EDITORIAL
by Rod WardWE'RE BACK AGAIN!
Not too bad, that little seven week gap, was it?
You were probably so busy sunning yourself and mowing the lawn that you didn't realise you had to wait two weeks longer than usual for your copy of Model Auto Review.
Our cover this time is mostly red, white and blue. Quite appropriate really, as so many of the themes of the articles in this issue relate to American, British or French topics.
I am already planning the remaining issues for this year, and there is an unusual common theme to many of the features in MAR 185.
There is a good stock of articles on hand right now, but I still invite more contributions from you, to help in the production of well-balanced issues in the future, with a mix of all subjects.
CONTENTS
Model Auto Review 184
Publication date 7 Aug 20049264 Correspondence 9265 NEWS Britain: Spa Croft, Touchwood, J&M Classics, Corgi 9266 Ecurie ecosse Transporter Brian Askew, RSA 9267 Mettoy Miniatures John Hanson, England 9268 Centurion ARK Graeme Watt, Scotland 9269 Armstrong-Siddeley trio John Hanson, England 9269 10RB Mobile Crane Tony Steenmeyer, Netherlands 9270 Video Game Models Don Elliott, USA 9271 White Rose Ford Tudor John Quilter, USA 9272 Mercury 1955-56 Dave Turner, England 9273 MGA Alan Long, Scotland 9274 Claude's Cars 9275 Lincoln Coupe Graeme Ogg, England 9276 Auburn Speedster Don Elliott, USA 9278 Captions to right centre page 9281 9279 Club News 9282 Competitions MAR 182 and 184 . Captions to back cover 9283 Captions to left centre page 9280 9284 NEWS France: PM, Esdo, Tenariv, Alezan 9285 NEWS Germany: Minichamps, Busch 9286 NEWS Truckstop: Corgi, Kibri, Wiking 9287 NEWS Truck, Military, Emergency: Rietze, Norscot, Revell, Boley, Preiser, Roco, Corgi 9288 NEWS Bus Stop: EFE, Britbus, Rietze 9289 World: MaCo, Vitesse, Saico, Brooklin 9290 Western Models Rod Ward, England 9291 NEWS Tractors, plant: Siku, Joal . Pinky by Dinky 9292 Book Reviews 9293 avia mini 9294 Super Models: 3 Robin Godwin, Canada 9296 Swapmeet Diary, Small ads, subscriptions
CLUB NEWS
Collated by Rod Ward Maidenhead Static Model Club:
The MSMC welcomed guest speaker Glenn Butler of specialist toy and model auctioneers Wallis & Wallis to a recent club night. The packed clubhouse was intrigued to hear about his career and the many stories he told. The theme of the latest display and competition was racing models. The competition table was covered with a large assortment of models for the judges to make their selection. Ray Strutt was was the winner, with his delightful model of a Ford GT40. MSMC Toyfair Secretary John Garside took second place with a Le Mans set while third position went to Robbie Bennett's stock car model. Alan Feldman's fourth spot was for a Midget racer and Bob Frost took fifth place with his Miniature Car, scratchbuilt by Cyril Posthumus, author of Miniature Car Construction, circa 1949! Recent and future events include visits to The BMW Mini plant at Cowley, Oxford, and London Transport's Acton Depot. Les Duplock goes from strength to strength as Editor of Wheel Bearings, the MSMC newsletter. In the latest issue he asks 'Where are they now?' about some once well-known figures. Brian Garfield-Jones of Autoroute in Horsham (and of white metal kits fame), Ron Ping of Matchbox, Lledo and EFE, Keith Mortimer and the infamous Jeffrey Levitt are those subject to the enquiry this time. Other old-timers located include Gerry Tekerian of Matchbox (seen with Pretty Polly dolls), Jim Varney of Transport Replicas (spotted at Surrey boot fairs), Mike Richardson of Mikansue (on extended holiday in France) and Roger Mileman (gone to the Big Swapmeet in The Sky). Any answers, or any more whereabouts being chased are invited. Membership Secretary Alan Simpson asks, 'Have you ever considered joining The Maidenhead Static Model Club? Do you want to meet like-minded toy and model enthusiasts on a regular basis? You might be interested in joining, or to just attend one of our future club nights as a guest.' Contact Alan on 01494 813903 for more details
Club Mulhouse 1/43:
This long-established club, based in North-East France, organised its 50th swapmeet in March 2004. A little group of local collectors founded the club in 1974 in the Pomme d'Or restaurant in Mulhouse, and today there are around 30 members. Their first swapmeet was held in 1976, and since 1998 the two events per year have been held at the purpose-built Parc des Expositions de Mulhouse. The club holds monthly meetings at the world-famous Schlumpf Museum and it has organised many visits to museums, collections, swapmeets and other events, both locally and across the borders in Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg. Down the years the club has also had many models made exclusively for members. to mark the 50th swapmeet, they had a very special model made by Minitrucks (below), a Floirat city bus with trailer unit as used by the local Mulhouse public transport system. Sounds like a vigorous and exciting club? If you'd like to join, they will be very happy to welcome you as a member. Contact Thierry Sée, 29 Rue Jean Mieg, 68100 Mulhouse, France for more information.
