Shite in Miniature II

[eddyramrod]

It's certainly cold in this house tonight.  I might need to wear my socks to bed!

[MiniMinorMk3]

3 hours ago, Tenmil Socket said:

 

In the next one I found these for 10p each.

 

Bargain of the week.

I like those old Dinky race cars.

A lot came with big tyres like the Alfa.

Other 1950s GP cars by Dinky included a Talbot-Lago...

and a Vanwall.

 

[ETCHY]

3 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

Didn’t get so much done today. Mostly odd small bits that needed filing and sanding to size etc.

Got the rear halves of the cab wheel arches filed to size and fixed on. These were cut off the cab interior moulding on the donor Iveco. The curve was about right on them so might as well use them.

 

Made up a basic interior too. Seats & steering wheel salvaged from the Iveco interior! Steering column and instrument binnacle (which is quite a prominent feature on these trucks!) are just plastic tube and off cuts of plastic card. 
Engine cover in centre is scraps of plastic box section and sheet with the ‘hump’ formed just by using bigger box at the back. Just need to make some sides for this now, between seats and engine cover, then gearstick etc.

 

Made a few more adjustments to how the cab sits on the chassis too. It was tilted slightly before but sits much more level now.

No pics yet, but the FG cab has also had its colour coat chosen and sprayed on. Not sure how it’ll come out tbh, the colour I like, but the paint itself didn’t go on great. No idea why. The nozzle on the can wasn’t the best quality either. There seems to be a lot of variation in the nozzles on aerosol cans - some companies paint have great nozzles that spray lovely and others are absolutely shit!

Looking good, great work.
I really like that instrument binnacle, you've got the shape right as yes it is very prominent.
Dunno if you know (& it'll make no difference to your model) but the engine hump in these was offset to give the driver more room at the expense of the passenger side area being narrower.  Great idea by Leyland except when trying to sell the bloody thing as a LHD..

[Tenmil Socket]

20 minutes ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

Bargain of the week.

I like those old Dinky race cars.

A lot came with big tyres like the Alfa.

Other 1950s GP cars by Dinky included a Talbot-Lago...

and a Vanwall.

 

I quite like them with my other items in the corner of my office.

[danthecapriman]

8 minutes ago, ETCHY said:

Looking good, great work.
I really like that instrument binnacle, you've got the shape right as yes it is very prominent.
Dunno if you know (& it'll make no difference to your model) but the engine hump in these was offset to give the driver more room at the expense of the passenger side area being narrower.  Great idea by Leyland except when trying to sell the bloody thing as a LHD..

I didn’t know that! Always assumed it was in the middle.

It’s hard to get the interior done because I’ve got to remember to leave enough space for the cab glazing to go in! I’ve visions of doing all this then getting to the reassembly and finding the windows won’t fit!

[FakeConcern]

A minor update on my projects.

I picked up some tyres at the weekend toy fair which meant I could finish this Dinky Ferrari

I'm pleased with how it came out really, I didn't take it apart just had a huge masking job to do. I also reused the original stickers so it does all look vintage

The Jensen colour is quite a good match foir the original

Again I used the original number plate stickers

The submarine Corgi Circus parade Land Rover came out better than I expected

Toy fair Corgi Elan had no steering wheel and i found one from a Maisto Ferrari that looks a good match

I didn't know the rear hatch opened on the Alpine until I washed it

And then under the cover is this, not bad for £2.

Seeing the fantastic build in progress by @danthecapriman has made me inspired enough to wonder if I should do something with the Corgi fire truck I have

Trying to think of what I could make it into that still goes with the Chipperfields set, but just not fire engine. The base has a bit of detail to it that could be built on maybe

Now does anyone know what this plastic Elan is?

Skinny tyres

Lastly I bought this Ky Kai Yip Lambo (cheap) thinking the tyres would be a match for the one missing from the Trans Am (it isn't). Now I'm thinking someone on here likes them, if it's the case and you want it, let me know

[AndyW201]

Time for some Thursday Trucking Tacho-break Tat, 

It's taken me a year to get one of these, but it came on eBay with a seller I've bought from before, at a hugely discounted price.

It's the original black release of the RS Turbo that goes for the most money, along with the white and red ones, as those two were only available as part of a box set, so are hard to get on their own. I was glad to get an offer on this then, as for me, Mercury Grey is THE colour for a MK4 RST.

Usuall detailing here, the correct vents and '90 spec bumper are there, along with nicely done spotlights.

