Shite in Miniature II

[Split_Pin]

Even if there's no tat, the reporting more than makes up for it!

[Datsuncog]

"Is that him, Batman?"

"Let's see... bundles of envelopes and ballpoint pens, cheap silver plate jugs and Hitler biographies. It's him alright."

"Hmmm... using my Batvision contact lenses, I can see he's trying to flog a boxed Solido Parisian bus for £25, even though it still has a €4.99 price sticker on it and it's not particularly rare."

"Urgh, the sicko!"

"Let's go dispense some justice, Robin!"

"Yaaargh! It's Batman!"

("Here pal, how much is on this big oul cow?")

"Shut up! My nemesis has arrived! Err... the big gold cow, thirty five quid."

"You're going to sting that citizen for thirty-five quid? That cow's made of bloody fibreglass!"

"Say your prayers, Giffer!"

"Errr… Batman, I'm not really sure what you're doing to The Giffer with that big gold cow is appropriate for a show mainly aimed at children and young adults."

"He brought it on himself. Lock him up."

"Um... alright..."

 

"Anyway, Robin and I are off home... It's hungry work fighting crime, and I've just scored a bagful of diecast tat to look through."

"Yeah, so that's a half and half with curry sauce... large prawn dhansak with pilau... peshwari naan... coupla vegetable samosas... what, a whole friggin' hour for a Deliveroo?!"

"Tell them to stuff it, Robin, I'll stop off at China Kitchen instead."

"Gee, Batman, what a day. I don't think The Giffer will be giving us much trouble again."

"Nope, Robin. Not until they manage to remove that cow, anyway."

"So what did you get?"

"I'm glad you asked me that.. because crime might not pay, but decent diecasts come to those that persist."

"Aw FFS, not again..."

 

"You really are a bastard at times, chief. Can't you just try to find your slippers yourself?"

[Datsuncog]

Okay, well thank you all for your indulgence... 

Nope, there really wasn't much on the stall this morning of much interest, so I ended up riffing off a weak pun I seem to have come up with while half-asleep earlier. I hadn't planned on a Batman theme for this week, but sometimes you just gotta run with it.

So! What was there??

Well, Market Blokey was here. And, at first glance, the stall looked pretty packed, and I felt pretty pleased.

But at closer quarters... meh.

These Formula 1 cars were nicely detailed, but I can't say they interest me all that much. £10 each.

Atlas partwork models; again, good detail but not so much my bag. Also a tenner a go.

Lots of Oxford 1/72 Showman's trucks, plus some recent Bburago gear. I didn't think to ask about prices.

Big Triang Minic bus was nice, but lacking some tyres, a headlight and a smidge battered. Suspected repaint? Either way, I'm sure it'd display nicely. £20 asked.

More modern stuff, classic collectibles stuff, and militaria.

The repro box stuff from last week was all still there, and still at £15 each, except for the Merc 220SL and the Toronado, which are £20. Yellow Escort is £10, but a few chips on it and all.

Older F1 stuff - mostly Corgi Hesketh, Lotus and Surtees examples, but not all...

The no-name Hong Kong Ferrari on the bottom seems to be a pirate copy of the Corgi above. The only difference seems to be the Corgi has the exhausts cast as part of the base, whereas on the copy they're chromed plastic inserts moulded as part of the engine. Fiver each asked on these.

This Siku Volvo artic was lurking at the back, though not in great shape - missing its grille and lights, mirrors and wind deflector. Fiver on this - had it been more complete I would have nabbed it straight off but it just seemed a little too down-at-heel...

The only old stuff, pretty much. Fiver on these - Dinky Land Rover and Corgi Rover SD1 of potential shiter interest. Didn't ask how much the trucks behind were.

Oh, though there were these - apologies for crappy pic. The Ghia had a broken front end, and was in middling nick overall with some glazing damage. Batmobile not brilliant either, nor The Saint's XJS. Fiver each, if you must.

And that pretty much wraps up the tat stall for this week... oh, other than these of course.

Possibly suffering from withdrawal symptoms, I confess I did pick up the MoY Jaguar SS100 and the silver Mercedes... gnnng. But I put them down and walked away.

Thankfully, other events intervened and I didn't have to go back...

[TBC!]

[bunglebus]

34 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

 

 

"Yeah, so that's a half and half with curry sauce... large prawn dhansak with pilau... peshwari naan... coupla vegetable samosas... what, a whole friggin' hour for a Deliveroo?!"

"Tell them to stuff it, Robin, I'll stop off at China Kitchen instead."

 

 

 

Dinner, dinner, dinner, dinner...Tatman!

