Shite in Miniature II

[bunglebus]

That's quite a project, my skills are tested trying to tidy up essentially stock old Matchbox.

Talking of which I noticed another little detail - I've got one of the VW T3 ambulances apart, there's a tab on the base inside that is in just the right place to line up with the sliding door, so I think the original idea was for it to have one as well as the tailgate.

No doubt the bean counters vetoed that idea 

 

[Split_Pin]

44 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

Well, here’s my grand plan for that tired Dinky Merryweather fire engine I had.

As far as I’m aware there’s no 1:43ish sized model out there of an AEC/Leyland Ergomatic apart from the Dinky Merryweather. There is the (925?) tipper but I’m 99% sure that’s actually smaller, around 1/48?? But they seem much rarer and worth more. From what little I can find out the Dinky Merryweather isn’t too far off the 1/43 size.

This is how it looks next to a known 1:43 Leyland FG, which is a smaller truck in real life of course!

On the face of it, it’s good enough I think. 
Razor saw deployed and within a couple of minutes the cab is off! Once the bulk of the fire engine body is gone it looks much better.

   

    
My plan is to get an Ergo and update it slightly to look the part with similar sized truck models, but as a normal truck. Probably a tipper or something. 
So a better chassis was needed…  

This was an eBay find which I bagged at the opening price. It’s a 1:43 that originally had a Fiat/Iveco/Deutz cab that wasn’t available in the UK. Someone has already had the back off it for something so the chassis will do me! 

   
The engine will probably come off as it won’t be seen anyway and it’s not the right type either. Plus, it’s likely in the way of the new cab.

Cab is now bare metal.

It’s a very nice looking casting actually. I’ll need to build up a new cab back wall, which I’ll do from plastic card and section. It’s not necessarily straightforward but do-able I think! 
A new bumper will be needed as the big one originally on it is part of the Dinky chassis and I’m not keen on it really either. 
Id like to thin down the casting of the lower set of grills too, between the headlights as it stands too proud in my opinion. If I can or not is another matter! 
Roof needs filling level and pressed strengthening ribs making from plastic. 
Wheel arches need widening slightly and the rear half making up from plastic.
Ive trial fitted it loosely on the new chassis and it actually fits it rather well!

 

 

If you're interested, that chassis is made by Old Cars and is absolutely excellent. I have a complete Iveco artic and trailer and it's incredibly detailed.

[danthecapriman]

19 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

If you're interested, that chassis is made by Old Cars and is absolutely excellent. I have a complete Iveco artic and trailer and it's incredibly detailed.

I did wonder where it came from. 
It’s really nice, just a shame someone has battered it about a bit, lots of bits are loose or broken that need sorting. I’ve got the cab too, which is quite nice but someone broke the grill and lights off. 

Should this chassis be an artic then?  There’s two little pegs snapped off in the chassis over the rear axles where it’s had something taken off but I can’t find what it should have originally been.

The engines quite nice, I might use it as a standalone item at some point as a removed engine in a garage or something!

 

Edit; found it!!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/196211928702?hash=item2daf246e7e:g:0okAAOSwS1lls~f4&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwOewWFSTkg4tycyPqH%2FPutHs7aN6Iw2yMetb2GlX3reh8EOn3BatN6OJbJroG3ndP3OcWY8hFzP0ugHpmqS5U%2BsNDIOQpnY5odgCkdGAjhkwbEoxNXZuEvGLzt4APZtKcyFuUhZIojEdICm53wwYiABgfB0xNczZ%2FZLwB4tMfWi2jgqou3%2FRDvUgTKejZYri7tg4S%2F%2B97i8PjPTcP1JBiUdaATIya3QssO74m4Rn08IRbgbU%2BvcEtbd2sMCnv5%2Fluw%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR5j4-PirYw

Holey shit!! HFM!! Whoever broke this one is an idiot.

[flat4alfa]

1 hour ago, danthecapriman said:

This is how that casting started out in 69 I think.

