Shite in Miniature II

June 4, 2020

11 hours ago, andy18s said:

Are you selling the Escort?

not at the moment no, sorry. although if I ever do start selling my mini motors I will be sure to let you know

44,215 · June 4, 2020

2 hours ago, bunglebus said:

There are some differences from the Rockets version, engine for one, and much thinner hinges

lBase attachment for another - the Rockets has a single post and a tab

Had a similar surprise today. I had assumed, wrongly, that a Rockets base would swap with a standard base. My old childhood Whizzwheels Escort suffered a snapped base, ooooh.... thirty years ago. Got hold of a Rockets base off Eddy Spares - but it doesn’t fit, not even nearly! I never expected that they had cast a different body shell too

44,215 · June 5, 2020

41,738 · June 5, 2020

Went in Tesco, no 2020 range unfortunately, that said I’ve got to pass another Tesco later on so I’ll check there for the elusive Mk1 Golf. Deterred somewhat by the prospect of queues though.

43,633 · June 5, 2020

18 hours ago, bunglebus said:

This Whizzwheels Caddy arrived today...

20200604_175836 by RS, on Flickr

There are some differences from the Rockets version, engine for one, and much thinner hinges

20200604_175909 by RS, on Flickr

Base attachment for another - the Rockets has a single post and a tab

20200604_175919 by RS, on Flickr

Yow, those bonnet hinges on the early Whizzwheels version certainly are very fragile-looking... no wonder my playground find parted company with the rest of the car all those years ago.

64,291 · June 5, 2020

No Corgis today, but a near mint White Heat 33 Willys

20200605_132125 by RS, on Flickr

Police version of the Siku Porsche 928 - I've noticed a lot of die casts of various makes have the driver's floor cut out as if a figure could go there, but there rarely is one, can anyone explain this?

20200605_132229 by RS, on Flickr

20200605_132250 by RS, on Flickr

This is quite a funky set, Europ Assistance Solidos, got it mainly for the R4 van. Boom on the recovery truck is very nice

20200605_132419 by RS, on Flickr

20200605_132511 by RS, on Flickr

20200605_132606 by RS, on Flickr

20200605_132633 by RS, on Flickr

10,500 · June 5, 2020

46 minutes ago, sierraman said:

Went in Tesco, no 2020 range unfortunately, that said I’ve got to pass another Tesco later on so I’ll check there for the elusive Mk1 Golf. Deterred somewhat by the prospect of queues though.

Let me know if you don't have any luck,there's a spare here.

10,500 · June 5, 2020

These Rockets turned up today

The Marcos has some corrosion at the back,but I paid less than a tenner posted for the lot,so still happy.

35,365 · June 5, 2020

I think the floor cut out was either to save on plastic or something to do with the moulding process. Pretty sure my Gama 1/24 BMW E36 is like this too.

44,215 · June 5, 2020

41 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

I've noticed a lot of die casts of various makes have the driver's floor cut out as if a figure could go there, but there rarely is one, can anyone explain this?

Perhaps simplifying for the extrusion process explains this Zylmex one (Lancia Stratos) so they could get the steering wheel in. But no idea why they would need to on a separate floor piece as in the Siku Porsche

64,291 · June 5, 2020

Tesco have new Matchbox ?

But no MK1 Golfs ?

35,365 · June 5, 2020

1 hour ago, flat4alfa said:

Perhaps simplifying for the extrusion process explains this Zylmex one (Lancia Stratos) so they could get the steering wheel in. But no idea why they would need to on a separate floor piece as in the Siku Porsche

That's what I was trying to get into words, I had something to do with the steering wheel in my head!

41,738 · June 5, 2020

I have a fairly crappy Zylmex copy of a Lamborghini Marzal if anyone wants it free plus post?

35,365 · June 5, 2020

28 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

Tesco have new Matchbox ?

But no MK1 Golfs ?

I'm going there this evening. They had nothing new on Wednesday but I'll check again.

44,215 · June 5, 2020

2 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

I'm going there this evening. They had nothing new on Wednesday but I'll check again.

