CONTENTS of the print edition
Model Auto Review 215
Publication 7 September 200704 Ford Mustang 66 part 2 Dave Turner, England 05 Mondo Bruno Boracco, Italy 08 Movin On Don Elliott, USA 08 Jets & Turbines for road and track: 1 Don Elliott, USA 13 Picking up Maz Woolley, England 14 Letters 15 Brewery models Phil Campbell, Germany 18 Paralanian Maz Woolley, England 19 Cars from Riga Rod Ward 20 News Robeddie, Corgi Viewpoint 21 Another Letter 22 Partworks Maz Woolley 26 Obituary Jack Odell 27 Mattel Interviewed Ben van Roode, NL 28 4x4 Russians part 1 Jean-Louis Pothin, France 30-37 News Cars 38 Avia Mini: Hallmark Legends in Flight Harvey Goranson, USA 43 Competitions 44 Book Reviews 45 Club News Collated by Rod Ward 46 More Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadsters John W Whitehead, USA 47 Austin K8 Ambulance Maz Woolley, England 48 News World: BBR, Revell, Minichamps, Small Scale, Base Toys 56 More on Wargamers Products Graeme Watt, Scotland 57 Truckstop First Gear, Ebbro, EFE, Wiking, Tomica, Siku 58 News Bus Stop: EFE, captions page 60: Emergency 59 News Bus Stop: EFE, captions page 61: Buses and coaches
EDITORIAL
by Rod WardNEWS FROM THE INDUSTRY
In this issue we have more feedback from the industry than we have had in years. You can gain some sort of insight into what manufacturers think about the future; from Corgi, Mattel and others. This is a pleasant change in attitude from what we have seen in recent decades. It seems that arrogant attitudes from management, believing that the market will just absorb whatever they choose to drop into it, are a thing of the past. Now they say they listen to what we want. Only time will tell if they really do...
ALL IS NOT GLOOM
Following my notes on the Editorial page of MAR 214, a couple of readers have contacted me, concerned that their favourite magazine may not continue. I can allay their fears. Although we are not getting as much advertising or news as I would like, we are not alone in that situation. For many years MAR’s circulation was about a tenth of that of the ‘leading UK news-stand magazine’, and that is still the case. As the whole market declines, our share of it stays pretty much the same. The bigger-circulation magazines are now running at a level which they told me some time ago was below their break-even quantity (even at ten times our circulation). But because our overheads are low (pretty much just me, my iMac and the print bill) we don’t need a very high sales level, so all is not gloom and doom. You can rest assured that MAR will continue into the distant future, and it may even outlive all of us. There is a plan for the continuation of MAR under different ownership if I am unable to maintain production. We may well need to make changes in future to adapt to the market, but for now we continue as we are.
AUTO REVIEW MATERIAL
Thank you to everyone who has responded with offers of pictures and other material for our next Auto Review books, for publication in 2008. More is still wanted, however, so please have a look in your boxes of old photos and brochures; you’ll get a free copy of a book if your picture is used. We have almost a dozen books at various stages of preparation, and I will be appealing for material for those other titles in the future.
At present we are assembling data on British three wheeler cars, British taxis, Land Rovers (and other Land Rover products) and airships. I invite suggestions for more titles, particularly if you can offer an interesting selection of original illustrations.
Argus de la Miniature 239
Etienne Flament continues to produce Argus de la Miniature in France to a high standard. It is a quarterly publication with 32 A4 pages. That is the same page area as MAR’s 64 A5 pages. The big difference is the cover price in its home country; €12.50, about £8.50. Knowing the cost of production, we have no doubt that £8.50 is a realistic price, though it would not be acceptable to any magazine buyers in Anglophone countries. If we could charge what it costs to produce, MAR would be priced at £7.00 to £8.00 per copy.
All print publications are suffering in the brave new digital world. The Bath Chronicle, Britain’s smallest daily newspaper, has been forced to go weekly to survive; making it Britain’s biggest weekly newspaper. But their advertising income will suffer; a regular advertiser now only has to pay once a week, instead of six days a week. Each publication chooses its own survival option.
Anyway, to return to Argus; issue 239 has some really interesting features on Matchbox 1-75 series numbers 5 and 6, and Tomte Laerdal Major Models. A large part of the publication is now devoted to picturing partworks by such firms as Fabbri, Altaya (combat aircraft, Monte Carlo Rally, classic cars, tanks) and Hachette, who as well as French cars, tractors and police cars, are now making a series of classic Japanese cars.
