CONTENTS of the print edition
Model Auto Review 217
Publication 7 November 200704 Ford Taunus 17M P3: 1 Dave Turner, England 05 Corgi, Treavalon, Durham 08 Turbines: 3 Don Elliott, USA 11 A few more softies Don Elliott, USA 12 Over-feeding the Corgis Maz Woolley, England 14 Letters 16 Partworks update Steven Dudal, Belgium 18 Corgi first half 2008 20 Partworks Maz Woolley, England 22 Mattel Ferraris Hans-Georg Schmitt, Germany 23 Classix Maz Woolley, England 26 Imp Maz Woolley, England 27 News Classiques, CAMP 28 News Cars 30 News Marqueart, Oxford 31 News Cars 34 News Hongwell 35 News Tractors 38 Alice 39 Resin Graeme Watt, Scotland 40 Truckstop 41 Avia Mini 1:200 aircraft 43 Competitions 44 Books 45 Club News Collated by Rod Ward 46 News World: Parker, Minichamps 47 News World: Classix, Eko, Mattel 48 News Racing: Marsh, Formula 56 Dresden Hans-Georg Schmitt, Germany 56 Return of an Italian Legend Hans-Georg Schmitt, Germany Fiat Models and Books Bruno Boracco, Italy 58 News Bus Stop: Exclusive First Editions, captions to page 60 59 News Bus Stop: More from EFE, captions to page 61
EDITORIAL
by Rod WardWESTERN LIQUIDATED
It is the end of an era, with the appointment of a liquidator at Western Models Ltd. Western was one of the three leading handbuilt model ranges (along with Brooklin and Somerville) in the heyday of British white metal manufacture. We are sorry to see Mike and Joyce Stephens leave our world of scale model vehicles.
Now only Brooklin is left of the trinity.
NO MORE FREE SMALL ADS
One of the features of MAR which we have had since the first issue, but which in recent years seems to have lost the interest of readers, is our Free Small Ads column.
As hardly anyone takes advantage of it these days, this feature will be discontinued from future issues.
DOWN IN THE DUMPS
We note that the UK Hongwell distributor, who was also responsible for importing many of those ‘pound shop’ 1:43 diecast partwork models dumped here at very cheap prices, has closed down. That doesn’t mean the end of dumped models, but any new company which takes up this activity in future may be a little more cautious about the quantities they import. Some recent batches involved tens of thousands of pieces per model! Apparently Hongwell have now appointed a different company to import Cararama models.
CARELESS TALK COSTS...
2007 saw the first run on a British high street bank in 140 years, when Northern Rock admitted that they had applied for emergency funding from the Bank of England. Assurances that all deposits were secure did not convince the thousands of customers who queued to withdraw their funds. One subsequent conclusion by financial pundits is that public confidence is fragile, so one should be careful about what you say and how you say it, in case it has unforeseen consequences. In recent meetings with the distribution trade, representatives of a model manufacturer admitted that their firm had made a five million pound loss. They hoped that distributors would help to offset the loss by ‘sharing the burden’ and accepting reduced discounts. Not all of the model trade is sympathetic. In their experience, manufacturers are not always prepared to ‘share the burden’ if a trader is late paying invoices, due to his own financial situation, and this insight into a manufacturer’s money problems has left some of them feeling uneasy.
NOTE OUR ADDRESS
After nearly 35 years using Post Office Box addresses for our businesses, we have now discontinued that practice. Please remember from now on to only use our street address for all mail correspondence, not the old PO Box address.
AUTO REVIEW
Thanks to everyone who has sent photos for our future Auto Review books; more is always needed. The titles on Three wheeler cars in Britain and Purpose -built taxicabs in Britain are almost ready, for publication early in 2008. We still need more material, in particular colour photos of pre-1960 subjects (perhaps preserved vehicles), for these titles:
Land Rovers
Airships
Jaguar cars
MG carsIn addition we have another ten titles at various early stages of development, on motor, aviation and other popular culture topics, but we invite suggestions for any other titles...
the first titles in 2008:
35: On 3 Wheels: January 2008
ISBN-10: 1-900482-34-7
ISBN-13 978-1-900482-34-936: TAXI! Cabs in Britain: February 2008
ISBN-10: 1-900482-35-5
ISBN-13: 978-1-900482-35-637: A Land Rover Album: March 2008
ISBN-10; 1-900482-36-3
ISBN-13; 978-1-900482-36-338: Classic Airships: April 2008
ISBN-10: 1-900482-37-1
ISBN-13: 978-1-900482-37-039; A Jaguar Album: May 2008
ISBN-10; 1-900482-38-X
ISBN-13: 978-1-900482-38-740; An MG Album: July 2008
ISBN-10: 1-900482-39-8
ISBN-13: 978-1-900482-39-4
DURHAM CLASSICS
After a long silence, Julian and Margaret Stewart of Durham Classics have announced four new 1:43 handbuilt 1950s Ford panel vans. They say, ‘This is the last in the panel van series as we are working on our 1941 Plymouth’. The models are made to order with numbered and signed boxes. Each livery is limited to 60 pieces:
DC-37L 1955 Ford Phillips 66 Motor Oil: two tone black body, grey roof, bright edged wheel, blackwall tyres. 60 made. DC-37M 1955 Ford Rexall Drugs: two tone orange body, blue roof, bright edged wheels, whitewall tyres. 60 made. DC-37N 1954 Ford Goodyear Tires: two tone blue body, yellow roof, bright edged wheels, blackwall tyres. 60 made. DC-37P 1954 Ford Ford Parts: two tone blue body with white roof, bright edged wheels, whitewall tyres. 60 made.Contact Margaret at durhamcre8tor@hotmail.com or mail to: Durham Classics, 330 Marwood Drive Unit #3, Oshawa, Ontario, L1H 8B4, Canada.