Looking forward to the live stream ! ?

Friday Tat Purchasing has a new dawn since lockdown

6,446 · June 5, 2020

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mira-Diecast-Metal-1-25-Scale-Ford-Sierra-XR4i-With-Unapplied-Decals-Ref-1703/402183974611?hash=item5da4086ed3:g:AdgAAOSwel1ee22H

This is pretty poor.

64,291 · June 5, 2020

40 minutes ago, sierraman said:

I have a fairly crappy Zylmex copy of a Lamborghini Marzal if anyone wants it free plus post?

I'd be up for that please, I like Zylmex

9,457 · June 5, 2020

So, for today's two instalments of the Sierra Love-In; here are some pics of that 1:43 2.3 Ghia.

This head-on aspect is my favourite view of the whole thing. I reckon they got it spot on. The headlights have an odd texture to them, but they did a great job of modelling the integrated driving lights (the inboard section of each headlight, exclusive to Ghia and XR4i at the beginning), and even the mounting stubs are located in such a way that they actually look like headlight bulbs.

The bumper is pretty much dead on, too, and the front fog and indicator units do a good job of looking like individual components even though they're just one moulding.

The rear end is a pretty solid effort, too. Again, the lights are about as good as things get on a 1:43 model that doesn't cost absolute lakes of cash, and the texture on them almost looks like the prismatic texture that was actually present on the inside of Sierra rear light lenses. Ideally these would have slim black horizontal lines on a Ghia, but I don't know whether Argentinian spec machines had that feature.

Also notable is the (correct) concave angle above the lights and below the badge panel. Whoever modelled this machine really understood the form of the car. Props to the makers for leaving a sliver of metal between the bumper and the lights, too, and the chrome inserts are nicely handled, if a little thicker than to scale. But hey; inexpensive model.

You know, it really isn't at all bad. It's a very swings and roundaboutsy kind of model.

Proportions: Almost bang on. I'm not entirely cock-a-hoop about the way the bonnet slopes, but it only looks awkward from directly side-on. The slightly bulbous wheelarches have already been commented upon, and are slightly bulbous. BUT; the way the rear door shut-line cuts into it is quite nicely modelled.

The windows are all the right size and shape, albeit missing the chrome trim that usually comes with the Ghia, but, again, Latin American spec might have been different. Really nice to see separately modelled wiper blades, too; even if they're a bit on the heavy side.

The only thing that detracts from its realism, in my eyes, are the wheel trims. It's nice that they're the same 'aeroflow' three-grille trims that we know and love, but they somehow look a bit bulbous and moon-disk-like. I might work a bit of black into the louvres with a fine-line marker. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

On the other hand, if I found a damaged, cheap Vanguards XR4i (or, and possibly less likely, given its scarcity, the XR4i that appeared in this very partwork) it could donate its pepperpot wheels to the cause of the Ghia.

Over all, for not many quid at all, it's hard to see how this model could be better. Highly recommended for any fellow Sierra perverts.

64,291 · June 5, 2020

Tesco hoard consisted of;

20200605_163952 by RS, on Flickr

20200605_163928 by RS, on Flickr

Nice plate on the bug

20200605_160618(0) by RS, on Flickr

20200605_163910 by RS, on Flickr

Also nicely detailed

20200605_163519 by RS, on Flickr

20200605_163528 by RS, on Flickr

6,446 · June 5, 2020

25 minutes ago, RoadworkUK said:

So, for today's two instalments of the Sierra Love-In; here are some pics of that 1:43 2.3 Ghia.

This head-on aspect is my favourite view of the whole thing. I reckon they got it spot on. The headlights have an odd texture to them, but they did a great job of modelling the integrated driving lights (the inboard section of each headlight, exclusive to Ghia and XR4i at the beginning), and even the mounting stubs are located in such a way that they actually look like headlight bulbs.

The bumper is pretty much dead on, too, and the front fog and indicator units do a good job of looking like individual components even though they're just one moulding.