MONDO
Mondo is an Italian firm famous for footballs. Now they have a range of 1:18, 1:24 and 1:43 diecast model cars under the Mondo Motors brand. The first 1:43 models are Fiat Grande Punto three door, Fiat 500L, Alfa Romeo 159 Sport Wagon (first 1:43 model of this car) and Alfa Brera. These models are simple but are well shaped, except for the Fiat 500L, which is not as good. The plastic chassis shows the mechanical parts quite simply and the interior is not very detailed. But they are pleasant and the price is low. This year Mondo Motors will also release the new 2007 Fiat 500 and a series of 1:24 metal kits. (Notes Bruno Boracco).
Prime Paralanian
by Maz WoolleyThe Oxford Diecast Austin Paralanian camper is a wonderful 1:43 scale model. Whilst a few compromises have been made to meet its price point (I would have liked a dashboard moulding to have been included, for example) it is superb. I am against opening doors on models but I almost want these doors to open, to appreciate the interior detail. I hope that this model will be ‘shrunk’ to 1:76 scale, as I think that it would prove popular in that scale as well.
Oxford Diecast have come a long way in the last year and there is a real excitement about what they are going to make next, helped by their use of email newsletters to keep collectors informed of what is coming up. I hope that their scale ranges prove to be a big success for the company. I am particularly impressed by their innovative use of cleverly constructed multi-part moulds which allow the production of multiple versions of a vehicle and not just endless liveries. This must involve a bigger initial investment, but it is a good way to address collector fatigue, which sets in after the first few liveries. I hope the same approach is used for the newly developing 1:76 car range, which will allow saloon and estate cars to be made, for example, even open and closed versions of suitable vehicles.
Operating their own Chinese production facility and announcing models only a few months before sale seems to pay off in another way too. Oxford seem to generally hit their advertised availability dates, which has meant that their 1:43 J2 vans and 1:76 Anglia vans were on the market before Corgi’s 1:43 J2s and 1:72 Anglias, allowing Oxford to soak up much of the potential sales. Oxford have certainly taken the initiative in 2007, offering collectors a wide range of models which will hopefully also appeal to others outside the collectors market. I hope that sales justify their heavy investment, so that they can continue to develop interesting models like the Paralanian.
The Paralanian
Adapted from the the Auto Review book ‘The Story of the Motor Caravan’ by John Hanson:Most 1950s motor caravans were conversions of panel vans, but by the mid 1950s, with the Suez crisis at its height and with fuel rationing back in force, things were at a low ebb for many companies. One of these was Central Garage of Bradford. In an effort to keep the workforce occupied and the wolf from the door, Clifford Hobson, Director in charge of the Commercial Vehicle and Coachbuilding Departments, decided to build a motor caravan. It was an unusual project in the circumstances, but it was obviously aimed at the post- Suez future. This was to be no ordinary caravan, not a van conversion but built for the purpose from the chassis up and to the best possible standards. So Britain’s first coachbuilt caravan was born, named the Paralanian after the factory location in Parry Lane, Bradford. It was well thought out, owing a lot to his background. Hobson had been a motor torpedo boat captain during the war, and most of his leisure time since had been in a cabin cruiser on local canals. The front lounge, rear kitchen and rear door layout has been copied many times since, but it has never been bettered. Only in recent times has it fallen from favour. Built from the finest materials, the prototype was framed in oak, production examples in ash, with polished mahogany cabinet work in abundance. A toilet compartment as standard and an optional fitted bath were other luxury touches. Other clever facilities included a cooler cabinet and water tank combined, waste water tank and a neat permanent location above the cab for the table when not in use. The latter may seem to be unimportant, but motor caravanners know only too well that, even today, storage for the table is often forgotten by designers, its home an obvious afterthought. The prototype Paralanian made its debut at the 1958 Motor Show, to be followed a year later by the Bluebird Highwayman. Bluebird had begun making cut price trailer caravans in the late 1940s, but gradually improved in quality and moved upmarket. They heard about the Yorkshire project and examined it while still in development, thought it a good idea and returned home to design their own. Outwardly similar, and also using the Austin or Morris J2 base, their van had two significant differences. One was a completely different interior layout.
