Friday, February 25, 2011

CORGI CLASSIC 1/50 SHERMAN M4A2 - FRENCH ARMY


An extremely good World War II model (Across the Western Front). Features include a rotating turret and full track configuration. One of a Limited Edition of 5,000 worldwide and includes a Limited Edition Certificate and information booklet. Model presented in a presentation box. The decoration is particulary effective, and the detailing is equally fine. Shop here

Sunday, February 20, 2011

CORGI CLASSIC 1/50 SCAMMELL SCARAB 'ESKIMO FROZEN FOODS'


One of the most attractive liveries on the Scammell Scarab is that of Eskimo Frozen Foods. In a pleasing combination of two shades of blue, the model features the 'Eskimo' figure on both the cab doors and tilt sides. Shop here

CORGI CLASSICS 1/50 THAMES TRADER BOX VAN 'LUCOZADE'


This is the Thames Trader box van in the familiar yellow of Lucozade. It is a slight pity that the roller shutters on the sides of the van are only represented by tempo printing and do not form part of the casting. Shop here

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

CORGI CLASSICS 1/50 ATKINSON TANKER 'FINA'


The model for 1996 is the Atkinson cab with a tanker in the livery of Fina Fuel Oils: again an attractive combination of two shades of blue, while the dark blue of the tanker disguises the plastic. A pleasing model is the result. Shop here

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

IXO 1/43 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOII-2003 NEW ZEALAND RALLY

A well-detailed and nicely-finished model of the Misubishi Lancer WRC car in a livery not often seen previously. The model is mounted on a removable plinth with a hard plastic cover. Shop here

Thursday, February 10, 2011

SUN STAR 1/18 - 1956 LINCOLN PREMIERE CLOSED CONVERTIBLE

1956 Lincoln Premiere Diecast Car Model 1/18 Closed Convertible Island Coral/Red Platinum Edition by Sunstar


1956 Lincoln Premiere Diecast Car Model 1/18 Closed Convertible Island Coral/Red Platinum Edition by Sunstar


The 1956 Lincoln Premiere captured everythin that you would expect in a Lincoln, and more. From the long, flowing unbroken lines to the lavish two-tone interior, this automobil exudes class and raises the pulse of anyone nearby 285 horses run under the hood, available at a moment's notice. Power windows, air conditioning, steering, brakes and seats provide comfort and safety at the touch of a finger. No luxury escaped the designers of this masterpiece. This meticulously-crafted 1:18 scale replica of the 1956 Lincoln Premiere will capture your attention and intrigue your sense of adventure with each authentic feature.

SUN STAR 1/18 FACEL VEGA HK500 DIECAST CAR



The Facel Vega HK500 was the car of its day driven by celebrities and the European jet set during the 50's and 60's. Tony Curtis and Frank Sinatra even had one. Incredibly well-made with high quality coachwork and engineered to the highest expectations of its well-heeled clients, the car's performance and ride even rivaled that of the most expensive Rolls Royce or Mercedes of its day. Shop here

MAISTO 1/18 1971 DATSUN 240Z


For the price this is a pretty decent die cast. It's my first Z car scale model and I'm happy with it. I bought mine while they were available for a great price at Costco.


The general dimensions seem to be spot on from the outside. The model itself does have some very fine details and decals too. The scuff plate decal in the door frame looks like metal and has the tiny word DATSUN on it. There's even a minuscule VIN plate on the dash with legible numbers and the month that the California plate would be set to expire is almost discernible. The headlights, front turn signals and taillights are each separate plastic pieces and look very convincing. The side marker lights are painted on though. The tires are appropriately skinny with early style "D" hubcaps. Inside, there is period correct diamond pattern where it would have been on the original vinyl, the tiny three spoke wheel had the right indentations as well as a painted on wood rim and the door panels even have pulls and knobs molded onto them.

Both doors open, as well as the hatch and hood. The front wheels turn in conjunction with the steering wheel and it has independent suspension with coil springs all the way around, just like the real car. The underside of the body is comprised of 3-4 big slabs-o-plastic that have molded in details like the IRS, engine, transmission, splash pan and gas tank. There is a correct looking exhaust system complete with dual pipes that merge into one collector and route properly to the rear and out through a single muffler.

There are only a couple of disappointments. The biggest being the engine bay, which is one solid piece of plastic with a few parts painted (valve cover, air cleaner, spark plug wires and fluid reservoir caps). Under the rear hatch the metal of the body juts out at the bottom, quite unlike the real deal, and on the plastic window frames for both front doors, at the leading edge they get too thick right by where the rearview mirror is. It is accurate in only having a rearview mirror on the driver side however.