Rear features the '90 spec spoiler and correct chunky back box for the Turbo version.

Nice rear decals too.

Great interior detailing too, the two tone grey Recaros look spot-on.

Only half-assed gripe is the wheels. The spokes look decent but the wheel nuts are poorly defined and can't be seen from a distance. 

Still, after getting the Vanguards MK4 XR3i, I've been wanting an RS Turbo for a while, and in this scale, its only really this one, or the hard-to-get Neo version for about four times the price. This will do nicely.

[danthecapriman]

24 minutes ago, FakeConcern said:

A minor update on my projects.

I picked up some tyres at the weekend toy fair which meant I could finish this Dinky Ferrari

I'm pleased with how it came out really, I didn't take it apart just had a huge masking job to do. I also reused the original stickers so it does all look vintage

The Jensen colour is quite a good match foir the original

Again I used the original number plate stickers

The submarine Corgi Circus parade Land Rover came out better than I expected

Toy fair Corgi Elan had no steering wheel and i found one from a Maisto Ferrari that looks a good match

I didn't know the rear hatch opened on the Alpine until I washed it

And then under the cover is this, not bad for £2.

Seeing the fantastic build in progress by @danthecapriman has made me inspired enough to wonder if I should do something with the Corgi fire truck I have

Trying to think of what I could make it into that still goes with the Chipperfields set, but just not fire engine. The base has a bit of detail to it that could be built on maybe

Now does anyone know what this plastic Elan is?

Skinny tyres

Lastly I bought this Ky Kai Yip Lambo (cheap) thinking the tyres would be a match for the one missing from the Trans Am (it isn't). Now I'm thinking someone on here likes them, if it's the case and you want it, let me know

How about turning the fire engine into a generator truck? Plenty of those were used in showman’s fleets for powering the various amusements etc. 

[eddyramrod]

+1 on the generator truck, it's ideal!

Now... I've had a go at the Snorkel...

One screw was all that was holding the Snorkel arm to the bed.  The chassis didn't need drilling, just levering off.  See those rectangular slots in the base?  They're for pillars that are cast into the body and have a little twist on the end that holds the chassis well enough.

Unfortunately the cab is distorted; I might be able to save it or I might not, I don't know.  I don't even know if I'll try, at the moment.  On one level it doesn't matter, because what I wanted off this was the front axle and wheels.  I've now removed them and they are in place on the model I intended them for.  Anything else I can use is a bonus.

[Datsuncog]

[sierraman]

11 hours ago, AndyW201 said:

Time for some Thursday Trucking Tacho-break Tat, 

It's taken me a year to get one of these, but it came on eBay with a seller I've bought from before, at a hugely discounted price.

It's the original black release of the RS Turbo that goes for the most money, along with the white and red ones, as those two were only available as part of a box set, so are hard to get on their own. I was glad to get an offer on this then, as for me, Mercury Grey is THE colour for a MK4 RST.

Usuall detailing here, the correct vents and '90 spec bumper are there, along with nicely done spotlights.

Rear features the '90 spec spoiler and correct chunky back box for the Turbo version.

Nice rear decals too.

Great interior detailing too, the two tone grey Recaros look spot-on.

Only half-assed gripe is the wheels. The spokes look decent but the wheel nuts are poorly defined and can't be seen from a distance. 

Still, after the Vanguards MK4 XR3i, I've been wanting an RS Turbo for a while, and in this scale, its only really this one, or the hard-to-get Neo version for about four times the price. This will do nicely.

They’d got the proportions bang on for the body then fitted a leg of chorizo for the gear lever and the handbrake. 😂

[Datsuncog]

Cold old morning, but fortunately we're a bit too close to sea level for snow today.

Cars were coming down off the hills with a good few inches on the roof, mind...

That seems to cause people to not want to drive at more than 20mph, even on well-gritted NSL roads.

Which causes me to scream in frustration as I get caught at the level crossing again..

All the while imagining that wonderful things are being uncovered at the Tat Stall in my absence.

I treated myself by parking directly outside the market today,  though.

There's not often a space so when one presented itself, I went for it.

Through the Oxford St doors, I could see the regulars thronged around the Tat Stall already - and the Nemesismobile was already parked...

And inside were... mainly trucks.

[Datsuncog]

Plenty of trucks, but not a lot we haven't seen before.

It's mostly the usual Corgi and Lesney suspects, in varying stages of bashed-up-ness.

I gotta run, sadly - but more pics and full write-up later!

But just to whet the old appetite...

