THE FODEN "C" TYPE STEAM WAGON

The Foden “C” type Steam Wagon having a nominal load capacity of 6 tons was a popular vehicle among companies transporting large and/or heavy loads. It was fast and economical with its 3 speeds which enable it to comfortably exceed the 25 m.p.h. speed limit of the time.

This power was put to good use by many companies with the addition of a trailer of 3 to 4 tons nominal load capacity.

One such company was Frazer and Frazer of Ipswich who used the Foden for their Furnishing and Warehousing business.

Machbox is a great company for these engines. It also comes with a trail and a roof for the trail and steam wagon. This is a great company and I thank them so much for bring back this history old the age of steam. It best to keep the trail connected to the steam wagon because it is finely to put back and take of.

IXO 1/43 BAJAJ TAXI JAKARTA 1990

A welcome and unusual Classic release that should please worldwide taxi collectors. The front wheel swivels, the canopy has a material effect, with a good mica/plastic screen representation at the rear. The tampo printed legal lettering is crisp. See here.

EFE - 1/76 AEC MK.V ELLIPTICAL TANKER

Exclusive First Editions (EFE) are the leading brand of 1:76 scale die-cast vehicles for model collectors and railway enthusiasts. Each item is produced with the closest attention to detail and authenticity, being only produced once at an accurate 1:76 scale (OO Gauge). All subjects are researched meticulously and made to the highest standards of detail and period effect to recreate the character and spirit of the original vehicle. Being the same scale the models complement each other and create a fascinating historic collection. EFE take great pride in setting new standards of excellence, which, combined with expertly detailed hand finishing, gives each model its unique individuality and collectability. See here.

BRITAINS - FORD 5000 TRACTOR

The Ford 5000 Tractor is a true classic of the Farmyard and a workhorse for the generation. It had a powerful 6-litre diesel engine that had the torque to do many jobs other Tractors would struggle to cope with. And for a basic machine it also looks good in it's all blue paint with a white roof. Britains have done a brilliant job here and even for the non farm collector this is still a must buy. --NEO "Daren"

LLEDO - 1/43 MORRIS MARINA 1800

Wow! This is a fabulous model. It answers many of the criticisms readers have made of Vanguards products, and totally captures the look and spirit of the original car.

The excellent chromed grilled and door handles set the tone. That bulbous rear is captured exactly, as is the general rather dumpy look of the car.

The badging is excellent for a 1.8 Super, particularly the Marina script. Wheels are very good and correctly finished, and the wipers are larger, more subtle and a better fit than previous versions. Even better, there are no wing mirrors-the problem of big holes in the wing versus non mint models are thus easily solved!

The interior is great fun. It captures the horrible 70’s pea red vynide to a ‘T’. The ribbed seats are good, and the dash is a marvelous piece of casting with that sloping front. The correct Marina steering wheel even features an indicator stalk. There’s a hole for a gear stick, but not one present on our model-however it did go through the wars in our studio, so it’s possible it’s just come loose-have readers’ models got theirs?

The teal white finish is very well done, and the tampo sprayed chrome blends well with the separately attached chrome detailing.

Lledo’s Marina is on a par with readers’ favourite Car of the Year, the Austin Cambridge, and as accurate as models costing twice its price or more.--Model Collector

IXO 1/43 PEUGEOT 206 WRC - 2002 DRIVERS WORLD CHAMPION

2002 Drivers World Champion, M. Gronholm, and T. Rautiainen, with their Peugeot 206, car number 2. Capturing the scene at the Telsra Rally in Australia, it is a pity about the moulding join on the 'triumphal gateway', while the figures look slightly over scale.--Model Collector See more.

MINICHAMPS 1/18 MORRIS MINOR POLICE CAR

Alec Issigonis’ Morris Minor, with its modern design outlook, incorporation rack-and-pinion steering and independent torsion-bar suspension, became highly popular with police forces across the country. By 1962 with the 1098cc engine, a top speed of 70mph made it popular with traffic divisions of the London Met’, yet independent suspension made it ideal for rural policing. Minichamps have produced the 1959 Morris Minor in accurate police livery. By 1959, over a million Minors were on the road, driven by both civilians and police officers. The model features appropriate police equipment with opening doors, bonnet and boot. See more.

