CONTENTS of the print edition
Model Auto Review 238
Publication 7 December 200904 Cars (captions page 06) 07 News: Corgi, Minichamps 08 Oxford, Greenlight 09 Rex Hays Max Tomlinson, UK 12 Novegro September 2009 Bruno Boracco, Italy 14 Corvairs & Copycats: 2 Graeme Ogg, UK 16-17 Cars 17 Polish partworks Gerald Watkins, UK 18 Stories from the Tekno factory: 4 Peter Frandsen, Karl Schnelle, USA 20 Correspondence 21 Competitions, Club News Collated by Rod Ward 24 Book Reviews 25 Truckstop 26 A little N-lightenment Maz Woolley, UK • Captions to page 29 29 Buses & emergency vehicles
EDITORIAL
by Rod WardMERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU
Phew! Another MAR year completed, and here is another Christmas issue, though we don’t have much of a specifically festive nature this time. We do have some fascinating articles, but we are holding over Dave Turner’s next Ford piece until MAR 239. Speaking of the next issue, remember that we don’t print one in December. MAR 239 will appear in early January, for 7 February publication date. In the meantime, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS
I have been working in the model car world for over 35 years, which seems like a long time, but Dave Sinclair reminds me he has been at it for decades longer, and at 88 he is still going. By contrast, MAR is a mere youngster, in publication for only 28 years. Praise is due to all who have stayed with us since 1982! Such sticking power!
EMAIL UPDATES
A number of readers have already received ‘eMAR’, our email update between MAR issues, with news of what we are doing, special offers etc. If you would like to be added to our electronic mailing list, send your email address to us, and you will get eMAR in future.
AUTO REVIEW: Fine Bodies
The latest Auto Review book is now available, on Fine Bodies: Coachbuilt in Britain. The next titles published in January and February will be on DAF Cars, and on Tractors and Traction Engines. So once again, here is the latest appeal for material I can include in forthcoming Auto Review books. We particularly need illustrations of Peugeot cars from all eras, for a publication coinciding with the marque’s 200th anniversary in 2010.
We have over 20 other titles in preparation, but we are interested in anything you have to offer on any make or theme. If you have any illustrations (advertisements, sales brochures, your own snapshots etc) or any personal anecdotes you can offer on any subject, please send them to me for inclusion in future publications. I also invite your suggestions for future titles; all your ideas are welcome...
CORRECTION: Roxley Models
Frank Rice-Oxley points out that three pictures in MAR 237 were of Roxley models, not as attributed. These were the Morris Minor Linesman’s van on the cover and on page 24, plus the Morris Z Royal Mail van, also on page 24. Our apologies to Frank and to all at Roxley Models.
No More Robeddie from Brooklin
Brooklin Models announced in October that the Robeddie Collection of 1:43 handbuilt models has been deleted from their range with immediate effect. At that time limited stocks remained, but no doubt all or most of the remaining items will have gone by now.
QUESTION TIME
Question 1:
From Mike Hobbs, of Frome, Somerset.
May I first commend you on such an interesting and knowledgeable magazine par excellence, which has kept my interest from the first issue, including all of the specials. In all of that time I have never had recourse to writing for help, as most questions and those little avenues of interest have been answered. However, I have strayed into a modelling cul de sac. Even after endless Googling, I cannot find any information, let alone pictures, on RAF and Fleet Air Arm staff cars from the 1950s to mid 1960s. Quite a lot can be found about trucks and maintenance vehicles, but practically zero about staff cars. Any avenues of help from any source would be most acceptable and gratefully received. Keep up the good work and thank you for all those past years.I invite any pictures from readers, but in the meantime my best suggestions relate to useful books. Wheels of the RAF by Bruce Robertson (PSL 1983) briefly describes some car types used. Bart Vanderveen’s Observer’s Fighting Vehicles Directory World War II describes and pictures a lot of wartime staff cars, and the following volume From 1945 (Warne 1969 and 1972) does the same job for 1950s-60s cars. It’s worth noting, as I did in the Auto Review book on Standard Cars that the RAF was very loyal to Standard products. Ed.