The Parkstone, Dorset built Bluebird had more berths, aimed firmly at the potential caravan hire market. The other difference was in build quality and price. The north country vehicle, on the other hand, was built regardless of cost and in 1960 would set you back £1250 plus extras. The Highwayman cost a mere £875, the same price as a four- berth Dormobile on the same chassis. The Highwayman was well-finished and offered remarkable value, and it did indeed prove very popular as a hire vehicle. A third coachbuilt van was soon to enter the fray, the Hadrian, made by Motor Caravan Bodies Ltd of Newburn, Newcastle upon Tyne. Unlike its rivals, you had a choice of chassis and it cost about £100 more than the Highwayman, but was still cheaper than the Paralanian.
Cars from Riga
By Rod WardTHE MAR library was recently augmented by an excellent book donated by an anonymous reader who just wishes to be known as a ‘happy subscriber’. Rigas Auto by Edvins Liepens (who signed the book) is a superbly produced and profusely illustrated hardback book in Latvian and English. It describes vehicles made in Latvia down the years.
Riga was one of the main industrial and cultural centres of the Czarist Empire. Cars appeared there in the late nineteenth century and local production could not be far away. The first Russia cars were made by a bicycle maker called Leutner, but the best-known early products came from the automobile divison of the Russo-Baltique Railway car factory (Russo-Balt) from 1909 to 1914. These cars were essentially licence-built Belgian Fondu cars and the Latvian firm even poached Fondu’s talented Swiss chief engineer, Julien Potterat.
A number of versions of the Russo-Baltique car were produced in 1:43 scale, and Modelauto still stock all the variants. A 1912 limousine is shown above. Sales were healthy and the C24 was the biggest seller. Ambitious plans included building aircraft and moving the offices to St Petersburg, but Revolutionary attacks meant that many of their staff fled, including their aircraft designer, Igor Sikorsky, who went to the USA. Potterat left for France, where he worked for many leading makers, including Citroen, Bugatti and Renault.
After the 1917 Revolution a few Russo-Balts were assembled in Russia from components. Only two Russo-Balts survive today, of 600 built. After the Great War, Latvia won independence from Russia, but the only motor industry activities were bodying imported chassis and licence assembly of foreign cars.
After the Second World War, with Latvia as part of the Soviet Union, the REAF car was created, but its factory was absorbed by the RAF concern, which was directed by the Soviet government to produce 16-passenger minibuses. These were based on Russian GAZ truck chassis with wooden bodies. In response to need in the 1950s, RAF turned to smaller microbuses, powered by Pobeida car engines. These went through a number of developments, including the familiar RAF 977D and the RAF 2203 Latvia from 1971, powered by a Volga engine. The Latvia was never updated, and after the fall of the Soviet Union, in spite of a joint project with IAD of the UK, RAF went bankrupt in 1991. In spite of many projects since then, no Latvian car industry exists today. Truly a fascinating book.
ROBEDDIE NEW RELEASES
Here are the release dates for revised and recoloured Volvo models in the 1:43 handbuilt Robeddie range made by Brooklin (all will have new number plates):
RE4A 1950 Volvo PV831 Taxi black: late August. Replaces RE4. Will have a rear luggage rack and the grille will differ from RE4.
RE13A 1956 Volvo P1900 Sports top up, red, with black roof: late September. Replaces RE13.
RE14A 1937 Volvo TR704 mid green: late October. Replaces RE14.
RE16A 1937 Volvo Carioca Convertible top up mid blue, with beige troof: mid November. Replaces RE16.
RE24A 1938-47 Volvo PV802 dark green early Dec. Replaces RE24.
CORGI VIEWPOINT
Life has been difficult for Corgi collectors of late, and even more so for Susan Pownall, Editor of Corgi Collector magazine, the organ of the Corgi Collectors Club.
She must be under constant pressure from members for reassurance, half a year on from the merger between Master Replicas of the USA, Cards Inc of the UK and Corgi classics.
Susan therefore interviewed the General Manager for Corgi Collectables Alex Balzaretti with some pertinent questions. For the full interview, you must read Corgi Collector (obtainable by joining the Club; telephone 0870 607 1204) but here we have a few extracts, with Susan’s questions in bold type:
Corgi have made some changes to the product release programme which may have been misconstrued and sent alarm bells ringing in the marketplace. Eg deferred or deleted product ranges. What was the reasoning... and can you allay the fears of Corgi enthusiasts?
