CONTENTS
Model Auto Review 185
Publication date 7 Sept 20049304 Correspondence 9306 Sunbeam Talbot: A Royal Connection Chris Derbyshire, England 9307 Super Models: 4 Robin Godwin, USA 9308 Falcon and Comet 1964-65 Dave Turner, England 9309 A Quick trip to the Outback Graeme Ogg, England 9311 NZ Models Brian Gasson, New Zealand 9312 Buby Mahler Interview Bob Frassinetti, Argentina 9314 The Coffin Nose Cord Don Elliott, USA 9316 Hitachi Dragline Tony Steenmeyer, Netherlands 9317 Military Dennis Graeme Watt, Scotland 9317 Pill Dumptruck Phil Campbell, Germany Trax 1962 Chrysler Valiant John Quilter, USA 9318 Captions to right centre page 9321 NEWS Britain: Marsh Models, Corgi Mini 7 9319 Competitions MAR 183 and 185 Captions to back cover illustrations page 9340 9322 Club News 9323 Captions to left centre page 9320 Wiking Mercedes Set 9324 NEWS France, Italy: Mini Racing, JPS, PM, Norev, Gaso.line, ABC, Pinko, Alfa Model 43 9326 NEWS Plant, tractors: Classic Commercials, Wiking, Kibri, Siku, Roco Minitanks 9327 NEWS Trucks, emergency: Archimedes, Welly, Igra, Wiking, Norev, Rietze, Vimos 9328 NEWS World: Derrez, Sunstar, Vitesse 9330 Germany: Minichamps, adp, Wiking 9331 NEWS Bus Stop: EFE, Trux, Rietze 9332 Book Reviews 9334 avia mini 9336 Swapmeet Diary, Small ads, subscriptions
EDITORIAL
by Rod WardSOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
We have a very interesting issue this time, with some features relating to model vehicles from the southern hemisphere. We have articles on Australian, New Zealand and Argentine products this time. The second part of our southern hemisphere coverage will be in the next issue of MAR, with features on more models and toys from Argentina and Brazil.
SUMMER FLOODS
Speaking of the southern hemisphere, itís winter there now (nice and cool, is it, chaps?) which must make it summer up here. All the odder that there seem to be floods of new models at the moment. This used to be the quietest time of the year for new releases, in the days when makers and distributors had some control over when their products hit the market. The traditional ëbulgeí time was in the last few months of the year, the run-up to Christmas, when 70% of new items came out. Springtime was when most other new releases appeared, with hardly any activity in the Summer months, when toyshops were supposed to turn over to bucket and spade sales. Nowadays the Chinese factories have the upper hand, delivering new batches of models every month, whether the market is ready for them or not. It remains to be seen if the already-rocky model car market can sustain what appears to be a potential over-supply situation.
SPA CROFT DELAYS
I am sorry to have to pass on the news that Mike Coupe recently suffered the death of his wife.
Mike, stockist of MAR at Brock Miniatures, and maker of Spa Croft models, asks for everyoneís patience while he sorts himself out. He hopes to be back in action very soon. All readers will want me to pass on their condolences to Mike.
CLUB NEWS
Collated by Rod Ward
South Hants Model Auto Club: One of the interesting sidelights of my reading of the various club publications that provide the information for this column is finding out about other clubs. Sometimes these are currently thriving clubs who donít bother to send news to MAR for publication here, and it offers me a chance to give them a mention. Occasionally the clubs in question no longer exist, and it is thanks to the SHMAC magazine, edited by Sue and Stu Leake that I read about the Portsmouth Static Model Vehicle Club, described by Chris Pentney. The ëStaticí in the title (like the Maidenhead club) is an indication of the period in which the Portsmouth Club was formed. Up to the 1960s all model car clubs were for motorised models. At first these were petrol powered, often round-the-pole racers, then they were elecric powered, mostly slot cars. In order to differentiate enthusiasts for diecast and other model cars from these more mechanically minded folk, an early option was to describe oneself as a ëstaticí model vehicle collector. The Portsmouth Club was founded in 1970, with weekly meetings at the flat of Ted Webber. A visit to the Maidenhead Clubís first swapmeet at the Monkey Island Hotel at Bray led to the Pompey gang deciding to run their own event, which took place on 14 August 1971. Publicity included the local paper, radio and televison stations! Two more events were held before the Club decided that there was too much competition and they concentrated in future on (now fortnightly) club meetings at various membersí homes, later at Cosham Health Centre. Membership peaked at around 17, and the club continued in existence for another 14 years. The surviving members are proud that their club was the second to be founded in this country and the second to hold a swapmeet (in both cases second to the MSMC), and some continue their involvement in the model car club world as members of the SHMAC. Unlike the Portsmouth Club, the South Hants club is still very much in existence, with regular meetings at the Rockingham Arms, and welcomes all new members. Ring Secretary Dave Painter on 01264 366408.
