Shite in Miniature II

[Split_Pin]

36 minutes ago, quicksilver said:

Scania

That looks great, I wasn't sure about it but as a Decorator would say 'It's a nice colour once it's up'.

[danthecapriman]

53 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

I'm not really sure whether to put this in the Truck Shite thread or here but based on the fact that Dan shows us his cracking truck projects I chose here.

First up is this 1/25 EMEK Scania R520 which I got from Marketplace locally for a tenner. The seller used to work at Scania which is pretty much only where you could get these back in the day, other than a wee shop called Leisuretime in Falkirk (now just dust in the wind). It's mint apart from missing mirrors. I have an older Scania plus an FL10 Volvo to keep it company.

Second is this. Spurred on by the work that goes on with diecast and model kits, I bought another Italeri 1/24 lorry kit from Hobbycraft a couple of months ago. Quite steep at £60 for a lump of plastic but the ones I bought in the 90s were about £25-30 so I guess that's still relative.

It took me ages due to limited spare time but it's nearly done, just a few touch ins to the spray paint job (Poundland gold!). The fit of these Italeri models is poor in some places, especially the cab panels which had to be built onto the interior rather than as a separate shell, which could be fettled and painted as one.

Overall it's turned out well though, I'm getting a Volvo F10 for Christmas!

Oooff! Very nice! That Scania is fantastic. It must be enormous isn’t it in that scale? Never seen one before.

Youve made a nice job on the Merc too, the gold really suits it. Can you get trailers for them?

[Split_Pin]

18 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

enormous

It's pretty big but the difference between 1/25 and 1/24 is stark! I have an Italeri Scania 144 in the bigger scale.

19 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

trailers

Yes, I built one years ago but it's very old and really needs rebuilding.

20 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

gold

It actually looks a bit crap in the photos but in the flesh it looks well 👍

[bunglebus]

Having a scout around Liverpool for the next few days. You know when you see something so old you think it's new?

I picked that up in 2023. Bizarrely I then saw it on a long card in Asda shortly afterwards 

[sierraman]

Those Italeri Volvo Kits look great, I’d make an absolute pigs ear of it if I ‘had a go’ and I’ve nowhere to display it according to the wife. She may have a point though, a few years ago I built one of those boats out of timber, with the individual sections glued on like real timbers. It looked quite good in the end which is why it now lives in my mother in laws bathroom. 

[Split_Pin]

My wife's latest dolls house is huge, like at least a metre cubed 😂 so I'm OK on the things-being-too-big-to-display question thankfully!

[MiniMinorMk3]

4 hours ago, warch said:

For reference this is the actual car the red OD Mini is based on. I think the wheels are ok, the launch car had  narrow 12" wheels, not the 13" ones most later versions had. The glasshouse is a bit big, but actually not miles out, they did have tall slab sides like many 80s hatchbacks. The lights are an interesting example of not looking how I remembered because some specs had recessed headlights and separate side and indicator units (like that one does) and others had flush headlights with the indicators to the sides. 

 

4 hours ago, eddyramrod said:

That's right, it was a trim-level thing.  Upper spec = flush lights.  Those were the days, when 12" wheels were enough on a small family hatchback!

Yes it was a trim level thing. I think the only levels to have the universal headlamps and separate lights in thebumper were the City and L.

LS, HLS, HLE, Vanden Plas and MG all had the posher bespoke hedlamps.

 

 

3 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

I’d love a good 1:43 Metro, if someone did one.

My grandad had a Y reg one in that brownish reddish metallic colour with a beige interior as his last car. One day he came out to find it sat at a bizarre angle on the drive! The subframe had collapsed overnight!! That was the end of both the car and his driving career as it just wasn’t worth fixing by then. It did survive a few more years though as he pushed it back against the garage door to hold that shut! Eventually it was dragged off to finish its days at Balby motor spares in Doncaster. 
My cousin had an early MG Metro in black too, my uncle used to spend many many many… many hours welding that thing up!😄 

And our next door neighbour had a C reg van in beige for his painting & decorating business. He had it years and it gradually went from practically mint to an absolutely rotten bag of crap in the time he had it. Replaced by a C reg Escort!

The only 1/43rd Metro I know, other than the plethora of 6R4 models that you ca find, is a Mk1 MG Metro by NEO. Because it was made by NEO in small limited quantities, in both silver and red, they now command high asking prices on the used market.

 

May be we should all lobby Vanguards and tell them they should make the Metro as it will sell more than yet another Mk1 Escort.

[warch]

18 minutes ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

Yes it was a trim level thing. I think the only levels to have the universal headlamps and separate lights in thebumper were the City and L.

LS, HLS, HLE, Vanden Plas and MG all had the posher bespoke hedlamps.

Nice of Charlie 'moneybags' Windsor to spunk out on the base model for his wife to be. I suppose it cemented her People's Princess status with the common man.

