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

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

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

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

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

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

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