Natal Diecast Model Collectors: Chairman Geoffrey Sear is pleased to note that most members have paid their subs, all bar six, to whom he says, ëThis is your last chance. No subs, no newsletter, no more a member, simple as thatí. If they donít renew, they will miss such items as a report on the Wheels Expo, at a local College, where club members were witness to ësome unpleasantnessí between those displaying vehicles and the ëbiker Gestapoí controlling pedestrian and vehicle access and departure. Those NDMC members at the receiving end have vowed never to support the event again, despite an abject apology from the organisers. Maybe that helps to explain why so many ex-members of the Natal Club are mentioned after having moved to other countries, including England and New Zealand? The Natal Diecast Model Collectors Club welcomes members and correspondents from all over the world. All you have to do is contact Geoffrey Sear at 7, Dryden Place, Umbilo, Durban 4001, South Africa. Tel: 031205 0100.
Maidenhead Static Model Club: The MSMC monthly newsletter Wheel Bearings contains a disclaimer that views expressed therein are not necessarily those of the Committee or members. Probably just as well, as it is now under the anarchic editorship of Les Duplock. Among the small ads in the latest issue is a request from Ray Strutt for a Mikansue Morris Mosquito kit. Les asks that anyone responding should check the contents carefully, as all Mikansue models look the same. If we ever find out what it is that they look like, weíll build one. The latest ëWhere are they now?í feature asks about Marcel Bloom (Dinky collector), David Mansfield (had a shop in Bournemouth), John Teychenne (had the shop under the arches at Charing Cross station), Anthea Knowles (ran the upmarket London Antique Toy Fairs), Eric Cato (Essex dealer in tin toys) and Dave Manterfield (maker of code 3 models). I can update everyone on the last-named. Dave is still around, still based near Sheffield, and still building models, though no longer Code 3 Yesteryears. He has suffered from ill-health in recent years, but assures me that he is ok now. Regarding previous names in this category, Ron Ping (ex Matchbox and EFE) is reported as having become a sheep farmer in Wales. Brian Garfield-Jones closed his famous collectors shop, made his fortune with a courier service and is now retired in Horsham. The ëStaticí in the MSMC title (see SHMAC news item) has come up for discussion. Some members now collect ënon-staticí items, so is the title now inappropriate? Should new words be chosen to fit the MSMC initials? Suggestions are invited. How about the Maidenhead and Slough Model Club? Then at last the location of their famous swapmeet would be acknowledged by the club. Some members visited the New Mini factory at Oxford, and were surprised to be dressed for the purpose in orange coats, safety glasses and headsets. They obviously didnít realise that this was an example of a Cholly Cherman Choke. The MSMC has made progress on the recruitment front. Chairman Peter Carpenter reports that a new member has joined, and two people have taken away membership packs with a positive view to joining. Finally, Ray Strutt contributes a ëquote of the yearí for 1980 from Collectors Gazette: Robin Dove of Magpie Models asserted, ëNot enough old Yesteryears to go roundí. ëWhere is he now?í asks Les. I guess Les has a lot of old Yesteryears to get rid of (donít we all?), but Iím afraid Robin has sold his shop and retired to study local history and sell cigarette cards on the side. He doesnít seem to think the great Yesteryear shortage has lasted. If you would like to read more of this jolly stuff every month in Wheel Bearings, contact Alan Simpson on 01494 813903 for MSMC membership details.
Brooklin Collectors Club: Jack Patrick, Editor of the Brooklin Collector among other contributors, describes the ëfantasticí weekend at the Brooklin factory in Bath for the 30th Anniversary celebrations in May. The latest special model for the Canadian Toy Collectors Society by Brooklin is a 1935 Plymouth Deluxe three window coupe in Unionville Volunteer Fire Department livery. Only three have been made for worldwide sale, and one is being sold as a charity fundraiser, with lottery tickets on sale at CDN$10 or £4.00 each. The lottery draw will take place at the CTCS Show in October 2004. If you are a Brooklin enthusiast and not yet a member of the BCC, phone Membership Secretary John Bowyer on 01276 473499, fax him on 01344 356801, or email him at john_bowyer@ethyl.com
Porsche Modell Club: Henk Koop tells us that the 8th International PMC Winter Swap will take place on 6 November 2004 in a new location in the Hall of Strähle Motorsport, Plüderhausen near Schorndorf (Stuttgart) in Germany. This is, he says, the worldís biggest indoor Porsche swapmeet and exhibition, with 2,500 m2 of Porsche models from 1:1 to 1:220 scales and vast quantities of Porsche memorabilia. For the first time there will also be in the same hall a Porsche spare parts and cars market and exhibition. Henk says, ëYou will find the complete range of four, six, eight and twelve cylinder Porsche carsí. The entrance fee is ?5.00. For more information about visiting the PMC-Porsche Winter Swap 2004, or participating in it, contact: PMC Swap Organisation, PO Box 2, NL-7800 AA Emmen, Netherlands. Telephone: 0031 599 671442, fax 0031 599 671044, email info@koop-co.nl
West Australian Model Collectors Club: The Editor of the WAMCC Club publication, Showcase, Ian Hind, refers to the magazine of the Brisbane Diecast Model Collectors Club (thereís another one we donít hear from). In that publication, Peter Seaman notes, ëI was in a model shop the other day, browsing the wares and trying to strike up a conversataion with the grumpy proprietor, as one does. Funny how most model car shop owners are grumpyí. Ian agrees with Peterís observations, from his own experience. ëFar too many model retailers around the world fall into the grumpy old men category. Do they start out that way? Or do they just become that way after years and years of dealing with time wasters, bargain hunters and stupid questions?í he asks. Well, I can answer this, YES on all counts! Mostly people open model shops because they are enthusiasts, not good businessmen (or theyíd have opened a fast-food franchise) or donít have good people-skills (or theyíd have joined the police). The aforementioned Robin Dove, whose shop was only a mile away from Modelauto, could never resist winding up the ëgreat unwashedí at every opportunity. He would embroider fantastical tales about his stock to anyone gullible enough to swallow them. He would even send up to our shop anyone that he thought Iíd like to wind up further (on the spurious basis that we might have in stock some totally impossible item). It was the only thing that kept us both sane. If youíd like to join the West Australian Club and suggest some cures for aged male grumpiness, Ianís phone number is 934 9369, email jhind@iinet.net.au
