Shite in Miniature II

[Datsuncog]

5 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Not seen this version before, from a set maybe?

I had that one as a kid - may have come as part of a multi pack, but was definitely available as a mainline model too.

[Spottedlaurel]

4 hours ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

My local Halford used to mix any colour you wanted in an aerosol, I've not asked in the last 10 years if they still do it.

Recently I have just gone to a local auto paint supplier to get colours mixed up in spray cans. 

Never noticed it in a Halfords, but they do it in the local car parts shop so I've had several from them. Recently got an early '70s Datsun shade for a build I'm just about to start.

[RayMK]

24 minutes ago, Dick Longbridge said:

 

As mentioned previously, this thread and our young lad have channelled my previous interest in diecast (which was on hiatus from late teens until a couple of years ago) and also opened my eyes to diecast which I previously knew nothing about. 

Recently, I started researching and looking at 1940s Dinky Toys 25 series trucks and decided I ideally wanted one the same age as my father (born in the late 40s). After looking at a lot of battered shite and overpriced minters, I bagged this 25b truck this evening. It was a hospice ebay seller so I like to think my £15 is going to help someone in need. I also wonder if the model came from a deceased estate of a former cancer sufferer? 

The model is a 25b which looks to be 'late 1940s'. Close enough - is there any other way of telling? 

To my eye,  I'm guessing it's original and correct in the photos apart from a missing speed sticker on the tailboard. Are these available as repro items? The intact canopy is a nice detail and was one of the reasons I bid on it. Should it be identical to body colour though? 

Edit: This 25b which is for sale for £100 also has a colour mismatch on the canopy vs body. I reckon it's due to the paint ageing differently on the two different metal types? 

I'm really looking forward to this one landing on the mat - the fact it's at least 75 years young adds to the charm for me. 

I'll update the thread when it arrives!

Edit again:

I've just looked at the baseplate photos of my 25b vs the £100 green 25b on ebay. Mine has 'Liverpool' as place of manufacture whereas the green one has 'England'. I wonder when in the late 40s they changed over? That'll definitely make  mine the earlier end of the late 40s anyway... @RayMK any ideas? 

The grey one is nice and certainly looks original.  I've never seen one with an original rear cover but even reproduction covers could be 60 years old and now looking suitably weathered.  I have consulted my trusted reference book (History of British Dinky Toys 1934-1964. 3rd reprint 1976 by Cecil Gibson. The 1st edition was published 1966 by Mick and Sue Richardson).  Your Grey covered wagon is a 1946-1947 issue, the third of four versions of the original 1934 (No.25series) of similar wagons, the actual type of body being distinguished by suffixes  a-f  for wagon, covered wagon, flat truck (=wagon), petrol tank wagon, tipping wagon and market gardener's van (=wagon) respectively.  The green ebay one is a 1947-1950 issue.

As for the availability of reproduction decals, I don't know but expect they can be found or accurately produced if you have an original to copy.  

[Dick Cheeseburger]

24 minutes ago, RayMK said:

The grey one is nice and certainly looks original.  I've never seen one with an original rear cover but even reproduction covers could be 60 years old and now looking suitably weathered.  I have consulted my trusted reference book (History of British Dinky Toys 1934-1964. 3rd reprint 1976 by Cecil Gibson. The 1st edition was published 1966 by Mick and Sue Richardson).  Your Grey covered wagon is a 1946-1947 issue, the third of four versions of the original 1934 (No.25series) of similar wagons, the actual type of body being distinguished by suffixes  a-f  for wagon, covered wagon, flat truck (=wagon), petrol tank wagon, tipping wagon and market gardener's van (=wagon) respectively.  The green ebay one is a 1947-1950 issue.

As for the availability of reproduction decals, I don't know but expect they can be found or accurately produced if you have an original to copy.  

Brilliant, thanks chap. That's excellent news about the year, too - it looks like it's the same age as my father, which is what I was originally aiming for. 

I'm intrigued to take a close look at it now. It would be interesting to compare it to another Dinky 25 series truck... that's a slippery buying slope though 😆

I'll update here in due course. 