Question 2:
From Robert Gunn, Woking, Surrey
Going through some old magazines, I found a picture in the June 1966 issue of Mechanix Illustrated. The original photo was a bit blurry, and was captioned: Rolls-Royce model is 1:100 actual size and sports turning model engine, automatic shift, real leather upholstery. Prototype is by French clockmaker Guy Roy. A quick internet search turned up nothing on Monsieur Roy and his superb-looking model. I think ‘1:100’ was a typo for 1:10. Was this model a one-off, or did the talented M Roy make more? Does it still exist? It’s hard to imagine anyone breaking up such a great model. Has André Blaize included it in his R-R model listings?Well, does anyone have any information on Guy Roy and his model(s)?
The reason that the UK edition of Mechanix Illustrated always had fuzzy repro was that it was printed from photographic copies of selected pages from the US edition. Ed.CORGI January-March 2010
Here are the (modest?) plans from Corgi for the first three months of 2010. We hear rumours of what new castings may be released by Corgi in future, including a VW Golf GTi and a Ford Cortina Mark IV. Corgi will also be producing models related to the 2012 Olympics.
VANGUARDS 1:43 cars VA07307 Ford Lotus Cortina Mkl Alan Mann Racing VA05312 Triumph Dolomite Sprint Gerry Marshall VA10806 Ford Capri 3.0S1982 Vince Woodman VA10307 Ford Cortina Mklll 2.0 GXL evergreen VA11202 Austin A40 Farina Saloon tartan red VA10507 Triumph TR7 inca yellow VA08621 Jaguar XJ12 turquoise VA11303 Talbot Sunbeam Mk II 1.3 Sussex Police VA11003 Ford Escort Mklll XR3i Dorset Police VA11106 Land Rover Series 1 RAF VA02205 Reliant Regal Supervan III BOAC ORIGINAL OMNIBUS COLLECTION OM45608A BMMO D9 Midland Red Dudley OM45608B BMMO 09 Midland Red Cradley Heath OM40405A AEC Regent II Mansfield District Traction OM40405B AEC Regent II Mansfield District Traction OM43709 Q1 Trolleybus London Transport Hanwell OM46207 Scania Irizar PB Johnsons Henley-ln-Arden OM41221 Wright Eclipse Gemini Bus Eireann Lotabeg MINI MANIA CC82267 Mini Se7en Racing Mark Sims HAULIERS OF RENOWN CC13727 Scania R Frig Hayton Coulthard, Twynholm CC14804 Scania 143 Curtainside T Alun Jones Ltd CC14109 DAF105 Stepframe with Atkinson Borderer load, Smiths of Bury CC14021 Volvo FH Flat RC Robinson's Haulage Ltd CC13722 Scania R Frig Eddie Stobart Ltd Carlisle CC12824 Scania T Dropside Moffett Mounty-Larkins TRUCKFEST CC15203 MAN TGX (XLX) Robert Laidlaw Haulage CC13728 Scania R Countrywide (Spirit of Countrywide) TRACKSIDE CARS CR5003 Three piece Mini Collection: Speedwell blue, Radford Wicker Mini, Monte Carlo Rally Mini TRACKSIDE MILITARY DG148024 Scammell Scarab RAF Maintenance Cmd DG221002 Green Goddess Royal Air Force AVIATION AA38902 FokkerDVII Jasta 4, Ernst Udet, June 1918 AA33015 Vought Corsair Mk II, JT590 1842 Sqn, FAA AA36309 Fairey Swordfish Mk II LS326. 836 Sqn FAA AA32515 Junkers Ju87B1SI.G77, Major Orthofer, 1939 AA32019 Hawker Hurricane Mk I 73 Sqn Cobber Kain AA38703 Spitfire Mk XIV. 610 Sqn + Fi 103 Doodlebug AA35708 Messerschmitt Me262B two-seat Trainer AA33314 Boeing B-17F, 8th AF Hell's Angels 1943 AA36806 Westland Lysander Mk IIIa restored at IWM AA34313 Focke-Wulf FW190 A4 1/JG1 Schiphol, 1943. AA35816 Canadair Sabre Mk VI Luftwaffe, 1963 AA32714 Hunter T7 RAF XL573 RAF, 237 OCU, 1987 AA33417 Westland Sea King HC-4 845 Naval Air Sqn AA34109 Buccaneer S Mk 2B. RAF 208 sqn 1977 AA33613 Panavia Tornado GR1 2 Sqn, RAF, 1995
NOVEGRO September 2009
By Bruno BoraccoAt the Hobby Model Expo held last September at the Parco Esposizioni Novegro near Milan there were many new and interesting models on display, including some described here:
ABC:New resin models included: Jaguar XK120 Flajole 1955, Ferrari 360 GT8 Sbarro, Aston Martin DB 2/4 Bertone 1954, Rolls Royce 25/30 country bus 1937 and Ferrari 365 GTC/4 Felber Michelotti 1977.