MORE MINICHAMPS
By Hans-Georg SchmittRecent Minichamps models, all diecast in China for Germany:
Minichamps 1:18 diecast: 100 723401 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8; Team AMG Nürburgring 1972 Heyer- Betzler. 100 139021 Bentley Continental GT Coupe 2002, silver metallic. 100 012104 BMW M3 GTR Street version 2001 bright yellow. 100 688136 Ford Escort Mk.I TC; Alan Mann Racing. Touring car GP Nürburgring 68. Gardner-Glemser 100 688193 Ford Escort Mk I TC 500 km race at Nürburgring 1968 Hubert Hahne. 180 049026 Opel GT 1970. This now very sought after Opel sports car is re-issued in orange. 100 024001 BMW 535i saloon 1988. Accurately shaped again, the 535i is re-issued in green metallic. Minichamps 1:43 diecast: 400 060036 Honda RA106; F1 2006 third driver Anthony Davidson. Limited edition of 1,296 pieces. 400 063591 Mercedes-Benz C-Class DTM Football 2006 Alexandros Margaritis. 400 064220 Porsche 356A Coupe 1956-59. In red, it is limited to 2,016 pieces. 436 015408 NSU Ro80 Saloon 1972. The first production saloon car with a Wankel engine is re-issued in blue metallic, limited to 1,450 pieces. 400 120590 Alfa Romeo 159 Race Control with yellow light bar on the roof, in metallic silver limited to 1,536 pieces. 400 010020 Minardi PS01; Formula One racing team European-Minardi 2001 Fernando Alonso. 400 085300 Ford Galaxy 2006. The comfortable wide-bodied mpv in silver metallic, limited to 1,008 pieces. 400 060019 Toyota M16 Formula One; MF1 Racing Team 2006 Christijan Albers. 400 045400 Opel Zafira 2006. The Opel second generation mpv, re-issued in silver metallic, limited to 1,008 pieces. 400 062222 Porsche 944 S2 Coupe 1989. A sleeker nose and more power were significant features of the 944 S2. Now it is released in white as a limited edition of 1,536 pieces. 400 137324 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe 2003. Re-issued in red metallic, a limited edition of 2,304 pieces. 400 071692 Audi R10, Audi Sport North America, Winners of Sebring 2007 Biela-Werner-Pirro. A limited edition of 1,008 pieces. 400 123402 Maserati Bora Coupe 1972. This coupe with its body styled by Ital Design is now re-issued in blue, a limited edition of 1,200 pieces. 430 656747 Porsche 911 “Rally Monte Carlo 1965 Linge-Falk. This model is a limited edition of 3,888 pieces. 400 171521 Volvo 480ES 1986, re-issued in red, a limited edition of 3,024 pieces. 400 060035 Williams Cosworth FW28; Williams Formula One racing team 2006 third driver Alexander Wurz. This is a limited edition of 1,152 pieces. 400 035400 Mercedes-Benz 600SEL 1991. Development of the model W140 began in 1982 and continued up to 1988 under rigorous conditions, but in the final test runs on the Nurburgring circuit it was noticed that the roadholding was too not good enough and the brakes were not powerful enough for this heavy Mercedes-Benz flagship. So much additional work was necessary that the car was finally presented to the public at Geneva Motor Show in March 1991. The car was fitted with the first of the new 12-cylinder engines to be manufactured in series, a six litre V12, of 408 hp. Accurately shaped, finished in black metallic, and lovingly detailed, it is a limited edition of 3,504 pieces. 400 137424 Aston Martin V8 Vantage 2005. This very nicely detailed coupe is re-issued in green, a limited edition of 2,016 pieces. (Interesting to note that Aston Martin is now classed as the most desirable brand. Not just for cars; any product. Ed). 400 061301 Aston Martin DBRS9 Presentation 2006. This touring racer ia built up from 58 parts and has 142 decorations applied to reach a superb finish.It comes as a limited edition of 2,688 pieces. 431 023101 BMW 733i saloon 1977. The 7 series second generation car, re-issued now in silver metallic, a limited edition of 1,200 pieces.
Mattel Marks the 60th Anniversary of Ferrari
Reviewed by
Hans-Georg SchmittIN 1947 the first car bearing the Ferrari name, the 125, was shown to the public. It was successful from the start. It won its second race, the Rome Grand Prix in May 1947. Founder Enzo Ferrari was born in Modena in 1898 (he died in 1988), and after various jobs, he was put in charge of the Alfa Romeo racing team. Eventually he left to found his own business, which turned out to be very successful. His biggest deal was to shelter under the Fiat umbrella, yet still keep most of his own independence. Ferrari have had more than 5000 racing victories. For their 60th Anniversary, a tour was organised. In January 2007 a relay race started in front of the Italian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, where in 2009 a Ferrari theme park will be opened. The birthday run took 148 days through 52 countries on five continents, several thousand participants taking part. The participating Ferrari cars all wore a special emblem, and for the 60th anniversary, Mattel Group have launched in the Hot Wheels range a set of four 1:18 Ferrari models, all bright red with this relay race emblem. It is also on the red boxes.
L2954 Ferrari 125S. This was the first car under the Ferrari name, developed by Gioachino Colombo. It had a 1496cc 118 hp V12 engine. The model looks good, accurately shaped and highly detailed. The bonnet, clumsily hinged left passenger door, and boot lid all open, and the steering has a bit of movement. The engine is well detailed, but finished only in black. A two-dimensional decal represents the instruments on the right hand drive dashboard. The steering wheel and seats look much better. The boot contains the spare wheel. All wheels have spoked rims, and the baseplate is very detailed, showing cardan shaft, differential and rigid axle on leaf springs, plus the exhaust system and fuel tank.