BOOK REVIEWS
VW TRANSPORTER & MICROBUS SPECIFICATION GUIDE 1950-1967 By David Eccles, Published by The Crowood Press, Crowood Lane, Ramsbury, Wiltshire SN8 2HR. 296 x 210 mm, 96 pages, 400+ colour photographs. Softbound, new edition 2004. ISBN 1 861266529. £14.95
One of the most popular subjects for one-make collectors is Volkswagen, and the plethora of models available means that many folk restrict themselves to air-cooled vehicles, including the Transporter, in particular the early split screen models. Their popularity continues to grow and it has become a cult icon, even amongst those who know little about vehicles and their history. This Book covers the completestory of the split screen Transporter from 1950 to 1967, with a history, explanation of every vehicle code, production details, month-by-month specification changes, a full listing of factory-fitted optional equipment and a comprehensive guide to paint and trim colours. In addition there are details of Transporters for export, those built outside Germany and special models, including hearses, halftracks, mobile shops, emergency vehicles and road-railers. The book took David Eccles five years to put together. He is well known in the VW world for his passion and dedication to the split screen bus, an active member of the SSVC, editor of their Club magazine for seven years and at one time Vice President. He is currently editor of VW Camper & Commercial. This book is nicely designed and clearly printed, an invaluable guide to these fascinating vehicles.
Rod Ward
TRENT Volume 1: Prestige Series, volume 25 by John Banks, photos by G H F Atkins, 170 x 240mm softbound, 64 pages, ISBN 1 898432 83 X. Pub: Venture Publications Ltd, 128 Pikes Lane, Glossop, Derbyshire. SK13 8EH, UK. Price £9.50.
The latest title in this series is the illustrated history of Trent, an English Midlands bus operator, up to the end of the Second World War. The second part, for publication later, will bring the story up to date. Like other books in this series the superb photographs will bring back happy memories for enthusiasts, passengers, former staff members and their families. Some of the early shots in this book are particularly evocative of their era. Coach passengers waiting to set off for Skegness from Nottingham are all muffled up in coats and hats (so much for the better summers of yesteryear) and buses park in the middle of the road, as if by right. A great insight into a bygone time.
Rod Ward
LES AUTOMOBILES DE SOLIDO1991-2004, 1:43 By Bertrand Azéma. French text. Published by Drivers, BP 99, 31013 Toulouse cedex 6, France. 255 x 255mm, 224 pages, 100s of photographs, softbound. ISBN 2 9520491 3 0. Bertrand is well known as the world expert on Solido, not least for his many valued contributions down the years. His previous books on the famous French model company are the standard references on the shelves of all collectors. Now he brings the 1:43 scale story up to date. It is a reflection on the fractured nature of the Solido range over the past decade and a half that Bertrand is able to tell the story in almost 30 segments. He describes and pictures each of the many sub-series in the range in turn, with new models, reissues and recolours. All the emergency vehicles, Pepsi-cola and Coca-Cola issues, Olympic Games promos and other themed issues are covered. There are also lesser-known series such as Majorette Collector Cruisers and Baby-Boomers. The Hachette partwork models are described and pictured, as are the SE-Modell plastic Borgwards, distributed in France by Solido. Models issued exclusively for members of the Club Solido and for factory open days are also pictured. There was even an abortive project in 1993 to release models with transparent plastic bodies, and the six prototypes are pictured. The book is rounded off with every catalogue from the period pictured and described, and a full listing of all releases. This book will be essential for anyone who needs to know what Solido made from the 1990s to date.
Rod Ward
SPRITES AND MIDGETS By Anders Ditlev Clausager. Published by The Crowood Press, Crowood Lane, Ramsbury, Wiltshire SN8 2HR. 258 x 195mm, 224 pages, 188 photographs, 16 drawings, Softbound edition new in 2004. ISBN 1861266537. £14.99
The full story of the Spridget is told here, from the launch of the Frogeye Sprite in the 1950s to the closure of the MG factory and the end of Midget production in 1979. Filling the gap in the market for an affordable sports car, the Sprite and Midget have always been attractive for the sporting motorist on a budget. Anders Ditlev Clausager is Chief Archivist at the Jaguar-Daimler Heritage Trust and a renowned marque expert. He describes and illustrates every aspect of the story, including the many sports car projects from Longbridge, Abingdon, Farina and others. Potential successors to the Midget were variously Mini or Marina based, but none of them entered production. The biggest competitor to the Spridget in its day was in-house, the Triumph Spitfire, slightly more expensive but better-appointed. There was a passing thought that the Triumph TR7 could perhaps be badge engineered as an MG (the ëMagnaí). Even if it had been made, this car would have been too big to be a Spridget replacement, so when the MG factory closed the British car industry lost its place as a maker of small sports cars. It is hard to credit now that the Spridget was marketed with a racy image (in more ways than one) with such slogans as ëYou can do it in an MGí and ëYour mother wouldnít like ití. I suppose sheíd have found it too uncomfortable.