Coventry Diecast Model Club: The latest issue of Wheelspin, the CDMC magazine was still edited by Mick Russell, though he is standing next to the exit, ready for whoever volunteers to take over the thankless task. The club has lost its focal point and its mailing address, now that Paul and Hilary Kennelly of the Time Machine have moved their business to Wales, from its long-established base in Coventry. A farewell bash was held in March, and the Club is in process of setting up a new PO Box address. The club will continue to hold its monthly clubnights. If you would like to join the CDMC, for now email: mick.russell@hansonplc.com.
Natal Diecast Model Collectors:
Chairman Geoffrey Sear complains that hardly anyone turned up at a recent NDMC club meeting. but it was probably just as well, because the Treasurer wasn't there either, so they couldn't pay their subs. But when seen from a British perspective, it is remarkable that anyone sets foot outside at all in South Africa. Geoff reports the sad news that Gordon Strauss of MAR stockist, the Old Car Shop in Johannesbourg, was hijacked and murdered outside the shop. 'Apparently nobody saw anything', he notes. Also noting that subs are now due, Geoff asks that everyone pays the 70 Rand fee in exact cash, as it is often difficult to give change. 'For security reasons we don't keep a float', he comments. The locals are not easily put off, and two new members have been welcomed to the club, Peter Howells and Peter Smith. If you'd like to join the NDMC as well, contact Geoffrey Sear at 7, Dryden Place, Umbilo, Durban 4001, South Africa. Tel: 031205 0100
Sydney Model Auto Club:
The SMAC official journal Think Small, edited by Tony Hanna, gets some newsletters from other Australian Clubs that i don't see. Canberra Model Vehicle Collectors Club has a 'great little publication' Little Wheels, and the Sydney Club has exchanged visits with the Canberra folk. Brisbane Model Diecast Collectors Club also has a newsletter which gives news of their bi-monthly swapmeets. Tony notes that, like Showcase, the West Australian Collectors Club newsletter, the Brisbane publication includes lots of advertising from local traders.'Come on Sydney', he exhorts, 'Don't you want to tell us what you sell?' For details on membership of the Sydney Club, or to advertise in Think Small, phone Sec-retary John Maude on 9579 1257.
Whitewebbs Model Group: John Harrison has supplied us with news of this club's 2004 programme. Meetings for the remainder of this year will be held on the third Wednesday of each even month except August at 8:00 pm at the Whitewebbs Museum, Whitewebbs Road, Enfield.
13 October : Post Office Models. Rob Miles has a collection, not just of model Post Office vehicles, but also post boxes, figures and travelling post offices.
8 December : Fun Night. Similar format to previous years. Members are asked to bring the largest model in your collection and a model for racing down the ramp (max height 3.5cm). There'll be a transport quiz and maybe a mince pie.
Admission costs £2.00 to meetings for non-EDVVS members, and don't forget that the Whitewebbs Toyfair will be held on Sunday 28 November. For further information, ring John Harrison on 020 8508 8851.
The Lledo Enthusiast and Variations Club:
In the latest issue of the Lledo Enthusiast newsletter, Bill Alexander notes the new models proposed by Lledo for the second half of 2004 and makes an interesting suggestion. With Vanguards and OOC both introducing models of some of the latest vehicles on the road (1:43 cars and 1:76 buses respectively), he asks if it worth adding some up to date 1:76 diecast trucks to the Trackside range to complement all the classic commercial vehicles proposed in that range. A fascinating idea, and I'm sure that it would be fairly easy to scale down some of the excellent 1:50 Corgi trucks. Maybe Bill knows something we don't? For more detail on Lledo matters, you'll have to join the The Lledo Enthusiast and Variations Club. Contact Bill Alexander at 33 North Town Moor, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 7JR.
West Australian Model Collectors Club:
The WAMCC Club publication, Showcase, contains interesting articles on all aspects of model collecting and, thanks to Editor Ian Hind, there are four features on eBay. There are now more than 100 million registered users of this internet auction website. Interestingly, nine out of the top ten prices paid for Dinky Toys were from UK buyers, whereas eight of the top ten Matchbox prices were paid by US buyers. Top prices for Minichamps were paid by Japanese buyers, a little dispiriting for Australian buyers, who don't seem to get a look in, though Ian points out that it is often cheaper to buy items from a dealer than via eBay. If you'd like to join the WAMCC, Ian's phone number is 934 9369, email jhind@iinet.net.au
Book Reviews:
Jaguar XJ-S, by Brian Long, English text. 192 pages. 117 colour and 132 mono photographs. Paperbound 210 x 250 mm. ISBN 1-904788-20-3. Published by and available from Veloce Publishing Ltd, 33 Trinity Street, Dorchester DT1 1 TT, England.
