Shite in Miniature II

[danthecapriman]

1 hour ago, Split_Pin said:

That Ergomatic is looking fantastic! Those other truck models are lovely too. I especially like the Bedford.

They do a TK too, one was a rigid lion transporter truck in the Pinder circus collection, they’ve done a couple of artics too (one was in Dinky toys livery!) but they aren’t easy to get at the moment. Quite expensive too if they come up.

Ive filled and rubbed the roof and cab back down now. Looks much better, just given it a wash off before a dust with primer and see how it looks.

 

[Datsuncog]

Right right right... see, this is the problem when a bunch of politicians fuck off for two years, then pile back in and start noisily asking loads of pointless Assembly Questions about the progress of transport plans, to which the only honest answer is "nothing's happened since 2022, because you lot all fucked off for two years".

And who suffers?

Tat Friday suffers, that's who.

Remember - the political is personal, kids.

Or it is when this sort of shit happens, anyway.

So! What happened this morning?

Lorries happened.

A lot of them.

While there were a few oddities lurking - more on those later - the majority were either rubbishy cheapo Poundland trucks, or the same Corgi and Lesney items we've seen manys a time.

Super Kings DAF flatbed was quite clean, but c'mon - are there any of us that don't have a couple of these? I know I do.

Still wish I'd nabbed the apparently rare variant with the pink base that appeared the other week, mind.

So many DAF transporters.

I'm sure these were popular sellers at the time, but it's quite amazing the numbers that still show up on the stalls in ok condition. This wasn't even all of them today, there were a few more at the bottom of the box too.

Regular wheels version in yellow and red for the 1970 catalogue year only was a bit more uncommon, though - and with its easily-lost retaining tabs on the upper deck still in place, astonishingly.

I was tempted, but I already have one of these - so I left it for another lucky collector to drool over.

Super Kings caravan was tidy, but missing its towhitch unfortunately.

Modernish Corgi stuff was either incomplete or a bit messy.

Many of the transporters had cheapo Teamz or Wheels or whatever generic stuff is cheap in Tesco sellotaped onto the carrier bed, for reasons best known to the previous owner.

Kenworth Aero was quite nice, but not really my scene.

Plenty of Super Kings Peterbilts - but trailers, there were none.

Although there was a Christian Salvesen box trailer in a box a couple of weeks back, which would have paired with the white Peterbilt - so I wonder if this has been a single collection split carelessly into multiple boxes?

Annoying, if so.

Siku MAN low loader was pretty vast and at least had kept its trailer. Mirrors and load had gone AWOL, but an impressive big model all the same.

I've had an eye out for a Corgi Transporter for a while. Much as I'd like a later Scammell or an earlier Bedford S, this Ford Type H is quite an appealing big thing.

Also giving me the eye was this DAF 3300 by Matchbox Super Kings. Working steering, too.

Smaller-scale MANs looked like they might be related. The one on the left is a no-name, the one on the right is apparently by Schuco.

Hongwell Merc towing van was quite clean, but Nemesis'd in short order.

As was this Lone Star articulated tanker.

I actually didn't hate this repainted Corgi Ford. The mounting on the fifth wheel was inexplicably broken off, though.

This Corgi Unimog Gooseneck was, well, kinda goosed however.

Few smaller bits were buried at the bottom - nothing very old, or very interesting though.

Hot Wheels Ford cabover was rolling on some pretty shonky blackwalls, just about - but its original load was nowhere to be seen.

I set a number of these aside in the hope of some cheap laughs, but it unfortunately became apparent that these would be moderately expensive laughs... two-for-a-fiver on smaller stuff like the Hot Wheels, £5 on single tractor units or trailers, £10 on complete tractor and trailer units.

So - I put most of 'em back...

[Datsuncog]

Up top, there wasn't very much to excite:

Some Brumm, Rio and MoY classics, plus some bigger Bburagos, and more tinplate antics.

Plus the usual Lledo toss that no-one really wants.