L2957 Ferrari F40 Coupe. This was developed for the 40th anniversary of Ferrari in 1987, the last car made under the control of Enzo Ferrari. The car combined Formula One technique with a frame of carbon fibre and kevlar, aerodynamic features and adjustable suspension. It had a 2936cc 478hp V8 engine. This re-issue is very well finished. The front end, accurately hinged doors and the huge engine cover with rear windscreen and spoiler all open and the steering works a little. The bucket seats are fitted with six-point safety belts.
L2963 Ferrari F50 Coupe. The F50 was the special car for the 50th birthday of the company. Between 1995 and 1997 349 were built, each with a 4698cc 520hp V12 engine. This re-issue is again very well finished. The front end, the properly hinged doors, and the huge engine cover with rear windscreen and spoiler all open and the steering mechanism works to a limited extent.
The interior is fully detailed, the bucket seats having separately inserted seat belts.L2968 Ferrari Enzo Ferrari. In 2002, the new car appeared, designed to synthesise Ferrari’s top-level technology. The decision to christen this car with the founder’s name was made at a high point in the history of the company, and in an obvious tribute to the man who inspired its concept.
The Enzo has a 5998cc 660bhp V12 engine. This re-issue of the Enzo is nicely finished. The front lid, the accurately hinged doors and the engine cover combined with rear windscreen all open and the steering manages to function a little.
CLASSIQUES FROM FRANCE
The Classiques range is about to launch two sub-series of 1:43 handbuilt resin models:
PALACE: European cars from before the war: P01: Mercedes 540K Coupe Luxe 1939 Autobahnkurier three only built, only one is known to survive P02: Bugatti Shah of Iran T57 cabriolet 1939 (ex DB, ex Bugattiana) IMAGINE: special bodies on VW Beetle and Citroen 2CV with nickel-plated finished parts, decals etc 101: Citroen 2CV ‘Traction Avant’ Gauloise 102: VW Beetle ‘Coupe de Ville’ 103: Citroen 2CV Charbonneau Porto 104: VW Beetle ‘Rolls-Royce’ In addition, here is the 2007 release list for the Classiques standard range: C1031 Bugatti T 23 Brescia Crossley 1923 Blue C1032 Voisin C28 Cimier 1935 black ** C1033 Voisin C28 Cimier 1935 chestnut ** C1034 Citroen DS Cabriolet Gete Bossaert met grey C1035 Citroen DS Cabriolet Gete Bossaert green C1036 Peugeot 402 Darl'mat 1936 sky blue ** C1037 Peugeot 402 Darl'mat 1936 met grey ** C1038 Renault Monaquatre saloon 1934 red-black C1039 Renault Monaquatre saloon 1934 blue-black C1040 Citroen SM Tissier car transporter blue-red (** ex Belle Epoque, ex Rapide)
CAMP MODELS
We have frequently pictured in these pages the models that the Club Autos Miniatures Peugeot (CAMP) has made exclusively for its members. The lates 1:43 models are pictured here. 200 have been made by A3 Concept of the Peugeot 301 Delphine record car. This was the 31st model in the series, and it is already sold out. The 32nd issue is a Peugeot 206 with a boot, as built in Iran exclusively for sale in that country. 225 of this 1:43 model have been made by Mini Racing. The next model (the 33rd) will be a Peugeot 174 Labourdette, of which 200 will be built by CCC. For more information on CAMP and its exclusive models, contact Roland Patris at info@patris.be
UPDATE FROM MARQUEART
Marqueart tell us that the Autotorque 1:43 handbuilt model of the Rolls-Royce Phantom II Brewster Newport Town Car 1931 is now available. The colours of this model are as follows: ivory over beige with a light beige interior and etched wire wheels, blue over ivory with a light blue interior and etched wire wheels, or black over grey with a light green interior and disc wheels. All of these models have white wall tyres as standard. We hope to picture this Rolls-Royce model in a future issue of Model Auto Review. In the J & M Classics 1:43 handbuilt range, produced for Mike Rogers, there is now a model of the open light metallic blue Alvis TF21 Drophead as driven by Stephen Fry, playing Peter Kingdom, in the British television series Kingdom.
OXFORD LISTINGS AMENDED
Further to the lists in MAR 216, please note some minor changes to the reference numbers or versions noted there:
OXFORD 1:43 scale vehicles HA002 Bedford HA van Royal Mail HA003 Bedford HA ice cream van Walls CA001 Bedford CA milk float Unigate CA005 Bedford CA chariot body not half cab LAN188001 Land Rover series 1 88 inch Civil Defence
OXFORD 1:76 scale cars and taxis 76ACS050 Minivan Kodak November 76COR1001 Ford Cortina Mk I white-green Dec 76COR2001 Ford Cortina Mk II orchid December 76COR1002 Ford Cortina Mk I police white Jan 76COR2002 Ford Cortina Mk II blue January 76FX4004 FX4 taxi Yellow Pages December 76MMC001 Minor Convertible closed taupe Dec 76MMC002 Minor Convertible open black Jan 76MMT001 Morris Minor Traveller blue Jan 76105003 Ford Anglia Police Panda car October 76105004 Ford Anglia saloon grey October 76ZEP004 Ford Zephyr III black taxi October
Corgi First Half 2008 Releases
Here are the planned releases from Corgi for the first half of 2008. There is not an enormous amount new in the 1:43 Vanguards series (and some unnecessary duplication with Oxford on the Series 1 Land Rover), but a lot more new liveries on commercial vehicles and buses across the Corgi range.