When it was launched, the Jaguar XJ-S caused a sensation. After the XKs and the E-type, the cat was thought to have become a bit chubby. Now the definitive international history of Jaguar's classic grand tourer, the XJ-S, is available in paperback, the full story from its inception until the end of production . Not only essential rea ding, but a great reference source for all owners and would-be owners. The history of Jaguar and the story of the development of the XJ-S is told here, covering the different generations and the XJ-S in competition. Appendices include original price lists and specifications, chassis numbers and production figures. The book is completed with tips on buying and restoring the cars.
Hans-Georg Schmitt
Porsche 911: The definitive History Volume 2: from 1971 to 1977 by Brian Long, 192 pages, 238 photographs and 2 drawings. Hardbound with dust jacket, 220 x 260 mm. ISBN 1-903706-32-7
Porsche 911: The definitive History Volume 3: from 1977 to 1987 192 pages, 251 photographs and 2 drawings. Hardbound with dust jacket. 220 x 260 mm. ISBN 1-903706-36-X
Both books are published by and avaiable from Veloce Publishing Ltd, 33 Trinity Street, Dorchester DT1 1 TT, England.
It is hard to believe, but true. the Porsche 911 can now celebrate its 40th anniversary. Originally designed by a grandson of Professor Ferdinand Porsche, father of the old Volkswagen Beetle, it evolved to become a real cult car down the years. Brian Long has written the complete story of the birthday car, to coincide with the anniversary. Born in Coventry, the heart of Britain's motor industry, the author comes from a family with a heritage in automotive and aviation engineering, though he now lives in Japan with wife and two children. Here two volumes of the 'definitive history' of the Porsche 911 have been published. Volume 2 covers 1971 to 1977, from the launch of the 2.4 litre cars, the 2.7 litre models and the first of the legendary Turbos. RS/RSR models are included, as is the 912E. Volume 3 covers 1977 to 1987, with the introduction of the SC series, the 3.3 litre Turbo, 3.2 litre Carreras and the early 959. Limited editions, race and rally cars are included. Volume 1 has been published already, and Volume 4 will follow in the future.
Hans-Georg Schmitt
OPEL Signum; by Clauspeter Becker, Gerold Lingnau, Wolfgang Peters, Peter Pisecker and Herbert Volker. German text. 128 pages, 109 illustrations. Hardbound with dustjacket 295 x 305 mm. ISBN 3-7688-1469-6. Published by, available from Delius Klasing, Siekerwall 21, D-33602 Bielefeld, Germany
Once production of Opel's Senator saloon ceased they still had the Omega saloon and estate, but they were technically outdated, so Opel could not play a leading role in that size of car. For to rejoin competition in the auto upper class, Opel had to find a new concept and versatility was the most important request. In 1996 the first design sketches were created and by March 1997 the prototype was already shown as a design study at the Geneva Motor Show. In September 2002 the Signum 2 design study was on display at Frankfurt International Automobile Exhibition, showing a vehicle almost ready to go into mass production. The body is a mixture of saloon and estate car with a very flexible interior space, wide movable and foldable seats, from a van with just one seat to a five seater conference space, anything is possible. The maximum loading space is 1410 litres and a 515 kg payload is available. As an option a complete communications centre, called the travel assistant, can be ordered, including a foldable table with connections for lap tops, cool box, two cup holders and holder for a DVD player and audio system. Excellent crash-test results, full size front and side air bags and many other features protect the passengers in case of an accident. It has front wheel drive, sophisticated suspension and a powerful 3.2 litre six cylinder petrol engine with which the Signum can reach a top speed of 237 km/h. This all shows Opel's determination to once more play an important role in the automobile business class. The headlights are at the cutting edge of technology, 'bend lights' being available as option. Production of the Signum is carried out at the most modern automobile factory in the world alongside the Vectra notchback saloon, GTS GTS and Vectra estate. Hall K 170 is the heart of the Russelsheim plant, built in shape of a hand with the fingers spread out. In co-operation with Opel, Delius Klasing's book tells the story of the philosophy, development and production of the Signum with clear text and large format photographs. It is not, however, noted that there is also a Vauxhall version of the Signum. (Is there really? I have never seen one. Ed.) The new Signum is, as usual with current Opel marketing philosophy, also available as a 1:43 model car by Schuco which accurately reproduces the body design from the prominent grille with additional air intake, the large headlight units, the hunched rear end, the twin exhaust pipes, and the 17 inch wheel rims. The interior has all the main features of the real car, though the printing of the instruments is a bit displaced. Schuco could have put a little more effort into the baseplate. It is moonland metallic with an anthracite interior, available from Opel dealers in a clear plastic case, in a metallic grey card box.