ARENA MODELLI: This maker from Verona specialises in rally and racing cars. They showed some interesting new 1:43 models: Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV Safari Rally 1973, Fiat Ritmo Gr 2 Boucles de Spa, and Porsche Carrera RS Monte Carlo Rally 1977.
AUTOPARCO: Aldo Serini specialises in 1:43 Italian police cars, including VW Passat Variant Polizia 2008, Fiat Nuova Panda 4x4 and Alfa Romeo 159 Carabinieri 2008.
CO.MET: This Italian specialist in 1:87 models had a new Lancia Esagamma truck in many versions.
EQUIPE TRON: One of the oldest Italian artisan firms showed a 1:18 scale model of the Ferrari F212 Marzotto Uovo in two versions: Mille Miglia 1952 and Trento-Bondone 1952. Another new items were the Fiat 128 coupe Gr 2 Radio Veronica Zeltweg 1972 and the Ferrari 365 GTS Michelotti NART 1980.
GAMMA MODELS: This firm from Rome offered in 1:43 scale two elegant Boneschi-bodied 1947 Alfa Romeo 2500S models, a coupe and a cabriolet .
GILA: This Lombardy artisan had a well made 1:43 Fiat 306 bus Below in three liveries. Future plans include an Autobianchi Visconteo truck, OM Tigrotto truck, and if there is enough interest, a Fiat 618 cinemobile van.
IV MODEL FACTORY: This artisan from Padova offered two liveries on a 1:43 OM Lupetto, with motorcycles for Maserati 1954 or Ecurie Centro Sud Modena 1956.
JOLLY MODEL: This Naples artisan favours 1950s Italian competition cars. New items were Fiat 1100 sport spider 1951 and 1100 spider 1956, both bodied by Colli, Fiat 103 G115 sport barchetta 1957 above, Maserati 6GS 1946 road car, Ferrari 375 MM Hampton Trophy and 225 spider Vignale 1953.
MG MODEL PLUS: This Tuscan firm specialises in classic racing cars, and had lots of new releases in various scales, the largest in 1:12 scale; an unforgettable Lotus 25 and a lovely Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta 1954. In 1:18 scale they had a Ferrari 250 MM 1953 and a Dino 206 spider Targa Florio 1966.
MICROSPRINT: This well-known shop near Turin showed an interesting 1:43 resin model of a De Tomaso Vallelunga 1964.
RACING 43: This firm makes a diverse range of products; road cars, racing cars and agricultural machinery. In the 1:43 Elite series there is the latest Maserati Gran Cabrio 2009 and Maserati 8CTF Boyle Special racing car Indianapolis 1939 and 1940 above. They have made a New Holland CR9090 combine harvester for New Holland in 1:32 scale, made of 115 parts.
N3C: This firm specialises in 1:87 scale buses and trolleybuses, including an Inbus V210-176 4P of Genova public transport, S210-176 2P of the city transport systems in Rome, Milan, Naples and Bolzano, a V210/FT of Rome and Palermo and an Inbus articulated AS280 ATM city bus of Milan. Trolleybuses include an articulated Fiat-Viberti 2472
ATM of Milan and Solaris Trollino 12, as well as a Fiat 370 coach in tourist and city transport liveries.
SCOTTOY: This firm from Genoa showed 1:48 Fiat 682N trucks, civilian and military. In the Revival series they had 1:32 motorcycles: Gilera Saturno sport, BMW R69 and Zundapp KS-601.
ART MODEL: Their latest 1:43 Ferraris were: Ferrari 340 Mexico spider Pebble Beach 1953, Dino 206 coupe LM 1966, 225S TF 1952, Dino 246 Sebring 1962, 340 Mexico Watkins Glen 1955 and 275 P Sebring 1965.
BEST MODEL: The latest 1:43 models were: Ferrari 275GTB Tour de France 1970, Porsche Abarth TF 1962, Ferrari 512BB LM series III LM 1981, Ferrari 308 GTB TdeF 1982, Ferrari 512BB LM series II LM 1982.