The Nemesis made his choices, and bid his farewells:

Big Mercedes is by Rio; red Daimler is an early issue 1960s Corgi Classic. I think the BMW sharknose may be a Hot Wheels?

So, I shuffled off to see if any of the other stalls had much to tickle me with...

Colin's Irish Tat stall did in fact have a fair bit of new stuff:

The 1/24 Whitebox items were very nice, if not all that cheap.

Also, Vanguards RS2000s:

Not massively cheap at £36 a go, and I'm finding it hard to believe the same stall used to knock out Vanguards for a fiver.

(Admittedly, about 15 years ago)

He'd some new Greenlights in too - Escort Cosworths in street or rally mode, plus a Fox-body Mustang. Tenner a go.

I moseyed over to the Charity Stall, but they'd not a lot to draw the eye today...

Ah well. Just about time for a quick coffee, and a sort of frangipane slice thing that I definitely didn't drop on the floor, and then eat it anyway...

[sierraman]

I’m missing something, what’s Irish about a Talbot Sunbeam? 😂

[FakeConcern]

8 hours ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

 

I've been umming and arhing over whether to buy the Black Tulip 1275GT, but at £36, it is just over priced. The last ones I purcahsed were about half that.

I looked at those and it isn't just the price that has put me off, it just isn't a great representation of a Mini Clubman. The grill is far too square, the windscreen looks too square and flat, the side windows look wrong too. but I can't really say why.

The wheels look good, but the whole back end is just crap, the rear window is too square as well and then the rear panel somehow the wrong curve with the lights too low and flat as well. I would hate it if I had one.

[Hertz]

Looks like a Bakewell Slice to me? Due to this thread I now find myself nipping into charity shops and rustling through the toy car box. Nothing come up of any interest so far...

@Datsuncog If you come across a reasonably priced Volvo FH series lorry in any condition I would be interested.

Thanks for the tat Friday post as always.

[MiniMinorMk3]

The vermillion that came as both right-hand and left-hand drive were the last road car versions that I purchased. They are a later 12" wheel car, so with the reversing lamps that this car had the rear lights are OK for length, but they should stick out a bit more.

The main problem with th efront end is the headlamps should be sunk in slightly, and the side light/indicator units are too big. The side windows are slightly too shallow and the pillars are too thick.

The Spark versions are not much better.

 

[Datsuncog]

Sadly I didn't have time to finish my coffee at the table, or finish cropping the pics, as time was ticking on...

On my circuitous way out, I passed by Alan's Emporium, just in case he'd got a load of mint Lone Star Impy models in, but I'll never know - the man himself wouldn't be hurried in his setting-up, and so the 50p Tray remained bare just before 9.

Ah well.

Amidst all the general bustle once I got home and logged on to the network, there wasn't really a great deal of time for diecast funsies... but I managed to get a few snaps of what I came away with, which I'll belatedly share now.

First off - no, I couldn't pass up the Ford transporter.

It's clearly led a hard life, with many of the fragile bits missing and a fair bit of paint loss.

It's also somewhat faded, and the axles have taken a whack at some point.

But the 'hydraulic' deck still works alright:

And the engine detailing remains as fine as ever:

I know it's hardly hyper-detailed, but I still think this is impressive going for a 60yr old toy.

Wonky axles can be more clearly seen here:

And the exhaust stack has also vanished into the mists of time. I know these bits can all be got via Steve Flowers or assorted eBay sellers, but it's not so much of a priority right now.

I also didn't realise that the trailer's jockey wheels automatically come down and then retract whenever the tractor is uncoupled or hitched up again.

That's a pretty neat trick.

Overall - I'm pleased with this, even at the price. I'll probably keep an eye out for a better, more complete example but I've wanted one of these for a good long while.

[Datsuncog]

Continuing with the trucking theme, I also became unaccountably enamoured with the Siku MAN.

Like the rest of the range, this is a hefty big thing with plenty of metal in it.

The tractor unit locks on to the trailer by means of a retaining lever, which is probably what kept these from getting separated like so many others in the box.