Hans-Georg Schmitt
Kafer-Zeiten Aus dem Familienalbum einer Legende by Edwin Baaske, German text. 144 pages, 150 photographs. Published by and available from Delius Klasing Verlag, Siekerwall 21, D-33602 Bielefeld, Germany.
The original VW Beetle is disappearing from the roads of Europe and young generations have forgotten that it put their grandparents on wheels. The author collected old photos left in dusty boxes in lofts and made a picture book,without many words, the photos speak for themselves. Beetles, mostly split windows, are seen on quiet 1950s roads, saloons, cabriolets with typical accessories of the era, rare police versions, accidents with Beetles and more...
Hans-Georg Schmitt
Schrader-Motor-Chronik: MELKUS RS 1000 94 pages, 133 photographs. Hardbound 210 x190 mm. ISBN 3-613-87259-5. Published by Schrader Verlag, member of Paul Pietsch Verlage, Stuttgart.
Exciting looking sports cars, made in the former DDR? Impossible? Who recalls that the Saxon racing car driver Heinz Melkus developed, designed and manufactured a sports coupe based on the Wartburg 353? The Melkus RS 1000 can stand up to comparison with Italian sports cars. The author has collected a lot of photographs, many from private sources, articles about the car in various publications, drawings and rare sales brochures. Also included are a model slot racing car and a card cut out model, now hard to find items. Recently the Melkus RS 1000 has been made as a 1:43 model car in by Minichamps.
Hans-Georg Schmitt
FRANCE
RENAISSANCE LATEST
New releases from Renaissance of France:
1:43 decals DU191C Peugeot 206 WRC Campos MC 2004 DU192C Peugeot 206 WRC Vouilloz MC 2004 Transkits Tk24/151 BMW M1 Gr 4 1:24 for Esci-Revell kit Tk24/181 Spotlights for Peugeot 206 WRC 1:24 for Tamiya plastic kit Intégral range 1:43 kits 032i Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.0 BP LM 78 #66 051d Peugeot 206 WRC Salonen 1000 Lakes 02 051e Peugeot 206 WRC Vatanen 1000 Lakes 02 077 Porsche 935/2 Baby Martini Hockenheim 77 43/47 Ferrari 250 TR 61 LM 62 #18
RED LINE MODELS
Red Line Models is a new range of 1:43 models, which, surprise, are all Ferraris. They are all limited editions of 500 or 1000 pieces and all are handbuilt in resin.
We would expect their retail price in the UK to be around £80.00 each.
004 Ferrari 550 Maranello Prodrive LM 02 #58 005 Ferrari 550 Maranello Luc Alphand LM 03 #72 006 Ferrari 360 Modena GT JMB LM 03 #70 007 Ferrari 360 Modena GT Risi LM 03 #94 008 Ferrari 360 Modena GT Risi LM 03 #95 009 Ferrari 550 Maranello Prodrive LM 03 #80 010 Ferrari 550 Maranello Prodrive LM 03 #88 011 Ferrari 550 Maranello XL RacingLM 03 #99 012 Ferrari Enzo red 013 Ferrari Enzo yellow 014 Ferrari Enzo black 015 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti blue 016 Ferrari 360 Challenge road car red 017 Ferrari 360 Challenge road car black 018 Ferrari 575 GTC Presentation black 019 Ferrari 575 GTC Presentation yellow 020 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti dark metallic red.
ALEZAN 1:43 NEWS
Here are the latest 1:43 resin models in the Alezan range made in France by Michel Ducleux. All of these models, and the dozens of others still available in the Alezan range, are available in three optional versions, as unpainted kits, prepainted kits or handbuilt.