Siku MAN low-loader was in not too bad shape, barring some missing wingmirrors (and the original load, which was a tractor shovel)

A choice of two Corgi Major Ford H-Series, in either tired original condition with Carrimore trailer, or in hand-painted tractor unit only.

Modern MAN tractor units - the one with the Linde logo (and very thick paint on the lower half) is by Schuco; the clearly-related one on the left seemed to have no manufacturer mark on the base.

Hongwell Mercedes breakdown van in not bad shape, but as such it also attracted the attentions of the Nemesis - and was soon snaffled.

Following on from the Lone Star excitement earlier in the week, here's a later non-prototypical model articulated tanker wearing Esso colours.

This one was also Nemesis'd (though he did kindly ask if I wanted it, first)

A closer look at the repainted H-Type - not a very neat job, but quite a pleasing colour scheme. Unusually, the roof-mounted horns were still in situ.

Not a great deal up top, in fairness - some unboxed Brumm, Rio and MoY classics, a fairly chipped EFE decker and some Bburago 1/18s, plus some more tinplate stuff and Mamod accessories.

The black round things in the Quality Street tub are rubber bullets, or baton rounds as they were known - probably police issue.

You get a different class of Norn Iron tourist souvenir on the Tat Stall...

[MiniMinorMk3]

14 hours ago, FakeConcern said:

A minor update on my projects.

I picked up some tyres at the weekend toy fair which meant I could finish this Dinky Ferrari

I'm pleased with how it came out really, I didn't take it apart just had a huge masking job to do. I also reused the original stickers so it does all look vintage

I like the use of the original stickers, it makes it look more authentic.

14 hours ago, FakeConcern said:

Seeing the fantastic build in progress by @danthecapriman has made me inspired enough to wonder if I should do something with the Corgi fire truck I have

Trying to think of what I could make it into that still goes with the Chipperfields set, but just not fire engine. The base has a bit of detail to it that could be built on maybe

I'm thinking big cage on the back for transporting Lions or an Elephant.

14 hours ago, AndyW201 said:

Time for some Thursday Trucking Tacho-break Tat, 

 

 

Only half-assed gripe is the wheels. The spokes look decent but the wheel nuts are poorly defined and can't be seen from a distance. 

Still, after the Vanguards MK4 XR3i, I've been wanting an RS Turbo for a while, and in this scale, its only really this one, or the hard-to-get Neo version for about four times the price. This will do nicely.

 

That's not a bad looking model, but some of the casting of the accessories is not up to the price that Vanguards now ask for a new one. The mould mark on the rear spoiler realy sticks out, and those wheels, as you say, are poor.

I've been umming and arhing over whether to buy the Black Tulip 1275GT, but at £36, it is just over priced. The last ones I purcahsed were about half that.

[AndyW201]

33 minutes ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

 

I've been umming and arhing over whether to buy the Black Tulip 1275GT, but at £36, it is just over priced. The last ones I purcahsed were about half that.

Same here, the colour really appeals to me. Wouldn't mind, they were on Hattons site for £23 when they were doing the closing down sale, but I wasnt quick enough, the scalpers will have got them all.

[flat4alfa]

3 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

The Nemesismobile was already parked...

[sierraman]

1 hour ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

I like the use of the original stickers, it makes it look more authentic.

I'm thinking big cage on the back for transporting Lions or an Elephant.

That's not a bad looking model, but some of the casting of the accessories is not up to the price that Vanguards now ask for a new one. The mould mark on the rear spoiler realy sticks out, and those wheels, as you say, are poor.

I've been umming and arhing over whether to buy the Black Tulip 1275GT, but at £36, it is just over priced. The last ones I purcahsed were about half that.

I just think there’s space in the market now for something better quality than the Vanguards. Its a bit tiresome as well as though everything is geared towards Fords. And that’s me saying that...

[danthecapriman]

Trial fitted the assembled cab interior into the AEC. 
It was a touch tight to be honest! I don’t think I’d get glazing in with it how it is.

 

So I’ve trimmed down the instrument binnacle a touch to clear the windscreen area on the cab front, and I felt the steering column was a bit too long still so trimmed that and refitted the steering wheel.  
Also ‘trimmed’ the engine cover in some masking tape, which has a slight texture to it and once painted should look more like the vinyl fabric the originals are usually covered in.

 

Cab roof is now filled, as is a few other patches on the back of the cab, and the top surface of the cab protector on the tipper. Just waiting for it to dry now.