I cannot emphasisie too strongly that the Corgi diecast collector range is a core part of the new Corgi... we are not moving out of collector... Over the past few years the company has released too much product to market... not every collector can keep up... quality can slip and decisions are made to get product out when it is just not appealing to the marketplace, affecting overall value. We want a great focused core line that is a quality product and the best.Where do you see the Corgi diecast model ranges in the future?
We would like to bring back some of the tooling which has been released over the last 20 years... A lot of product that has not seen the light of day for years is truly breathtaking and we want to re- release these lines... We would also like to release product relevant to the marketplace, be it classic or new diecast model lines enabling us to reach new consumers, to ensure the product sells out completely.Some members criticise the current emphasis on the toy and TV-Film areas...
Evidence shows that the diecast collector market is contracting and we want new buyers to enter it... Most buyers are male and many have children. What better than to get those people to buy a Corgi product like Harry Potter...In previous years there has been a number of ‘decertified’ models on the market... not a popular move with many collectors...
Simple answer: ‘Decert’ has ceased. It will be replaced with fewer product releases in lower quantities, at the same time ensuring the right subject matter. For whatever reason, it was a crazy decision. Let’s leave it at that.And a final word?
Corgi has had issues with some of the ranges released over the past few years and it will take time for many of the changes to be implemented and for the marketplace to stabilise as a result. It’s easy to lose someone who collects. It’s harder to create a collector. With this in mind we don’t want to alienate our core collectors. When someone stops collecting, they hardly ever come back and we most certainly don’t want that. The next twelve months will be an exciting time in Corgi history and we want all our core collectors to be part of that excitement.
Corgi’s Forward March range of 1:32 figurines has been ‘retired’. The models are being offered at half price on direct sale from Corgi. Also, the Predators diecast aircraft range will not be released by Corgi. They will appear as the Hobby Master Aviation range, all 1:72 warplanes. Ed.
Obituary: Jack Odell
One of the greatest names in the history of British toy manufacture was lost to us on 7 July 2007, when Jack Odell died at the age of 87. He drifted from job to job in his youth, variously a van driver, cinema projectionist and estate agent, until the Second World War, where he served as an Engineer in North Africa and Italy. After the war he took up diecast metal production, for which he had a natural aptitude, but was prohibited from using casting machines at his home address. Lesney was another tiny diecasting firm, established in the Rifleman pub in Tottenham by Leslie and Rodney Smith. So when Rodney left in 1947, he was replaced by Jack Odell, who proved to be a master at designing original diecast toys. These first toys were sold in Woolworths in 1948, but in 1950 the Korean war led to materials shortages. Zinc was forbidden for non-military use, but in 1952 the zinc ban was lifted in time for Lesney to make and sell a million small Coronation coach models for the 1953 Coronation. With the profits, in 1954 the first Matchbox toys were made by Lesney, distributed exclusively in the UK by Moko. The ‘Matchbox toy’ idea was conceived by Jack, who made for Anne, his daughter, a tiny brass steamroller which fitted into a standard ‘Norvic’ matchbox. In 1956 Odell conceived the immortal Models of Yesteryear range and it was Lesney’s big sales success year; the North London factories were producing a million toy vehicles every day. Matchbox cut the connection to Moko, became a public company in 1960, and won three Queen’s Awards for Export.
Jack Odell was awarded an OBE in 1968, at which time Lesney had over 6000 employees. but no-one was immune to competition, and in 1970 the launch of Hot Wheels by Mattel resulted in a 75% drop in Matchbox sales. Jack Odell retired in 1973, but the struggling company brought him back as joint MD in 1980. It was too late, however, and in 1982 Matchbox went into receivership. It was bought by Universal of Hong Kong, and production moved to the far east, leaving much of the production plant in London. In 1982 Jack Odell founded Lledo (his name backwards, of course), buying much of his own ex-Matchbox machinery from the receiver. Lledo’s heyday saw loads of promotional liveries applied to his ‘mini-yesteryear’ vehicles. Vanguards was a new ‘scale’ range made by Lledo, not really Jack’s cup of tea, as he preferred his products to be toy-like, rather than scale models, and the Lledo company was sold to HCG in 1996. In 1999 HCG collapsed and Lledo was bought by Corgi, their main competitor, who eventually dropped the Lledo brand in 2005. Jack Odell’s active involvement in the toy industry effectively ceased in 1996, but he continued to take an interest in what was going on. His influence on two generations of toy industry folk is still being felt, however.