This book brings that less-sophisticated era to life once again.
Rod Ward
The complete Encyclopedia of Saloon Cars 1945 -1975 by Rob de la Rive Box, English text. 296 pages, 743 pictures, hardbound with dust jacket 170 x 240 mm. ISBN 90 366 1597 6. Published by and vailable from Rebo International, 1e Poelaan 6; 2161 LB Lisse, Netherlands.
The cars described in this book were everyday cars produced in great numbers and found on any street. They will spark many memories, some readers will have owned cars like these, while others may recall their father or grandfather driving them. The book is arranged alphabetically with the history of the marque, technical data, and production numbers given. More than 700 superb colour illustrations portray these cars of a bygone era, when they had character and could be easily distinguished from each other, in contrast to today's automotive clones. The author, Rob de la Rive Box, has a good reputation in the world of automobile books, but when he displaces the Bugatti plant from Molsheim to Mulhouse, there must be some doubts about the research and fact-checking that has gone into this book. But in spite of this, for the colour photo-graphs alone, this book is an interesting and useful reference work.
Hans-Georg Schmitt
Der Weg zur Legende (The Way to the Legend) by Michael Graf Wolff Metternich, Dr Gerold Lingnau, Dr Paul Simsa, and Alexandra Felts. German text. 192 pages, 156 photos, 11 drawings, hardbound with dust jacket. 245 x 215 mm. ISBN 3 7688 1410 6 Pub: Delius Klasing Verlag; Sieker-wall 21; D-33602 Bielefeld, Germany.
Only a few of the mega-rich can think of parking a new Maybach, made by Daimler-Chrysler, in front of their villa or castle, but we are all having the strange experience, of seeing the rebirth of an almost-forgotten marque. The story of this auto nobility has inspired an extraordinary book from the publishing house of Delius Klasing. A book of just about absolute quality, We had nearly forgotten the quality and perfection it is possible to achieve in printing on paper. The pictures were chosen carefully and intelligently and the book was then built like a Maybach. This car was not intended for everybody, but for an exclusive clientele who did not ask the price, who just wanted a perfect product from the automobile pioneer and former partner of Gottlieb Daimler. It sold to the likes of the Shah of Iran, tycoons Robert Bosch and Werner von Siemens, boxer Max Schmeling and Emperor Haile Selasse. This book recalls these legendary cars, their customers, and also their time and fashions.
Hans-Georg Schmitt
The complete Encyclopedia of Sports Cars of the Classic Era by Rob de la Rive Box, 286 pages, 823 colour photos. Hardbound with dust jacket 170 x 240 mm. ISBN 90 366 15151. Published by and available from Rebo International bv, 1e Poelaan 6; 2161 LB Usse, Netherlands.
This book takes its readers back to the racing circuits of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s when names like Gianni and Lamborghini ruled the roost. The book also covers lesser-known makes such as kit cars that firms like Lotus produced for enthusiasts to build. There are also roadgoing sports cars as well as racers. For instance, the Maserati Merak, which closely resembled the Bora, was powered by the same V6 engine as used in the Citroen SM, thanks to the factory's large stock of these powerful but fragile engines. This book includes the fascinating stories of the manufacturers and designers of many marques, both famous and lesser-known of road-going and racing sports cars. It will be an essential reference for lovers of classic sports cars. From Abarth through Pegaso, Facel Vega, Cunningham, Kleinschnittger and Mercedes-Benz, to ZIL, the famous and now-unknown marques are all there. Even the rarest cars are shown in colour photographs.
Hans-Georg Schmitt
Porsche Typen und Geschichte by Jurgen Lewandowski, German text. 160 pages, 194 pictures. Hardbound 220 x 290 mm. ISBN 3 7688 1421 1, published by Delius Klasing Verlag, Siekerwall 21, D-33602 Bielefeld, Germany.
For more than half a century, Porsche has been in the first rank of automobile manufacturers. They made the Porsche 356, 912, 924, 944, 968, 928, and the great classic, the 911 whose owners all over the world wouldnít change for any other. In parallel the Zuffenhausen firm did great works on the race tracks of the world, where they cwon so many titles and races. The story of Porsche road cars and racing cars is told clearly and well, up to the latest success stories, the Boxster and Cayenne.