Heres the FG in its new colour! 
It’s actually dried well despite my concerns about it yesterday. Being enamel paint though it’s incredibly shiny so I’ll have to tone it down with some satin varnish later. Just got the bed to paint next.

 

Had a new arrival too for my British trucking fleet! 
Bedford TJ. From a French truck collection. There’s lots of French makes of truck in this collection, mostly stuff we never got here, but there’s a handful of more British trucks, or foreign makes we did get too. It’s just a case of finding them! 
This TJ is a really nice looking model. Apart from the French lettering and being lhd it really looks the part. Undecided exactly what to do with it, might just remove the lettering and swap to rhd? Maybe a complete strip & respray?

I was reading up on these trucks, and, unbelievably, they actually made these from 1958 right up to 1998!! In the uk we had them until the mid 70’s (commonly used by the AA as recovery trucks) but afterwards they kept making them as export only models. Very popular in Africa, Pakistan and India because they were so robust and long lasting.

 

This is also from the same truck collection. 
Volvo F88. Also available in other collections or a stand alone unit from IXO.

   
Here’s one of the IXO artics. 
I’ve actually got two of these tractor units! Got this one cheap second hand locally, so paired it with a low loader trailer from the same maker. I’ll probably remove the trailers side boards to make it a bit more British looking, and repaint the tractor unit too.

 

Will I ever actually complete all these projects??!🤣

[junkyarddog]

11 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

was reading up on these trucks, and, unbelievably, they actually made these from 1958 right up to 1998!! In the uk we had them until the mid 70’s (commonly used by the AA as recovery trucks) but afterwards they kept making them as export only models. Very popular in Africa, Pakistan and India because they were so robust and long lasting.

😁

[MiniMinorMk3]

14 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

Trial fitted the assembled cab interior into the AEC. 
It was a touch tight to be honest! I don’t think I’d get glazing in with it how it is.

When I get round to doing the old Dinky Clubman Panda car project I am going to try to make new glazing by using some of that stiff plastic that stuff comes in from the shops.

I've used it before for small flat screens, but I'm thinking of warming in boiling water and then shaping it on the old screen moulding.

 

14 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

 

Had a new arrival too for my British trucking fleet! 
Bedford TJ. From a French truck collection. There’s lots of French makes of truck in this collection, mostly stuff we never got here, but there’s a handful of more British trucks, or foreign makes we did get too. It’s just a case of finding them! 
This TJ is a really nice looking model. Apart from the French lettering and being lhd it really looks the part. Undecided exactly what to do with it, might just remove the lettering and swap to rhd? Maybe a complete strip & respray?

I was reading up on these trucks, and, unbelievably, they actually made these from 1958 right up to 1998!! In the uk we had them until the mid 70’s (commonly used by the AA as recovery trucks) but afterwards they kept making them as export only models. Very popular in Africa, Pakistan and India because they were so robust and long lasting.

 

I think that Bedford is an IXO casting. They also do an old Ford Thames.

IXO Trucks (ixomodels.com)

[MiniMinorMk3]

Day 5 on the five car Porsche project.

No progress on the Valvoline car, but the Obermaier has had some more small stuff added.

Small stuff on the Spirit of America.

The Danone has had quite a bit on the front.

And the last box has been opened and started.

This is the Henn's T-Bird Swap Shop Porsche 956 that was driven to 2nd place by Jean Rondeau, John Paul, Jr. and Preston Henn in the 1984 Le Mans 24 Hours.    

Some crap pictures.

Lots of decals. I left this until last as it did not need pulling apart and there are no big decals to attach.

Lower stripes on the left...

right, along with the team logos.

Sun strip and title sponsor on the front.

 

[Split_Pin]

45 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

Trial fitted the assembled cab interior into the AEC. 
It was a touch tight to be honest! I don’t think I’d get glazing in with it how it is.

 

So I’ve trimmed down the instrument binnacle a touch to clear the windscreen area on the cab front, and I felt the steering column was a bit too long still so trimmed that and refitted the steering wheel.  
Also ‘trimmed’ the engine cover in some masking tape, which has a slight texture to it and once painted should look more like the vinyl fabric the originals are usually covered in.

 

Cab roof is now filled, as is a few other patches on the back of the cab, and the top surface of the cab protector on the tipper. Just waiting for it to dry now.

Heres the FG in its new colour! 
It’s actually dried well despite my concerns about it yesterday. Being enamel paint though it’s incredibly shiny so I’ll have to tone it down with some satin varnish later. Just got the bed to paint next.

