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

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

MAISTO 1/18 - PORSCHE PANAMERA TURBO

2011 Porsche Panamera Turbo Grey Diecast Car Model 1/18 by Maisto

The Panamera divided Porsche fans due to its obvious family man benefits, but if you like the design this replica should appeal, its gun-metal paint is well-applied, every door opens except those for the two passengers, and the interior detail is convincing. the engine also looks good despite being a one-piece moulding.

MAISTO 1/24 - 1970 CORVETTE

1970 Chevrolet Corvette Bronze Diecast Car Model 1/24 Die Cast Car by Maisto

A well-executed metallic bronze paint job and respectable engine detail are the main plus-points of this fetching Stingray, which should excite fans of American muscle cars. Its interior is well-appointed, and high-chrome wheels and trim, opening doors and decent printing make this good value for those on a budget.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

CORGI 1/76 GREEN GODDESS OPERATION FRESCO


The Green Goddess is an icon of emergency motor heritage and despite their age, many are still in working order today. Originally developed in the event of a Soviet nuclear strike, the Green Goddess was a fire engine used by the AFS (Auxiliary Fire Service) until its disbandment and more recently by the British Armed Forces during fire strikes of 1977 and 2002 (codename – Operation Fresco). These largely green-painted vehicles were built between 1953 and 1956 based on an army truck, weighed in at 7.5 tonnes and had a top speed of 45mph. In 2005 the Ministry of Defence sold more than 20 as the government disposed of surplus vehicles. All of the machines were sold for between £3,500 and £7,500. Shop here

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...