Shite in Miniature II

[quicksilver]

23 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

Ah. It's another scratch-build.

The detail really is remarkable, given that it's all done by hand.

And unlike the 1/76 scratch-builds from last week (identified by the eagle-eyed @quicksilver), there's little doubt about the constructor here.

Impressive bit of kit - so much work's gone into it. Hopefully it'll find an appreciative home.

 

 

Now that is interesting. I have some 1/76 scratch-builds with the very same name and address labels on, bought on ebay a few years ago from a seller not far from me in Brackley. He may not have built it himself though as the ones I have are the unmistakable handiwork of Bill Day (but that definitely isn't one of Bill's). I assume Mr Wilson is no longer with us and that's why his collection has been scattered, but I suspect Market Blokey didn't buy that directly from his estate and it's been owned by someone else in the meantime. I'd be very interested to find out where he's getting this weird and wonderful collection from.

[Datsuncog]

1 minute ago, quicksilver said:

I'd be very interested to find out where he's getting this weird and wonderful collection from.

As far as I can tell, he sources most of his stock from auctions around Belfast - generally house clearance auctions, or else collectables auctions like Laganside - though he sometimes gets stuff direct from people coming into the market too. Boxes of assorted models generally go at auction for about £80 - £120, and there are plenty of them up regularly. I have a look every now and again, and I've considered putting in my own bids, but I really don't think that's a road I should be going down...

At a guess, these have all been sourced via a deceased estate. And I'll bet the boxes all got slung out, while the loose buses were chucked in a crate (hence the chipping/ loss of mirrors etc).

I've asked Millar (Market Blokey) before about his stock, and he generally shrugs - by his own admission, he's no real interest in diecast or models in general. So yeah - real mystery stuff!

[flat4alfa]

On 3/4/2021 at 8:20 PM, flat4alfa said:

Missed out on this MB 230SL, because lousy photos (this is zoomed in 10x!), seller wouldn't respond to messages ...and I procrastinated.

Then found out it sold for £3 !

Cockbadgers.

Time moves on ^

Now got two Mini-Dinky Mercedes 230 SL, W113 series...   surprised the bidding only went to £2.75.  Must have paid double or more for the less tidy example a year ago

It has opening things!  And an engine suspiciously large for a 230.

So a SL party of W113s was gathered!

L>R:  Lone Star Tuf Tot (1:86 scale), Mini-Dinky (1:65), Hongwell (1:72)

French Dinky, Spot-On, New-Ray.  All in 1:43 scale

The Matchbox and Corgi Juniors examples all avoided the event, for some reason.  Will see about that another time, maybe.

[bunglebus]

43 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

suppose I also didn't really need another Lite-Ace either, but nonetheless I seemed to have acquired one.

I'd love to take that off your hands!

[RoadworkUK]

47 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

Sadly, you may be waiting a little longer... of all the buses, the Brighton & Hove Lynx was gone.

Ah, that's not such bad news. The thrill of the chase is almost equalled by the relief of not having to explain to my better half why ANOTHER bus has arrived. I did explain that you wait for one and then three come at once but yada yada yada etc etc etc etc 

[bunglebus]

32 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

Was someone here after a rollermatics Range Rover??

It was me - but it was the green one Datsuncog spotted the other week. Thanks though

[RoadworkUK]

On another note, but still pertaining to diecast buses, my attention was drawn to this website, (don't worry, kids, it's perfectly safe) which I regard with admiration.

Basically, somebody who hoards collects model buses has taken their hobby a step further than most. 

I can imagine, as a child, producing a "fleet list" of the models in my collection. I can even imagine myself acting out a bus operator cosplay routine. Here, though, we're going through the looking glass, creating an actual fully-fledged website for said 1:76-scale bus and coach operation.

It's so comprehensive that it needs a disclaimer: 

Note: THIS IS NOT A REAL COMPANY & FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY

I strongly suspect that our fleet manager is no child, but nevertheless it's quite wonderful and I heartily approve.

[quicksilver]

39 minutes ago, RoadworkUK said:

On another note, but still pertaining to diecast buses, my attention was drawn to this website, (don't worry, kids, it's perfectly safe) which I regard with admiration.

Basically, somebody who hoards collects model buses has taken their hobby a step further than most. 

I can imagine, as a child, producing a "fleet list" of the models in my collection. I can even imagine myself acting out a bus operator cosplay routine. Here, though, we're going through the looking glass, creating an actual fully-fledged website for said 1:76-scale bus and coach operation.

It's so comprehensive that it needs a disclaimer: 

Note: THIS IS NOT A REAL COMPANY & FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY

I strongly suspect that our fleet manager is no child, but nevertheless it's quite wonderful and I heartily approve.

That's not at all unusual - there's a whole section of the Model Bus Federation for fleet operators and even a quarterly magazine detailing fleet news in the style of Buses magazine. Some of my friends have been 'operating' their fleets for decades and have literally thousands of vehicles on the scale of the big real-world groups. My username comes from my own fleet, nowhere near the same scale as the big ones and I don't bother with things such as timetables and vehicle rosters, but it gives a better reason for my collection to exist and adds more interest than just a random collection of models. I've never heard of that fleet though so it's possibly not an MBF member.