All in all, for the price, I'm happy with this model. So much so that I bought four of them. --W. Wilhelm  Shop here

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

CORGI CLASSICS 1/50 FOWLER B6 SUPERLION - MILLENNIUM


The showman's engine has also been chosen as a chrome Millennium model, and this is perhaps the best of the 'Millennnium' choices. Complete with a chrome seal, in a splendid presentation box, this looks quite eye-catching. As mentioned earlier, the Millennium series has sold quite well. Shop here

CORGI OOC 1/76 VAN HOOL ALIZEE - SHEARINGS


OOC's elegant Alizee coach has recieved one of its most attractive liveries yet. To celebrate 80 years, and the dreaded Millennium, Lewis of Greenwich revised its normal liver to represent the Thames flowing through Greenwich 'Home of the millennium' - (Greenwich Observatory is on the Meridian line and where GMT is measured from).

The delightful compass logo and Thames way line are really well done, resulting in one of the best millennium models produced. The registration LEW 15 W is a clever touch by Lewis. The tampo printing of such tiny details as the welcome aboard slogan is excellent. Shop here

Sunday, February 6, 2011

MINICHAMPS 1/43 MERCEDES-BENZ UNIMOG 401 WITH TRAILER

It's always good to see a model of a more unusual prototype. Coming from Minichamps you know that the result will be an accurate casting, the fine detailing extending to the cab interior. Of particular note are the excellent wheels, and the high level of finishing. Shop here

Thursday, February 3, 2011

WELLY 1/18 1964 FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLES DIECAST CAR MODEL


The first production Mustang rolled off the assembly line on March 9, 1964, and was introduced to the public at the New York World's Fair on April 17, 1964, via all three Amercian television networks on April 19, and made an appearance in the James Bond film Goldfinger in September of 1964. It was one of the most successful product launches in automotive history. The Mustang nameplate has signified an American classic muscle car for generations. This beautiful 1964 Red Ford Mustang Convertible Diecast Model Car is a great collection piece for any fan of the Mustang

AUTOART 1/18 1956 JAGUAR XK-SS STEVE McQUEEN PRIVATE COLLECTION

1956 Jaguar XK-SS Steve Mqueen Private Collection Diecast Car Model 1/18 Die Cast Car by Autoart


1956 Jaguar XK-SS Steve Mqueen Private Collection Diecast Car Model 1/18 Die Cast Car by Autoart


Produced in 1957, basically from 'left over' Jaguar D-Type pressings, the XKSS was simply a racing car with some road car trim. It retained the D-Type 250bhp 'drysump' engines and disc brakes, and much of the performance. Only 16 were built before a disastrous fire at the Jaguar factory ended production. Born of the D-type and sire to the E-Type-the lines were evolving at an early stage. Examples of the real car are very rare and ver, very expensive. This perhaps explain why there are apparently more in circulation now than were originally builts!

The model has superb engine detail: the small doors open, as does the rear boot, the lower revealing the spare tyre. This model fills a gap in the history of Jaguar racing.

SIGNATURE MODELS 1/32 1936 CHRYSLER AIRFLOW DIECAST CAR MODEL


Total Corporate Sales Beat Ford 1936 was a great year for Chrysler with sales the best since 1929 and a profit record of 62.1 million. Even better, corporate sales topped 1 million and beat Ford. The Airstream design was radical for its time and much critized. Sales were not great but in the mid-1930's it gave Chysler much needed publicity. Our 1:32 scale precision diecast replica 1936 Chrysler Deluxe Airstream Sedan was built on the bigger 133 inc wheelbase. Powerd by the 273.8 cubic inch Inline 8 engine.

YAT MING 1/18 1962 OLDSMOBILE STARFIRE DIECAST MODEL


Late in the 1961 model year, Oldsmobile introduced the Starfire convertible as their personal luxury car. Sales and interest were enough that for 1962 Starfire became its own model line with the edition of the Holiday coupe. This hardtop became one of Oldsmobile's best selling models with 34,839 produced, compare to only 7,149 convertibles.

With its feature-light steering, pillow-soft ride and leather upholstery it had the luxury as advertised. Dual exhausts and a 4-barrel Rochester carburetor made the 345hp. V-8 a rocket launcher. And the brushed aluminum side trim didn't hurt either. In all, the Starfire helped Oldsmobile to its best year since 1956.

Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y-18C 1918 Atkinson Steam Lorry

    Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y-18C 1918 Atkinson Steam Lorry was made in England by Matchbox International in 1986. It is 11 cm long an...