Plain red from 1971

First release was in fact the deep metallic red, with removable axle covers.  Same as the one I got off you in one of your FIRE sales: 

Quote

The AEC fire engine is very nice, I might have a ladder for it too…     *sold*

I wonder, did you ever find the ladder? 🙂

Here it is today, snuggling up at Merryweather Meet 2024

Number plate is JBR 254G - which I had never noticed before...

Original box art.  Think it would be good to fit those chrome cap regular wheels sometime on one

Didn't make the 1969 catalogue.  First illustrated in 1970 catalogue, depicted moving along, with a funky wheel set

For 1971, a photograph, at last.  But a bit dull

While on the 1971 box it was absolutely belting along

[bunglebus]

I could hardly* contain my excitement in the charity shops today

 

[flat4alfa]

Cameo.

[flat4alfa]

3 hours ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

Here's the one to look out for

Auctioned back in 2013 with a big estimate

Vectis Auctions | Matchbox Superfast No.35 Merryweather Fire Engine

Hammer Price: £600 !

I bet they thought this one would be the 'collectible'

Released as part of the 'Gold Challenge' campaign for 1997.  The same year that Mattel took over.  So, a Snorkel Superchase!

[danthecapriman]

31 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

Plain red from 1971

First release was in fact the deep metallic red, with removable axle covers.  Same as the one I got off you in one of your FIRE sales: 

I wonder, did you ever find the ladder? 🙂

Here it is today, snuggling up at Merryweather Meet 2024

Number plate is JBR 254G - which I had never noticed before...

Original box art.  Think it would be good to fit those chrome cap regular wheels sometime on one

Didn't make the 1969 catalogue.  First illustrated in 1970 catalogue, depicted moving along, with a funky wheel set

For 1971, a photograph, at last.  But a bit dull

While on the 1971 box it was absolutely belting along

I thought I’d sent you a ladder? Maybe I found them, then packed them away😬

You can get the repro ones on eBay.

[quicksilver]

3 hours ago, flat4alfa said:

All three were always different, not least due to being Leyland or AEC.  So not derived from each other, completely separate tooling and the size differences proves that.  

@Datsuncog's write-up linked above must be the most comprehensive, now that diecastfire.co.uk site is dead

LS 35-A MERRYWEATHER FIRE ENGINE
Mainline 1969-1974 , Twinpack 1978-1979

Was a Superfast from day one, despite initial box artwork wearing regulars which were only found on pre-production examples.  Metallic red clearcoat over gold primer.

MI 111 (MB 13) Merryweather SNORKEL Fire Engine
1983-2002, Multipack 1996-2007. 

BUT!  In 1981 for a special tie in to a US TV series called Code Red, a series was launched USA-only.  As it was based in Los Angeles, they had an LA theme to them.  Perhaps to make the Fire Appliance appear more familiar to US peoples, Lesney cut the centre out of the cab roof and the rear tank, fitted seating and the Snorkel moulding.  This was some time before this revised casting joined the 1-75 series in 1983.  All this time I thought it was post-bankruptcy Matchbox International change.

So they cut the roof off an obviously British appliance to try and make it look more American?! That was clearly a great success* and I wonder what American kids made of this abomination that looked like no fire engine anywhere in the world.

[bunglebus]

I found a much more obviously American (and much newer) fire truck while sorting out in the loft

Pierce Dash is dated 2008

[flat4alfa]

19 minutes ago, quicksilver said:

So they cut the roof off an obviously British appliance to try and make it look more American?! That was clearly a great success* and I wonder what American kids made of this abomination that looked like no fire engine anywhere in the world.

It seems they lapped it up, as the casting ran for 22 years and (at least) 27 variations!

MBI also supplied as blanks for Code 2/3 efforts

The Japanese must have liked it too, as it ran 1984-87

[bunglebus]

Mrs is in the charity shop

They want a tenner for it though

[Spottedlaurel]

Not unreasonable if it's the 1/36 version?

