Shite in Miniature II

[Jon]

In other continuing 'what toss did Jon buy!' news, here's today's reveal:

 

This is a 1/43 Verem 928, which is basically a slightly tarted up Solido. Steps taken include the addition of tacked on plastic rear lights, door graphics and the teledial wheels. I've got a Solido 928 in Silver, which is now redundant now that I have this. You may notice a Porsche theme of late in my buying antics and it seems that someone must've dropped off their collection of unboxed Porshes, as there were plenty to choose from. Despite this being a needless duplicate, the additional trinkets and the fact that it was only £2.50 swayed it for me!

Also, let me say that I am much enjoying people's efforts to creatively photograph their small tat. Keep it up, lads!

[flat4alfa]

20 minutes ago, Jon said:

HOWEVER, I think @eddyramrod may have registered an interest for the 500 just prior to me putting up the photos, as he's a Gulf livery collector. If so, then I'm all of a quandry as to who lays claim to it, though hopefully something mutually beneficial can be sorted out!

Yes there was such a flurry of activity on this thread yesterday I couldn't keep up

Well I think there should be no quandry, as when it comes to AS Diecast Collectors, an EddyRamRod is worth three Flat4Alfas.  It's the rules.

Therefore the Eddy wins by default.

[flat4alfa]

21 minutes ago, Jon said:

Yes, I have this BMW 2002:

I do also have a carded black 2002 standard Hot Wheels, too.

Not sure if the 2002(s) and the 500 would be worthy of sending in one parcel, if you didn't want a very long wait? 

I'll send over a PM regarding the 'one parcel' thoughts.

[sierraman]

Received a parcel from Eddy today containing these two. I’ve already been browsing replacement doors and rear bumper on eBay! The restoration begins!

[bunglebus]

Beige is happening

[bunglebus]

A few more die cast delights have landed at Casa Bunglebus

 

Husky Ford D series

 

20200416_125038 by RS, on Flickr

 

MC Toys ovloV - more on this shortly

 

20200416_125113 by RS, on Flickr

 

Unbroken Husky bin lorry

 

20200416_125233 by RS, on Flickr

 

And a pair of VWs that almost always have part or all of the plastic bits broken off

 

20200416_125428 by RS, on Flickr

20200416_125505 by RS, on Flickr

 

Don't know if this is to do with the "Cubs" series but it's not one I was aware of - Rough Terrain Truck

 

20200416_125258 by RS, on Flickr

 

Another new one on me, the Adams Probe 16, at one time the lowest car in the world

 

20200416_125312 by RS, on Flickr

 

Another tiny Marx for my small collection

 

20200416_125357 by RS, on Flickr

 

Pick of the bunch though, Siku Transvestite with all its doors in place, even if it has some bullet holes in the windscreen

 

20200416_125526 by RS, on Flickr

20200416_125531 by RS, on Flickr

20200416_125538 by RS, on Flickr

 

 

[sierraman]

The rough terrain vehicle was part of the normal Juniors range, also available with a blue base. 

[Datsuncog]

14 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

A few more die cast delights have landed at Casa Bunglebus...

Wow, nice going! Some real beauties in there; the Siku LWB Transit not least among them.

I wasn't aware of the Rough Terrain Truck either until recently either;  think it's a mid-70s release so predating the Cubs line, but quite similar in terms of construction - a 'straight' casting of two separate body pieces that would pop straight out of the machine, with no need for stops or any other fancy tooling.

I had one in blue & white from the Market Tat box; think it's with TheDoctor now.

Annoyingly, it would be quite good fun to play with outside right about now...

 

EDIT: beaten to it!!

[flat4alfa]

4 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

the recent trend of photographing diecast while in the garden

It's funny you should mention this

Last Tuesday, we were bimbling along quite happily on our French holiday in our borrowed Acadiane

We took a wrong turn, I blamed the sat-nav; while the wife blamed me for overdoing the Ricard the evening before.  She then went back to chatting away on her phone instead of helping the situation. Our daughter, sitting in the back, was oblivious and kept tapping away on her phone.  Anyhow, this route was only a little out of the way so we continued ahead

Traffic got a little heavier as we  continued along the cliff-side road some way on

Then I spotted something interesting in a bit of scrub next to a lighthouse.  So I bumped up the verge

Traffic went around while I took a look.  It was only a Peugeot 604 and a Simca 1308 !  Looked like they'd been there a while, and it looked they had been boxed-in by some carbunckle of a development next door 

 

While traffic passed, I knocked at the door.  The owner, Antoine, came out and in our broken French/English effort he agreed for me to take a closer look.  Then came the next shock - both the bonnet on the Peugeot and the tailgate on the Simca were intact and not missing !! 