Vanguards 1:43 scale CLASSICS VA11101 Land Rover Series I Light Green No 2 May VA10009 Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth 4x4 Blue Jan VA10803 Ford Capri 3.0S Signal Yellow Feb VA10705 MGB Open Top Pale Primrose Mar VA02622 Hillman Imp Super Aquarius Jun COMMERCIALS VA06623 Ford Transit Bazooka Gum Feb VA10603 Austin J2 Van Surf Jan VA00320 Austin A40 Van Outspan Mar VA07612 Landrover Series II AA Motorway Patrol Apr VA03304 Ford 300E Thames Van London Transport May VA10604 Morris J2 Van Whitbread Brewery Jun POLICE VA00128 Ford Anglia 105E Royal Ulster Constab Apr VA09902 Ford Sierra Sapphire 2.0 Met Police DPG Jan VA09410 Vauxhall Astra 1.7CDTi W Midlands Police Feb VA10305 Ford Cortina Mk3 2000GT Thames Valley Police Mar VA10706 MGB Leeds City Police May SP1002 Set Jaguar Mk2 3.8, Jaguar XJ6 Series 1 4.2 Staffordshire Police Jun MOTORSPORT VA11000 Ford Escort Mk3 RS1600i 1984 BSCC C Class Champion, Richard Longman Mar VA04115 Ford Lotus Cortina Mk 2 1968 London-Sydney Marathon Roger Clark & Ove Anderson Jan VA10404 Hillman Avenger Tiger Mk2, OFD 5M 1989 Budget Rent-a-Car Feb VA06108 Ford Zephyr Mk2 MC 1959 Jeff Uren Apr VA07306 Lotus Cortina Mk1 1966 RAC Rally Jim Clark(40th Anniversary of 1966 RAC Rally) May FE1002 Ford Escort MkI RS2000 1974 Avon Tour of Britain Clark & Marshall Jun Trackside DG211005 Morris 1000 Brown Muffs Dept Store Jan UT1004 Utilities 4 Piece set: Southern Electric, MEB, Segas, British Gas Apr DG203008 Bedford CA Van Ovaltine Feb DG202009 Austin J2 Van Ross Frozen Foods Feb NW1004 Newspapers 4 Pce set Express & Star, Evening Standard, Daily Mirror, Daily Express Apr DG201009 Morris LD PO International Telegraph Mar DG215000 Mini Van Castrol Apr DG209005 Bedford HA Van Co-Op May DG200010 Ford Transit DER Television Rentals May CR4003 Mini Set Apr DG199013 Scammell Mech Horse Bouts Tillotson Jan DG213002 Harrington Horsebox GWR Feb DG148022 Scammell Scarab Dropside British Rail Feb DG214000 Thornycroft Nippy GWR Dropside Mar DG176026 Leyland Octopus Platform BRS Apr DG206005 Scammell Townsman E H Steele May DG214001 Thornycroft Nippy British Rail Flatbed Jun DG199014 Scammell Mechanical Horse GW & GC Jun HAULIERS OF RENOWN CC14801 Scania 113/143 Curtainside McGawn Feb CC15001 Iveco Stralis Curtainside Elddis Jun CC13430 MAN TGA Feldbinder John Mitchell Jan CC12821 Scania T Cab Tipper Countrywide Jan CC14013 Volvo FH Fridge H E Payne Feb CC14104 DAF 105 Skeletal W Carter Mar CC13819 Mercedes Actros C’side Massey Wilcox Mar CC13820 Mercedes Actros Fridge Southbar Mar CC13914 Foden Livestock Ian S Roger Apr CC14802 Scania 113/143 Frig Gibbs Fraserburgh Apr CC13431 MAN TGA Tanker A A Lock May CC14016 Volvo FH Curtainside E M Rogers May CC13432 MAN TGA Tipper Cawley Bros Jun CC13818 Mercedes-Benz Frig Trailer Real McKay Jun TRUCKFEST CC13244 DAF XF R Flynn Jan CC12938 Scania T Cab Topline S C Transport Mar CC14017 Volvo FH T Alun Jones May HEAVY HAULAGE CC14014 Volvo FH, Nooteboom Stepframe trailer & Thwaites dumper J & M Murdoch Feb CC12113 Renault Flatbed/Load ALE May CC14015 Volvo FH, Nooteboom Low Loader & JCB 3C W H Malcolm Jun RIGID TRUCKS CC13525 Volvo FM Tipper Alan McGuinness Apr CC13616 DAF CF Curtainside Spence Haulage Feb CC13526 Volvo FM Curtainside Alex Anderson Apr LIGHT COMMERCIALS CC14402 Vauxhall Vivaro Sky HD Apr CC14306 Ford Transit Marshalls Jan CC14502 Renault Traffic Lost It Productions Feb CC14407 Vauxhall Vivaro Hampshire Constabulary Jun JCB Series CC99714 Ford Anglia Van Feb CC10903 Bedford S Low Loader & JCB 3C Jun CC14406 Vauxhall Vivaro Mar CC99715 Land Rover Defender Jun ROADSCENE CC18301 Renault Magnum Curtainside Pollock May CC18205 Mercedes Actros Curtainside Richards Jan CC18005 Volvo FH Curtainside Knowles Transport Jan CC18105 Scania R Series Fridge A Kerr Feb CC18206 Mercedes Actros Curtainside Craven Mar CC18106 Scania R Ser Curtainside Eddie Stobart May CC18006 Volvo FH Fridge Ralph Davies Jun