Wednesday, December 18, 2013

PORSCHE 911 3.0 TURBO


Brash go-faster stripes enliven the plain white paint on this excellent Porsche. With an opening bonnet which reveals a lined luggage compartment, and superb engine detail, this model should please the 'Stuttgart Massive' no end! Shop here

HONDA NSX 1990


The 1990s produced some notably desirable cars and this NSX was just one example. This replica has a super interior, although in sombre black, but this contrasts well with the bodywork's rich Formula Red paint. The boot opens and is authentically lined, and there are also moving pop-up headlamps. Shop here

FORD 100E ESCORT ESTATE


Reflecting the usual Classix range standards, this Escort from the 1957-1961 batch has a lovely colour, accurate printing and fine detail painting. Shop here

Sunday, December 8, 2013

ERTL 1/18 1960 FORD STARLINER


The Starliner was the sporty fastback version of the flagship Galaxie line of fullsize Fords. Beautifully crafted this 1960 Grey Ford Starliner Diecast Model Car features opening hood, doors, trunk and steerable front wheels. No collection is complete without this stunning car. Personalize it with the custom flame graphics. Shop here

JR ADAMS ERF ECT OLYMPIC CURTAINSIDE 50th ANNIVERSARY MODEL



The birth of the Corgi Road Collectables Road Transport range dates back to 1985 with the introduction of the Thornycroft and Renault Box Vans. Hauliers of Renown is the flagship of the range and four models are included in the Anniversary range. Each model is accompanied by a keyring featuring both the Corgi 50th and haulier's logo and packed in a special anniversary box.


The ERF ECT Olympic received the largest vote by enthusiasts to be included and carries the livery of the English representative J. R. Adams (Newcastle) Ltd, based at Swalwell, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Shop here

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

EFE 1/76 AEC RT - LT



EFE's old faithful RT was its first ever bus. when introduced, it was such a detailed model that it was such a detailed model that it virtually created the hobby of 1/76th scale bus collecting on its own.

But even something that set new standards in 1989 could be seen as tired by 1999, and the model was needing a new lease of life. And it has got one.

It has new under-chassis 'running boards'; side traffic indicators  tween decks; a new radiator; tided up casting around the driver's area.

These changes have really bought a new lease of life to the casting. The radiator makes it look most authentic with its masterful grille effect and tiny AEC/LT badge.

This model is of an unusual variant it features an off-side information panel (Routh 29) and roof mounted route code box as well. This combination was short-lived, but it did happen. Shop herehttp://www.amazon.co.uk/EFE-Anniversary-London-Transport-16405/dp/B00BVM1SNE/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738

HOT WHEELS BASIC CAR 50-PACK



This box set is a great way for a casual or new collector to get into Hot Wheels. The set comes with 50 different cars and other vehicles (no duplicates) and as far as I can tell, they are not randomly put in there as I have found info from others and they seemed to have the same vehicles in their boxes as mine came with. If you don't have any or only own a few Hot Wheels, you will be pleased with the variety of cars. There is something in there for just about any kind of car nut to enjoy. I am certain that any kid would love this set as well, it's just a great set for any age group.

The box is made of nicely printed cardboard and about the size and shape of a small shoe box, and the cars are packed in tightly so it weighs a good amount. If you put them back in, be sure to do so carefully or you can damage the packaging of the individual cars (if that matters to you). The cars all come on the so called short cards, not the standard cardboard backs that you will see in a retail store. A few standouts were the Batmobile, a Monte Carlo SS (80's), Nissan GTR, Datsun 510, Ford GT, Cuda, Chevelle and Twin Mill III.

I'd say if you're a hard core collector, you probably have all the cars in the box and don't need to buy this, but for a kid or casual/new collector this is a great way to start your collection or could be enough to be your whole collection. Not having seen the actual contents I was a little apprehensive before buying this, but now that I have it I can say I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. There are only one or two cars in the box I didn't like, the rest are great. Shop here

JAGUAR XJ6 4.2 SERIES II 11973 LIGHT BLUE BOX WITH TOWING HORSE BOX



The Jaguar XJ6 Series II was introduced in 1973 with final production ceased in 1979. Only minor changes were made over the earlier Series I cars, the bumpers were raised slightly to meet pending US regulations, the front end was subtly revised and some minor technical improvements were made. The Series II XJ6 was delivered with either a 4,235cc DOHC I-6 engine producing 170bhp @ 4,750rpm or a 3,442cc DOHC I-6 engine which produced 160bhp @ 5,000rpm, transmission was still the 4 speed manual with optional overdrive, or the optional Borg Warner 3 speed automatic gearbox.