Hans-Georg Schmitt
Nutzfahrzeuge aus Werdau by Christian Suhr, German text. 1246 pictures. Hardbound. ISBN 3 926071 29 X. Published by and available from Verlag Klaus Rabe, Giesserallee 9, D-47877 Willich. Germany
The City of Werdau is one of the most interesting automotive locations in Germany, and has needed for some time to be put into its correct context. Horsedrawn carriages and railway rolling stock were built there up to the end of the nineteenth century. Early in the twentieth century, the automobile made its mark on this Saxon industrial town. The first ëall steel busí to see production volumes was built here. Also quite early aluminium bodies were developed for commercial vehicles, which made history. Schumann, Werdau still today means a lot in the field of vehicle body builders. Werdau made its reputation mainly with furniture transport vehicles, but they also built the first rail bus, and many ambulances for Auto Union. At one time Werdau was also the most important builder of trolleybuses in Germany. There was no notable German commercial vehicle producer, from Büssing to Krüpp, from Henschel to Daimler-Benz, whose chassis were not bodied in Werdau. After the Second World War, Werdau became the centre of the commercial vehicle industry in the German Democratic Republic, with experiments in steam power and the building of the first buses in Socialist Germany, as well as the legendary H6, S4000-1 and G5 trucks. Today the famous vehicle body builder Kogel is based in the old Werdau factory. In this book, the story of commercial vehicles is illustrated by a vast quantity of formerly unknown photographs of all kinds of these vehicles, a real feast for all automotive enthusiasts and also for model vehicle collectors, who will be thus inspired to build or convert new transport units.
Hans-Georg Schmitt
Deutsche Traktoren seit 1907 by Wolfgang H Gebhardt, German text. 660 pages, 150+ pages with technical data. 180 x 240 mm. Hardbound. ISBN 3 613 02348 6 Published by and available from Motorbuch Verlag, Olgastrasse 86, D-70180 Stuttgart, Germany.
This encyclopedia is not restricted to the big names, as the author aims to produce a comprehensive work about German tractor manufacture since 1907. More than 300 marques and their models are included. As well as the well known makers, smaller and now-unknown brands are described and where possible, their products shown in photographs. Here you will find such marques as Allgaier, Boehringer, Daimler-Benz, Eicher, Fendt, Lanz, MAN and Porsche alongside the East German VEB Nord-hausen, an indispensable reference work for every tractor fan.
Hans-Georg Schmitt
Fendt-Geschichten (Fendt-News 1958-71) by Gilbert Kremer, German text. 240 pages, 188 photos. Hardbound, 220 x 300mm. Pub: DLG-Verlag, Eschborner Landstrasse 122, D-60489 Frankfurt/ Main, Germany. ISBN 3 7690 0610 0
The development of the market-leading German tractor maker is shown in this excellent selection of original brochures and articles from Fendt-News.
Hans-Georg Schmitt
Meilensteine aus Eisenach ï Ein Jahrhundert Automobilgeschichte Milestones from Eisenach ï A Century of Automobile History. 144 pages, 149 photos, 60 drawings. Hardbound 230 x 270 mm. ISBN 3 613 87260 9 Pub: Schrader Verlag, Postfach 103743; D-70032 Stuttgart, Germany.
In 1898 the first automobile was built in Eisenach, in the shadow of the legendary Wartburg castle, where Martin Luther translated the New Testament from Latin into German. Soon after the turn of the century the first Dixi cars rolled out of their factory. In the Twenties BMW entered car manufacturing by buying the company, which was in financial trouble. BMWs were built in the post-war ruins for the Soviet army, then EMWs and Wartburgs. After the changes in Germany, Opel took over and today new Corsas are built in a new plant, the most efficient Opel factory in Europe. The whole story of car making in Eisenach is told in this book.
Hans-Georg Schmitt
News: Britain
MARSH MODELS NEWS
Here are Marsh Models' latest releases in 1:43 scale, this news thanks to John and Pam Simons:
MM87 Essex Wire Cobra 427 Dick Thompson MM92 Dan Gurney McLaren M1A Riverside 65 MM114 Corvette Grand Sport 63 Dick Thompson MM115 Alan Grant Cheetah
CORGI 1:36 diecast in China for UK: Mini Miglia of Mini 7 Champion Tim Sims, #1. Introduced in 1966, Mini 7s are the UK's longest running one-make motor racing championship. Sims has dominated the series for three seasons, winning in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
BUS STOP
EFE NEWS
By Frank JoyceHere is the latest news from Exclusive First Editions. The 50th anniversary of the Routemaster bus seems to have caught the attention of the public. With the imminent disappearance of this icon from the streets of London after 50 years of service even the national press has been carrying the story. As the Routemasters are sold off, Londoners can fantasise about beating traffic jams by buying a bus for £2,000 to £20,000 and then using restricted bus lanes to drive around the capital. Congestion charge? What congestion charge? To mark the anniversary a special event was organised by the Routemaster Association in Finsbury Park on 24 and 25 July. The release of our new Routemaster Prototype RM1 model is on schedule and, contrary to some rumours in circulation, we think we have produced just the right quantity to satisfy demand. This year sees the 100th Anniversary of many municipal bus companies and we have been asked to join in with some of the celebrations by producing models from some fleets. We will shortly be releasing models in liveries of Preston, Swindon and Colchester.