MINI MANIA CC82261 Mini 7 Racing Club, Michael Jackson Mar CC82260 Mini Cooper Rob Stacey, Restored EYH Jan CC82266 Mini Cooper British Racing Green Feb CC82262 Mini Cooper Flame Red May BUSES IN BRITAIN CC26105 RT London Transport Jan CC26106 RTL Barton Centenary Mar BUSES IN BRITAIN: DAY AT THE SEASIDE CC25101 Southdown Bedford OB Jan CC25301 AEC Regal MacBraynes Mar CC25401 Burlingham Seagull Barton May Original Omnibus 1:76 scale OM41601 Crossley DD42 Manchester Mar OM46106 Plaxton Panther Parks of Hamilton Jan OM41219 Wright Eclipse Gemini Lincs Road Car Jan OM46011 Wright Eclipse Urban Travel W Midlands Feb OM46203 Irizar PB Citylink Galway Feb OM44114 Optare Solo Brighton & Hove Feb OM41410 Roe Motorbus Doncaster Mar OM42519 East Lancs Myllennium Southdown PSV Mar OM41705 RTW A1 Services Mar OM43512 Blackpool Tram Little Italy Pleasure Beach Apr OM49903 Wright Gemini/Solar Go Ahead NE Set Apr OM45312 Bova Futura Eddie Stobart May OM42704 Van Hool Alizée Greenline May OM46204 Irizar PB Johnsons Jun OM45912 Van Hool T9 Golden Boy Coaches Jun Aviation Archive. KNIGHTS OF THE AIR: ACES OF THE GREAT WAR AA39913 Camel & DrI Capt Brown & Richthofen Apr AA37903 Spad XIII Eddie Rickenbacker Jan AA37803 Albatros DV Ernst Udet Feb AA38101 Sopwith Camel Henry Botterell Mar AA37704 Se5a Edward 'Mick' Mannock Jun SURVIVORS: FLYING AND MUSEUM PIECES AA38401 Bristol Blenheim IV R3821, RAF 82 Sqn May AA32016 Hawker Sea Hurricane 1b Shuttleworth Jan AA37204 Handley Page Halifax B.III Friday 13th Jan AA36207 Gloster Gladiator Mk I Shuttleworth Feb AA31931 Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vc Shuttleworth Feb AA35215 Curtiss Kittyhawk 1a NX94466, SU-E Apr AEROBATIC TEAMS SERIES 2 AA36008 Red Arrows RAF: all 9 serials as decals Apr AA37504 Mig-29 Russian AF Swifts Team current Jan AA37402 A-4F Skyhawk US Navy Blue Angels Jun AVIATION HALL OF FAME AA32816 DH Mosquito B XX Guy Gibson Feb AA35707 Me 262 Franz Schall Apr AA36611 Lockheed P-38 Lightning PRU Warburton Jun PIONEERS OF AVIATION AA38202 Douglas DC-3 BEA G-AHCZ 1959 Mar AA37004 Vickers VC-10 BOAC G-ARVA 1964 Jan ADLER TAG: THE ASSAULT ON BRITAIN AA38501 Messerschmitt Bf110C Obt H-J Jabs Jun AA36705 Ju-88A-1 LG-1/III LG-1 France, 1940 Jan AA32514 Ju-87B-2 5ST-G2 Immelmann Lannion, Mar AA33711 He-111 H-3-KG53 Condor France, 1940 May WWII SPECIAL DUTIES AA36107 Consolidated Catalina IVA JX580 RCAF Mar AA36506 Hawker Typhoon IB RAF 247 Sqdn, Jun POST WAR MILITARY AIR POWER AA37605 Westland Wessex HAS3 XM328 RN Mar AA35011 Gloster Meteor F.8 RAF 74 Sqdn May MODERN MILITARY AIR POWER AA36007 Bae Hawk T.1A Astra Raspberry Ripple' Feb AA38005 Fairchild A-10A Warthog USAF Jaws Feb AA36404 Eurofighter Typhoon F2 11 Sqn. RAF Mar PER ARDUA & ASTRA: 90 YEARS OF THE RAF AA37703 RAF SE5A 1 Sqn Jan AA31932 Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX W/C Charles Mar AA32615 Avro Lancaster RAF 617 Sqn, Op Chastise Apr AA32310 EE Lightning F6 XR769 May AA33415 Sea King Helicopter SARS 22 Sqdn Jun BERLIN AIRLIFT 60th ANNIVERSARY AA38201 Douglas C-47A Skytrain NEW Mar AA37205 Handley Page Halifax-Halton Apr WARBIRDS WB99631 Spitfire Mk II 71 Eagle Sqn, RAF, 1941 Mar WB99632 Hurricane Mk I 238 Sqn, RAF, 1940 Mar WB99633 Messerschmitt Bf109E JG27 1940 Mar WB99634 Mustang P-51D 334th FS, USAAF 1945 Mar WB99635 Avro Lancaster B MkI 257 Sqn, RAF, 1942 Ma WB99636 Boeing B-17 G 532nd BS, USAAF,1944 Mar Corgi Collection; AIRSHOW CS90561 Red Arrows Red Leader Jan CS90588 BBMF Hurricane Feb CS90587 BBMF Dakota Mar CS90585 BBMF Spitfire Jan CS90567 Vulcan XH558 Vulcan to the Skies NEW Mar CS90586 BBMF Lancaster Feb Corgi Collection: 90 YEARS OF THE RAF CS90559 D.H.82 Tiger Moth Jan CS90560 Spitfire PRU Jan CS90564 Hurricane MkI Feb CS90568 Vulcan NEW Mar CS90558 Sopwith Camel WG Barker Jan 4.49 CS90570 Harrier GR Mk3 Mar CS90565 Mosquito Guy Gibson Feb CS90566 Lancaster 617 Sqdn Feb CS90571 Wessex RAF 72 Sqdn Mar
INERTIA AT HONGWELL?