 

Had a new arrival too for my British trucking fleet! 
Bedford TJ. From a French truck collection. There’s lots of French makes of truck in this collection, mostly stuff we never got here, but there’s a handful of more British trucks, or foreign makes we did get too. It’s just a case of finding them! 
This TJ is a really nice looking model. Apart from the French lettering and being lhd it really looks the part. Undecided exactly what to do with it, might just remove the lettering and swap to rhd? Maybe a complete strip & respray?

I was reading up on these trucks, and, unbelievably, they actually made these from 1958 right up to 1998!! In the uk we had them until the mid 70’s (commonly used by the AA as recovery trucks) but afterwards they kept making them as export only models. Very popular in Africa, Pakistan and India because they were so robust and long lasting.

 

This is also from the same truck collection. 
Volvo F88. Also available in other collections or a stand alone unit from IXO.

   
Here’s one of the IXO artics. 
I’ve actually got two of these tractor units! Got this one cheap second hand locally, so paired it with a low loader trailer from the same maker. I’ll probably remove the trailers side boards to make it a bit more British looking, and repaint the tractor unit too.

 

Will I ever actually complete all these projects??!🤣

That Ergomatic is looking fantastic! Those other truck models are lovely too. I especially like the Bedford.

[danthecapriman]

1 hour ago, Split_Pin said:

That Ergomatic is looking fantastic! Those other truck models are lovely too. I especially like the Bedford.

They do a TK too, one was a rigid lion transporter truck in the Pinder circus collection, they’ve done a couple of artics too (one was in Dinky toys livery!) but they aren’t easy to get at the moment. Quite expensive too if they come up.

Ive filled and rubbed the roof and cab back down now. Looks much better, just given it a wash off before a dust with primer and see how it looks.

 

[Datsuncog]

Right right right... see, this is the problem when a bunch of politicians fuck off for two years, then pile back in and start noisily asking loads of pointless Assembly Questions about the progress of transport plans, to which the only honest answer is "nothing's happened since 2022, because you lot all fucked off for two years".

And who suffers?

Tat Friday suffers, that's who.

Remember - the political is personal, kids.

Or it is when this sort of shit happens, anyway.

So! What happened this morning?

Lorries happened.

A lot of them.

While there were a few oddities lurking - more on those later - the majority were either rubbishy cheapo Poundland trucks, or the same Corgi and Lesney items we've seen manys a time.

Super Kings DAF flatbed was quite clean, but c'mon - are there any of us that don't have a couple of these? I know I do.

Still wish I'd nabbed the apparently rare variant with the pink base that appeared the other week, mind.

So many DAF transporters.

I'm sure these were popular sellers at the time, but it's quite amazing the numbers that still show up on the stalls in ok condition. This wasn't even all of them today, there were a few more at the bottom of the box too.

Regular wheels version in yellow and red for the 1970 catalogue year only was a bit more uncommon, though - and with its easily-lost retaining tabs on the upper deck still in place, astonishingly.

I was tempted, but I already have one of these - so I left it for another lucky collector to drool over.

Super Kings caravan was tidy, but missing its towhitch unfortunately.

Modernish Corgi stuff was either incomplete or a bit messy.

Many of the transporters had cheapo Teamz or Wheels or whatever generic stuff is cheap in Tesco sellotaped onto the carrier bed, for reasons best known to the previous owner.

Kenworth Aero was quite nice, but not really my scene.

Plenty of Super Kings Peterbilts - but trailers, there were none.

Although there was a Christian Salvesen box trailer in a box a couple of weeks back, which would have paired with the white Peterbilt - so I wonder if this has been a single collection split carelessly into multiple boxes?

Annoying, if so.

Siku MAN low loader was pretty vast and at least had kept its trailer. Mirrors and load had gone AWOL, but an impressive big model all the same.

I've had an eye out for a Corgi Transporter for a while. Much as I'd like a later Scammell or an earlier Bedford S, this Ford Type H is quite an appealing big thing.

Also giving me the eye was this DAF 3300 by Matchbox Super Kings. Working steering, too.

Smaller-scale MANs looked like they might be related. The one on the left is a no-name, the one on the right is apparently by Schuco.

Hongwell Merc towing van was quite clean, but Nemesis'd in short order.

As was this Lone Star articulated tanker.

I actually didn't hate this repainted Corgi Ford. The mounting on the fifth wheel was inexplicably broken off, though.

This Corgi Unimog Gooseneck was, well, kinda goosed however.