This model comes with a twin axle horse box which the Jaguar was more than capable of towing, and would be the perfect combination by many people around the country. Shop here

Thursday, November 14, 2013

EFE 1/76 LEYLAND NATIONAL - BARTON



There's a real appeal to the Barton fleet, with plenty of people who have never had a ride on a Barton Buses vehicle still unable to resist models in the livery.

The Barton livery this National I appears in really suits the shape of the bus, and the archer logo is very well done.

A nice touch is the Barton logo on the drivers windscreen. There's no sign of any legal lettering on our pre-production sample, we rather think it should be for Trent, new owners of Barton. Shop here

EFE 1/76 XA ATLANTEAN - LT



The Atlantean was hardly an unqualified success for London Transport. In its short life it wore few livery variations, but XA18 is seen with open bullseye livery. It also features nice LT house ads for travel enquiries and exact fares.

The EFE advertisements feature a gold stripe, but the production release features the correct white stripe appropriate for the open bullseye era. Shop here

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

VOLVO F12 40' FLATBED AND LOAD - H E PAYNE - BEDFORDSHIRE


Now into its sixty-eighth year of trading and with three generations of family ownership, H E Payne Transport Ltd has developed an extensive fleet of vehicles specialising in transporting goods from ambient, chilled and frozen temperature ranges.

Harry Edward Payne was first introduced to fresh produce transportation during the wartime years when he began replacing local farmers’ previous hauliers.
After his death in 1948, his wife Edna and mother Violet kept the business going until 1958. In its growing years, Payne’s bought its vehicles from various sources. David Payne, managing director and son of Harry Payne, recalls at one time having six vehicles, all painted different colours. Generally the livery was mid Brunswick Green with a black chassis and mudguards with gold paint lettering although in recent years the chassis colour has change to red.

Payne’s first Volvo was an F86 6x2 rigid and made a strong first impression. Today H E Payne operates from their five acre site at Wyboston next to the house where Harry Payne started his business. When Harry Edward Payne started up his Bedfordshire based haulage business back in 1938 he could hardly have imaged that so many years later the company would still be going strong and providing employment for two later generations of his family. Shop here

CORGI 1/76 PD2 ORION - PLYMOUTH



Plymouth had a long history as a loyal Leyland buyer, and in 1955 took delivery of  the then new and lightweight MCW Orion body on 90 new PD2s.

The Plymouth livery is well reproduced, and gives a really satisfyingly Corporation bus feel. The radiator is a bit bright but commendably thin, and both 'Cyder' and beer adverts lead one to think a holiday in Plymouth in the 50s must have been quite an affair. Charming stuff from OOC. Shop here

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

EFE 1/76 DAIMLER UTILITY MIDLAND RED



What a real delight this model is. It may only be a 40's bus, but in many ways it looks older, thanks to the old fashioned Midland lettering and the squareness of the Utility body.

Look up close, and it is yet another virtually new casting around the cab area. Of course the radiator is different from previous Utilities, but so also is the area below the driver's screen, with new positioning again for the cast-in headlights and the cover box.

The bonnet is the same length as the previous Mk I Arab, not the Mk II with the extended length. The mudguards are created in the plastic moulding used for the chassis, and follow a different pattern for the odd Mk II or curvier Mk I wings.

he fluted top of the Daimler radiator is nicely cast-albeit in plastic- and again there is the well-detailed interior roof. Shop here

BRUMM 1/43 FERRARI 330 P4


The model represents the Ferrari 330 P4 V12 'spyder' sports car with race number 224, as raced by Nino Vaccarella and Ludovicio Scarfiotti in the 1967 Targa Florio race, pracices were held and Vaccarella achieved the fastest lap time of 37 minutes 12.4 seconds. Scarfiotti in the same car recorded a time of 41 seconds slower. Vaccarella led the opening lap, but in the village of Collesano, trying too hard, the Sicilian driver slid the car into a stone wall breaking the car wheel hubs and front suspension. Shop here

Sunday, July 28, 2013

BRUMM 1/43 MORGAN MX4



These days, the only three-wheeler we get excited about is Del Boy's Regal van, but back in the 30s, the Morgan MX4 was a most exciting car to own.

Fast, stylish and to all intends and purposes, qualifying as a motorbike in term of licensing and running costs, the Morgan gave stylish motoring to many people for the first time. Noisy though the Supersport was, it became a much loved machine.

Brumm has, of course, done a very neat job with its Morgan. We all ought to buy one simply to encourage the company to make a few more British outline model!