262 Alfa Navajo Bertone Geneva 1976 grey 263 Alfa Navajo Bertone 1976 silver 264 Cizeta Moroder V16T spider 2003 265 Alfa 147 JTD five door 2003
TRUCKSTOP
FRENCH CORGI VANS
Here is a roundup of all the Heritage collection of Corgi diecast models for the French market for release this year or proposed for release by early 2005:
EX70208 Berliet TL fire appliance Avignon Nov EX70909 Saviem TL fire appliance Paris Aug EX70523 Renault 1000kg ambulance Marseille Apr EX70526 Renault 100kg fire van Limoges Dec EX74004 Citroen 55 TL fire appliance Paris May EX70522 Renault 1000kg fire van Paris Mar EX72014 Bernard 9A90 van St Raphael Jan 05 EX70524 Renault 1000kg van Ricard Nov EX70527 Renault 1000kg van Aspro Apr EX70525 Renault 1000kg Gondolo biscuits Jun EX70624 Peugeot D3A van Atlantic Sept EX70529 Renault 1000kg van Nescafe Aug EX70530 Renault 1000kg van Ricqles Sept EX70625 Peugeot D3A minibus Pernod Jul EX70622 Peugeot D3A van plain blue May EX70621 Peugeot D3A minibus Peugeot Mar EX70623 Chenard & Walcker minibus beige Jul EX70626 Peugeot D3A Van Pinder Circus Jun EX70002 Berliet artic Jean Richard Circus Jan 05 EX72918 Simca Cargo + lynx cage Pinder Dec EX70528 Renault 1000kg van Pinder-ORTF Oct EX70003 Berliet TLM dormitory artic Richard Oct EX70908 Saviem JL20 frig meat van Richard Jun EX70907 Saviem JL20 animal artic Pinder Apr
KIBRI NEW RELEASES
These are recently released 1:87 plastic kits of commercial vehicles by Kibri of Germany;
B-11264 Liebherr A922 mobile excavator with attach- ments. Weight around 21 tons; 78 kW/106 hp B-11352 Liebherr PR751 bulldozer 243 kW/330 hp turbo diesel; Weight ca. 35 tons. B-11651 O&K Grader blade width 16-18 metres B-12241 Mercedes-Benz Unimog Euro 11 with Claas Lexion mower and trailer. Six cylinder diesel . B-12243 Mercedes Unimog Euro II with plough and front ballast weight. Six cylinder diesel engine with turbocharger and Raabe plough B-14025 Mercedes-Benz LAK 2624 round bonnet artic tipper 117 kW/240hp diesel, load 23 tons. B-14026 Mercedes LAK 2624 Meiller drawbar tipper B-14027 Mercedes-Benz 2626 AB and Mercedes-Benz LB 2624 truck-mounted concrete mixers. B-14033 Two Meiller artic tipper trailers: MHKS 40/2 23 ton and MDKS 22 ton. B-14034 Meiller tipper body and two axle tipper trailer B-14610 Mercedes L8 round-nose artic tanker Aral B-50692 JCB front loader and rear backhoe excavator B-50906 Komatsu Bulldozer D 575 A-2 B-51108 Mercedes Trac 1300-1600 +earth compactor B-51150 Mercedes-Benz 3328 4-axle truck with Schwing concrete pump B-540010 Fendt Vario tractor with front loader B-54001 Mercedes Unimog U2400 with rear excavator B-11652 Demag road finisher, 6 Cyl Deutz Diesel B-13536 MAN 26.362 DFS tractor with Nooteboom ballast trailer OVB 102-06 B-13537 Mercedes-Benz SK 4-axle tractor with Goldhofer platform low-loader B-14024 Mercedes-Benz 3336 K 4-axle tipper B-14402 MAN 27.322 roll on-roll off dumper +trailer B-14403 MAN 27.322 skip truck with trailer B-14607 Mercedes-Benz 2228 waste drawbar truck with Steinbock forklift B-14609 Mercedes-Benz 1217S artic tanker Esso B-14613 Mercedes-Benz 1632S-Schenk Coal truck B-50962 Liebherr LTL1160 telescopic mobile crane B-50978 Claas Lexion 480 maize picker with trailer B-51026 Liebherr LTM 1050 4-axle mobile crane B-11126 Mercedes-Benz swb Unimog wide sprayer B-53505 Atlas 1604 HD excavator, Mercedes-Benz SK 2635-2644S and Scheuerie low load trailer. B-19190 Menck tracked face shovel excavator 1:160
MINICHAMPS 1:43 diecast in China for Germany: 439 171020 Henschel HS140 with tilt 1954. An impressive model, very realistically finished, even the two-sided lady athlete is there on the radiator grille, made by Shell for truck drivers at that time. On one side she is on summer roller skates and hot pants, on the other on winter ice skates and long trousers. The number plates are the right size, in the right colours; white letters and numbers on black ground, AH for American occupied Hesse. In ivory with a bright red chassis it is limited to 2,832 pieces. 439159096 is a tilt trailer matching the Henschel truck, a limited edition of 2,004 pieces. (Notes Hans-Georg Schmitt).