There's also another lever on the trailer, which rotates through about 240° and in doing so raises or lowers the bed by about 4mm.

Well, alright.

There's also a large plastic box riveted on to the end, for ropes and chains and other heavy haulage paraphernalia.

The cab has a few chips to the leading edges and the door mirrors have snapped off, but it's still quite an impressive big thing.

Available for £10, if anyone's keen to re-home it!

[Datsuncog]

And making up a haulage hat-trick, the Super Kings K126 DAF 3300 proved just too nice to pass up.

I believe this is meant to be carrying a helicopter on the trailer, but I couldn't see one in the box.

But regardless, the tractor unit is magnificent.

In common with others in the range the front wheels turn whenever the yellow lights on top are pressed.

I've never seen one of these outside of a Matchbox catalogue, so it's good to finally hold one. Like the Siku, it's weighty!

A few chips to the paintwork, some yellowing to the white wheel centres on one side, and the wing mirrors have broken away at the bottom of their fixings but haven't yet parted company with the model - I daresay a dab of glue will fix them.

Also available for a tenner!

[Datsuncog]

I'm a sucker for Matchbox at the minute, and this box van was sufficiently unusual to draw me in.

Not because it's amazingly detailed or anything, but because it reminded me that until quite recently Matchbox mainlines still came with opening features, rather than these being the stuff of a separate, much more expensive 'Moving Parts' range.

Diecast base and cab are also unlikely to feature in current releases - those I've found with a diecast base recently tend to have all-plastic bodies (Bedford Ice Cream Van, FedEx delivery truck). The box section and door are both plastic, however - one corner's yellowed a little, though I don't think it's that noticeable in the pics.

I do feel like Matchbox have come on massively in recent years, in terms of detailing, subject matters and general 'feel' - but this is quite a nice bit of street furniture from their slightly earlier era, anyway.

Staying with me, for now.

[FakeConcern]

The Postie brought a nice big box of tat from @155V6 today...

Mrs Concern is very pleased with the Siku transporter and yacht and I'm very pleased with all my stuff

The Transformer Buggy is great and Mrs Concern is super dooper pleased with that...

Really fast delivery too...

[Datsuncog]

Staying smol, I also took a shine to this:

It's a fuel tanker by Yatming.

Despite best efforts, I couldn't locate a matching tractor unit anywhere in the box - nor do I have any idea what it was originally paired with.

But I remembered that I do have this, stashed away...

Hmm.

Not sure - I think the tanker's a wee bit small, especially around the wheels.

But hey, sometimes you gotta try these things?

[Datsuncog]

While out getting a few groceries at lunchtime, I also picked these two up; a Matchbox Nissan Sentra and a Hot Wheels Pontiac Firebird, from B&M and Poundland respectively:

They're ones I've kinda liked for a while, but not quite enough to put my hand in my pocket.

Realising they're unlikely to get any cheaper, and someday soon they'll be gone, today I took the plunge.

Not really Market Tat, admittedly, but all are welcome on Tat Friday, no?

And on the subject of diecast from elsewhere, this finally showed up today:

Yup, the slightly delayed January release from Corgi Model Club: the #302 MGA roadster.

It's a basic enough little thing, but still quite charming.

Windshield is best described as 'rudimentary', though.

There's been a fair bit of animated discussion on the CMC Facebook page over this release, with a few folks getting quite sniffy about such an early model getting a release in the collection.

As ever, there seems to be certain purists holding the opinion that the best Corgis were the mid-60s releases, and that's all the Club should focus on - no early blue-box stuff, absolutely no Whizzwheels. And they want a Batmobile, and they want it now.

(There's licencing issues being worked through, apparently, but it's getting kinda tiresome that each time a forthcoming new release is trailered, the usual berks start snarking about how "I don't see a bat on it...")

I guess this is what ends up happening when you're selling toys to appeal to people's inner six-year-old selves.

I quite like it; I'd be happy enough with more reproductions of the 1950s models, although to my eye the wheels look weirdly flattened; I appreciate that the crimped axle ends have had to be recessed to pass current toy safety regulations, but they still just look slightly off to me.