[morrisoxide]

On 04/11/2023 at 22:54, morrisoxide said:

Now I wonder if there is enough metal to make a low light by chopping the wings down?

Yes is the answer to that!

I also de gassered and filled the bonnet hole in the HW 1965 Comet.

Then lead sleded the MB 1936 Ford with a smooth over and some wheel spats.

Edit  I've just noticed I missed out on page 1622. I should have posted some BMC B series miniature shite.

[RayMK]

@Dick Longbridge I've successfully resisted collecting too enthusiastically.  My collection is small.  The last Dinky Toys I bought were 2nd hand at a Sunday Market in  the late 1970s/early 80s, mostly a handful of 1950s saloon cars. Prior to that my Dinky toys were the few remnants of toys from my childhood plus a few older Dinky toys bought 2nd hand in Southsea in 1961 by re-purposing school dinner money.  I have got 25a (Wagon) 1947-50 issue, 25c (Flat Truck) 1946-47 issue, 25c (Flat Truck) 1947-50 issue and 25f (Market Gardener's Van) 1938-40 issue. Mine are all repaints and all have one or both lights missing i.e. thoroughly playworn before I purchased them for 3d each.  I should really display them but they've been wrapped in clean cloth or tissue for at least 40 years and are stored out of sight. I do not even have decent photographs of them.   

[Dick Cheeseburger]

12 minutes ago, RayMK said:

@Dick Longbridge I've successfully resisted collecting too enthusiastically.  My collection is small.  The last Dinky Toys I bought were 2nd hand at a Sunday Market in  the late 1970s/early 80s, mostly a handful of 1950s saloon cars. Prior to that my Dinky toys were the few remnants of toys from my childhood plus a few older Dinky toys bought 2nd hand in Southsea in 1961 by re-purposing school dinner money.  I have got 25a (Wagon) 1947-50 issue, 25c (Flat Truck) 1946-47 issue, 25c (Flat Truck) 1947-50 issue and 25f (Market Gardener's Van) 1938-40 issue. Mine are all repaints and all have one or both lights missing i.e. thoroughly playworn before I purchased them for 3d each.  I should really display them but they've been wrapped in clean cloth or tissue for at least 40 years and are stored out of sight. I do not even have decent photographs of them.   

Get them unwrapped and photographed! Intrigued now. I quite fancy a 25e tipping wagon.

[MiniMinorMk3]

Well after the 5 Porsche Project the next car to be decalled is this.

The Peugeot 205 T16 as driven to victory by Timo Salonen and Seppo Harjanne on the 1985 Rallye de Portugal.

Some pictures in the box.

Lots of decals for various Rallies, so they'll be spares left over.

These are the ones I will be using.

There's also a bag of parts...

that includes wipers, spot lamps, roll cage and rolled up rear mud flaps.

Those mud flaps can be seen here.

First job was to pull the car apart to fit the roll cage.

I will not be detailing the inside as ones that came from the factory with the decals done just had plain white figures and that iffy chrome engine.

The rear spoiler was loose so the widows were popped out...

and a small blob of superglue gel was placed on the inside to hold it.

I also noticed the cast in rear view mirror on the glass casting. It looks better than something just cast into the front screen.

That's the roll cage done, but I'll be leaving the glue to go off as I do not want to risk any clouding of teh windows being caused by the vapour.

[cms206]

TKMaxx in Ilford Exchange have the biggest selection of Majorette I've seen in decades.

 

Only indulged in one though...

[RichardK]

On 07/02/2022 at 12:12, RichardK said:

Not very miniature. Might be a while before it's finished...

 Nearly finished. Some impressive bits, some bits that really should be better for the price, and a LOT of wasted plastic packaging...

[cms206]

Also landed a wheel error GTV.

[eddyramrod]

I've just drilled apart a Corgi Mini Marcos that arrived recently.  I'm repainting it as a present for someone.  Now... I thought I had four spare wheels for it; it arrived with none but that didn't matter.  Unfortunately it does, because I seem to have only three.  Anybody got a spare one please?  Doesn't need to have a tyre, and if it's been painted in the past I won't mind, I can soon strip/paint it myself as needed.

