Saturday, August 29, 2009

LLEDO VANGUARDS: 1/43 FORD 100E



How many memories will come rushing back with the Ford 100E, another fine rendition by Lledo. Again the once so-familiar shape has been captured perfectly on the model, which once more reveals the careful attention to fine detail that Lledo is ensuring appears on these models.

VANGUARDS: 1/43 ROVER P4


This is the Rover P4, a beautiful model which has captured the distinctive shape of this car, from the era when cars did indeed have distinctive shapes by which they were instantly recognised. This vintage replica features the updated 1959 model. During the P4's 14 year history it underwent no fewer than 11 variants. Features include distinctive grille and its recessed bars, new style number plate and photo-etched chrome detail, the model is mounted on a removable plinth with a hard plastic cover. The model looks particularly smart in the deep maroon chosen for the initial release. Worth nothing are the seperately painted dividers in the rear windows. The radiator, in the characteristic Rover style, is fully chromed.

Friday, August 28, 2009

MATCHBOX: PERSONNEL CARRIER


The six-wheel M3 Personnel Carrier (49a) was the first of ten military vehicles to be issued in the ‘1-75’ range. It was painted in the traditional olive green and the rear pairs of wheels were rollers inside grey trucks, though some of the final issues were found with green tracks. The front wheels changed from metal to grey plastic in 1959, and finally to black plastic. There was usually a correlation between the wheels and the rollers, but examples exist of grey wheels with metal rollers and grey wheels with silver plastic rollers. The wheels and the rollers may be found in different sizes. A bonnet decal featuring a white star in a circle was included on all variants, though models with metal wheels are known to exist without decals. Originally the body was crimped to the base but later a river was used instead. Several minor variations exist around the bogie wheels. The model is comparatively easy to find today, for in the 1960s it proved to be very popular and sold for more than nine years.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

1969 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA

1969 Plymouth Barracuda 383 Diecast Model Red 1/18 Die Cast Car By Yat Ming


The Plymouth Barracuda of 1969 is a well-known car, the sleek lines of which are fully captured by this model. The colour is red, with white stripes. The model includeds a number of operating features, such as opening doors, steering, and opening bonnet to reveal the engine. There are seperately fitted windscreen wipers (which look more authentic than are usually seen), door handles and petrol filler cap. The paintwork is of a high standard, resulting in a first-class model.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

MATCHBOX: SCAMMELL MOUTAINEER SNOWPLOUGH



In September 1963 a Scammel Mouantaineer Snowplough (16c) entered the range where it remained for six years. It replaced the Rotinoff Super Atlantic Trailer and though originally shown in the 1963 catalogue in yellow with a grey blade and a Scammell decal, it was released with a grey cab and an orange tipper with either orange and white or red and white stripes on the blade.

The base came with or without a hole and the steps to the cab could be open or closed. A model with grey plastic wheels is a rear variant for these were only fitted in small quantities towards the end of this model’s life. Black plastic wheels are usually associated with the Scammell Snowplough.

Friday, August 21, 2009

WELLY 1/24th SCALE AUSTIN FX4 TAXICAB


Introduced onto the roads of London in 1959, the all-new Austin FX4 taxicab was set to replace the FX3, which had first appeared some ten years earlier. Built to the exacting specifications of the Public Carriage Office, the new cab at last gave full all-weather protection for the cab driver in a purpose-built volume production taxicab. Powered by the trusty 2.2 litre diesel BMC engine or similar capacity petrol engines, the FX4 could still turn on a 25 foot ‘sixpence’ and carry four or five people in comfort with their luggage. The original cabs are easily recognizable by the ‘teddy bear’ turn indicators mounted on the roof sides, small rear lamps and a smoked glass rear screen for privacy. Initially only available in black, the FX4 can now be had in any colour you like. It has been updated and modernized frequently over the last 30-odd years, with the lastest derivative still the only real volume production taxicab on the streets of London. Like the AEC Routemaster, and built at almost exactly the same time, these two vehicles epitomize London and are known world-wide. See more.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

MAISTO: 1/18th SCALE PORSCHE BOXSTER

Porsche Boxster Diecast Model Red 1/18 Die Cast Car By Maisto

The Porsche Boxster Cabriolet is an extremely fine model, correct in shape, beautifully painted and with fine detail. As with most models in the larger scale, there are operating feautres such as steering, opening doors and so on, but these are all a good fit. A stunning model which has the sleek lines of the actual car just right.

AUSTIN HEALEY 3000 MkII (GOLDEN BEIGE)-50th ANNIVERSARY


The original Austin Healey entered production in 1953, after BMC’s Chairman, Leonard Lord, bought the design of the Austin based Healey 100 prototype Donald Healey’s company showed at the October 1952 Earls Court Motor Show. Eventually the Austin 2.6-litre big four used in the 100 was superseded in BMC’s range by the 6-cylinder 2.6-litre C-Series engine, so the car was substantially redesigned to take the new power unit; creating the Healey 100-Six of 1956. However, the iconic Healey 3000 was launched in 1959 when the 3-litre version of the C-Series was installed. The model then continued in production until 1968.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

KOVAP TIN PLATE: VW 1200 BEETLE


The Volkswagen 1200 Beetle in Deutsche Bundespost livery was made available between 1968 and 1979. It was designed and produced by Kovap. in Czechoslovakia. The model is made from tin plate pressing which are clipped together by folded edges. The main shell is finished in vivid yellow, pressed accurately with details to the bonnet (including the air intake and VW badge), the rear engine cover, vent and bumpers. ‘Deutesche Bundespost’ and a horn is printed in black on both doors.

KOVAP TIN PLATE: VOLKSWAGEN T2 AMBULANCE


In 1/143th scale tin plate from Kovap comes a VWT2 transporter bay window ambulance in cream with the usual red crosss, blue doom light. This is nice looking model, with tinted rear saloon windows masking the lack of any detail in the ‘patient’ area.

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...