A couple of important figures in today’s industry wish to pay tribute to Jack Odell:
Len Mills, previously at Matchbox, Lledo and Corgi, now of ACE Trains, says, ‘The passing of a great man of tremendous creative genius for me is a difficult pill to swallow. He was the first man I ever worked for, and he influenced my whole working life, which has been extremely rewarding and full of interest in so many ways. He created a toy industry second to none, and two companies that were to so many people not just a job, but a way of life never to be forgotten. A man that was generally always right about what he prophesied, which was sometimes difficult to accept, but eventually one generally did and soon began to respect him. He was without doubt a legendary figure who deserves the same accolades as those other famous toy makers the preceded him. There are many of us that will remember him with great affection’.
Martin Hickmore, previously at Matchbox and Corgi, now Design Manager at Oxford Diecast adds, ‘It is a great sadness to hear of Jack Odell’s passing. He was a huge influence on a generation (or two) of toy and model design engineers, production engineers, toolmakers, model and pattern makers to name but a few. I joined Matchbox as a project engineer in the early 1970s and can honestly say that my career would not have been the same without him. Indeed he shaped a whole industry. I feel sure I can speak for the hundreds of people who knew him at both Matchbox and Lledo that we all owe him a great deal and will remember him with affection’.
MICHAEL STASKIN of Mattel
is interviewed for us by Ben van RoodeMichael Staskin is Vice-President for Marketing and Licensing Motorsports at Mattel, responsible for their 1:18 model range. I spoke to the 40 year old American at Mattel’s Milan office. He came to Italy four years ago, after working at Mattel’s headquarters in El Segundo, California. He developed a marketing strategy for their 1:18 range after talking intensively to all markets in Europe and the USA. The range is now aimed at ‘real collectors’. That means they have a separate stand at Nuremburg Toy Fair dedicated to this line, because they want to distinguish their 1:18 model cars from their mass market products. According to Mr Staskin, Mattel wants to have open communication lines to the collector’s market with distributors and hobby press. I recall that last time I was at Nuremburg Toy Fair their approach was much better than the hobby press had experienced previously at Mattel. He tells me that he wants feedback from collectors. Talk to your dealer as well. If the system is working well, the dealer will pass on to his local distributor the information about what collectors want. He also said that Mattel is considering other scales and car brands to be added to their 2008 line-up. The final decision will be made at their distributors’ meeting late this year. Their Elite series has been highly successful, and it will only be sold through dedicated model car shops; not petrol stations or superstores. In absolute numbers of models sold, Italy is their strongest market.
Mattel have renewed their licensing contract with Ferrari and both sides are happy with their cooperation. There are no plans to reproduce every Ferrari ever made. The choices they make partly depends on the feedback they get. We can expect the release of a new model every month. As we all know prices for commodities are rising strongly. The cost of zinc, the principal material in diecast models, has gone sky high. Labour costs in China are also on the increase. Michael Staskin expects that zinc prices will fall, but prices of diecast models will continue to rise. He thinks that buyers will still be able to afford to purchase model cars. In any case, raising the retail prices of more expensive models will not have very much impact on sales. As in the real car world, the makers make more profit on more expensive cars.
He is still, however, a little worried about the way the Chinese labour market is developing. Raising prices will affect sales in the long run.
NEW BROOKLIN BUICK SERIES
Brooklin have a new 1:43 handbuilt project under way, the Buick Collection 1934 to 1939. Over the next few years this range will gradually grow to represent all standard styles and series produced by Buick in 1934 to 1939. This will mean 130 variants in total. These Buick models are intended become the definitive collection of this marque and reflect its revival in fortunes under the leadership of Harlow H Curtice. ‘Researching and producing this range will represent a huge undertaking on our part, and will represent our continuing commitment to the serious collector,’ asserts Nigel Parker of Brooklin. The Buick Collection will be available from the usual Brooklin stockists at the same price as the Brooklin Collection. Some of these Buick subjects may occasionally appear in the Brooklin Collection, in a different colour, but the majority will be unique to the Buick 1934-39 Collection. The first releases, available now, are listed below.