I think the base here is diecast rather than the original tinplate too.

Blurb is supplied also:

Much blurb. 

But yeah - I've been waiting for this one for a few weeks, so I'm glad it showed up in the end. Even if, from next month, the cost's going up by another £2.

[Datsuncog]

So, y'know what - I think that's it, finally.

For the remaining half-hour that's left of it - Happy Friday, kids.

[Datsuncog]

6 hours ago, sierraman said:

I’m missing something, what’s Irish about a Talbot Sunbeam? 😂

They fall under the heading of 'things that culchies love'.

These two would cut you for a Sunbeam, hai.

 

"Does she diff?"

[Reluctant Adult]

On 06/02/2024 at 21:41, sierraman said:

I don’t know how you’d do a standard one unless you could find a way of grinding the engine cover down to remove the spoiler.

…here’s my effort from c. 1987, engine bay filled with Isopon, skinny Corgi  wheels fitted then Humbrol enamelled in a suitably miserable hue 😀

[Reluctant Adult]

1 minute ago, Reluctant Adult said:

…here’s my effort from c. 1987, engine bay filled with Isopon, skinny Corgi  wheels fitted then Humbrol enamelled in a suitably miserable hue 😀

And here’s a WIP from c. 10 years ago where I Dremmeled off the rear spoiler. One day I’ll paint this beige…

[ETCHY]

12 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

Sadly I didn't have time to finish my coffee at the table, or finish cropping the pics, as time was ticking on...

On my circuitous way out, I passed by Alan's Emporium, just in case he'd got a load of mint Lone Star Impy models in, but I'll never know - the man himself wouldn't be hurried in his setting-up, and so the 50p Tray remained bare just before 9.

Ah well.

Amidst all the general bustle once I got home and logged on to the network, there wasn't really a great deal of time for diecast funsies... but I managed to get a few snaps of what I came away with, which I'll belatedly share now.

First off - no, I couldn't pass up the Ford transporter.

It's clearly led a hard life, with many of the fragile bits missing and a fair bit of paint loss.

It's also somewhat faded, and the axles have taken a whack at some point.

But the 'hydraulic' deck still works alright:

And the engine detailing remains as fine as ever:

I know it's hardly hyper-detailed, but I still think this is impressive going for a 60yr old toy.

Wonky axles can be more clearly seen here:

And the exhaust stack has also vanished into the mists of time. I know these bits can all be got via Steve Flowers or assorted eBay sellers, but it's not so much of a priority right now.

I also didn't realise that the trailer's jockey wheels automatically come down and then retract whenever the tractor is uncoupled or hitched up again.

That's a pretty neat trick.

Overall - I'm pleased with this, even at the price. I'll probably keep an eye out for a better, more complete example but I've wanted one of these for a good long while.

Those car transporters are brilliant even the Corgi decal is just cool, really interesting looking model.

Proper gives me the horn.

[bunglebus]

I've been mooching around Manchester this week, popped into BuM and spotted this monster truck twin pack

There was some stegosaur type one behind it too - not my cup of tea, but further along I found this one

which has the last of the four crushed cars I'd been hoping to find as I'd customised the other three already. But what's this?

Oh yes, all four of the original release single colour versions, perfect. They'll be getting released from their packaging ASAP

[bunglebus]

Got a somewhat monochromatic delivery from Modelmatic while I was away

The RS200 was the one I really wanted but the Cuda is pretty cool too. The others I'm not fussed about so if anyone @Spottedlaurel wants them, hit me up before they go on eBay tomorrow 

[bunglebus]

What else is in this pile of boxes? How about some Road Blasters?

I assume someone's dad/uncle/neighbour advised Junior that they'd be worth much more with the packaging, well they were slightly more than the original £1.00 I suppose.

They're in perfect condition so presumably haven't been played with but yet some of the accessories are missing. I have all the bits for the Corvette at least

 

[MiniMinorMk3]

12 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

Staying smol, I also took a shine to this:

It's a fuel tanker by Yatming.