By Maz WoolleyThere has been a change of importer for Hongwell models in the UK, but very little action in the way of new releases. There are no indications that many of the new models promised in 1:72 and 1:43 scales will be with us this year, although one or two, such as Audi models, have made it into Schuco’s Junior range in Germany. New castings have been developed for Abrex and other ranges who commission models, but Hongwell’s own 1:43 and 1:72 ranges seem to have been standing still. It appears that a container-load of models has arrived in the UK, as discount stores seem to have Hongwells back on their shelves again. Their excellent 1:72 Ford Transit has appeared in quantity. This is a very popular model with railway modellers, despite being left hand drive and too big. This is because it is cheap, nicely made, and there are few 1:76 modern models. Every time it appears on the shelves it quickly seems to disappear. In addition to the Transits, a couple of other models caught my eye. The Porsche Cayenne is a large model. Even in 1:72 scale it needs all the space in its display box, a reflection of the size of this vehicle. In the two-in-a-box series, several combinations exist, but one that should appeal to young as well as old collectors is the set containing the excellent Aston Martin DB7 and Lotus Elise. The Abrex Skoda 110L and Felicia models are said to be shipping now, and it will be interesting to see if these maintain the high standards on the 120L.
(As mentioned before, Hongwell prefer the cost of tooling to be borne by somebody else such as Abrex, Schuco or Oliex, As long as they have these orders, they are unlikely to make new models solely for their Cararama range, which they would have to finance themselves. Ed).
SMTS LOTUS 12 MODELS
SMTS are making 1:43 kits and handbuilt models of the Lotus XII racing car from 1958, driven by Graham Hill and Cliff Allison. This was originally a Formula 2 car, but it raced in Formula 1 as well.
GOOD NEWS FOR TRACTOR FANS
Corgi recently announced to the model distribution trade that they would be producing 1:43 scale tractors in future. These models are not included in the Corgi catalogue for the first half of 2008. In the absence of any information direct from Corgi, it is assumed that they will release detailed information in January, in time for the trade toy fairs. The trade has been informed that they will retail at £19.95 each.
Universal Hobbies already make an extensive range of diecast tractors in many scales and, as Jetlite, they are top-quality diecast manufacturers. They have produced partwork series of as many as 70 tractors in 1:43 scale for distribution in continental Europe, and subsequently included them in their international catalogue. Accurate is the UK distributor of Universal Hobbies, and has had great sales success with their 1:32 and 1:16 scale tractors. This company was offered the Universal Hobbies 1:43 tractor range to sell in the UK, but declined to import them, as they didn’t want to disrupt their 1:32 and 1:16 sales.
There is probably no connection, of course, but since the Corgi announcement, Accurate have now decided to import 12 of the 1:43 tractors to the UK by Christmas 2007 and another 12 by March 2008, and these superb little models will retail at £10.99 each. Whatever happens, this looks to be good news for tractor collectors, with two ranges of 1:43 diecast tractors due to hit the UK in the near future.
Book Reviews
THE BEDFORD VALby Robert Berry 210 x 200 mm softbound 52 pages, Nostalgia Road, Units 5-8 Chancel Place, Shap Rd Industrial Estate, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 6NZ. ISBN 978 1903016 73 2. £8.95
Regular readers will be aware of my interest in Vauxhall-Bedford (I still use a 1906 vintage ex-Vauxhall drawing board, and I imagine ‘Pom’ leaning across it) so you won’t be surprised that I like VAL coaches. A regulation change in 1961 permitted coaches to be longer by six feet, to 36 feet. AEC and Leyland could just lengthen their sturdy chassis, but Bedford could not. Their solution was a three axle coach, but with a twin steer layout, which would retain their position as the biggest supplier of budget-price coaches. This 52 seat vehicle was soon put into service, Bedford’s first psv chassis not derived from a truck, though it included many TK components. Launched in 1962, many bodybuilders clothed it; most famously Duple and Harrington. This well-illustrated book describes body styles, operators and non-coach uses for this remarkable chassis, including racing car transporters, car transporters and television OB units, plus much else. A fascinating read. Rod Ward
CAMBRIDGE Buses 2by Paul Carter, Super Prestige 12, 170 x 240mm softbound, 176 pages, ISBN 978 1 905304 15 8. Venture Publications, 128 Pikes Lane, Glossop, Derbyshire SK13 8EH UK. £17.95.
