IXO 1/43 MASERATI SPYDER - CAMBRIOCORSA 2002

These rather nice Maserati casting are produced in special branded Maserati packaging. This Giallo Grantorismo showns nice touches, including grille. Shop here

CORGI - JEEP TOWER TRUCK

The basic 409 Forward Control Jeep, fited with a swiveling pantograph-type lifting hoist, at the end of which was a yellow nylon moulded cradle. The model shown on plate 137 is of the revised version, later sold on its own, when Corgi Kits, which included the Lamp Standard, were discontinued. The lamp standard was an example of the design team’s imagination and was one of the 606 Kit Set items. The painted electrician figure was moulded in vinyl.

MATCHBOX 1/64 '70 VOLKSWAGEN T2 CLASSIC BUS

This 1970 Volkswagen Kombi van makes a nice addition to any movie die-case vehicle collector as an unofficial release of the Libyan Kombi van that terrorists shot Doc and chased the Delorean being driven by Marty in the shopping centre car park near the start of Back to the Future. Not sure if it is the exact same year Kombi but it is the same colours. The roof even looks like it should open up for terrorists to pop out with machine guns and gun down Doc. Doesn't have the extra headlights above the bumper, not sure if this necessarily means its the wrong year or that Matchbox just didn't include to that detail, or maybe the lights were added to make the Kombi chase scene more menacing by producer Steven Spielberg or director Robert Zemeckis.

It's a nicely made vehicle by Matchbox which also comes with a nice bonus box to put the Kombi van in if you open it from the blister pack. It does display nicely in the blister though with a nice image of the Kombi on the blister card as well. This displays very nicely next to the Johnny Lightning diorama Back to The Future Great Scott...Its a Time Machine with Doc's van, the Delorean time machine, and the Marty, Doc and Einstein figures.

These were released in 2010 and sold in shops for about double the price of a normal mass produced Matchbox vehicle. --James N Simpson   Shop here

VANGUARDS 1/43 MORRIS MINI - 45th ANNIVERSARY

The Mini was first produced in 1959 and was was so successful production of the car lasted until 1999 and although the car was updated, the general look of the Mini changed very little during it's 40 years of production. In total over 5,300,000 were produced.

Celebrating the 45th anniversary of this venerable motor, Vanguards issues a maroon model with black roof inlay in its BMC/British Leyland Collection. Side and rear views appear convincing, if somewhat squat, but we are unconvinced about the front view. Shop here

EFE 1/76 BRISTOL VR III OPEN TOP - NEW FOREST TOUR (SOLENT BLUE LINE)

This model, with its sunny eye-catching City Sightseeing livery, should attract tour bus collectors. It is serving route 149, taking in the New Forest and surrounding area. The model carries fleet number 901 with a registration number of UFX 857S. Shop here

THE CLASS LEXION 480 COMBINE HARVESTER

The class Lexion 480 combine harvester in the 1/32 nd scale Siku Farmer Series is a totally revamped version of a model released several years ago. At first glance, it is noticeable the decals are different and in keeping with the latest release from Class. The operator cab has been fully glazed and includes a driver. More detail has been incorporated into the header, by the way of end guard covers, and the overall finish is much improved with many small extras, including rear view mirrors. Shop here

CORGI - SIMON SNORKEL FIRE ENGINE

A beautifully engineered model of the very latest type of Fire Engine used in this country, which would sell very well for twelve years. The cage at the end of thetop boom was kept horizontal through a pantograph system of linkage. These were of plated wires with their appropriate ends cast-on to eliminate any possible misalignment on essembly. Everything was operated by two aluminium thump wheels activating racks and pinions. Four retractable stabilizing legs were also fitted to ensure the model did not topple over in certain positions. Five firemen figures were also included in the cab area and one extra figure, seen to be operating the nozzle, was located in the cage. But mine was missing.