VANGUARD - VAUXHALL ASTRA 1.7CDTi - WEST MIDLANDS POLICE

The Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO) chose the five door Astra as its recommendation for the basic section vehicle classification. This means that many forces are running Astras and finding that the economy and longer service-life offered by the diesel variants is a real bonus. The low-revving nature and flat torque curve of a turbo diesel suit the urban environment in which these vehicles work and also offers a higher resale value, something that has become a more important consideration to the police in recent years. The car modelled was used by the West Midlands Force, working around the Birmingham area from 2004. Shop here

CORGI 1/43 HILLMAN IMP - RENFREWSHIRE & BUTE POLICE

As the Hillman Imp was built in Linwood, Scotland, it was obviously a first choice vehicle for panda car duties in the area. One of the forces that used the Imp was the Renfrew and Bute Constabulary who chose this very unusual colour scheme for their vehicles, which certainly stood out well. In May 1975 the force ceased to exist when it was merged with several others to form the Strathclyde Police. Shop here

VANGUARDS 1/43 MORRIS J2 MINIBUS - METROPOLITAN POLICE SPG

The Metropolitan Police Special Patrol Group (SPG) was set up in 1970 and was a task group specifically designed to be capable of delivering a large number of officers to any part of the capital at short notice and as quickly as possible. Their role being to assist local officers at major incidents or events. This could be anything from a missing person search to riot control or the aftermath of any disaster such as a factory fire. The BMC J2 was the first vehicle that the SPG used; they were later replaced by Ford Transits. Shop here

MINICHAMPS 1/43 PORSCHE 356C CABRIO "POLIZEI DUESSELDORF" Police Car

The Porsche 356 C cabrio "Polizei Duesseldorf" of 1963-1965 is offered in white. This is an accurate and finely finished model. Shop here

VANGUARDS 1/43 AUSTIN A40 FARINA - BIRMINGHAM POLICE

Birmingham Police used a large number of A40s during the late fifties and early sixties, mainly as local beat Panda Cars or unmarked transportation vehicles. Superseded in some roles by the 1100 range, with which it shared its engine, the A40 continued to be used in Mk2 form because of its capacious storage and the ease with which equipment, carried by some branches of the force, could be reached through the Countryman’s opening rear window.


Although styled in Italy the A40 was engineered and produced at Austin’s headquarters at Longbridge, on the outskirts of Birmingham, meaning the force was supporting their local manufacturer.

The model features chrome detail, detailed interior, photo-etched wipers and roof light. Shop here

VANGUARDS 'POLICE PANDA CARS OF THE 1960s' SET

Lledo’s ‘Police Panda Cars of the 1960s’ set is a two model affair, limited to 5,000. The Ford Anglia is of the Metropolitan Police and comes with Police roof box. It really does look the part and is an important and is an important addition to Police model collections as it was this car that first bore that blue and white livery in Lancasshire in 1965.

The Austin Mini is from the Hampshire Constabulary and was one of that force’s first ever Panda cars, based in Basingstoke. On the lid of the box you can clearly see the authentic registration numbers on both models. What a pity, therefore, that collectors then have to put up with a sheet of adhesive labels bearing different numbers when they open the box. This spoils an otherwise excellent set – it surely can’t cost that much more for Lledo to place the correct number on each model. Even if it did, I’m sure most collectors would agree that it was worth it. - - Shop here

VANGUARDS 1/43 AUSTIN 1800 Mk2 - BRITISH AIRPORTS AUTHORITY POLICE

Until the mid 1970s, responsibility for policing Heathrow and Gatwick airports fell to the British Airports Authority Constabulary, before disbanding. They had their own unique fleet of vehicles, including this Austin 1800, based at Heathrow airport, and several Austin 1100s. The car modelled was equipped with a PA loudspeaker on the front and a microphone in the cabin, which allowed the car to be used for the control of crowds, something that was a common and an important part of that particular force’s duty. Buy it now

FIRST STREAMLINED POLICE CAR - 1936 CHRYSLER AIRFLOW POLICE CAR

Chrysler's designers and engineers developed the Airflow in the mid-1930's to give a car the same streamlined effect of military aircraft. Sloping at both ends plus moving both axles away from the middle of the car gave the Airflow less wind resistance than any other car on the road. Unfortunately the public hated this futuristic look, preferring massive hoods and sweeping fenders on their luxury cars. But for the police, with its' all-steel top, "Life-Guard" tube tires and 115 hp. engine, function was more important than form. Buy it now