This local story continues, from 1950 to date. The main nationalised Tilling companies operating into Cambridge were Eastern Counties and Eastern National, but in a reorganisation, a slice of Eastern National was handed over to United Counties in 1951, including Cambridge. Their buses were the familiar progression of Bristol-ECW vehicles, but the many local independents, notably Premier Travel and Whippet, provided variation. The whole story is well told here, enlivened with personal reminiscences from bus company employees. Rod Ward
ROSSENDALE Transport 1907-2007by Harry Postlethwaite, Super Prestige 16, 170 x 240mm softbound, 176 pages, Venture Publications Ltd, 128 Pikes Lane, Glossop, Derbyshire SK13 8EH UK. ISBN 978 1905304 19 6. £17.95
Rossendale is the area around Haslingden, Rawtenstall, Bacup and Ramsbottom in Lancashire. All except Bacup had their own municipal transport systems, and many services came into the area from larger towns to the north and south. Haslingden Corporation Transport began in 1907 and in 1963 it was combined in a joint undertaking with Rawtenstall, which also began operations in 1907. Ramsbottom declined to join in, and their buses were incorporated into selnec in 1968. The joint effort became Rossendale Transport, deregulated in 1986 but surviving today thanks to the determined independence of the local authority. A heartening story, well told and superbly illustrated with lots of colour. Rod Ward
Cars of the Fantastic 50sby Dan Lyons, 190 pages, hardbound. KP Books, 700 East State Street, Iola, WI 54990-0001, USA. ISBN 0 87349 926 3
Many books have been written about cars of 1950s America; this is one of the best. Dan Lyons pictures in colour 45 cars from the 1950s, with a short chapter on each. Some choices are predictable; Edsel, 1959 Cadillac, Chrysler 300C, but others are more obscure, such as the Chevrolet-based but Cadillac styled El Morocco and the Hudson Italia. There are even a couple of pickups, to my delight, the 1957-58 Dodge D100 Sweptside, and 1957-58 Chevrolet Cameo. My only small complaint is to wish the book was longer, as I read it from cover to cover in one evening. Recommended. Robert P Gunn
CLUB NEWS
Collated by Rod WardCoventry Diecast Model Club:
On the cover of the Coventry Diecast Model Club magazine, Wheelspin, edited by Mick Russell, it says 1975-2007, 32 years publication non-stop. It probably feels like it is non-stop if you are the Editor. Mixxy (Mick) has brought back photos from visits to Beaulieu and Duxford. Eric Parr has done the same for Cosford, and El Presidente Will Roe gives a glowing account of recent Oxford products, among other contributions. The CDMC still seems to be in good heart after 32 years. The club meets every first Wednesday of the month at the Midland Air Museum, Baginton at 7.30 pm. Contact Mick on 0779 9882016, email cdmc@ntlworld.com
South Hants Model Auto Club:
The SHMAC magazine, Wheel Nuts, edited by Sue and Stu Leake, describes trips out to shows and events, and a lot more planned, with their much-admired display cases of model cars. The efforts of the SHMAC to propagandise our hobby have now gone on for many years and they do not get sufficient credit for all this unpaid work. I wonder how many folk have started collecting after seeing Dave and Morag’s Lamborghinis, Stu’s ‘Cars of Coventry’ and the ‘Magic of Stirling Moss’? Do you have a collection that would make a nice display along with these enthusiasts? If so, contact the South Hants Model Auto Club, perhaps even become a member; ring Secretary Dave Painter on 01264 366408.
Maidenhead Static Model Club:
Wheel Bearings, the MSMC magazine, includes a nice little article on Argyll, the Scottish car manufacturer, a coincidence, as I was just scanning a picture of an Argyll taxi for the forthcoming Auto Review book on taxi cabs while reading the feature. Editor Cliff Maddock admits to a few mistakes in his obituary of Jack Odell, but blames it on the Daily Mail. Shame on you Cliff! Fancy admitting to that; reading the Daily Mail. If you’d like to join the MSMC, contact Membership Secretary Alan Simpson on 01494 813903.
Brooklin Collectors Club:
In the latest issue of the Brooklin Collector, edited by Jack Patrick, there is a note of a change in Brooklin release dates. BRK 141 will now be released in December 2007- January 2008, 140 in October-November and 141 also in October- November. There has also been a colour variation in BRK 135 Hudson Hornet. Due to a change in paint suppliers, there are two different shades of coral red. There is also a reminder that the three annual special Brooklin releases are imminent, each available only to members of the respective clubs: Brooklin Collectors Club, Canadian Toy Collectors Society and Wessex Model and Toy Collectors. Two new Brooklin Guides have been produced, one by BCC Belgian member Gustaaf de Cuyper, and another by Roger Mateo, formerly of the San Francisco Bay Brooklin Club. Roger’s guide covers standard models, specials, code 2s and code 3s from 1974 to 2006. Brooklin Collector includes a fascinating interview with Brooklin MD Nigel Parker, conducted while he was on holiday (!) in Florida by BCC member Al Stack. If you want to read all his revelations in detail, join the BCC and get Brooklin Collector; phone Membership Secretary John Bowyer on 01276 473499.
PARKER 1:76 SCALE KITS
By Maz WoolleyHere are the latest Parker Models, all 1:76 scale white metal kits:
VE51 1962-64 Triumph Herald Courier Van VE52 1951-53 Ford Consul Mk 1 VE53 1954-56 Morris Oxford Series II VE54 1948-53 Standard Vanguard Phase 1
1:200 MODEL VEHICLES
By Richard FreemanOn www.isleofskyecrafts.com/models.htm I offer a range of modern vehicles, either produced by myself, or sourced elsewhere, mainly to complement 1:200 aircraft models. Many of the models, by Trident, Hai and Mercator are now almost impossible to find. My own small range currently concentrates on postwar vehicles with subjects not available from any other known range. Land Rover 110, Nissan Patrol and Pinzgauer are the first in the range which will expand as demand grows. I am also happy to discuss adding specific models. Contact me via the website or at rjf@isleofskyecrafts.com
INTERVIEW WITH EKO
By Maz WoolleyEncouraged by the information found by Karl Schnelle on the Internet (letters MAR 216) I decided to get in touch with Eko via email. Here is the result of my email interview with Gloria Arias of Eko:
I thought that Eko had stopped production after a factory fire some years ago. What is the story of how Eko models came to be made again?
Eko never stopped producing models. Yes: the factory fire is true and as a consequence the factory moved to another place. Nowadays we are situated in Hospitalet.
Does the new company have any connection with the old one?
Yes, it does! It is the same company.
Do you have any plans to make the items that there is no price for on your price list?
We are working on the moulds, some of them damaged in the fire. During this year we are adding to the catalogue the ‘repaired’ items. The list of available models is downloadable from the website www.ekomodel.com. It includes a good selection of the original 1:87 models, and they can be ordered from there directly though I am not sure what methods of payment they accept.
So there it is.
A set of moulds with a heritage going back to Norev and Anguplas in the 1960s, still producing models over 40 years later.