BC001 1935 Buick 96-S Coupe, maroon: side-mounts and luggage rack
BC002 1934 Buick 96-S Coupe, belle vue beige with rear mounted spare
GAFFE 1:43 NEWS
It’s a long time since we had any news of Gaffe 1:43 resin kits from France. Phillippe Le Prevost feels that there is little interest in Dakar rally cars in Anglophone countries, and that is mostly what he makes these days. The last three releases are: Nissan Patrol GR de Mevius Dakar 1999, Mitsubishi Pajero Dupart Dakar 1989 and Lada Niva Poch Dakar 1983.
Book Reviews
The Leyland National, Buses In Colour by Paul Chancellor 210 x 200 mm softbound 60 pages, pub: Nostalgia Road, Units 5-8 Chancel Place, Shap Road Industrial Estate, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 6NZ. ISBN 978 1903016 72 5. £9.95
I confess that I was not excited by the Leyland National when it was launched in 1969. The rather totalitarian name fitted its ‘political’ origins. All the bus operators in Britain had been compulsorily combined into the National Bus Company, and the biggest firms in the bus chassis and coachwork industry were now also under British Leyland control. So the new single decker bus was a joint venture between NBC and BL; it seemed to have been designed by a committee and looked to have been styled by an engineer. Its sales were guaranteed and thousands were built, which saw service from Cornwall to Scotland, mostly finished in poppy red or leaf green, with a ventilation pod on the roof. The bus was expensive, underpowered, and its noisy engine left a pall of blue smoke everywhere it went. A cheaper version omitted the roof pod, and in 1980 a bigger engine was fitted, so the radiator had to move to the front, under the bulbous nose of the Mark 2. The National was then replaced by the Lynx. With deregulation and the break-up of the NBC, the new smaller operators were not keen on operating expensive Nationals, and new minibuses were taking over many services. So the large stock of Nationals moved around the country between new owners, appearing in a dazzling variety of liveries, nicely shown in the 168 colour pictures in this book. Some Nationals lasted a long time, usually with the troublesome Leyland 510 unit replaced. The author is obviously a National fan, and he tells their story well in the captions to his excellent photos. The book was launched at the Leyland Society Fishwick’s Centenary event at Leyland, Lancs in July 2007, and its cover fittingly features a Fishwick’s National. Rod Ward
MINI The Book. Published by Hoffmann and Campe in co-operation with BMW, available from Hoffmann & Campe Verlag, Corporate Publishing, Harvestehuder Weg 42, 20149 Hamburg, Germany. 190 pages, 370 photos, 36 drawings, 240 x 240mm. Hardbound. ISBN: 978-3-455-50031-8. Price in Germany €29.90.
Here the story of the old Mini from 1959 onwards and of today’s New Mini is entertainingly told, covering their development, production and marketing. The reader soon becomes aware that a Mini was not just a car, it was part of the lifestyle of the 1960s, along with fashion, furniture, art, and entertainment. Then this all came back again with the New Mini, still manufactured in England, but now under BMW ownership. A lot of stories have grown up around the Mini, and here some of the most important, exciting and bizarre are retold. The names include Alec Issigonis, Twiggy, Mary Quant, Rauno Aaltonen and John Cooper. Any fan of the Mini must have this book, which is written by various authors and published in five languages. Hans-Georg Schmitt
Mythos Rallye Dakar by Christian Schön, German text. 176 pages, 329 photos. 245 x 290mm. Hardbound with dust jacket. ISBN 978-3-89880-686-2. Price in Germany €39.90 Published by and available from Heel Verlag GmbH, Gut Pottscheidt, 53639 Königswinter, Germany.
The Dakar Rally is the mother of all desert rallies, begun by Thierry Sabine in 1979. The most successful maker is Mitsubishi, whose Pajero has won 11 times in the last 25 years. This book captures the atmosphere, the development, the triumphs and tragedies. Fantastic pictures and comprehensive statistics make this book the standard work on one of the last real motor sport adventures in the world. Hans-Georg Schmitt
CLUB NEWS
Collated by Rod WardMaidenhead Static Model Club
Sad news in Wheel Bearings, the MSMC magazine, from Les Duplock is that Frank Hastings died in May. Peter Duplock has written a very moving tribute to Frank. Members of the Club had a very informative and interesting visit to Kew Bridge Museum, where some some of them seem to have come away with their wallets a bit lighter (see above). If you’d like to join the MSMC, contact Membership Secretary Alan Simpson (pictured) on 01494 813903.