CORGI TOYS - BASIL BRUSH'S CAR

'Basil Brush's Car' (no.808) was based on yet another veteran car, this time the 1/40th scale 1910 Renault. It featured a larger than life figure of Basil at the wheel. Finished in red with a yellow chassis and solid (not spoked) red disc wheels, the model itself boasted no special features, but the inclusion of a seperate sound box with two characteristic laughter tapes was a novel touch to an otherwise staid release. Basil was at the height of his popularity, and the model was available for two years.-- Model Collector.

DINKY TOYS - SPACE 1999 'EAGLE FREIGHTER'

Gerry Anderson provides the motivation behind this year's release, the 'Eagle Freighter' (no.360) and the 'Eagle Transporter' (no.359). They were identical space craft from the 'Space 1999' series, each version carrying a different load module and both to the same 1/110th scale which meant that models could be interchanged. A variety of colour schemes was available, and unboxed models could easily be cannibalised from other variants, so beware of unusual colours.

The Freighter version was originally released in metallic blue with a white load module but was later released in metallic blue with a white load module but was later released in white with a red load module. The mainframe on both variants was in white plastic strengthened by an unpainted steel strip, and four yellow plastic waste cannisters were winch operated.

DINKY TOYS - SPACE 1999 'EAGLE TRANSPORTER'

This is Eagle Transporter. (no.359) It was identical space craft from the 'Space 1999' series, each version carrying a different load module and both to the same 1/110th scale which meant that models could be interchanged. The transporter version was only ever available in metallic green with a white plastic capsule module. The main frame was as the Freighter version, in white plastic. All variants of either type had four large red plastic main engine nozzels and most had red four-way auxiliary direction nozzels on each outer pod; rarer versions had these moulded in yellow. A very accurate pair of models, especially if finished in white, the colour that all the Eagles in the series were finished in. See here.

DINKY TOYS - FRAZER-NASH BMW SPORTS CAR

The pre-war 38a was issued from 1940 to 1941 and the very few surviving examples which are around have fairly bad metal fatigue. The baseplate is lacquered tin plate and the model is fitted with a celluloid windscreen.

The usual pre-war colour scheme is dark blue with either blue or brown interior. The unusual red version is scarcely seen and is finished with a maroon interior. Post-war colours are pale or dark grey, blue or light blue and come with various interior shades. See here.

DOUGAL'S CAR IN MAGIC ROUNDABOUT

This is the classic Corgi Magic Roundabout series to see the 1971/72 catalogue. Utlising the Paramount Tour de France Citroen casting was the bright yellow 'Magic Roundabout Car' (no.807), featuring red whizzwheels, flower decals on bonnet and doors, very well-sculptured figures of Dougal, Brain, and Dylan placed within the red interior. Not an authentic vehicle, so not to any particular scale, but the charm of this popular children's series was well captured. It was to be joined by other Magic Roundabout releases before it was deleated in 1974.

DINKY TOYS - PORSCHE 356A COUPE

The Porsche 356A Coupe was issued from 1958 to 1964. It is, overall, a good casting, representing the body proportions very well. However it is slightly let down by the setting of the wheels, which push the body too high off the ground, unlike the real car which sat much lower. The axle pins are a little too short, which in turn pinches the wheels too far under the body making the model appear narrower than it could be.

The baseplates are either matt or gloss black and all models are fitted with clear glass windows.The most frequently seen colours are cream, cerise or pale blue. The red model, however, is rare. It seems to be that for every 300 Porsche 356A models that you see, one might be red. Over the past 20 years I have seen only a few red models and those have, for the most part, been in fair to poor condition, so the ones pictured although not mint are fairly rare examples.

The Dinky brand has been revived in this retro style packing with the model presented in a presentation box. The model shows all the authentic detailing with moulded seats, windows, and chassis with Dinky hub wheels.

CORGI - SCAMMELL CONSTRUCTOR - SIDDLE C COOKE

Siddle C Cooke was a County Durham-based transporting company which after selling out to the Tayford Group in 1964 saw Siddle's sons reverse his name to Elddis and set up a very succeessful caravan manufacturing business. The beefy Scammell is just the sort of truck Cooke needed during his company's hey-day. That creamy body colour must have a nightmare to keep clean, but with that fine red coachlining it cuts a handsome sight. 5000 are to be produced. --Model Collector.