[bunglebus]

I also went 2nd hand tat hunting today

I was seriously tempted by this heavily playworn Matchbox in a Days Gone box (or did Mr Odell keep the rights to that one?), but managed to keep the £2.50 in my pocket

However I did spend a whole 50p on this Indian produced Hot Wheels Baja Bug 

Yeach I've got a carded one but it's pretty unusual, and 50p. A CHILD might have bought it if I didn't! 

[danthecapriman]

Another batch of stuff incoming tonight lads! Probably start in about 10/15mins.

 

[flat4alfa]

10 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

Another batch of stuff incoming tonight lads! Probably start in about 10/15mins.

 

FFS HOLD MY COAT SOMEONE

[sierraman]

When I was a kid, one of the other kids had the factory bit of this. Think they’re bloody scarce these days. 

[danthecapriman]

Here’s some of my Matchbox/Corgi/Husky etc collection from earlier today!

Some of these are seeing daylight for the first time since 2004. Some have been sorted a few weeks ago, some I’ve added in more recently. There’s more than I thought I had! 
Found this too,

Lesney Jeep Gladiator. One of my favourites for some reason. Just a cool looking truck!

[flat4alfa]

20 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

Here’s some of my Matchbox/Corgi/Husky etc collection from earlier today!

Some of these are seeing daylight for the first time since 2004. Some have been sorted a few weeks ago, some I’ve added in more recently. There’s more than I thought I had! 
Found this too,

Lesney Jeep Gladiator. One of my favourites for some reason. Just a cool looking truck!

Yellow Husky Commer van with the red doors please

also Husky Buick Elektra

also white Corgi Fox body Mustang

if you find a Corgi Dodge Magnum…

[flat4alfa]

Do any of the Huskys have the metal wheels?

[danthecapriman]

19 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

Do any of the Huskys have the metal wheels?

Quite a few do I think.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

54 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

Yellow Husky Commer van with the red doors please

also Husky Buick Elektra

also white Corgi Fox body Mustang

if you find a Corgi Dodge Magnum…

What's the green model in the middle?

[Datsuncog]

Looks like a Matchbox MB-55 Mk IV Cortina - first release version from 1979, in that very very bright green.

One of my all-time favourite castings!

[danthecapriman]

2 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

Looks like a Matchbox MB-55 Mk IV Cortina - first release version from 1979, in that very very bright green.

One of my all-time favourite castings!

Well spotted! That’s exactly what it is. I do have the metallic red one too.

[flat4alfa]

To its right, Zephyr IV?

Or Cortina II

[Datsuncog]

I'd guess a No. 25 Cortina MK2...

[Dick Cheeseburger]

And what are these again? Not seen mine with the dogs in the boot since around 1985...

[bunglebus]

Mercury Commuter!

[danthecapriman]

8 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

To its right, Zephyr IV?

Or Cortina II

Cortina 2. I don’t have the Zephyr, though I would like one.

[danthecapriman]

4 minutes ago, Dick Longbridge said:

And what are these again? Not seen mine with the dogs in the boot since around 1985...

As @bunglebus said! The two green ones both have different wheel types, hence why I kept both! The red one with beige roof is the Lincoln Continental. 

[Dick Cheeseburger]

9 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

As @bunglebus said! The two green ones both have different wheel types, hence why I kept both! The red one with beige roof is the Lincoln Continental. 

Interesting. A cursory look on ebay shows a couple of wheel types. Weird thing is, in my head mine had wheels like this, but was definitely a Mercury Commuter with the dags looking out of the tailgate. However, they don't actually seem to exist...

[danthecapriman]

6 minutes ago, Dick Longbridge said:

Interesting. A cursory look on ebay shows a couple of wheel types. Weird thing is, in my head mine had wheels like this, but was definitely a Mercury Commuter with the dags looking out of the tailgate. However, they don't actually seem to exist...

I’m not sure the commuter wagon had that wheel. My two have the old Lesney style wheel with silver centre & black tyre similar to a mini Corgi or Dinky wheel. The other has the thinner super fast (I think) wheel.

[bunglebus]

27 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

As @bunglebus said! The two green ones both have different wheel types, hence why I kept both! 

Regular wheels, auto-steer. Superfast narrow, Superfast wide with enlarged arches

The last one is hard to find in green, more often red (fire) or white (police)

Note also disappearance of the fuel door in the rear quarter

[Dick Cheeseburger]

1 minute ago, bunglebus said:

Regular wheels, auto-steer. Superfast narrow, Superfast wide with enlarged arches

 

Boom! So I did remember correctly! Just need to find one like the example on the right now.

[flat4alfa]

Yes, enlarged arching.

Ask THE DAGS in the red one how they know

 

Does anyone have a rough Commuter with intact DAGS that can donate to the Villager?  It’s lonely in there

Also, are many in the photos of peril fitted with the middle set of wheels?  They are welcome here