Few smaller bits were buried at the bottom - nothing very old, or very interesting though.

Hot Wheels Ford cabover was rolling on some pretty shonky blackwalls, just about - but its original load was nowhere to be seen.

I set a number of these aside in the hope of some cheap laughs, but it unfortunately became apparent that these would be moderately expensive laughs... two-for-a-fiver on smaller stuff like the Hot Wheels, £5 on single tractor units or trailers, £10 on complete tractor and trailer units.

So - I put most of 'em back...

[Datsuncog]

Up top, there wasn't very much to excite:

Some Brumm, Rio and MoY classics, plus some bigger Bburagos, and more tinplate antics.

Plus the usual Lledo toss that no-one really wants.

The Nemesis made his choices, and bid his farewells:

Big Mercedes is by Rio; red Daimler is an early issue 1960s Corgi Classic. I think the BMW sharknose may be a Hot Wheels?

So, I shuffled off to see if any of the other stalls had much to tickle me with...

Colin's Irish Tat stall did in fact have a fair bit of new stuff:

The 1/24 Whitebox items were very nice, if not all that cheap.

Also, Vanguards RS2000s:

Not massively cheap at £36 a go, and I'm finding it hard to believe the same stall used to knock out Vanguards for a fiver.

(Admittedly, about 15 years ago)

He'd some new Greenlights in too - Escort Cosworths in street or rally mode, plus a Fox-body Mustang. Tenner a go.

I moseyed over to the Charity Stall, but they'd not a lot to draw the eye today...

Ah well. Just about time for a quick coffee, and a sort of frangipane slice thing that I definitely didn't drop on the floor, and then eat it anyway...

[sierraman]

I’m missing something, what’s Irish about a Talbot Sunbeam? 😂

[FakeConcern]

8 hours ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

 

I've been umming and arhing over whether to buy the Black Tulip 1275GT, but at £36, it is just over priced. The last ones I purcahsed were about half that.

I looked at those and it isn't just the price that has put me off, it just isn't a great representation of a Mini Clubman. The grill is far too square, the windscreen looks too square and flat, the side windows look wrong too. but I can't really say why.

The wheels look good, but the whole back end is just crap, the rear window is too square as well and then the rear panel somehow the wrong curve with the lights too low and flat as well. I would hate it if I had one.

[Hertz]

Looks like a Bakewell Slice to me? Due to this thread I now find myself nipping into charity shops and rustling through the toy car box. Nothing come up of any interest so far...

@Datsuncog If you come across a reasonably priced Volvo FH series lorry in any condition I would be interested.

Thanks for the tat Friday post as always.

[MiniMinorMk3]

The vermillion that came as both right-hand and left-hand drive were the last road car versions that I purchased. They are a later 12" wheel car, so with the reversing lamps that this car had the rear lights are OK for length, but they should stick out a bit more.

The main problem with th efront end is the headlamps should be sunk in slightly, and the side light/indicator units are too big. The side windows are slightly too shallow and the pillars are too thick.

The Spark versions are not much better.

 

[Datsuncog]

Sadly I didn't have time to finish my coffee at the table, or finish cropping the pics, as time was ticking on...

On my circuitous way out, I passed by Alan's Emporium, just in case he'd got a load of mint Lone Star Impy models in, but I'll never know - the man himself wouldn't be hurried in his setting-up, and so the 50p Tray remained bare just before 9.

Ah well.

Amidst all the general bustle once I got home and logged on to the network, there wasn't really a great deal of time for diecast funsies... but I managed to get a few snaps of what I came away with, which I'll belatedly share now.

First off - no, I couldn't pass up the Ford transporter.

It's clearly led a hard life, with many of the fragile bits missing and a fair bit of paint loss.

It's also somewhat faded, and the axles have taken a whack at some point.

But the 'hydraulic' deck still works alright:

And the engine detailing remains as fine as ever:

I know it's hardly hyper-detailed, but I still think this is impressive going for a 60yr old toy.

Wonky axles can be more clearly seen here:

And the exhaust stack has also vanished into the mists of time. I know these bits can all be got via Steve Flowers or assorted eBay sellers, but it's not so much of a priority right now.

I also didn't realise that the trailer's jockey wheels automatically come down and then retract whenever the tractor is uncoupled or hitched up again.

That's a pretty neat trick.

Overall - I'm pleased with this, even at the price. I'll probably keep an eye out for a better, more complete example but I've wanted one of these for a good long while.