[bunglebus]

Bought a couple of bits in Smyths today, just been trying to find acceptable lighting in my B&B to photograph them

I liked the short-lived mini truck scene, nice of Mattel to make a twin pack of them. They'll definitely look better once freed from multiple layers of plastic 

They also had these

Don't remember Wednesday Addams having a Beetle

[danthecapriman]

25 minutes ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

 

Yes it was a trim level thing. I think the only levels to have the universal headlamps and separate lights in thebumper were the City and L.

LS, HLS, HLE, Vanden Plas and MG all had the posher bespoke hedlamps.

 

 

The only 1/43rd Metro I know, other than the plethora of 6R4 models that you ca find, is a Mk1 MG Metro by NEO. Because it was made by NEO in small limited quantities, in both silver and red, they now command high asking prices on the used market.

 

May be we should all lobby Vanguards and tell them they should make the Metro as it will sell more than yet another Mk1 Escort.

I think there’s about as much chance of Vanguard’s doing a Metro as I’ve got becoming the Queen!😆

That NEO one looks bloody good though. I know NEO models are generally expensive regardless but the low volume stuff like that more so.

I did briefly look at one of the Altaya 6R4’s as a base to do a standard Metro from, since they’re about the cheapest and easiest to get, but in reality I think it’d take so much work you might as well just make it from scratch, which wouldn’t be easy! There’d be practically nothing left of the donor model by the time you put it all back to how a standard one is.

It’s definitely a gaping hole in the 1:43 line up though. As are a lot of Rovers cars.

[MiniMinorMk3]

44 minutes ago, warch said:

Nice of Charlie 'moneybags' Windsor to spunk out on the base model for his wife to be. I suppose it cemented her People's Princess status with the common man.

I don't think she liked the Metro much as she was soon upgraded to an Escort Mk3 1.6 Ghia.

[quicksilver]

28 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

I think there’s about as much chance of Vanguard’s doing a Metro as I’ve got becoming the Queen!😆

That NEO one looks bloody good though. I know NEO models are generally expensive regardless but the low volume stuff like that more so.

I did briefly look at one of the Altaya 6R4’s as a base to do a standard Metro from, since they’re about the cheapest and easiest to get, but in reality I think it’d take so much work you might as well just make it from scratch, which wouldn’t be easy! There’d be practically nothing left of the donor model by the time you put it all back to how a standard one is.

It’s definitely a gaping hole in the 1:43 line up though. As are a lot of Rovers cars.

I can't imagine that being very easy even in a smaller scale as the 6R4 isn't really a Metro, more of a bespoke rally car with a few heavily modified Metro panels hung on it. You might be able to use the roof and windows but the entire bottom half is totally different.

Of course in 1/76 we have the opposite - a standard Metro is cheap and readily available but nobody makes a 6R4.

[warch]

13 minutes ago, quicksilver said:

I can't imagine that being very easy even in a smaller scale as the 6R4 isn't really a Metro, more of a bespoke rally car with a few heavily modified Metro panels hung on it. You might be able to use the roof and windows but the entire bottom half is totally different.

I suppose you could always model a Metro 6R4 replica*

It's amazing how seamlessly the rally car bodykit blends into the lines of the Rover 100 Austin Rover even in five door form...

[danthecapriman]

1 hour ago, quicksilver said:

I can't imagine that being very easy even in a smaller scale as the 6R4 isn't really a Metro, more of a bespoke rally car with a few heavily modified Metro panels hung on it. You might be able to use the roof and windows but the entire bottom half is totally different.

Of course in 1/76 we have the opposite - a standard Metro is cheap and readily available but nobody makes a 6R4.

That’s pretty much it I think! The roof and windows are probably usable for a Metro but below that your into making it from scratch I think.  
I haven’t actually had a close look at the Altaya 6R4 but I was hoping the basic shape of a Metro at least would be there with the body kit bits attached to that, but I don’t think any of them are. It’s cast as the 6R4 shape. Regardless, it’d take an enormous amount of work to do. 
Im not 100% convinced by the Altaya’s rear window shape either. Although that could just be photo’s etc.  

Of course then you’ve got all the details to make too like lights, bumpers, grill etc etc.      

If I could find a suitable donor cheap enough I’d probably have a go… but it’s almost certainly going to destroy the model if it goes wrong or turns out it can’t be done!

[morrisoxide]

Latest charity shop find.

Nice home made Tow truck

And what I bought the lot mainly for the Majorette RR.

I had the Cool paint Volvo as a kid but lost the container.

Look at the details on the tow truck, the light beacon on the front and the tow line and hook.

[junkyarddog]

That wooden Towtruck is very charming!

[morrisoxide]

Isn't it just.

Forgot to say it has a maker's mark on the underside.

Rogo or Pogo I can't quite tell?

[flat4alfa]

On 10/11/2024 at 15:46, danthecapriman said:

Heres the magazine type thing it came with. Absolutely no clue what it says!😆

 

It would seem that Shoyosha are the Japanese arm of Hachette 

https://shoyosha.jp/home.html

Quote

Im assuming it’s a Japanese version of the AA or RAC??