Brooklin Collectors Club:
In the latest issue of the Brooklin Collector, edited by Jack Patrick, is an order form for a racing driver model, made by Omen Miniatures to accompany the 2007 BCC special model, the Nash Healey 1952 competition version in red with race number 19 to denote the Club’s 19th year. Jack notes that the magazine now has less colour content, due to financial constraints; but the text and monochrome pictures are as good as ever. If you want the magazine and models, you’ll have to join the BCC; phone Membership Secretary John Bowyer on 01276 473499.
The Matchbox Club:
Kevin McGimpsey tells us that ‘after 22 years of publishing every two months a 48 page magazine that was devoted entirely to Matchbox, MICA has decided that the costs to print it have become too much. So on 1 July 2007 their new website opened at www.matchboxclub.com where members can read or download the new e- Magazine. The Matchbox Club (nee MICA) comprises six main parts: the e-Magazine; the auction; the website; the shop; the Annual Convention and 22 years of archives. New members are very welcome’.
South Hants Model Auto Club:
The SHMAC magazine, edited by Sue and Stu Leake, finally has a title: Wheel Nuts. A suitable symbol was sought, but unfortunately Sue selected a sprocket or gear wheel and was deluged in helpful emails describing what a nut looked like. She was even presented with a large wheel nut at the next clubnight. Hint taken; the club symbol is now more accurately drawn on the cover of the magazine. Down in the deep south they get out a lot; many accounts of visits to events and locations fill the magazine. the next account will no doubt be of boisterous goings-on at the annual barbecue, though members have to bring their own strong liquor; only soft drinks are provided. I look forward to the report. If you’d like to join in, contact Secretary Dave Painter on 01264 366408.
Sydney Model Auto Club:
The SMAC official journal Think Small, has reached its 50th issue. Editor Neal Stirton is looking forward to producing another 50 issues. Isn’t it nice when someone volunteers? If you want to see Think Small, you’ll have to join the SMAC; phone Secretary John Maude on 9579 1257.
West Australian Model Collectors Club:
The new Editor of Showcase the WAMCC Club publication, is Chris Harris, whose layout design is very positive and assertive. This new format has had a good reception from members. ‘The bold headings and clear typeface make for easy reading which I am sure will please all club members, keep up the good work’, says Terry Flood. If you’d like to see the new-look Showcase, or if you want to join the WAMCC, phone President Martyn Overy on 9310 1790
Coventry Diecast Model Club:
In the latest issue of the Coventry Diecast Model Club magazine, Wheelspin, edited by Mick Russell, President Will Roe again entertained me with his writing. He describes Peter Nelson’s Cars of the Stars Museum at Keswick, which he visited after reading a news item about it in the Sunday Post. You mean there are news items in the Sunday Post? I only read Oor Wullie and The Broons whenever I see a copy of the venerable Dundee publication. Will also notes that Roger de Boer has suffered a severe stroke, resulting in the loss of use of his right arm and the amputation of a leg below the knee. We all hope Roger is able to overcome his difficulties; I recall with pleasure many articles he wrote in past 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 or email cdmc@ntlworld.com
MINICHAMPS NEWS
By Hans-Georg SchmittHere are some recent Minichamps releases, which have not otherwise been pictured or described in MAR:
MINICHAMPS 1:43 diecast in China for Germany: 400 052401 BMW 320i,Team RBM, Champion WTCC 2005 Andy Priaulx, limited to 1632 pieces. 400 056271 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Daytona 05 Henzler-Farnbacher-Price-Ehret. Limited to 3024 pieces. 400 066476 Porsche 911 GT3, AASCO-Motorsport, Porsche Supercup 2006Becker, limited to 1392 pieces. 400 766451 Porsche 934, Winner Nürburgring EGT 1975 Toine Hezemanns,limited edition of 4176 pieces. 400 052432 BMW 320I Wiechers Sport, winner independence trophy 05 Hennerici; limited to 1248 pieces. 400 060101 Renault R26; Renault F1 British Grand Prix 2006 Fernando Alonso. Limited edition of 9432 pieces. MINICHAMPS 1:18 diecast in China for Germany: 530 061803 McLaren Mercedes MP4/21 F1 2006 Kimi Raikkonen. 518 014309 Dallara Mugen F301 F1 Takuma Sato Winner of the 2001 Zandvoort Masters.