Recent and forthcoming EFE models 25403 Manchester MCW Fleetline cardiff 27613 Wright Volvo Renown Brigton & Hove 29603 Leyland Olympian Type B Solent Blueline 27505 Wright Scania Axcess Midland Bluebird 99645 Leyland TD1 closed staircase Todmorden LMS 16216 Bristol MW Coach Royal Blue 17701 Leyland National MkII Long Colchester 99643 MGB, Sprite, TR2, Vitesse car set 30201 RM1 Prototype Routemaster London Transport 29101 Daimler DMS 2 door Metrobus 22105 AEC Ergo artic box van British Road Ferry 99626 1962 Four Car Special set Central Line tube 29503 Plaxton Panorama (roof dome) Yelloway 25304 AEC Duple Half Cab Southern National 29005 GM Standard Fleetline Swindon Thamesdown 13915 Bristol FLF Lodekka Western SMT 29402 Bristol RELH DP Coach United 20433 Bristol VRIII Alder Valley 23316 AEC RF Coach Greenline 24813 Mercedes Minibus Northumbria 29604 Leyland Olympian Preston Bus 27309 Leyland TD1 closed staircase Samuel Ledgard 16525 MCW Atlantean Great Yarmouth 20131 Bedford OB Coach Wallace Arnold 27614 Wright Volvo Endurance The Delaine 28809 Leyland Titan Blackburn 16606 Leyland National Mk1 short London Transport 29504 Plaxton Panorama (roof dome) Royal BlueMore notes on EFE models
Some vigilant enthusiasts noticed a few typos and possible errors recently on some of our advertising material. To reassure you, the blind on the Southern National Duple coach is spelled correctly on the model as Barnstaple and not Barnstable as on the text under the first illustration of the model.
I referred to the Royal Blue MW coach as the first MW release from the Western National part of the fleet, this was wrong, it is the second. We have decided to change the vehicle registration number of the forth-coming Panorama in Yelloway livery from HVU 244N to TDK 690J as this particular vehicle would better suit our body style. The pictures used in our leaflets to illustrate the RELH D/P Coach in United livery show single headlamps but the model will have the correct twin headlamp body. We also had to correct the registration number on this model after referring to a publication which we subsequently found to be wrong. You might also like to know that our prototype RM1 model was almost produced with a registration number that wrongly read STL 54 instead of the correct number, SLT 54!
Other Model News
A 50th anniversary gold Routemaster model from the Arriva fleet has been produced for Transport for London. 15632A features RM6 on route 159 to Streatham Hill. The special TfL Routemaster Gift Set 99927 features RM1 with radiator grille in red and RM2 in green livery. For details contact TfL at Covent Garden Museum.
Subscriber Special Models
Continuing our Australian theme, we are be offering two very attractive Australian buses based on our MCW Atlantean model.
TRUCKSTOP
CLASSIC COMMERCIALS
By Bob BarlowI have recently released two new 1:43 scale workhorse kits in the Classic Commercials range, a T20 tractor and an Aveling roller. The kits are white metal castings, with etched brass or brass strip details and transfers where appropriate.
The McCormick-Deering T20 crawler tractor was a compact agricultural tractor based on the Farmall F20 wheeled machine and built between 1932 and 1940. Weighing in at 6,350lb, it looked quite the little bruiser, with a 25 hp drawbar pull and 30 hp drivebelt output. It was very popular in the UK for agricultural work, with several hundred sold, the last of which remained at work well into the 1960s and even beyond. the Aveling-Barford G-series road roller kit enables several detail variants of the large size Aveling-Barford rollers (models GB, GC and GD) to be made. These were built from the early 1950s and must have been the most common rollers in the world, with many still hard at work today in all corners of the globe. In the UK, virtually every council, construction company and roadmending contractor had at least one example. There are several still working and in preservation. Built around a solid four-cylinder diesel engine working at 1500 rpm, they came with either a sheet steel cab or a canopy.
These variants (GC and GD) are provided for in the kit. Incidentally, the baby brother GA pavement roller is still available as a Classic Commercials kit. Some of these kits are pictured here. The T20 tractor costs £39.95 and the Aveling-Barford costs £42.80, plus £1.50 postage for either or both kits.
Contact Classic Commercials, PO Box 800 West Wratting, Cambridge, CB1 5NB.
An illustrated catalogue can be had for £1.25 (or five first-class stamps) from the same address.