WIKING 1:87 plastic from Germany for the Post Museums Shop: The German Post's involvement in reconstruction of War Damage. Currency reform in 1948 not only filled the shops overnight in West Germany, it also gave the starting signal for the planned reconstruction, and prepared the way for The German Economic Miracle. An important contribution was by the German Post, renamed in April 1950 Bundespost. It was necessary to replace almost the entire post and telecommunication service. The first priority, out of sight of the occupying allied forces, was the reconnection of telecommunications, then later the postal service needed buildings, equipment and trained staff. One of the biggest problems was the lack of suitable vehicles. But needs must, and any vehicle with all its wheels was pressed into service. The Wiking Edition set 2004, made especially for the Post Museums Shop, contains four special vehicles from the Post telecommunications service: Opel Blitz timber artic for telegraph poles, a pre-war design still built from 1946 to 1951 with the Kapitan 2.5 litre six cylinder 55 hp engine.
Mercedes-Benz L3500 1950-54. Its predecessor MB 701 was a licence-built Opel Blitz. It was extensively redesigned as the L3250 in 1949, then the L3500 in 1950. This truck has a crane and a matching trailer. Volkswagen T1b pickup construction crew vehicle with ladder and tools.
All vehicles are moulded in honey yellow and also included in the set is a Telecommunication pack, made by Preiser especially for this Wiking Edition, containing four telephone boxes, some boxes of equipment, a generator and an electric welder.
It is available ref 80-08 from Post Museums Shop GmbH, Siemensstrasse 5, D-63128 Dietzenbach, Germany. email: info@post-museums-shop.de (Notes Hans-Georg Schmitt).
BUS STOP
EFE LATEST NEWS
By Frank JoyceSeveral collectors have noticed that two of our models have been given release dates but have not been illustrated so far. These models, 29603 Leyland Olympian Solent Blueline and 99645 Leyland TD1 Todmorden LMS are now illlustrated here. The reason for this apparent omission is the constantly fluctuating workload at our manufacturers in China, aggravated by movement of moulds between factory sites. Some models have slowed down in production and fallen behind, while other models intended for release later have jumped forward. This happened with the Stagecoach RM and Leyland National models. We are working to correct this problem and we have engaged an additional manufacturer to help smooth out production peaks and troughs. The news that we are producing models of the prototype Routemaster buses has interested many collectors. RM1, the original Routemaster prototype, 30201 is a standard release available now. See pictures above.
20432 Bristol VRIII Devon General 11113 Leyland RTL 1 London Transport 25403 Manchester MCW Fleetline Cardiff 27613 Wright Volvo Renown Brighton & Hove 29603 Leyland Olympian Solent Blueline 27505 Wright Scania Axcess Midland Bluebird 99645 Leyland TD1 Closed Rear Todmorden LMS 99926 Special four carriage set Central Line 1962 99643 MGB, Sprite, TR2, Vitesse car set 17701 Leyland National Mk I Long Colchester 16216 Bristol MW Coach Royal Blue 29101 Daimler DMS 2 Door Metrobus 29503 Plaxton Panorama Type B Yelloway 22105 AEC Ergo Artic Box Van British Road Ferry 25304 AEC Duple Half Cab Southern National 29005 GM standard Fleetline Swindon Thamesdown 30201 RM1 Routemaster prototype London Transport 13915 Bristol FLF Lodekka Western SMT 20433 Bristol VRIII Alder Valley 29402 Bristol RELH Coach United 23316 AEC RF Coach Greenline 24813 Mercedes Minibus Northumbria 29604 Leyland Olympian Preston Bus 27309 Leyland TD1 Closed Rear Samuel LedgardOther EFE Model News
There has been some confusion with regard to other model information we give. This refers to genuine models commissioned by a third party for a specific purpose, but what they do with the model is beyond our control. The models may be sold to raise funds for a Museum or Rally or they may be given away free to staff to commemorate a company anniversary. Models produced for sale to raise funds have sometimes been small in quantity but we have little control over quantities ordered, and who knows how many will sell? A Museum cannot be left with valuable funds tied up in surplus stock. A commissioned model is bought and paid for by a third party; we cannot hold any back to sell ourselves. The two green London Transport RTs were ordered a long time ago for a specific purpose. Very few were available for sale. I have taken this up with the Museum, to avoid the problem in future. We have been commissioned by the London Omnibus and Traction Society (LOTS) to produce a Routemaster for their members to mark the 40th Anniversary of the Society. 15635A features RM1964 in as-new delivered condition. Details about LOTS is available from Unit 305N, Westminster Business Square, 1-45 Durham Street, London, SE11 5JH. For this year's North Weald Bus Rally we have produced a special Leyland PD1 (STD) numbered 20203A, of STD137, reg HLW 66 working on route 20A to Debden Station. The model was available at the rally on Sunday 27th June.