BRUMM: Yet again Brumm had a striking display, including a lovely real Fiat-Abarth 1000 TCR. The big surprise was a 1:43 model of the Bugatti Type 32 Tank 1923. Other new releases; Fiat Abarth 695SS race 1968, Fiat 500B van Campari 1950, and Fiat 600D Multipla Operazione San Gennaro (a popular Italian movie). Also nice were two small dioramas, one with a Fiat 600D Multipla with a policeman from Milan and the other the same 600D Multipla with a Rome policeman. Limited editions included: Fiat Abarth 1000 TCR Zandvoort 1971, Ferrari 126C Turbo test Italian GP 1980, Lancia D24 Ponte-decimo-Giovi 1953 and Fiat 500F Lupen III. They have also updated the 1:43 Bugatti T59 and T57SC Atlantic.
M4: The latest programme of this Alfa Romeo model range includes: Alfa Romeo 75 Evoluzione Monza 1988, Monza 1990, Giro d’Italia 1989, Challenge 2000, Brera Safety Car, 33.3 TT test and M 1972, 33.3 Trento-Bondone 1971, Targa Florio 1971, 33 TT Le Mans 1972 and 1973.
PEGO ITALIA: In the 1:43 Progetto-K range new models included Fiat 238 van Carabinieri ambulance high roof, Lancia-Pirelli team high roof and low roof, Fiat 900T van Ecurie Abarth 1980 right. In the Pego range, also 1:43 scale, planned models were Alfa Romeo 145 CIVT Racing and 146 CIVT De Adamich.
RIO: The oldest Italian scale model range offered these models for late 2009 release: Bugatti T50 in three different colours, Fiat 501 Sport, Torpedo and Croce Rossa (Red Cross) colonial; Alfa Romeo Giulietta TI Monte Carlo Rally 1960, Mercedes-Benz 300L 1963, Volkswagen Beetle Monte Carlo 1956 and Fiat 8CV 1901, the first Fiat front-engined car.
POLISH Partworks
By Gerald WatkinsA recent visit to the NEC Toy Fair bagged, amongst other finds, two interesting 1:43 models of Polish cars; a Warszawa 203 and a Wartburg 311 camping. The Warszawa is a notchback version of the fastback car based on the Russian Pobieda (think Standard Vanguards 1 and 2, or the French Fords of the early 50s).
The Wartburg is a special version of the 311 estate intended for camping trips, with extravagant two toning and side windows curving into the roofline in a style echoed by the first version of the Renault Laguna estate.
They are both in a Polish partwork distributed by DeAgostini called Kultowe Auta PRL-u. This also includes the Syrena 104 model I mentioned a while ago in MAR 224.13. Their website is: www.kultoweauta.pl/index.php
This list is of models already issued or are due out by late 2009, there is no indication of how many more there will be (often the case with partworks).
1 Warszawa M-20 1957 2 Trabant 601 limousine 1970 3 Syrena 102 1972-1983 4 Lada 1500 (1974), VAZ 2108 1974 5 Wartburg 353 Tourist Kombi 1974 6 GAZ Volga M21 1962 7 GAZ 69 1954 8 Trabant P50 Kombi 1959 9 FSO Polonez 1978 10 Zaporozhets ZAZ 968 1974 11 Wartburg 312 1964 12 Polski Fiat 125p 13 Skoda 120 LS 1983 14 Volga GAZ M-24 1970 15 Fiat 126p 1975 16 Moskvich 407 1958 17 Wartburg 311 cabrio 1958 18 Warszawa 203 1964 19 Zuk A-07 1976 20 Dacia 1310 1985 21 Lada Niva 2121 1978 22 Tatra 603 1970 23 Wartburg 311 Camping 1960 24 UAZ 469 1974 25 Moskvich 408 1966 26 Warszawa 203 Kombi 1965 27 Wartburg 353 Limousine 1984 28 Fiat 125p kombi 1973 29 UAZ 452 van 30 Syrena Bosto 31 Lada 2101 32 Warszawa 200 pickup 33 Syrena 105 34 Lada Samara 3108The models are the umpty-zillionth rehash of Ixo, IST etc, but some are unique; so far not featured in other ranges. These include Warszawa M-20 (original fastback version), Warszawa 203, Zuk A-07, Warszawa 203 Kombi and Syrena Bosto. The latter looks like a van conversion of a Syrena pickup. In addition, there is the first quality diecast of the FSO Polonez, previously made as a basic plastic model by Estetyka. Packaging is minimal; just a clear plastic bubble stuck to a cardboard base, with variations. The Warszawa 203 and the Wartburg Camping have text explaining they are 1:43 and not suitable for below age 14 in Polish, English, Hungarian and what I think is Czech, plus a tiny IST logo; the Syrena has just Polish and English and no logo. Perhaps DeAgostini have been extending the range to other former Comecon countries, it covers practically every major Ost Bloc make. Does anyone know how strong the old car nostalgia movement is in that part of the world? On holiday in St Petersburg in 2004 I did spot a few old Volgas and a Pobieda in surprisingly good condition for their age; not concours d’elegance but still good compared to some of the dented and rusting cars of more recent vintage. This would suggest a specialist interest. For their centenary in 1995 Skoda put on a big and well attended display of their older vehicles in the grounds of a palace in the suburbs of Prague with a string quartet and a jazz band playing (on opposite sides of the grounds, fortunately).