[flat4alfa]

First released USA-only 1981/2 just named as SNORKEL both on packaging and base.  Produced by Matchbox (Lesney) Made in England.

MBI were proud enough to release it as a mainline for 1983, packaged and listed as SNORKEL FIRE ENGINE

Mattel realised its potential as a Premium.  TWICE!

Production continued until finally bowing out 2002 as part of the Matchbox 50th anniversary, with a rename to FLAME CHASER (not Snorkel) on the packaging

In a stunning dayglo yellow with contrasting blue interior, along with 'Metro Alarm' tampo.  If that wasn't enough, there was further excitement for collectors - the '50' roundel and 'MATCHBOX'  logo were on one side only, and not all had them.  It was boxed facing left, so when in the box you had no idea which type it was.  The aisles were chaotic.

[bunglebus]

11 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

In a stunning dayglo yellow with contrasting blue interior, along with 'Metro Alarm' tampo

This could be your lucky day, as a rare opportunity to purchase one has just arisen

[bunglebus]

This makes me feel better

 

[sierraman]

I have the Code Red P1 Fire Pumper.

[flat4alfa]

On 30/01/2024 at 14:51, ETCHY said:

The Merryweather is possibly quite an early one as the roof where the bells are mounted is body colour it's normally bare steel.

21 hours ago, ETCHY said:

I note your Merryweather has a roof like mine that's painted. Yeah I think there's something concerning number of wheelnuts signifying early or later. The nozzle on my perished hose (that sounds like something from Viz🤣) is brass too.

Are the 8-bolt hubs cast, or plastic?

Are they sheet metal bells pinned onto the roof piece?  Or cast bells?

[flat4alfa]

38 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

This makes me feel better

Charlie Mack - legend. 

Has edited Matchbox magazine (USA) since 1978

Has published at least 9 books
Collecting Matchbox: Regular Wheels 1953-1969
Lesney's Matchbox Toys: Regular Wheel Years, 1947-1969
Lesney's Matchbox Toys: The Superfast Years 1969-1982
Matchbox Cars
Matchbox Toys: The Tyco Years 1993-1994
Matchbox Toys: The Universal Years, 1982-1992
The Big Book of Matchbox Superfast Toys: 1969-2004 Volume 2: Product Lines & Indexes
The Big Book of Superfast Matchbox Toys: 1969-2004 Basic Models & Variation Lists
The Encyclopedia of Matchbox Toys

 

I wonder which year his wife left him though.

[flat4alfa]

9 hours ago, bunglebus said:

The one I found is the dayglo yellow Fire Eater version, it's that awful I don't appear to have taken any pictures of it when it turned up, probably in a job lot

When you said 'Fire Eater' yesterday I was confused as that was a Hot Wheels casting.  Well two Hot Wheels castings actually.

So yours is 'Fire Chaser' after all.  But also shows how lairy day-glo colours confuse the mind! 

Quote

Hot Wheels Fire Eater is this one 

Running since 1977!  Last issued 2021, by this time the retoolings and plastic content are obvious.  44 years, eh.

That's all very well, but Corgi Juniors experts should recognise Mattel's Hot Wheel Fire Eater II produced 1994-98.

Yes, it's the inherited casting from 1970, ERF Fire Engine Water Tender

Well, the 1974 retool to be correct

It lived 1970-98.  Throughout its 28 years, it was still named ‘Fire Tender’ on the base

[Bren]

I have the juniors one on the first card. I bought mine - and the simon snorkel - because they were the first picture card issues and both had metal bases - they don't turn up that often.

[sierraman]

1 hour ago, flat4alfa said:

Charlie Mack - legend. 

Has edited Matchbox magazine (USA) since 1978

Has published at least 9 books
Collecting Matchbox: Regular Wheels 1953-1969
Lesney's Matchbox Toys: Regular Wheel Years, 1947-1969
Lesney's Matchbox Toys: The Superfast Years 1969-1982
Matchbox Cars
Matchbox Toys: The Tyco Years 1993-1994
Matchbox Toys: The Universal Years, 1982-1992
The Big Book of Matchbox Superfast Toys: 1969-2004 Volume 2: Product Lines & Indexes
The Big Book of Superfast Matchbox Toys: 1969-2004 Basic Models & Variation Lists
The Encyclopedia of Matchbox Toys

 

I wonder which year his wife left him though.