[bunglebus]

Next week, Datsuncog brings us his rendition of Tatman John

 

 

 

With support from Tatman Scoop

 

 

[bunglebus]

Anyway, back to reality. Bidding on several lots leads to duplicates - so I now have some better Yatming Ford (Country Squire?) wagons

 

20191101_111011 by RS, on Flickr

20191101_111038 by RS, on Flickr

20191101_111155 by RS, on Flickr

 

As well as the "Universal Studios" van that's been discussed before, not seen this Police version though

 

20191101_111628 by RS, on Flickr

20191101_111622 by RS, on Flickr

20191101_111642 by RS, on Flickr

[Datsuncog]

So I wandered over to The Chancer's collectibles stall opposite, and observed that there were no further biscuit tins full of Lesneys, while the £20 models from last week were still strangely unsold... well, he can whistle for them.

I then meandered about, seeing what else was on offer... Alan's Emporium wasn't offering anything I hadn't seen last week:

While Giffer Alley also failed to tempt my jaded wallet.

Yes, that's a Solido Parisian bus at the front, the sort flogged to tourists in their millions for many a long year, priced at £25. Thanks, but no thanks.

I then noticed that the Fishing Tat stall (it doesn't just do fishing gear, it has lots of other naff house clearance shit on it but seems to carry a more than average amount of fishing gear) had a badly-packed and hard to access box of toy cars on it...

A fair bit of rummaging did produce some actually quite decent items (relatively speaking).

Mitsubishi Pajero SWB is 1/43ish by Joy City, though has clearly suffered a great deal. Glazing damage is probably its biggest woe, followed by no tyres.

Matchbox Superkings Pininfarina concept car (X1/9 prototype) wasn't in bad nick, though, nor the Corgi Juniors Formula One car.

Now, I think that I've seen that no-name Chevrolet ambulance in Market Blokey's box of tat - I mean, it may just be another one (because mass production) or possibly Fishing Tat bought the dregs of next-door's 50p tat boxes. It's hard to tell.

The Lesney Maigrus-Deutz crane had a busted jib, but otherwise was quite appealing.

Corgi Juniors Ford GT70 was in good nick, and is also from the Growlers range - another 1970s gimmick, which introduced the concept of rubbing a toothed cog on the back axle along a plastic sprue in rough approximation of a rasping exhaust note. No, me neither.

The Majorette Jeep Wagoneer was a bit tatty, and seemed to be wearing the remains of Coca Cola branding.

 

Now, these all tempted me. But, sadly, a stallholder was nowhere to be seen. After a few minutes of impatient foot-tapping, I noted that the other items on the stall were priced at fairly optimistic levels. So I pushed them all back in the box, and made my way back into the throng.

[Datsuncog]

And I finally ended up over at the Charity stall, where a better-than-average selection of diecast awaited:

Hmmm... the Corgi Porsche 911 RSR held some appeal, but I couldn't really tell if it was the fact the rest were a bit shit making it look better...

...and there was also this:

Is this representative of Blackpool trams now? Last time I was there they were these big 1940s double-deck things that looked like giant wardrobes, but then that was a right few years ago.

However, just as I thought I was destined to leave sans diecast for the first time in a while, the Charity Lad muttered something about having a few others if I wanted to come round to the VIP Lounge... where a wooden box with a lid awaited.

Ah, now that's more the go. Diecast tat, Club Class edition.

Also the usual scratty old Chinesium rubbish in the pleb-worthy plastic box:

Some which may have been of interest were just too knackered to be worth it, though.

No-name Fire Chief Toyota MR2 may well lean heavily on the Matchbox casting. Thunderbird also dreadfully proportioned, before it got bonked.

 

But there were some decent things lurking in the wooden box - I just went all grabby-hands before I could get my camera out...

...so I left with this, thereby fooling my colleagues into believing I'd travelled to Cardiff for a breakfast curry. As you do.

Haul pics to follow!

[Tenmil Socket]

Tell me you bought the red 205...

[Datsuncog]

Okay, so: one I've never owned before:

It's the Matchbox Superkings Bedford TM skip truck in Hales livery, seen here in well-used sandpit condition.

You may well recognise this from the many TM variants Lesney produced in the Superkings range, rigid and articulated, and also the 1-75 Superfast Horse Box and (strangely rigid) Car Transporter.

Myself, I've never seen a Bedford TM in real life! I understand they were meant to compete with Volvo and Daf in the long-distance haulage market but, as with the Ford Transcontinental (a Corgi favourite) never quite achieved the market penetration its manufacturers hoped.

It's not a bad model, though I'm not a fan of those heavily treaded wheels.

It is, however, a lot lighter than I'd expect from a Matchbox of this era - the plastic back combined with a single-casting base, where the axles slot through holes (exactly as with Dinkys made forty years before) makes it less substantial and somehow a bit less Matchbox-like in the hand.