NEW FROM FORMULA MODELS
By John SimonsLatest 1:43 release from Formula Models. Colin Fraser of Formula Models has once again, produced a superb replica, FM32 Penske Dallara Sam Hornish Junior 2006 Indianapolis Winner. It is Indy 2006, one lap to go. Marco Andretti, in his rookie year, has about a six-car gap to second place Sam Hornish in the Penske entry and looks set for a historic first win. But Hornish has other ideas. Closing on the back straight and running much quicker than Marco, Hornish has closed the gap but the win still looks impossible. Only after exiting turn four does he make the move, and gets to the finishing line inches ahead, to ensure that the name of Andretti is once again denied recognition on the Borg-Warner trophy.
FIAT MODELS AND BOOKS
By Bruno BoraccoDuring the same week in July 2007 when the new Fiat 500 was launched, the Italian newspaper La Stampa offered a nice book on the story of the Fiat 500 since 1957 and also a diecast 1:43 model in a nice box with a page of the newspaper reduced in scale on the base. The model is a Mondo Motors product in white, which differs from the standard production in having number plates front and rear reading la stampa in black on the white number plate. The book is very interesting as it includes some very rare photos. For example, there are two pictures of the very rare Fiat 500 trasformabile from 1960, with a fully opening roof, wheels without hubcaps and different framing to the headlights.
Two 1:43 diecast models were offered for sale with a small supplement to the August issue of the Italian monthly car magazine Quattroruote, made by Mondo Motors, a Fiat 500F 1965 and a Fiat 500 2007. The 500F in red has on the rear a correct-style number plate with an authentic number. The very light blue Fiat 500 2007 has a current style Italian plate which reads qr500ed, meaning Quattroruote Edition, plus TO (Turin) and I (Italy).
On the back of the box there is a picture of the test track on the top of the old Fiat Il Linghotto factory that now is a commercial centre.
EXCLUSIVE FIRST EDITIONS
By Frank JoyceThe replacement core has now been made for the lower deck of our RT bus. I have received the first shots for the 2RT2, RT2 and RT3 models and they look excellent. The mould tooling is being progressed so that all the many parts fit correctly before moulds are hardened and polished ready for production to start.
The recent recall of a number of toys marketed by Mattel has prompted some model collectors to contact us with regard to our models. I am sure that this topic will be of interest to readers, and because toy safety is a complex subject, I will try to keep it simple. Toys are safety tested by independent accredited laboratories to conform to EN71, an internationally agreed safety standard. There are three parts to EN71: part 1 tests physical and mechanical properties, part 2 tests for flammability, and part 3 tests for toxicity, using plasma spectro-metry to analyse paint, plastic and compounds for their heavy metal content of antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury and selenium. Although we make models, and not toys, until recently we had our models fully tested as if they were toys for children three years and above. We also had secondary random testing done in the UK to verify the test results. This testing is very expensive, and conforming to this standard limited the fine detail we could achieve on our models, regarding fine edges and small loose parts, and for not having this extra detail we were criticised. On our packaging we have recently re classified our models to ‘14+ years of age’ bringing us in line with our competitors and with the model railway market.
The media have created a lot of confusion on this subject, but the fact of the matter is that, as a manufacturer, if you are duly diligent and are prepared to pay the higher ‘correct’ price for products made in China, then you will get exactly what you specified and ordered.
This year’s special EFE Showbus 2007 model, our new Leyland STD in London Transport prewar livery, was available only from the EFE marquee at Showbus.
EFE Models now released: 29406 Bristol RELH D/P Coach Lincolnshire NBC 20134 Bedford OB Coach Southern National 20441 Bristol VR III East Kent NBC 20636 Plaxton Pointer Dart Southern Vectis 32304 Bristol RELH Coach Southern National 20705 AEC Duple Coach Surrey Motors 26321 Guy Arab II Utility Bus Ashton Under Lyne 32002 RCL Routemaster Coach London Country 27312 Leyland TD1 (closed rear) Fishwick & Sons Ltd 29008 GM Standard Fleetline Grey Green 32102 RMF Routemaster Northern 32102SB RMF Northern Showbus advertiser 29905 AEC10T10 Bus London Transport 32303 Bristol RELH Coach Red & White 27506 Wright Scania Axcess First Eastern Counties 31702 RMC Routemaster Coach London Country NBC 99105 1:24 Daimler DMS Metrobus 30707 AEC Renown B Scottish Omnibus 25305 AEC Duple Coach Wilts & Dorset 28006 Daimler DMS 1 door B Trent Buses 23803 Alexander Atlantean A Sunderland District 29615 Leyland Olympian B First Hampshire 17219 Leyland National Mk I long Damory 27621 Wright Volvo Renown First Portsmouth 26205 Guy Arab 1 Utility Brighton & Hove 99931 1938 Driving Car A 80004 Metropolitan E London 99931 1938 Driving Car D 80104 Metropolitan E London 99931 1938 N.D.M. Car 80204 Metropolitan E London 99931 1938 Trailer Car 80304 Metropolitan East London 27702 AEC STL Bus (no roof box) London Transport 26620 Plaxton Paramount 3500 Fishwick & Sons Ltd 33401 Bedford TK Artic Tanker Texaco London Transport Museum: The Victoria Coach Station 75th Anniversary Series produced for London Transport Museum featuring coaches that operated to and from London, created so much interest that additional models are being considered. Contact the LT Museum shop on 020 7379 6344. 99701 MCW Atlantean Gay Hostess 99703 Plaxton Panorama United 99702 MCW Atlantean Scout 99704 Bristol RELL D/P Red & White 99705 Bristol RELH Royal Blue 99706 Alexander Y type Eastern Scottish
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