CLUB NEWS
Collated by Rod WardWessex Smalltalk, the Wessex Toy and Model Collectors newsletter is one of the last club publications to cling to the A4 size format, stapled in one corner. This approach may reflect the solid traditionalism of the membership, but there don’t seem to be as many jokes in Smalltalk these days. I hope Editor Barry Lloyd isn’t starting to take the world seriously. Cliff Maddock, Editor of the Maidenhead Static Model Club newsletter Wheel Bearings, announced his retirement and invited someone else to take over his role, but no volunteer came forward, so Cliff has agreed to continue for another year, but no longer than that. The South Hants Model Auto Club magazine, Wheel Nuts, continues to be helmed most effectively by Sue Leake, who is fortunate in having lots of long and interesting articles submitted by members. I have to say that after over 30 years of reading them, club publications reflect the ethos of the club and the attitude of its members. The SHMAC is very active, its members are always ‘involved’, and it shows. The Natal Diecast Model Collectors publication reflects the members’ interests, with features on Dinky Toys, restoring old model boxes and so on. They proposed a clubnight featuring the 40th annoversary of the Ford Capri, only to find that few members had Capri models (too modern for them?). Showcase, the West Australian Model Collectors Club magazine recently looked into the history of Rio, Brumm and prewar Le Mans cars...
Book Reviews
VW Käfer Ein Auto schreibt Geschichte (VW Beetle: A car writes history) by Dr Ulrich von Pidoll, German text. 192 pages, 253 photos. Hardbound 225 x 295 mm. Published by and available from Delius Klasing Verlag, Siekerwall 21, 33602 Bielefeld, Germany. ISBN 978-3-7688-2641-9. Price €19.90.
In response to the demand of German dictator Adolf Hitler for a cheap car to motorise the masses, Ferdinand Porsche designed a car which went on to make automobile history. After only a few civilian cars were sold, it went to the Wehrmacht as the Kübelwagen and Schwimmwagen, but its finest hour was after 1945, as the symbol of the German economic miracle. Later it was loved by students and today it is a cult car. Here we have that story, plus all changes from one year to the next, with body and interior colours. Essential for Beetle enthusiasts.
Hans-Georg Schmitt20th Century Classic Cars: 100 Years of Automotive Ads by Jim Heimann and Phil Patton, English, German and French text. 480 pages, over 400 illustrations. Hardbound with dust jacket 250 x 310mm. Published by and available from Taschen, Hohenzollernring 53; 50672 Köln, Germany. ISBN 978-3-8365-1463-7. Price €29.99
This is a visual history of the automobile, seen decade by decade in over 400 print adverts from the Jim Heimann collection, from the first Ford cars to the VW Beetle and Hummer. Who remembers Peerless, Overland or the Baker Electric? American and European car marques are included, as well as other automotive suppliers. A fascinating book for anyone interested in automobile history.
Hans-Georg SchmittLes Vehicules d´Incendie Berliet a Cabine Relaxe by Francois Kieffer, French text. 84 pages, 232 photos. Paperbound 210 x 300mm. Published by Histoire & Collections; 5, avenue de la Republique, F-75541 Paris Cedex 11, France. Price €10.95
Charge Utile Magazine Hors-Serie 56 features Berliet GAK fire appliances.
Hans-Georg Schmitt
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