Still, for 50p... I'm happy enough with it. If anyone wants to claim this, hit me up!

[Datsuncog]

And then, sticking with Lesney Products but getting smaller...

Get in.

Two regular wheels models, the No.53 Mk IV Zodiac and No.13 Dodge Wreck Truck, both in fairly acceptable condition.

The Zodiac still has its spare wheel and everything. I do have an abiding fondness for Ford's big aircraft carrier.

I think I might hold onto this one for a while; I have a later Superfast version in metallic green and would quite like to compare them.

 

And then some Superfast action...

As previewed, a No.3 Lotus Europa and a very nice (though not mint) No.54 Mk1 Capri in oh-so-very-orange.

The Lotus' paint has faded a little, but it's still a nice example. Again, these two may be desk companions for a while, too.

 

And then a Ford Group 6 with miraculously straight axles (most of these seem to be cursed with wonkiness) plus a Gruesome Twosome that's been downgraded to a Lonesome Onesome, seemingly.

BUT the glazing is intact, if lightly scuffed, so mebbe of use to someone?

 

These all came from the Deluxe Tat Box over at the charity stall. At 50p each, I think these were a bit of a bargain.

Cor, that's lovely detailing right there.

Very pleased with these!

[Datsuncog]

But that's not all...

Yes, I couldn't leave the Peugeot!

Detailing maybe a little less crisp than those made a decade earlier, but still a decent casting.

If anyone wants this for 50p, just holler!

[Datsuncog]

Some Corgi in there too caught my interest...

Non-graphic BMW E30 in M3 flavour, and a Mk2 Transit pick-up. Both up for grabs.

Curiously, the Transit doesn't mention its Corgi parentage, despite others having the maker on the baseplate. Didn't we have something similar with Chevrolet vans a few months back?

Seems to be something up with the chassis, but don't the real-life ones suffer similarly?

50p each, should you fancy either of them.

[Datsuncog]

And then comes some selected highlights from the cheapo tat box, which have now been downgraded to FIVE FOR A POUND.

C'mon, you just can't argue with value like that.

So all the following are up for grabs at 20p each, should you fancy any of them!

Seventies Lesney, in the shape of an early Convoy Peterbilt (but called 'Long Haul' on the baseplate) and the MB25 Airport Coach clocked last week, which is tatty but undamaged.

Any use to anyone?

 

Rough stuff now - a manky No.69 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow DHC by Lesney, missing its windscreen and with the bootlid superglued in place.

Also the Majorette Alpine with Chrysler decals, but no bootlid at all.

 

Still, it means we can observe the contents of the boot, right?

I always enjoyed the way Majorette thought to mould such intricate loads into so many of their models. Though I'm not sure what the item on the right-hand wheelarch is meant to be. A hairdryer? An impact wrench? A police speed trap gun?

[Datsuncog]

More Corgis, too:

Lotus Esprit is interesting as it's clearly derived from the James Bond Underwater Esprit, in terms of the window coverings.

Although the A-posts have both been damaged, there's rust to the wheels and the paint's bubbling, I kinda like it.

Red Firebird isn't one I've seen; they're usually either plain black or in a Schweppes livery. I'd guess this plain red version arrived in a gift set.

 

Vee-Dub is by Matchbox, and once again showing great attention to detail, just like the E-class Merc the other week...

Mmmm dat corrosion. Although generally the wings seem to be worst hit in real-life versions of these, thanks to the sponges (!!!) fitted at the top of the arch lip.

 

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII  is.... [drumroll]

...by Corgi, apparently. Well, fancy that.

Another pullback jobber with rubber tyres, I've never seen one of these before. Larger than average 1/58 scale, too.

All available for 20p each!

[Tenmil Socket]

Are they Poundland wheel trims on the EVO...

[Datsuncog]

And, moving into the final stretch for this week:

Yes, it's time for The Funnies.

The black thing claims to be a 'Trans Am', but the shape doesn't look like a Pontiac Trans-Am - possibly referencing the Trans-Am motor racing series? Can anyone guess what it might be?

 

The Jaguar XJS is so comically ill-proportioned that it reminds me of an unconvincing kit car.

You know, the ones sold mainly to men who reckoned that if they pulled someone drunk/stupid enough at the local disco, they'd genuinely believe their new beau drove a Ferrari F40 rather than a lashed-up TR7 held together with Unibond...

I also keep running the graphics together here, so 'Super W' and 'Super Motor' morph into 'Super Wiper Motor'. Praise indeed.

 

So having paid up, bagged up and turned to leave, Charity Fella proferred another car at me:

"Here you are, wee bonus one"

Well, I wasn't gonna turn that down... so I ended up with another Mini.

A 1/56 scale Kinsmart, to be strictly accurate - the sort sold loose from a tray to car-mad kids at any attraction you care to mention. But I was touched nonetheless.