The rear end is a pretty solid effort, too. Again, the lights are about as good as things get on a 1:43 model that doesn't cost absolute lakes of cash, and the texture on them almost looks like the prismatic texture that was actually present on the inside of Sierra rear light lenses. Ideally these would have slim black horizontal lines on a Ghia, but I don't know whether Argentinian spec machines had that feature.

Also notable is the (correct) concave angle above the lights and below the badge panel. Whoever modelled this machine really understood the form of the car. Props to the makers for leaving a sliver of metal between the bumper and the lights, too, and the chrome inserts are nicely handled, if a little thicker than to scale. But hey; inexpensive model.

You know, it really isn't at all bad. It's a very swings and roundaboutsy kind of model.

Proportions: Almost bang on. I'm not entirely cock-a-hoop about the way the bonnet slopes, but it only looks awkward from directly side-on. The slightly bulbous wheelarches have already been commented upon, and are slightly bulbous. BUT; the way the rear door shut-line cuts into it is quite nicely modelled.

The windows are all the right size and shape, albeit missing the chrome trim that usually comes with the Ghia, but, again, Latin American spec might have been different. Really nice to see separately modelled wiper blades, too; even if they're a bit on the heavy side.

The only thing that detracts from its realism, in my eyes, are the wheel trims. It's nice that they're the same 'aeroflow' three-grille trims that we know and love, but they somehow look a bit bulbous and moon-disk-like. I might work a bit of black into the louvres with a fine-line marker. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

On the other hand, if I found a damaged, cheap Vanguards XR4i (or, and possibly less likely, given its scarcity, the XR4i that appeared in this very partwork) it could donate its pepperpot wheels to the cause of the Ghia.

Over all, for not many quid at all, it's hard to see how this model could be better. Highly recommended for any fellow Sierra perverts.

Needs UK plates.

6,446 · June 5, 2020

Light blue Corgi.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CORGI-FORD-SIERRA-LIGHT-BLUE-UNBOXED/202948943837?_trkparms=aid%3D1110001%26algo%3DSPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225113%26meid%3Da199c3dc4b4445299ffb0eccbf261c60%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpf%26sd%3D202947956901%26itm%3D202948943837%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

6,446 · June 5, 2020

Worserer Mira.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MIRA-FORD-SIERRA-BLUE-UNBOXED/202947956901?_trkparms=aid%3D1110001%26algo%3DSPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225113%26meid%3D86124236d0314e1c967de346c0cb7416%26pid%3D100010%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D402183974611%26itm%3D202947956901%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109

9,457 · June 5, 2020

So, my Sierra Ghia demands have been met, unexpectedly, by an Argentinian partwork. I have a glorious, if slightly obnoxiously coloured, example of Corgi's first 1:36 Sierra release, which coincided with the Sierra's arrival in a world that, quite frankly, wasn't really ready for it. That left me with just one untidy loose end.

This Matchbox Superkings XR4i, catalogue number K-100, was a constant companion through much of my primary school life. My mum was a teacher at the school I attended, and before I was trusted with a house key of my own, I'd wait for her to do whatever after-school drudgery she had to attend to, and that would often involve lozzing the XR4i at high speed across the polished hall floor, or on 'The Mound', a sky-scraping, grassy, muddy edifice that, in reality, was no taller than I am now. Often I'd be joined by my mate Tim, who had the K-162 Sierra Cosworth in Texaco livery. I preferred mine, though.

Over the years, the poor old thing has taken a bit of a battering. I don't remember being horribly heavyhanded with it, but it doesn't take much at all to have paint chipping off in big flakes, nor to scuff the wheels up to a messy, tread-free nonsense. I'm eternally baffled by how the passenger seat went missing, too.

Almost ironically, and to my eternal shame, I was 17 when the worst of the damage happened; my parents were having the house extended and I somehow trod on it in the semi-demolished chaos that was my bedroom.

So, thought I, at 39 years old and feeling as if I was somehow owed the toy cars that my parents had neglected to give me in the intervening 30 years or so. Now's the chance to renew my XR4i. To bring it back to its former glory. To behold once again what should have been cherished.