The detailing in that air-cooled engine, the nicely spoked wheels with separate hubs and the gleaming exhaust make this a most attractive model.(Review by Diecast Model) Shop here

Sunday, June 30, 2013

FERRAI 250 CALIFORNIAN


The Art Model 250 Californian is a marvelous looking car in 1957 Stradale red. The interior of the model features picked-out window winders and handles. There's chrome badging and an etched grille, and all the other details we expect. Odd, though, that the door handles should be a rather smudgy silver tampo print amongst all this excellence. Shop here

Friday, June 28, 2013

BRISTOL REEL - EASTERN NATIONAL



EFE's version in Eastern National colours is superb. The cream band with black lining is spot on. The lettering and characteristic Eastern National fleet number plates are also excellent. But the best feature is, to this reviewer's mind, the cream windscreen surround.The Bristol RE with flat front may have been the unsung bread and butter stalwart of its time, but EFE has still gone to town on detail touches such as the cream band with black lining. Shop here

PORSCHE 908 FLUNDE - WATKINS GLEN 69


The Porsche 908/2 Flounder Watkins Glen 1969 is a nicely finished model with neat interior and good decals. As driven by Siffert and Redman it's a striking vehicle. Shop here

BEST MODEL 1/43 FERRARI 312P LE MANS


The best Ferrari 312P coupe of the 1969 Le Mans race is a neat model, with well applied decals, separately fitted lights, fuel caps and well presented wheels and treys  The model has also been produced in 'Prova' 1969 colours, without the decals. Shop here

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

CORGI VINTAGE GLORY


The nostalgic appeal of the Vintage Glory range has already created a stir amongst collectors. Now the Sentinel appears in the livery of Paul Bros Ltd, of the Homepride Flour Mills, Birkenhead. Once again it's a superb model, complete with glazing, interior detail and neat chassis detailing.

This model comes with a trailer for the first time, and moulded flour sacks, which look quite realistic.

The red plastic wheels let the model down just a little, but the tampo printing and general charm of the vehicle will mean it forms part of many a new steam vehicle collection.  Shop here

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

CORGI: RELIANT TROTTERS INDEPENDENT TRADERS


When Lledo introduced the Reliant Regal Supervan III for Christmas 1997 as the Trotters Independent Traders van from the television series Only Fools and Horses, many commented that it looked too clean. So now a 'dirty' version has been produced. 

Sunday, January 20, 2013

KYOSHO 1/18 MORRIS MINI TRAVELLER




Kyosho is offering the Morris in green. The shape has been perfectly captured, and the detailing is extremely good, with opening side and rear doors, and bonnet. Particularly pleasing is the internal detail, albeit the dashboard area is somewhat basic. The fit of the timber on the nearside could be better. A word of warning: if testing the opening features, do be careful. The door handles are very fragile. Shop here

EAGLE'S RACE 1/18 FORD DELUXE HOT ROD


An unusual addition to the collection is the 1940 Ford Deluxe as a Hot Rod. With the features as expected from a large scale model, this one is suitably 'customised'.Shop here

Thursday, January 17, 2013

MINICHAMPS 1/43 VW NEW BEETLE


The new Volkswagen Beetle is now appearing from several manufacturers. The version from Minichamps is superb, capturing the truly distinctive shape of the car, complete with accurate wheels, flush glazing, and fine front and rear lights. The interior detailing is excellent, with the door handles clearly featured, and there is full dashboard detail including instrument panels. A lovely model.Shop here

FORD CAPRI THE PROFESSIONALS


A step back for Corgi in its series of models that re-capture some of the television and film related models of the past. This addition is the Ford Capri of The Professionals, a pleasing model in its own right, and one which is joined by white metal figures of Bodie and Doyle. Shop here

FORD CAPRI 3.0S - 1982 BRITISH SALOON CAR CHAMPIONSHIP - VINCE WOODMAN



Capris dominated the British Saloon Car Championship (BSCC) in the late 1970s, but by 1981 were starting to look outdated and outclassed by the cleverly homologated TWR built Rover SD1 V8. However, Vince Woodman led one last Capri hurrah during the 1982 season, winning four races outright in his Neil Brown engined, CC Developments prepared car, and battling all year with works Rover driver Jeff Allam. 

Woodman looked to set to steal once last championship for the Capri, and led the last round of the series at Silverstone until Gordon Spice punted him over the chicane leaving Allam victorious in Class A by 3 point. Shop here

Mercedes-Benz Actros 1846 with a Pril beer bottle

  Die-cast car model "Mercedes-Benz Actros 1846" with a Pril beer bottle on a trailer and a traffic sign, made in China by Hummer ...