HOLLAND COACHCRAFT
Dermot Ryan of Classic Collectables in Northern Ireland tells us about the first launch of his Archimedes range, a 1:50 handbuilt model of a Holland Coachcraft van, built on a Commer chassis. The brass master is shown here, made by Ian Pickering. The van will be assembled by Brooklin Models of Bath and will be released in September in a choice of liveries. The Collars of Wembley van is black and in Holland Coachcraft Co livery it is red. There will be an issue of 400 of each in special box presentation sleeves, available only by mail order from Classic Collectables direct, at £94.00 UK post £5.00, Europe and the rest of the world at cost, from Classic Collectables, 9 Springvale Park, Northland Road, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, BT48 ONY. Email: info@ccsales.net, tel: 028 7126 7000
GERMANY
KIBRI KIT NEWS
By Hans-Georg SchmittHere are some recent releases from Kibri, all 1:87 plastic kits from Germany, other than those individually pictured in recent issues:
B-13010 Faun HZ36 truck with Bilstein K 12500 H recovery crane with 268 kW/365hp max load 12 tons. Components are moulded in blue and yellow B-13529 Faun heavy duty tractor HZ36 with Scheuerte low-load trailer T5066S. Payload 50 ton B-13530 Mercedes-Benz 2644S artic lowload Scheuerie STG 4031 435hp diesel payload 55 ton B-13531 Faun heavy duty tractor Type 36 40/45 6x6. Diesel engine with 268 kW/365 hp. artic load 25 tons, Top speed 64 km/h. Weight overall 36 ton B-13532 MAN 3-axle heavy duty tractor with crane German Railway Corp. DB: MAN 26.361 DFS with 265 kW/360 hp. Total weight 26 tons, load 80 tons B-13535 Mercedes-Benz SK with high roof 4-axle tractor with artic trailer, MB NAW 3550 tractor with 370 kW/503 hp Diesel engine and heavy duty equipment. Nooteboom ballast trailer OVB 102-06 B-13542 FAUN Heavy duty tractor with Baumann flat bed and canvas cover, tractor Type 36.40/45, 6x6; 268 kW/365 hp. Weight overall 36 tons. B-13546 Mercedes-Benz NAW 3550 heavy duty tractor with Scheuerie platform trailer, fitted with swan-neck, load: trafo 50 MVA. weight 103 tons. B-14023 Spitzer Silo truck; Mercedes-Benz 1632 tractor with Spitzer artic silo trailer SF 2230 GAL B-14029 Mercedes-Benz 2 axle round bonnet truck with 3 axle gravel trailer. MB LAK 1624; 6-cylinder diesel engine OM355 177 kW/240 hp. Wackenhut trailer AK 22 M 3, payload 16 tons. B-14030 Mercedes-Benz LAK 1624 round bonnet truck with tipper bed. MB LAK 1624; 6-cylinder diesel engine OM355177 kW/240 hp. B-14611 MAN 30.331 VF 4-axle heating oil tanker. Diesel engine 243 kW/330 hp. Wackenhut tank body 22.000 litres. Total weight 30 tons B-14612 MAN 14.192 U drawbar Schenker B-14614 DAF tilt artic by Wackenhut, Schenker B-14615 Mercedes-Benz round-bonnet-tractor with 1-axle artic trailer Schenker. DB LS 1924; 177 kW/240 hp. tilt trailer with 48 m3. pay-load 14 tons. B-14618 Mercedes-Benz SK 2-axle tractor with artic. 3-axle box-trailer B-14620 DAF FT 2800 DKS tractor with artic tilt trailer built by Wackenhut Emergency vehicles B-18455 Wheel loader Zettelmeyer ZL 1801 with tackle, with 94 RW/128hp diesel engine, Shovel capacity 1.8 m, depth-bucket poly-gripping device, hydraulic-hammer. Weight 10,8 tons in THW blue B-18456 General Motors amphibian DUKW GMC-Otto engine with 67 kW/91 hp, in THW blue. B-18459 Mercedes-Benz LA2624 truck with Bilstein recovery crane 12500 in THW blue. 30th Anniversary of KIBRI Commercial Vehicles B-52204 Mercedes-Benz Unimog Euro II with front-mower and trailer. Unimog heavy duty range with Euro II cab. Krone mower and trailer B-52207 Mercedes-Benz Trac with field and meadow roller, MB diesel engine with 156 hp. B-52208 Mercedes Trac & Claas Volto 740 turner B-52210 Mercedes-Benz Unimog Euro II with Kemper UmTrans 1800 chopped straw trailer. B-52211 Mercedes-Benz Unimog Euro II with wood chopper and winch B-54998 Lifting truck with Mercedes-Benz Unimog power head. Mercedes-Benz OM 366 A; 6-cylinder diesel direct-injection engine. B-58036 Magirus Jupiter 3 axle 3800/400 military airport fire engine. Wheel base 3850/1380 mm. 4-stroke diesel V8 engine B-58050 Mercedes-Benz heavy duty tow tractor SK 2650; 6x4; V8 diesel engine 390 kW/530 hp. B-58054 MAN tractor with heavy duty tower. MAN heavy duty tractor OAF 33.502; 6x4; MAN V-10 diesel engine with turbocharger and intercooler.
ADP 1:43 plastic from Germany: EMW E340-2 saloon 1950. In September 1947 development of a large four door saloon car, the BMW 340, started at the Eisenach plant base on the prewar BMW 326, which had been manufactured under order 93 of the Soviet occupation forces since April 1946. But the old Ambi Budd body press shop in Berlin was completely destroyed and the tools for the BMW 326 were under a mountain of rubble. After their recovery, the director of the Russian Avtowelo at Berlin-Weissensee arranged for them to be moved to Eisenach. The new BMW 340 was built, with new front and rear ends and in April 1948 two prototypes of the first post-war car were ready. Two others had a short road test program and finally in October 1949 production started. At the International Automobile Fair in Brussels, Belgium, and at the Autumn Fair in Leipzig, the re-appearance of BMW cars caused a sensation. After the Eisenach firm exported their new car into many West European countries, the BMW parent company in Munich West Germany went to court and in a trial at the county court in Düsseldorf it was forbidden for the Eisenach company to use the name and emblem of BMW. So the plant was re-named Eisenacher Motor Works and the blue panels in the BMW emblem were changed to red. The EMW 340 had a 55 bhp straight six petrol engine, rear wheel drive and a manual four speed gearbox. 21,249 were built from October 1949 to September 1955. ADP models have made the first luxury car of Eastern Germany in 1:43 scale as a short-series model. It is very accurately detailed, all mouldings, bumpers and wheels are silver painted. Headlights and photo-etched wipers are separate parts and the interior is adequately detailed. It is available in red or black, and in People's Police or People's Army versions. The model is available from adp-Modelle Schaefer & Co Kg, Glasewitzer Chaussee 56, 18273 Göstrow, Germany. (Notes Hans-Georg Schmitt).