Apparently, they drove in there some years previous but over the usual French shutdown month one August, an English couple had the carbuncle thrown up in a fortnight for a UK TV show named 'Les Grands Dessins' or similar, he said.  Despite repeated talks with Le Rosbif  in charge named 'Kevin McCloud', his protests came to nothing as apparently the Notaire had been paid-off.  So they stayed.  Traffic was getting up a bit so I made an offer to save them.  He accepted!  I think he thought I was a tad stupide...

 

Before I had chance to move the Acadiane out of the way, lo and behold Les Flics turned up and gave us a right talking to...

So I moved the van out of the way and tried to calm the situation.  Then they parked right in the same spot on the verge I was on!  I wondered what they were playing at, but apparently they had been pelted with stones when patrolling a road lined with migrants nearby, taking significant damage to the paintwork of their prized Alpine and were still a tad shaken-up.  They also mentioned they had spotted me earlier on, as both their Grands-Pères had Acadianes years ago and brought back memories of a happier France

Then I could not believe it - at the right moment a British registered truck approached and I flagged it down.

The driver was a friendly fella named Gary from Maidstone, who was on his way back to the port after dropping a load off that morning.  He had no load to return with and I think may have been a secret chod-fancier as he was more more than willing to help.  So we did a deal and he agreed to take them away there and then.  The issue was how to get then out of the scrub as there was no access wide enough and the Gendarmes were getting impatient

It seems that Gary was well-connected as he knew of some heavy plant contract work in the area, as part of structures being built to keep migrants away from the road.  So he rang one driver who arrived shortly after with just what we needed !

The driver-operator, a John from Hastings, explained he had been sitting idle all morning as some Gilets Jaunes were protesting outside the supply yard, so all work had come to a stop.  So he agreed to lift both the cars onto the low load bed.  The Gendarmes organised a temporary lane block and John set to work

He tried to look at lifting each car one by one driving onto a board and lifting square with chains to limit damage, but the Gendarmes were having none of it - they insisted we got them out of there immediately as they were clocking-off for their two-hour lunch soon!  So Gary said he would sling a chain through, so John could lift them up and over.  I whinced.

I whinced again

John left shortly after and the Gendarmes offered their advice if I ever wanted to do this sort of thing again in their municipality

I offered to escort Gary back to the port and we set off

We were wary of being attacked by protestors and migrants, but we needn't have worried as at that time of day they were at lunch.  I waved Gary on his way.

Well what a story! 

My Wife has rung all and sundry since Tuesday evening to chat about it incessantly!  I should add that throughout all of this, our daughter didn't look up from tapping away at her phone, not even once.

[bunglebus]

The purple 760's arrival means I can do the Volvo edition of WDIB?

 

From left to right; MC Toys, Zymex, Matchbox, Majorette, Corgi

 

20200416_160730 by RS, on Flickr

20200416_160735 by RS, on Flickr

20200416_160831 by RS, on Flickr

20200416_160803 by RS, on Flickr

Bonus laughable Chinese job I saw on eBay

20200416_082820 by RS, on Flickr

20200416_082807 by RS, on Flickr

20200416_082737 by RS, on Flickr

Although the Matchbox and Majorette both have opening doors, I reckon the French version is the most accurate and detailed

 

Slim pickings in the world of 240s

 

20200416_161014 by RS, on Flickr

20200416_161023 by RS, on Flickr

20200416_161033 by RS, on Flickr

20200416_161107 by RS, on Flickr

 

Again, the French effort is much nicer, despite the rear window being miles off

[bunglebus]

9 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

It's funny you should mention this

Last Tuesday, we were bimbling along quite happily on our French holiday in our borrowed Acadiane...

 

Bravo!

[eddyramrod]

8 hours ago, Sudsprint said:

Love the Zephyr. I had the gift set as a boy but have only got the 1100 and the trailer left.

I remember having that set new!

5 hours ago, MorrisItalSLX said:

Is the EJ Holden a Dinky? I’ve never seen a period model of an old Holden, only modern stuff.

Indeed it is, as confirmed by Mr Alfa.

3 hours ago, flat4alfa said:

when it comes to AS Diecast Collectors, an EddyRamRod is worth three Flat4Alfas.  It's the rules.