[bunglebus]

Entertainer (and Smyths apparently) have this set in - but the #1 911 was gone - if found in black with #0 it's the chase car too

Got a few moving parts but the mix I saw elsewhere recently

This is Bournemouth but I've seen them on FB popping up all over, even in Asda

Talking of which, it was the usual disaster area

[bunglebus]

TK Maxxxx and Home Sense have a not exactly overwhelming selection...

...however...

[RoadworkUK]

2 hours ago, RichardK said:

 

 

Those little CRT screens look fantastic. 

If only they worked, like that digital Lego brick screen that somebody made.

 

[bunglebus]

I have a spare too if anyone needs it

[Lord Sterling]

16 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

I have a spare too if anyone needs it

Yes please.

[RichardK]

I've seen builds for working screens playing video, and proper voice synthesizers, and so forth. They should be standard given the cost of these kits 😂

[sierraman]

This arrived today, love the rear plate and the GB badge, assuming these came with the option of different plates. 

[MiniMinorMk3]

15 hours ago, sierraman said:

This arrived today, love the rear plate and the GB badge, assuming these came with the option of different plates. 

They may come from an accessory sheet. Corgi used to do them in the 1960s with tax discs, number plates and country plates.

[MiniMinorMk3]

The 205 T16 has turned out to be quite simple.

After letting the glue go off the car was soon back in one piece and the graphics decals were started on the left side and bonnet.

A bit more left side work.

Then the rear.

Then the right. After these were done I left the car to dry for a bit.

Front end.

Left side details.

Front end details. When doing these i had noticed that I had made an error. I had put the large Michelin decals on the rear as they were next to the rear number plate on the sheet. By the time I had noticed it was too late and those decals were not going to come off again.

Right side details.

Finished. I have not attached the accessories as this is how they came from the factory if teh decals had been applied.

If I was keep the model I would probably do a bit of superdetailing like giving the grilles a bit of a thing black wash.

 

[danthecapriman]

17 minutes ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

The 205 T16 has turned out to be quite simple.

After letting the glue go off the car was soon back in one piece and the graphics decals were started on the left side and bonnet.

A bit more left side work.

Then the rear.

Then the right. After these were done I left the car to dry for a bit.

Front end.

Left side details.

Front end details. When doing these i had noticed that I had made an error. I had put the large Michelin decals on the rear as they were next to the rear number plate on the sheet. By the time I had noticed it was too late and those decals were not going to come off again.

Right side details.

Finished. I have not attached the accessories as this is how they came from the factory if teh decals had been applied.

If I was keep the model I would probably do a bit of superdetailing like giving the grilles a bit of a thing black wash.

 

Looks brilliant!👍

You must really love doing transfers!

[eddyramrod]

38 minutes ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

They may come from an accessory sheet. Corgi used to do them in the 1960s with tax discs, number plates and country plates.

They did, I had loads.  Guess what I found in one of my boxes last year?  An original Corgi envelope filled with exactly these!

[sierraman]

I think the Superkings came with the option to have different country plates on it?

[MiniMinorMk3]

Vanguards old and new(er).

I dug this Vanguards out of a box the other day...

and thought, "that's odd, it has a number ending in a 0". These are usually the first colour way for a model, but the Consul Capri was first issued in the Lledo days in the sleeved card box, why has this got a 0 at the end.

It looks like Corgi just re-issued the turquoise and white car during their Collection period. The newer version is part of The Ford Collection. One of teh many Corgi attempts to inject life into the Vanguards range. At the time there were also Vauxhall, BMC, Rootes, MG Rover and Police Collections.

Here's the original Lledo issue, just with a slightly different number VA34000, as opposed to VA03400.

There are a few alterations. The Corgi issue has the mirrors attached and jewel headlamps.

Plastic headlamps on the Lledo and the mirrors came in the box.

Also the white walls give the car a more 1950s look and the number plates are in a different font with white letters. 

The Lledo have silver letters on the plates.

