 1980 with an aerodynamic package, both…

One of my favourite car-based films growing up in the 1980s was the first Smokey and The Bandit film, starring Burt Reynolds. It was originally released in May 1977 and was the second highest grossing film globally of that year. This month’s Little and Large, then, is heading for the silver screen. And that’s a Big 10-4! For 1977 Pontiac gave the Firebird a bold new front. A sharp nose with quad headlights gave it a more aggressive and muscular appearance. It was this new look that caught the eye of director Hal Needham who knew instantly this was the car The Bandit would drive in his new film. A deal was struck with Pontiac who provided the cars, which were actually 1976-model cars with the new 1977 front end…

Way back in the March 2014 issue of Diecast Collector, we looked at a line of diecast model locomotives called the Lionel Classic Series. Produced in 1998, this range consisted of six famous American engines that were very finely modelled in 1/120 scale (TT gauge). The six locos included pioneer era 4-4-0 The General, a powerful 4-6-4 Hudson of the New York Central, a massive streamlined J-class 4-8-4 of the Norfolk & Western Railroad, a GG1 electric engine of the Pennsylvania Railroad, plus two EMD diesels: an F3 Streamliner, and a GP9 hood-type locomotive. The popularity of these models led to a pair of spin-off ranges, the F3 Series and the GP9 Series, which featured the two diesel models in the liveries of six different railway companies each. However, Lionel…

10-Ton Army Truck Back in the golden age of Dinky Toys, in the 1950s, a friend and myself avidly collected the new military series to add to our pre-War military models which had been rereleased after World War Two. We were also familiar with seeing the real army vehicles on our roads. Although the scales of the Dinky Toys models varied it did not interfere with our battle scenes played out on his garden lawn. Alongside our models there were also some of the Britains models and some of their soldiers. In Meccano Magazine of May 1954 the Dinky Toys 10-Ton Army Truck number 622 was one of the ‘NEW models ready during May’ and shown in the black and white advert. The advert describes it as ‘A fine companion…

THE Tintin Shop in London has just announced a whopping 1/12 scale sealed resin model of the Chrysler Imperial to Nankin from the book The Blue Lotus. Initially published in black and white in French in 1936, later colourised in 1946, and finally released in English in 1983, The Blue Lotus is a tale of Tintin’s journeys from Egypt to China amidst the war with Japan. In addition to his usual faithful companion Snowy Tintin is teamed up for the story by Hergé with the young boy Chang Chong-chen. Quite a few of the automobiles that appear in The Blue Lotus have been released previously firstly in the 1/43 series from Atlas and more recently in 1/24 by Hachette/Moulinsart. That later series including this blue Chrysler Imperial as number 15.…

MATRIX Models has just announced the release of a new 1/43rd scale model based on the iconic British car, the 1971–1975 Reliant Scimitar SE5a GTE. This miniature reproduction pays tribute to one of the most popular variants in the Scimitar lineup. Collectors will be able to choose from three distinct colour options: white (MX41702-022), orange (MX41702-023), and blue (MX41702-021). While pricing details have yet to be confirmed, the models are slated for release in the third quarter of 2025. The blue edition replicates the Scimitar presented to Princess Anne as a joint 20th birthday and Christmas gift from HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. Registered as 1420 H to honor her role as Colonel-in-Chief of the 14th/20th Hussars, the car was finished in RAF Blue and…

TAKE TO THE SKIES WITH A TRIO OF EPIC SWEDISH JETS BY AVIATION 72 A s jet fighter technology developed after the end of World War Two, Sweden foresaw a need for a supersonic fighter that could intercept bombers at high altitude as well as engage other fighters. It had to be flown by a single pilot, yet be capable of conducting combat operations under all weather conditions, night or day, while operating from even the most basic of airstrips (including the ability to operate from reinforced public roads), carrying all the equipment needed to neutralise modern jet bombers. Development of the Saab J-35 Draken (Draken has a double meaning and translates as both Dragon and Kite) started in 1948, making its first flight in 1955 and ceasing production in…

We’ve reviewed them… now you can buy them directly from us! Simply complete and return the form below… RRP £49.95 Aviation 72 1/72 Westland Gazelle XX450 Royal Marines Ref: AV7224014 Our Price: £45.00 RRP £37.00 Britains 1/32 Ford TW35 with dual rear wheels Ref: BF43394 Our Price: £37.00 RRP £58.99 Solido 1/18 Autobianchi A112 Mk.5 Abarth Green 1980 Ref: SOL1803806 Our Price: £55.00 RRP £39.99 Corgi Thunderbirds F.A.B. Collection - Thunderbird 2 & 4 Ref: CC00804 Our Price: £39.99 RRP £49.95 Aviation 72 1/72 Westland Gazelle HT.3 XZ936 Empire Test Pilots School Ref: AV7224017 Our Price: £45.00 RRP £69.98 Aviation 72 1/72 Saab J35J Draken Splinter Scheme Ref: AV7241008 Our Price: £65.00 ALL MODELS COME WITH FREE POSTAGE AND PACKAGING! T&Cs apply. Available while stocks last. See https://ccofgb.uk/terms for details.…

On 26/27 March 2025 personnel at RAF Benson waved off Puma helicopters for the last time, as they embarked on their farewell flights in a series of flypasts around the UK. The Puma is a twin-engined medium helicopter and has been a workhorse of the Royal Air Force (RAF) for over five decades, having been introduced into service in 1971. The Puma quickly became a key asset, known for its agility, speed, and versatility. Over the years, it has been deployed in numerous operations and humanitarian missions around the world. In recent history it has seen service in Kenya, from 2009 to 2011, where these helicopters supported UK exercises and in Afghanistan from 2015 to 2021. It has also provided support in the Caribbean as a part of Operation Ruman…

The 17th of June 2025 marks the 55th anniversary since the launch of the original Range Rover. What better way to celebrate this occasion than with an in-depth look at many of the toys and models that have been produced since 1970 of this now iconic car. After 8 years with virtually no investment for any major developments, a new company was formed in 1978 that brought new management, a new determination to succeed and most importantly, money for investments. The original Range Rover morphed throughout the 1980s into a genuine alternative to a Mercedes, BMW or Jaguar. Sure, you could still fit a pig in the back (one of the criteria of the designers when they drew up the original designs in the late 1960s) but the question was,…

TRUCK WITH SITE OFFICE Production: 1970-71 Catalogue: 1970-71 Box Styles: G A slightly lighter blue cab and chassis accompanied the relaunch of this model with Superfast wheels, although some examples with the original darker blue still sneaked onto the production line. Always a popular release the simple inclusion of the all-plastic site office made all the difference and was a must for any minature construction site. LOTUS SUPER SEVEN Production: 1971-75 Catalogue: 1972-75 Box Styles: I The iconic Lotus Seven kit car had been around since 1957, so it’s surprising that it took until 1972 for one to be included in the 1-75 series. The version eventually modelled was the fibreglass-bodied Series 4 "Super Seven" that had angular features and sweeping, full-length wings. It was a fairly good model, although…