Of course, I'm not the only person with this mindset and the result is that the bloody things command frightening price tags on eBay, and I don't frequent tat markets enough to stand any chance of finding a bargain, so I held my nose and went in. Out of respect for my faithful old black XR4i with the red stripe, though, I chose not to go for a direct replacement. Instead, I would go for the one that would have really, really wibbled my frussetpouch* if I saw it in a toyshop.

After weighing up the various options, I knew exactly what I wanted. What I DIDN't want, was one of these:

White is 100% NOT the colour for these, and, while those wheels are pretty neat on sundry other Superkings that I have stashed away, and actually look slightly like Escort Cosworth wheels if you squint a bit, part of the joy of my black one was that its wheels did a reasonable job of capturing the essence of the pepperpot wheels that graced the real thing, and also the Sierra Ghia that I'm so grotesquely infatuated with.

Anyway, after pondering for some time, I knew the exact colour combination I wanted. And, as soon as I saw it... and memories came flooding back powerfully enough to flatten me... I knew the packaging I wanted, too.

Silver foil lettering.

Is there anything that can possibly trigger the want-glands of a young boy more powerfully than silver foil lettering? Stripes, too! Proper stripes, like I'd seen in so many Ford accessories catalogues. The very essence of XR4i!

Yes, this was the one.

XR4i!

It doesn't get any more emphatic than that. Ford Sierra XR4i (Matchbox).

My heart was aflutter when I first saw it at the age of 39; had I been a young'n I'd very probably have hyperventilated and haemorrhaged until I was a hopeless convulsing mess on the floor of Woolworths toy aisle. I've a feeling that mine came in the wave after this one, in packaging that, while still wildly evocative, wasn't quite as saliva-inducing as the above.

Today, my justifaction for buying this one was twofold; it's the initial 1982 "THE SIERRA IS NEW" packaging, as far as I can tell, and it was also far from the priciest I've seen on the 'bay. I actually had it shipped over from France. The plastic film is absolutely shafted, but it should be easy enough to replace, and the box is otherwise in decent shape.

As, of course, is what's in it.

This, to me, is optimum spec XR4i. An approximation of Ford Strato Silver contrasts really well with the medium grey that Matchbox did the bumpers and lower cladding in, and I'm slightly gobsmacked at the fidelity of the rear bi-plane spoiler, which looks spectacular in a matching metallic grey finish.

Being brand new, the wheels are are gorgeously shiny in all their almost-pepperpot loveliness, and the blacked-out B-pillars are present and correct – a feature that doesn't show up on the black car, of course, and that seems to have been deleted on later releases, despite being a vital part of the XR4i's character.

It even has the twist-lock thing that secures the base to the packaging; a thing that I'd totally forgotten about, but which explains the strange keyhole-shaped slot on the bottom of the chassis.

So that, dear readers, is the end of my toy Ford Sierra odyssey, for which my bank account is grateful.

41,738 · June 5, 2020

Went by the Tesco but the queue, unsurprisingly, was ridiculously long so scrapped that idea. The earlier Tesco will probably restock so I’ll make it a port of call in a week or so.

4,949 · June 5, 2020

Today’s find (in the attic)

2,034 · June 5, 2020

Finished my 1/43 Airfix/Heller XJ-S a few days ago. A nicely detailed kit which will look good on the shelf.

DSCF1417 by timothy jones, on Flickr

DSCF1418 by timothy jones, on Flickr

DSCF1419 by timothy jones, on Flickr

DSCF1420 by timothy jones, on Flickr

I've also finished another Airfix boxed Heller kit in the shape of a 1/24 Xsara WRC. It's a bit bigger than the Jaaag.

DSCF1428 by timothy jones, on Flickr

DSCF1424 by timothy jones, on Flickr

DSCF1427 by timothy jones, on Flickr

9,275 · June 5, 2020

I've got a couple of LLedo Days Gone Eddie Stobart liveried vans on The Bay at the moment. Shiters discount will apply, just make yourself known, and I'll knock some pennies off. Linkys:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293598509404?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293603944174?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649