The day he arrived home with those earrings and that shirt. 

[ETCHY]

1 hour ago, flat4alfa said:

Are the 8-bolt hubs cast, or plastic?

Are they sheet metal bells pinned onto the roof piece?  Or cast bells?

The hubs are plastic, the metal bells are separate.

[ETCHY]

5 hours ago, flat4alfa said:

Plain red from 1971

First release was in fact the deep metallic red, with removable axle covers.  Same as the one I got off you in one of your FIRE sales: 

I wonder, did you ever find the ladder? 🙂

Here it is today, snuggling up at Merryweather Meet 2024

Number plate is JBR 254G - which I had never noticed before...

Original box art.  Think it would be good to fit those chrome cap regular wheels sometime on one

Didn't make the 1969 catalogue.  First illustrated in 1970 catalogue, depicted moving along, with a funky wheel set

For 1971, a photograph, at last.  But a bit dull

While on the 1971 box it was absolutely belting along

Great info'.

I may be back shortly, i'm just about to disappear down another Rabbit hole..

[ETCHY]

8 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Hold on just one cotton pickin' minute - these aren't the same either

I've looked at loads of those & never noticed that.
My soon to be emptied wallet thanks you 😄

[bunglebus]

41 minutes ago, ETCHY said:

I've looked at loads of those & never noticed that.
My soon to be emptied wallet thanks you 😄

Well you can buy those! Updating my thread now...

[flat4alfa]

14 minutes ago, ETCHY said:

I've looked at loads of those & never noticed that.
My soon to be emptied wallet thanks you 😄

So it's at this point we don't mention the King Size / Super Kings LEYLAND casting differences?

King Size K-4 Leyland Tipper Truck.  The first one, with red plastic hubs and separate tyres.  L E Y L A N D lettering below the angled-end grille really needed detailing.   LE Transport livery

Super Kings K-4 Leyland Tipper Truck.  Extra chassis bracing, wider one-piece wheels.  Wates livery

Big MX BM-14 COMPLETE MINING SET contained this adapted one with a fitting for the tipping mechanism tool.  Hours of fun on the garden rockery.

Super Kings K-37.  Facelift grille, added roof board, L E Y L A N D lettering above grille, new bumper incorporating headlamps inside.  LAING livery.

I bet, if you didn't know all this, you'd be in complete Ashok.

[ETCHY]

22 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

So it's at this point we don't mention the King Size / Super Kings LEYLAND casting differences?

King Size K-4 Leyland Tipper Truck.  The first one, with red plastic hubs and separate tyres.  L E Y L A N D lettering below the angled-end grille really needed detailing.   LE Transport livery

Super Kings K-4 Leyland Tipper Truck.  Extra chassis bracing, wider one-piece wheels.  Wates livery

Big MX BM-14 COMPLETE MINING SET contained this adapted one with a fitting for the tipping mechanism tool.  Hours of fun on the garden rockery.

Super Kings K-37.  Facelift grille, added roof board, L E Y L A N D lettering above grille, new bumper incorporating headlamps inside.  LAING livery.

I bet, if you didn't know all this, you'd be in complete Ashok.

Great stuff.
I'll just pay my wages straight to ebay 🤣.

Here's a fascinating (or not) fact as you mention Ashok Leyland. My other half's incredibly cool late grandfather set up the foundry at Ashok Leyland in India back in the day. One of his first jobs was to send back to Leyland requesting boots for the workers as many of the Indian guys were going to work barefoot/in sandles (in a bloody foundry !)

[bunglebus]

But what about this one?

[flat4alfa]

Yeah and this one

And this one

You haven't lived until you've had both thick and skinny wheel Waite tippers.