WORLD NEWS
DERREZ TRIUMPHS
By Max DerrezHere is news of new 1:43 Triumph-models from Derrez Models, after our earlier TR1-TS20 and Dove GTR4. Three new models:
Panther Rio: This car was based on the Triumph Dolomite (Rio Special) or Dolomite Sprint (Rio Especial). Between 1975 and 1978 only 38 were made, with an aluminium body, so few because it was more expensive than a Jaguar XJ12). The 1:43 model, has a resin body and a photo-etched grille.
Triumph Dolomite Sprint Landaulet, cabrio version of the Sprint, a professional conversion. The 1:43 model has a metal body and two roofs are provided, up and down.Triumph TR2 coupe Francorchamps: a coupe version of the TR2, but the car was substantially changed from the production TR2. For instance, the doors were wider, the coupe section is fully integrated into the body, and a plexiglass roof added. It was made at the Imperia factory at Nessonveaux, Belgium. 22 were made and in 1954 and 1955. The 1:43 model has a resin body, with a detailed interior and chassis.
The next model will be a Triumph Italia (designed by Michelotti, built by Vignale), to be released in 2004.
More details from: Derrez Models, Max Derrez, Marga Klompelaan 48, 6532 SC Nijmegen, Netherlands.
Sun Star 1:18 diecast in China: Classic Rally Collectibles: 4181 Audi Quattro Coupe RAC Lombard Rally 1981 and 4182 Janner Rally 1981. At the end of 1976, Audi designers fitted the four wheel drive system from the Iltis cross country vehicle into a road car. Then development chief Ferdinand Piech, grandson of Professor Ferdinand Porsche, (Piech later headed VW), gave the go-ahead to a 4x4 production car. After only brief development, the Audi Quattro appeared and was soon in sporting action. The Audi slogan Vorsprung durch Technik (Advancement through Technology) proved true in the toughest rally conditions. From then on, Audi concentrated their efforts on rallying. In 1981 the Audi Quattro team took part on several rallies with great success. The Finn Hannu Mikkola and the Swede Arne Hertz took part in the Royal Automobile Club Lombard Rally at Chester in 1981. The model car is shaped very accurately, perfectly finished painted and clearly printed in Audi sport colours of red, grey and dark brown and with all sponsor decals and start numbers. The boot lid is crowned by a huge spoiler, to hold down the rear axle, necessary for good road holding. The bonnet, doors and boot open, the steering and suspension work realistically. The doors are hinged like the real car so the opening angle is correct, this collector's dream!. Under the bonnet is a superb engine replica, excellent detailed and realistically coloured. In the interior the dashboard looks very basic, like the real car. The bucket seats have full safety harnesses. Great success came for Audi in the next two years. In 1982 they won the Manufacturers World Championship and in 1983 Hannu Mikkola and Arne Hertz became World Champions. The other model is of the Austrian team of Wittmann and Nestlinger, who took part in the Austrian Janner Rally, also in 1981. (Notes Hans-Georg Schmitt).
American Notes
By Ben van RoodeIn the last issue of MAR John Quilter described a 1941 Ford Tudor police car and asked if this was the only version available. White Rose is part of Fleer, www.fleer.com who make other items including a Hummer and 1963 Corvette. There are police cars on their website, the White Rose 1998 Caprice, Mustang and 1949 Ford. But not the 1941 Ford. That is strange, I expect there will be many variations on the police theme.The civilian 1941 Ford is now in my collection. It is available in eight colours, including Cotswold gray metallic.
We know Diecast Promotions for their beautiful 1:18 US cars like the Hudson Hornet Club Coupe. They have released a 1968 Plymouth Barracuda and 1959 Nash Metropolitan. The Chevrolet C-65 in 1:16 scale is a 1975 model. A 1:16 1941 Chevrolet fire truck in RAF colours is interesting. Expert MAR readers can tell us if it is realistic. The same company also makes 1:64 US trucks in many guises. At around $35 in the US, they are worth the money. There are also 1:18 customised 1974 Chevrolet vans, as seen in the years of the van craze in the US. The last items I'll mention are their 1:25 models of recent Chevrolet and GMC vans. Where must one start when you mention Ertl or rather RC2. I like the Cadillac ambulance from the first Ghostbusters movie. It is not 1:18 scale however, more like 1:21. And it says so on the box, which is good. But it is still a good base for conversions. But there is is much more, of often very good quality. There are few models officially imported to Europe. But I know at least one shop in Holland that imports all newly released models direct from America, including the Fast and Furious cars and all the low riders that are available. To please Robert Gunn I will mention the reintroduction of the 1978 Li'l Red Express from Dodge and the 2003 Ford pickup King Ranch.
New Ray surprises us with items, that are hard to find in Europe. In 1:32 scale there is the Ford F-350 with a fifth wheel livestock or horse trailer. In the same scale are now available the M3 General tank, M3A2 halftrack with gun and a Sherman M4A3. I like the 1:43 Kenworth W900 double auto carrier.
Bonneville is the place to race on the Salt Flats. The 1:25 1932 Ford coupe from Spec-Cast is a good example of the cars that drive there. New to Signature Models a 1:32 1953 Nash Healey in different colours.
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