Despite best efforts, I couldn't locate a matching tractor unit anywhere in the box - nor do I have any idea what it was originally paired with.

 

The Yatming came with various tractor units.

12 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

 

And on the subject of diecast from elsewhere, this finally showed up today:

I quite like it; I'd be happy enough with more reproductions of the 1950s models, although to my eye the wheels look weirdly flattened; I appreciate that the crimped axle ends have had to be recessed to pass current toy safety regulations, but they still just look slightly off to me.

 

The originals had recessed axle ends.

I think it is a very good copy of the original. It also came in a metallic green, so scope for a cheaper Corgi version to be issued in a few months.

[bunglebus]

Lastly some loose bits and bobs

Tomica Beetle - odd recesses in front of the upper door hinges as if it used to have opening doors?

Yet another variant of the MC Toys Golf

A couple of Matchbox twin packs

Some bigger bits include this Corgi Merc taxi - usual cracked pillar and doesn't seem to have been fitted with a tow bar for some reason

B1600 - just a wheel variation as I already have this one with the later ones

Rover was the main one I wanted, brilliant casting with loads of moving bits

Last but by no means least, this Polistil Honda Z

A bit of sun fading and a broken bumper, but by Polistil standards it's mint. Tilty seats and nice engine and interior detail are pleasing

[MiniMinorMk3]

Day 6 of the 5 Porsche Project.

The Valvoline car now has tyre decals.

The Obermaier car has all it's decals on...

including wheels.

The Spirit of America has wheels done.

The Danone car has all the decals on including wheels.

Finally the Hens Swop Shop has all it's decals on.

That just leaves the tyre decals on the Spirit of America car, fitting the wipers and mirrors and any extra detailing and touch-ins to be done.

[bunglebus]

I like Lucky Toys, particularly the copies of better known manufacturers castings. 

Like this Mini Mite (not a series I knew of previously) coach

FWD of course!

[junkyarddog]

Today's find is this common and really unremarkable Husky Bin lorry.

The fact is,this little cheap playworn model has survived since the 1960s intact makes it rather endearing really.

 

 

[danthecapriman]

8 minutes ago, junkyarddog said:

Today's find is this common and really unremarkable Husky Bin lorry.

The fact is,this little cheap playworn model has survived since the 1960s intact makes it rather endearing really.

 

 

I like those! I’ve got the early blue one and later orange one with tyres but can’t say I’ve ever seen a red one.

[flat4alfa]

Hmm, good idea.  Perhaps a trailer wheel change might be all is needed, as although cab looks a larger scale..

when compared to...

So not tooooo bad a scale comparison after all, I think...

The C-900 wasn't fitted with the big powerhouse engines, so a smaller, lighter tanker trailer would be about right?  Especially with just the single rear axle.  Matchbox did label it a C-900 and not C-9000, so in real life it would have run a gasoline engine, not a big Cummins or Detroit diesel.

Lamley also posted some fun on the same mix/match theme a while back:

Quote

I mean it is compatible. It was designed specifically to house the new trailer units in the rear.

I used the tanker trailer that was originally on the MBX Cabover in 2020 as a guide, because you know, tanker – Shell. It seemed to fit.

Which obviously the tanker does too. Slotted in perfectly. So yes, I am seeing this as a likely Convoy issue down the line, possibly as early as the next batch? Who knows.

Now new Convoys are sort of backwards compatible. The older Convoy rears had thinner hooks, which means they will go into the holes.

They do jiggle about quite a bit as their hooks are much thinner, but don’t actually fall out.

And yes, the earlier incarnation was also built with the same hook style which means the original Convoy stuff also fits in.

But what about the really early stuff? Lesney models with a cab and trailer combo. This MB63 Freeway Gas Tanker, also in a Shell livery, is a good example.

I lolled at last photo

[Datsuncog]

5 hours ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

The Yatming came with various tractor units.

Ah, that's handy to know - I think I might have one of those Bernard tractor units lying around doing very little, as it happens...