SMALL SCALE NEWS
By Maz WoolleyHere is a little news on some smaller scale models. The next tranche of Malibu Reel Rides will be as follows:
BMW New Mini Cooper 1981 Cadillac Eldorado DeLorean DMC-12 1974 Dodge Monaco 1983 Pontiac FirebirdIt may be some time before I actually get my hands on any of these.
Ricko plan to make 1:87 diecast models of the Chinese-built MG 7 and MG TF.
87RPM are making a 1:87 scale Rover P6
Information from www.87thscale.info
MORE BASE TOYS 1:76 TRUCKS
Base Toys have introduced more truck cabs in their 1:76 scale range, including two Thornycrofts, a Trident and a Sturdy (the latter had a forward control cab). There are also Guy Warrior, Commer Superpoise and Leyland FG cabs in the latest releases.
EXCLUSIVE FIRST EDITIONS
By Frank JoyceThe first shots of our new AEC RLH bus, the revised RT and the new 2RT buses are now due and I am waiting to see them as excitedly as the collectors. We are tooling up to produce a new modern bus, now well under way. There will in fact be two buses, a double decker and a single decker. The primary consideration with modern buses is sales; it is only when a sales pattern begins to emerge that decisions can be made to start tooling. Establishing this can delay release of the model. One of the new models that we are developing is a 1:24 single decker bus which will have wide appeal to many collectors, even if they are not over-enthusiastic about its scale. Mould tooling for our new 1:24 MCW Metrobus model is cleared for production in China. The first release will be in a colourful London bus operator livery.
Back to 1:76 scale: the next new tooling is the articulated tanker, the first release being a Bedford TK pulling a single axle oval tanker operated by the Texaco oil company. As the new trucks enter the range we will have additional accessory loads, being tooled as we prepare the luggage trailer for the RMA airport coaches. The tooling for the Leyland STD is now completed and the moulds have been sent to production to prepare the first model release. There are hot spots of enthusiasm for local liveries in some areas that can become rather vocal. When I am planning our model release programme it is important that I include fleet liveries from all parts of the UK for a balanced range; not just models in liveries that sell best. While attempting to do this I also assort vehicle types from across our range; not so easy, as it involves time consuming in-depth research,. Then after all this effort I am confronted by bus enthusiasts who are only interested in models from their locality or their favourite fleets and I just can’t get through to some of them that I try to please everybody. I have to remain single-minded and stick to my thinking on what I believe is right for collectors in general, and hope that it pleases the majority.
London Transport Museum
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Victoria Coach Station a series of special model has been commissioned by London Transport featuring coaches in some of the liveries that operated to and from London. These models are being released in batches, each model packed in a special outer sleeve for the series. The models at present selected are :
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 ScottishFor details on prices and availability, please contact the LT Museum shop on 020 7379 6344.
Cobham Bus Museum
The second two fund raising models for 2007 commissioned by the Cobham Bus Museum: 2781OB, an AEC STL bus in green London livery working route 408, STL2608 is heading for Guildford. 30004A an AEC 10T10 in red London livery, T498 is on route number 425 to Dorking North Station.For further information, contact Alvin Hale, 15 The Fairway, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 9BB.
North Weald Bus Rally
A fund raising model produced for this rally, 31501A features RM50 registered VLT50 on route 69 to Chingford Station. For further details contact Mr. Peter Coe on 01372 386998.EFE Showbus Winner RML 2306
Routemaster RML 2306 in green London Transport livery displaying advertisements and route blinds to promote the 2007 EFE Showbus and Sinsheim Bus Rallies looked splendid as it stood outside our office ready for the long trip to Sinsheim. Unfortunately due to problems with routeing and transport legislation in Europe the necessary German clearance documentation did not arrive in time for the bus to attend the rally. This was a great disappointment for the sponsors and for all those who had worked so hard to get the vehicle ready. We have produced 450 models of this Routemaster in the livery as we had prepared it ready for the Sinsheim Rally but because the bus did not attend the rally, we now have to consider the best way of releasing these models to ensure that all our collectors wishing to purchase the model will have the same chance to buy one at the release price.
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