BRITBUS RELEASES
The latest 1:76 diecast buses from Britbus, made in China and retailing at just over £30.00 each in the UK include just one Guy Arab in Southdown livery. all of the others are Scania Metropolitan double deckers:
London Buses: for sale West Midlands PTE Culture Bus Sightseeing Charles Cook C&G of Leamington Whippet Coaches single door West Yorkshire PTE Merseyside PTE brown windows and skirt Merseyside PTE green and cream South Yorkshire PTE
WORLD NEWS
MA CO Delahaye
By Michel SordetMa Collection celebrated 30 years with a 1:43 resin handbuilt 1950 Delahaye 135 four seat cabriolet by Guilloré. Maco 82D was made for Mr E Anglande, owner of the real car. Only two models of 82D have been made for sale. This model is identical to 82C, which was painted two tone brown and which is virtually sold out, only one model is left. The price is 390 Swiss francs for 82D and 360 Swiss francs for the last 82C, post free. Contact me at Ma Collection, Michel Sordet, 17 Bergeronnette, CH-1228 Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland, Fax 0041227316675, email sordetmaco@bluewin.ch
VITESSE ASTON MARTINS
By John QuilterVitesse seems to be undergoing a revival under Sun Star, making some Aston Martin models, now a broader range of past and present cars including a 1960 DB4 Zagato, a DB4 coupe, a DB5 coupe, DB7s in coupe, and open and closed roadsters. And last but not least, a Vanquish. Like many model makers these days they make limited runs in one colour then move on to making other colours. Each model is numbered 00 of 00. Perhaps they believe a collector will buy the first version of the casting introduced then when his favorite colour appears later pop for this one as well. Or maybe there are some who just buy every version produced.
I have the Vanquish in gun metal grey, the open DB7 roadster in light metallic green and DB7 closed in metallic grey. All are high quality, are home market right hand drive and come with the new Vitesse rectangular clear plastic box with the car on a shiny black plinth. They are all of Minichamps or Auto Art quality, though some metallic paints are a bit coarse; it is difficult to scale down the flakes. The colours, however, all appear to be real Aston Martin ones. The DB7 coupe is similar to that by Auto Art in the same green plus metallic blue, red and silver. The Vanquish duplicates a Minichamps as well. Each model comes with a 16 page micro-brochure of the range, but the text is so small that I need a magnifying glass read it, and I am pretty good with 1:43 model details and features!
TORRIDGE ERF ECT
Corgi's Hauliers of Renown range has a new 1:50 diecast tractor unit. The first release of the new ERF ECT high entry sleeper cab with curtainside trailer is in the livery of Torridge Transport, founded in 1920 in Torrington, North Devon, whose fleet now includes 27 tractor units and 70 trailers.
NORSCOT PROMOS
By John QuilterNorscot Scale Models makes a range of 1:50 scale contemporary American heavy trucks as promotional models along with the Caterpillar construction equipment they make. The first of two models that I have obtained is a contemporary Peterbilt six wheel equipment service truck, seen above.
It has an operating boom on the rear body which has cast-in compartments for parts and tools. Again chrome wheels are fitted, as well as chrome side mirrors and a single exhaust stack. This item is number 55118 on its box and sells for $34.99 in the USA. The plastic baseplate reads Norscot Group Inc Mequon, Wisconsin, made in China and the Peterbilt is licensed by Paccar Inc of Bellevue, WA, the makers of Peterbilt trucks. The second item is a flatbed 18 wheeler seen at the bottom of this page, a modern 'drop nose' artic tractor with a generic flat bed trailer carrying a Cat 420D IT backhoe loader. The truck is maroon, although in the catalogue I ordered from there is a dark blue version as well. It has one of these modern chrome framed grilles that almost look as if they were borrowed from a Mercedes-Benz automobile. The truck is quite well detailed with fancy chrome wheels and diamond plate step pads for entry and just forward of the fifth wheel. Twin vertical chrome exhaust stacks are at the back of the sleeper cab. The Cat backhoe is amazingly detailed, the front bucket raises, lowers or opens, the steady legs lower and the backhoe bucket swivels side to side, in-out and up-down. It rides realistically on the flat bed trailer. My criticisms are that the trailer should have rear mud flaps and a rear under-ride bar. In addition the front wheels of the truck are a bit too narrow in track. This pair of items is numbered 55117 on the yellow Caterpillar promotional box and is priced at $49.99 in the USA. It is nice to see some models of modern highway trucks and construction equipment to supplement the car collection. These items were obtained from Northern Tool and Equipment Co, PO Box 1499, Burnsville, MI 55337-0499, USA. Their 263 page catalogue shows that their primary business is distribution of every imaginable tool and piece of equipment such as lawn mowers, pumps, bead blasters, air tools etc.
Occidental Survivor
by Rod WardIt IS now accepted wisdom that the artisan model car industry has seen an arc of brilliance, rising in the 1970s to a peak, then subsiding once again to its currently more modest level. For many years there were three leading names in the pantheon of British small-scale specialist manufacturers, all of which began production in the 1970s.