If anyone wants to claim it, equally gratis, then feel free to do so.

 

So! Another week, another haul... hope this keeps you going til next week. Should be some parcels arriving soon for some of the regulars here, if they haven't already touched down!

Til next time...

[Tenmil Socket]

Could you put the Pug, Capri, BMW and Zodiac to one side for me please?

[Tenmil Socket]

That Mini's F'Kinsmart' ?

[Split_Pin]

I really look forward to this now every Friday, cheers!

Could I bagsy the Golf please? 

[Datsuncog]

41 minutes ago, Tenmil Socket said:

Could you put the Pug, Capri, BMW and Zodiac to one side for me please?

Yup, I can indeed... though hopefully you're in no mad hurry for them! While I do plan to move most of these on, I also think I'd like to hold onto the Capri and Zodiac for just a few weeks and really enjoy them. They are lovely!

 

11 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

I really look forward to this now every Friday, cheers!

Could I bagsy the Golf please? 

Hey, glad you like! Will certainly add the Golf to your box, not a bother at all.

[Split_Pin]

I really like the Articulated TM I have with the Courier Transporter that was also put behind some horrid fantasy truck in other releases. It's a lot heavier than the Skip truck.

I also had the TM with a mixer body which also appeared on a Leyland Roadrunner later in the 1980s.

Both the Superkings and the Superfast versions are based on the TM with the narrow cab. There was a wider version probably intended to compete with Volvos and The Transcontinental of the day. I suppose the narrow cab was fitted to models intended to fill the gap between the heaviest TL models and the top line wide cabbed TM. I think I have maybe seen an ex military one in the metal used off road carrying some sort of drain-digging/drilling apparatus but I have never seen a civilian one even as a small kid in the 1980s.

I also cant recall the TM being modelled by anybody else.

[155V6]

I've got some small scale cars for sale

https://autoshite.com/topic/34306-155v6s-small-scale-diecast-clearout-early-new-year-sale-1112019/

 

[flat4alfa]

On 10/31/2019 at 5:44 PM, Frogchod said:

And a wobbly Norev Citroen GS Camargue

I've a Majorette one of those

[bunglebus]

The Capri and Zodiac are the pick of the bunch this week. Can't remember if mine still has the spare tyre.

[bunglebus]

A few comparisons for you - Matchbox 911 vs MC Toys

 

20191101_162900 by RS, on Flickr

20191101_162906 by RS, on Flickr

20191101_162913 by RS, on Flickr

20191101_162921 by RS, on Flickr

20191101_162928 by RS, on Flickr

20191101_162948 by RS, on Flickr

20191101_163002 by RS, on Flickr

 

So I'm 99% convinced it's the same. Did Matchbox sell the casting to MC toys, or is it a rip-off? Only one difference;

 

20191101_163047 by RS, on Flickr

20191101_163152 by RS, on Flickr

 

The Matchbox is smaller.

 

Finally, just for fun - evolution;

 

20191101_162555 by RS, on Flickr

20191101_162546 by RS, on Flickr

20191101_162550 by RS, on Flickr

 

[Sudsprint]

All these Batman references and I have a very recent Batman story....

About six weeks ago I was at Ronnie Scotts in Soho watching Georgie Fame.

Between sets I was waiting at the bottom of the narrow stairs to the gents and was suddenly aware of Georgie Fame beside me.

'I've seen Batman fall all the way down those stairs in the 60s' he said..

'Adam West was so pissed he fell from top to bottom'

...and with that Georgie Fame was gone to get ready for the second half.

[MorrisItalSLX]

14 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

Still, it means we can observe the contents of the boot, right?

I always enjoyed the way Majorette thought to mould such intricate loads into so many of their models. Though I'm not sure what the item on the right-hand wheelarch is meant to be. A hairdryer? An impact wrench? A police speed trap gun?

Could it be a timing strobe for when it goes tits up? It is a Talbot after all.

I’m more concerned with the dead bird on the suitcase.

[andy18s]

If it's still there on Tatman's next trip,can he grab the Tyrell p34 for me?

[Jon]

To anyone feeling creative (I'm thinking perhaps Morrisoxide?), I reckon this on the right:

 

Would make a great candidate to recreate this:

 

 

I also think the Roller could be revived with a roof from something else - maybe a modified roof from a later Matchbox Silver shadow? Or make a fancy shooting break, with the right candidate.

 

On the subject of Bedford TMs, I've only seen two civilian ones, both in NZ and both around 2011 or 2012. Here's my Commodore parked next to a house bus one, 7 years ago:

Later on, the owner was lodging in this on the property of someone I know and I wouldn't be surprised if it's still there! If memory serves, this was Detroit powered too, for extra housing bonus points.