Yes, Tomy (Tomica) and Yonezawa (Diapet) have also produced a few JAF livery cars over the years. English language JAF website here:  https://english.jaf.or.jp

Not sure what that contraption in the back is either.  The magazine cover says 'tools in the luggage space' and 'realistic cargo'.

They also did a ‘Carpet Store Van’ version - 'The luggage compartment is fitted with a carpet'

The collection(s) is extensive - 224 models!

https://www.planetdiecast.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=263

 

[flat4alfa]

Crikey, one to look out for

Mazda Roadpacer.

That Holden with a rotary!

[FakeConcern]

Went to a toy fair yesterday

Corgi Transporter had the wrong cab, a Ford instead of the Scammell, so I manage to get the seller to let me have just the trailer plus a Dinky SAAB 96 and remains of a Corgi Elan

Pretty nice King Size XR4i

Very clean Dinky Volvo and Politoys GS

King Size Volvo, Corgi Prelude and Dinky TR7 all pretty good and cheap!

Horrible Spot On Alpine

Norev 305, King Size Gran Fury, Corgi DS Safari and unusual Gama Beetle, is the Herbie look original?

Dinky repaint Crapi, Very good Pilen AHC 480ES, cheap Europa and Conrad Scirocco (the fault of @bunglebus haha!). I wish sellers wouldn't use sticky price labels, I hope it comes off...

Not seen a Vitesse Vette before

Missing the screen, I need to compare it to a Corgi version

[FakeConcern]

On 10/11/2024 at 12:35, barrett said:

 

Here are my two most recent buys, both ex-French Dinky

The CX has been touched in with a bit of detailling but it actually looks quite neat. I love the wheel castings which pretty accurately denote it as a 1976 Pallas (iirc). I recently packed most of my diecast stuff away in boxes but I've kept the Pilens out as I like them so much.

They are really lovely! I picked up a Renner 12 last week (not as nice as yours) and bid on a CX like that a week or so ago and thought I'd win it, but was out bid at the last minute...

[flat4alfa]

On 09/11/2024 at 12:10, Tenmil Socket said:

Can anyone tell me anything about this? It appears to have been a plastic kit from 1981?

I'd buy that please, if it's available?

1:32 1978–83 Chevy Malibu adapted for slot track is one model I've not seen done before

The original Monogram box has it as Malibu Police Car, but on the re-release box they called it Chevy Police Car and in the small print named it a Chevelle, which is wrong as the 'Malibu' trim level Chevelle became a model name in its own right with this model and the 'Chevelle' name was dropped by '77

[Lord Sterling]

Pocked this up for a couple a quid at the local charity shop:

Majorette, seems to be a 1/36 in size. Seemingly it does something battery related but I'm unsure what exactly. Seems like a nice model. They seem to command around £25 to £30 on eBay.

[bunglebus]

8 hours ago, FakeConcern said:

Gama Beetle, is the Herbie look original?

Wow

Got a couple of perfect Gama Beetles, not seen that version before - almost the least appropriate body style for a Herbie replica!

[bunglebus]

Popped into another Smyths, upside down car in a 10 pack

Reduced sets

Bought these

Next door is Home Bargains, seems to be on their distribution centre site so hoped for good things. Hardly anything on the pegs, but just as I was leaving I saw someone with a box, only a few in it but I offered to fill the pegs while looking through them...

Hell yes. Well pleased with that

[FakeConcern]

2 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Wow

Got a couple of perfect Gama Beetles, not seen that version before - almost the least appropriate body style for a Herbie replica!

It looks as though the numbers are applied with a sharpie, but pretty sure the stripes are original. Would you like this one?

[junkyarddog]

48 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

Well pleased with that

Not surprised!!

Short card $upers are hard to find,and that's a cracker!!

[bunglebus]

2 hours ago, FakeConcern said:

It looks as though the numbers are applied with a sharpie, but pretty sure the stripes are original. Would you like this one?

Think I'll pass on that, thank you, much as the Herbie theme appeals to me. If it was in nicer condition I think I'd find it hard to resist!

[MiniMinorMk3]

14 hours ago, FakeConcern said:

Not seen a Vitesse Vette before

Missing the screen, I need to compare it to a Corgi version

Vitesse did most of the Le Mans Corvette from the era.

They also did road going C1, C3 and C5 models.

The C1 was an early Vitesse and is quite crude.

The C3 and C4 are quite good and both came in Coupe and Convertible styles.

Coupe version with T-Top lines in roof. Vitesse cheated a bit just plonking a plastic roof that looks more like a convertible hard top on the model.

C5 Coupe

C5 Convertible

The Vitesse C3 and C4 were the used by Matchbox Collectible in their Corvette series.

The C4 in the Matchbox series is an old Corgi Detail cars casting.

[MiniMinorMk3]

An IXO Metro 6R4

Would it not be possible to get a scan and 3D print of the Corgi, reducing it down to 1/43rd. I think it is 1/36 scale, just like their later Mini models.