Somerville Models was the last of the three to start up. The other two, Western and Brooklin, were already in production within a month of each other, Brooklin in Canada (moving to England in 1979) and Western Models, near London. Now only one of those three pioneering companies survives in the same ownership. Mike Stephens still operates Western Models, from an appropriately western location, deep in rural Devon. There were three founders of the company, though within a short time his two partners left the business for Mike to run alone.
The other two were Brian Garfield-Jones, a well-known toy dealer at the time, and Ken Wootton, who collectors will recall writing about early Dinky Toys in the 1960s and 1970s. Mike remembers the frenzied situation when making the very first Western model, a Mercedes-Benz 540K.
He was determined to get 100 models ready for display and potential sale at the Windsor Swapmeet the next day, which meant staying up all night to paint and assemble them. Ken apparently lost interest in the entrepreneurial lifestyle at this stage, and went off to bed. Brian and Mike worked all that Friday night, managing to complete the 100 models in time for the delivery of the boxes, which had been specially arranged for Saturday morning. They packed the models and rushed off to Slough, where all the models sold very quickly and they were given a substantial order by the Lang brothers of the Danhausen model and toy shop in Aachen.
The new range was on its way with a bang.
The boom years
The Western range expanded quickly with 1:43 scale white metal handbuilt models and kits of classic car subjects. Larger scale models were also made, but the principal scale was always 1:43. In a fast-growing field, there was a big demand for Western's skills in producing work for other ranges as well as their own. These included Garf's Motor-kits series and other early ranges such as Jim Varney's Transport Replicas. Down the years Western undertook production for other illustrious names, including Richard Briggs' Minimarque 43 and many others far too numerous to list here.
The German connection
By far the largest customer for Western's services, however, was Danhausen, with their extensive Minichamps and other ranges. At their peak, Western Models employed 38 people in their Redhill, Surrey factory.
Paul Gunther Lang of Danhausen suggested that he should now buy into the British company, but Mike did not agree. Accordingly, Herr Lang's attention switched to André-Marie Ruf's company, AMR, which he bought. Discovering that AMR didn't do their own casting, Gunther then returned to Western for assistance. A large proportion of the work at Redhill was for Danhausen, so when Minichamps was relaunched as a 1:43 diecast range to be made in China, a rapid rethink was necessary. Western Models closed the Redill factory, setting up anew in Taunton, Somerset with less than 10 staff, to concentrate on production of their own ranges and remaining sub-contract jobs.
The move westwards
Business was still booming, in spite of the withdrawal of the Danhausen contracts, and at the time Mike Stephens operated a Cessna light aircraft from Dunkeswell, then later from the field next to his house, where it was hangared. Mike's personal interests have often influenced his choice of model making subjects. A lifelong fan of classic Americana, he has attempted to fill the many gaps in the story of the US car from the 1940s in particular. He also produced a model of his Cessna, and following sub-contract work for various aviation ranges, he launched his own series of 1:200 airliners.
In the next stage of evolution, the company shrank further, necessitating closure of the Taunton factory. The business then moved closer to Mike and Joyce's Devon home, in fact into the building which had been the hangar for the now-departed Cessna.
Future prospects
Western Models is now a family concern, with three generations present when we visited recently. Grandson Dean was there, taking a close interest in Biggles.
The slimmer and lighter Western operation still carries out some sub-contract work, as well as three aspects of its own range. The 1:200 scale airliners continue in production, though I get the impression that if anyone were to make a serious offer to buy the range, Mike would consider it.
American cars remain an important element of Western production, and the next release will be a 1940 Nash Ambassador 8, a substantial car and a very attractive model.
The most notable development of recent years at Western has been a range of 'ordinary' British cars. This has filled an important gap in the market which used to be the property of Somerville Models, but which has been neglected by the new owner of that range. These are all 1:43 handbuilt models, (not kits nowadays) at a lower price than the American cars by Western, but at an equally high standard of accuracy and detail.
The next releases will be more colours on the Morris Eight Series E saloon, now with black mudguards instead of body colour.
Then we will see the release of a Morris Eight Series E Tourer in various colours.
The next totally new model in the British range will be a 1938 Vauxhall 14/6 DX saloon, of which we have a drawing in the print edition of MAR this month.
I suggested that it could easily have the top-loading boot and spare wheel added to make the Light Six Touring Saloon variant, as owned by my grandfather. Maybe Mike will think about that one, whilst also considering his next subjects for the Western range.
He would like to make a pre-war Triumph Dolomite, 'A saloon, not an open car like the mythical Dinky Toy', he adds. Shades of Ken Wootton again? In fact Mike seems to be interested in making some larger British cars in future, so I suggested a Siddeley Special, though no doubt MAR readers will have lots of ideas of their own to contribute as well. Western Models, the great survivor of a golden age, looks to have a secure future as a family concern in its rural retreat.
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