Seriously?  That's an enormously kind thing to say, thank you so much.  I wasn't after the Fiat for the Gulf livery specifically, just because it looked like a lovely model and was near enough to one I've actually sat in!  I have also owned three of the basic model when you could pick them up for buttons, and found them hilarious fun.

 

[Datsuncog]

Although, speaking of outside playtime...

Random selection from one of my own boxes - a Dinky Bedford TK dropside tipper, picked up from a charity shop many moons ago.

Still ready for work despite its advancing years...

Hang on, what's this?

Crikey, that's been left there a while.

Still, clear away those brambles, add a can of petrol and a snifter of EasyStart aaaand...

You know what they say - there's nothing more reliable than an old Land Rover*.

Get them branches dumped out the way - they'll do for fence posts.

Job's a good 'un.

I've profiled this old Corgi Whizzwheels Land Rover before - it's one of my oldest toys, probably sourced from a jumble sale or family friend as it was released long before I came along.

I had a special affinity to this one, as it posessed a unique feature often found on real-life cars, but on no other toy car of mine.

It had a dent.

Just on the rear n/s quarter panel, near the top. Only a little ding, like you might find on the real thing.

Sounds nuts, but that dent was everything to me. I don't know how it occurred, but it was a little nod to realism, and something that Hot Wheels Crack-Ups never managed with the same finesse.

The original blue paint was always pretty far gone on this while under my guardianship, so one day when I was ten or eleven I went at it with a green Tamiya paint pen, reasoning (incorrectly) that I couldn't make it any worse.

I'd like to get a minty version, as per some of my childhood Matchbox, but this is staying just how it is.

[DoctorRetro]

Turned this... 

Into this... 

[bunglebus]

Looking mean, like something the A-team would use.

 

Part one of my 70s-tastic camper is done, tomorrow I'll drive myself mad with the 1mm masking tape to paint the window area a contrasting colour. I'd like brown but don't have any, so it'll be light yellow or red oxide primer then lacquer

 

20200416_175215 by RS, on Flickr

[DoctorRetro]

2 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

Looking mean, like something the A-team would use.

 

Part one of my 70s-tastic camper is done, tomorrow I'll drive myself mad with the 1mm masking tape to paint the window area a contrasting colour. I'd like brown but don't have any, so it'll be light yellow or red oxide primer then lacquer

 

20200416_175215 by RS, on Flickr

Snap. Your base looks great - original or rechromed? 

[bunglebus]

8 minutes ago, TheDoctor said:

Snap. Your base looks great - original or rechromed? 

Original but I filed the casting marks off the bumpers and gave them a once over with a rotary wire wheel. Leaving the base alone other than that. Technically the bumpers should be black on a Lite Ace.

Wheels are as close as I could find to those nasty Weller 8-spokes old vans often used to wear

There's a load of fishing gear inside - pink has now gone thank f*ck

 

20200416_130519 by RS, on Flickr

[DoctorRetro]

My littlun has asked if he can have a model Escort estate, Mk3 or 4. 

Is there anything about that isn't 60+ Euros? ?

 

[NorfolkNWeigh]

I’ve inadvertently added patina to my MK1 Zephyr.

I have 2 tins of paint , both from a pound shop Battleship Grey and Gold. About a year ago stripped the Zephyr and gave it a quick coat of gold paint just so as not to leave it in bare metal. Today I painted it grey , no problem, it covered perfectly, then I lacquered it with Volvo laquer and some of the gold bled through. I’ve decided it looks like rust, so am leaving it.

[bunglebus]

32 minutes ago, TheDoctor said:

My littlun has asked if he can have a model Escort estate, Mk3 or 4. 

Is there anything about that isn't 60+ Euros? ?

 

Christ they're not cheap are they?

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEO-Models-Ford-Escort-1-6-GL-Estate-Mk4-Blue-NEO44960-1-43-scale/143569601145?epid=1547750387&hash=item216d6a4279:g:W4sAAOSwW2tehFE4

[flat4alfa]

Does it have to be 1:43 ?

I have three spare Mk3 Scalextric shells.  Being plastic, a hatch can be adapted make to an estate.  It's been done before.... and easily done better with your back door skills*

Typically a fiver gets a good shell better than that, and a tenner a whole car; one that you can sell the chassis and motor back to me for money back - towards the plasticard to do your static chassis with.  In fact I may be able to start a new cottaging industry

[Split_Pin]

THERE IS A MICRO MACHINES BOOK BEING RELEASED ON 27TH APRIL WITH A PICTURE OF EVERY ONE RELEASED AND A DESCRIPTION.