[danthecapriman]

Still waiting on the styrene tube I ordered for the AEC fuel tank, so while I’m waiting…

Did some more on the F150 utility truck. 
Dummy doors added, door latches, fuel filler cap, rear low tailgate, tail lights all on. Just the wheel arches to finish.

 

Most of these were white, basic trucks bought en mass by companies as cheaply as possible so I’ll probably spray it white after I’m done building it. Just pick out some details here and there in other colours. 
The interior though I’ve done in tan (Humbrol desert yellow) just to give something on it a bit of colour.

 

Also started the next truck project.

The D series. I took the cab off the old Dinky chassis and stripped the paint off ready, but something was annoying me about the Dinky cab. Looking at it, then photos of real ones, it looks like Dinky made the cab front panel too far forward of the base of the windscreen. It left a big shelf between the screen and front panel.

Would it matter? Really!? 
It annoyed me sufficiently so I started fixing it by making a mess of it! 
Razor saw deployed.

   
Then after ages filing and sanding metal away from both pieces…

Thats better! 
I could probably have gone further, but the strip under the screen was getting very thin so I decided that’d be good enough. It’s been glued back together now and I’ll leave it overnight to cure, then reinforce the back of the joint with chemical metal putty. Then a bit of filler on the outside to round the corners off nicely. 
Then it’s getting a new modern chassis and cement mixer body!

 

[Zie]

Thanks to @bunglebus for the heads up on these, picked up all the crushed car ones to go with the others. 

[eddyramrod]

There's been work, because the weather has been mild...

This is the Corgi Transit AA speclift I got the other day, with no wheels or even axles.  But, the paint is quite a bit better than the one I already have, so I thought I'd put some (slightly) more realistic wheels on it.  I have some sets from cheapie no-name 1/64 lorries, which fit quite well... except for fouling the chassis.  So I got out my not-a-Dremel and trimmed the chassis to bring the wheels to a better position.  It now has twins on the rear!  I'll show it again when it's finished.

Many of these came in the same batch and are now drilled...

...and into the cosmic soda...

...and finally the rinse bucket.  They can stay there overnight.

[sheffcortinacentre]

6 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

Still waiting on the styrene tube I ordered for the AEC fuel tank, so while I’m waiting…

Did some more on the F150 utility truck. 
Dummy doors added, door latches, fuel filler cap, rear low tailgate, tail lights all on. Just the wheel arches to finish.

 

Most of these were white, basic trucks bought en mass by companies as cheaply as possible so I’ll probably spray it white after I’m done building it. Just pick out some details here and there in other colours. 
The interior though I’ve done in tan (Humbrol desert yellow) just to give something on it a bit of colour.

 

Also started the next truck project.

The D series. I took the cab off the old Dinky chassis and stripped the paint off ready, but something was annoying me about the Dinky cab. Looking at it, then photos of real ones, it looks like Dinky made the cab front panel too far forward of the base of the windscreen. It left a big shelf between the screen and front panel.

Would it matter? Really!? 
It annoyed me sufficiently so I started fixing it by making a mess of it! 
Razor saw deployed.

   
Then after ages filing and sanding metal away from both pieces…

Thats better! 
I could probably have gone further, but the strip under the screen was getting very thin so I decided that’d be good enough. It’s been glued back together now and I’ll leave it overnight to cure, then reinforce the back of the joint with chemical metal putty. Then a bit of filler on the outside to round the corners off nicely. 
Then it’s getting a new modern chassis and cement mixer body!

 

From memory the dash was black in mine with black rubber mat ( exmilatry 83 model) black door panel , off white roof panel B pillars.

[bunglebus]

The Mrs spotted some interesting Hot Wheels on Vinted, so I hit the button

Weird part was getting to the co-op, and after rather a lot of rummaging under the desk, she emerged with two parcels. Scanned my barcode and gave me the larger one which contained the cars above.

After a bit of head scratching I remembered a debacle from November where Yodel decided to deliver to a different Co-op in another town, and refused to resolve the matter. Somehow or other it's ended up in the right place, even though I've been refunded and I thought the seller had his car back. So now I have a free, if somewhat battered, Matchbox Chevy Nova