That is all.

*Breathes into a paper bag*

[Datsuncog]

18 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Bonus laughable Chinese job I saw on eBay

Heh, I came across one of those last year, in equally good nick - happy to send it on to you gratis in your next tat box, if you're aiming for 700 series completionism!

Love the 'Safety' tampo across the bonnet - seems that Volvo's core advertising message resonated all the way to China...

[eddyramrod]

15 hours ago, NorfolkNWeigh said:

I’ve inadvertently added patina to my MK1 Zephyr.

I have 2 tins of paint , both from a pound shop Battleship Grey and Gold. About a year ago stripped the Zephyr and gave it a quick coat of gold paint just so as not to leave it in bare metal. Today I painted it grey , no problem, it covered perfectly, then I lacquered it with Volvo laquer and some of the gold bled through. I’ve decided it looks like rust, so am leaving it.

I've recently finished that Ant Anstead book in paperback, I enjoyed it very much.

[flat4alfa]

TAT FRIDAY

BEST WISHES TO MARKET BLOKEY

I HOPE YOU ARE WELL

[Datsuncog]

I hope all the market traders, including the eternal optimists down Giffer Alley, are all keeping well too. Dunno when the market's likely to reopen, but when it does, I'll be there!

Meant to say, managed to pick up a copy of this recently...

While the pictorial side's not exactly complete, there's a great list of all the variations and years of manufacture for each model  and that's just the kinda thing I'm tragic enough to enjoy.

Delighted to find a few Corgis in there that I ain't never knew existed before, so the thrill of the chase is still there... also a good in-depth section on the Rockets clusterfuck of 1970, and the nadir of the '83/'84 Mettoy bankruptcy era when all sorts of bizarre shit was being hoofed out the door just to keep the wheels turning.

It's a nice companion to the big Van Cleemput book, which doesn't really make much mention of the Husky/Juniors line so I'm beyond stoked to finally find out more info on the range.

Expect much tedious droning from me in the near future about everyone's third-favourite minishite manufacturer!

[DoctorRetro]

12 hours ago, flat4alfa said:

Does it have to be 1:43 ?

I have three spare Mk3 Scalextric shells.  Being plastic, a hatch can be adapted make to an estate.  It's been done before.... and easily done better with your back door skills*

Typically a fiver gets a good shell better than that, and a tenner a whole car; one that you can sell the chassis and motor back to me for money back - towards the plasticard to do your static chassis with.  In fact I may be able to start a new cottaging industry

That's a cracking idea. 

I'd been having some evil thoughts about combining these two, but the scalextric plan is much better

[flat4alfa]

21 minutes ago, TheDoctor said:

That's a cracking idea. 

I'd been having some evil thoughts about combining these two, but the scalextric plan is much better

I would swap an Escort XR3 shell in order to save that Datsun from oblivion!

[AndyW201]

Loving the al-fresco shite content going on lately. I'm quite jealous, having gravelled front and rear lawns, so can't go out and play myself!

So, inspired by DC's fantastic Leyland scrap hauler, I've had a sort out of the collection, and had cubed some of the old knackers that wouldn't even have made it to the 'Hidden Treasures' section of the cabinet. Donned the Hi Viz and rigger boots and got some of the 'heritage fleet' out to transport them down to Shady Mick's metal recycling emporium. 

Any excuse to get an E-series ERF out...

Some of the bigger shells called for a bigger rig. Out with the TranStar!

[Jon]

SITREP at Chez Jon is that, due to the Covids, my old mate from uni who had come to visit and stay for a week with his fiancee, has now been resident with us for 4 weeks. So, as a result of visitors, here's what I've had to spend the last few weeks looking at in my living room:

 

Forgive potato cam and messy scene but I had a very short window of documentation, whilst they popped out for 5 minutes. I hear you asking, what does this have to do with this thread? I also hear you asking who in their right minds has a VHS player in 2020, or even a telly cabinet for that matter, or even tangible items of pre-recorded music but that's by the by.

 

Well, this Matchbox T25 nestled amongst the books offers a subconscious east egg....

 

As the area right above the telly  actually houses my choicest 1/43s! Only, I made a frame recently to hide them away when other people are round, so I don't have to explain myself. I must say, for something I knocked up, it's a very convincing 1990's era home entertainment speaker grille, which looks properly at home and fitted perfectly first time. If only all projects I start had such short gestation periods and pleasing outcomes!