Shite in Miniature II

[RoadworkUK]

Stratos Zero could well be the thing to break my spell of diecast abstention. What a gorgeous little thing. 

[bunglebus]

  On 23/12/2024 at 16:38, andy18s said:

Love the Metro,did you happen to pick up a spare or 2??.

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No, flying visit - but I can keep an eye out for more 

[bunglebus]

  On 23/12/2024 at 16:57, Datsuncog said:

"Daddy?"

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WTF is that, looks like Chet from Weird Science 

[AndyW201]

Well, you're probably all sick of Capris now, but a few of my faves,

Vanguards Mk2 3.0S X-pack. Would have been nice to have a standard bodied S, but I love Signal Orange with the Mk2 S stripes. The wide Ronal alloys look great as well.

Vanguards Mk1 2000 GT Special in Vista Orange. Another great colour, and Corgi put in the effort for the bits unique to this version like the boot spoiler, rear window louvre and the long-slot ROstyles,

Mk1 3000 GXL. I like this one as its unusual in being a GXL, not the usual GT/RS. Unusual too, I think in being a Mk1 facelift model. Sapphire blue looks nice on this one.

Professionalmania edition of Bodie's Mk3  3.0S, UOO 303T, based on the Vanguards casting. Featuring Tony's re-tooled wheels (far superior to Corgi's own), sunroof detail and Carla check interior,

I've got this one on pre-order, looking forward to it coming out. Another Professionalmania project, PNO 580R, Bodie's Arizona Gold Mk2 3.0 Ghia from series 1. Again with Tony's wheels, which should address the problem with the red Vanguards release.

Corgi have already released a version of Doyle's silver X-Pack which appeared alongside the Ghia in series 1, albeit as part of a Screen Stars twin pack with The Cow's Granada. My pocket money hasn't stretched to one of those yet...

[Split_Pin]

DAMN AND BLAST YOU WITH YOUR EXCELLENT CLOSE UP SHOTS OF LOVELY VANGUARDS FORDS.

Yours faithfully, 

Split_Pin's bank account.

[Datsuncog]

  On 23/12/2024 at 17:11, bunglebus said:

WTF is that, looks like Chet from Weird Science 

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Still absolutely no idea what that is - some really odd soft plastic figurine found in a Tat Box back in March 2020.

Google Image Search returns no results for it - maybe just as well...

[AndyW201]

  On 23/12/2024 at 19:26, Split_Pin said:

DAMN AND BLAST YOU WITH YOUR EXCELLENT CLOSE UP SHOTS OF LOVELY VANGUARDS FORDS.

Yours faithfully, 

Split_Pin's bank account.

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My pleasure!

(If I end up on Shit Street due to a diecast habit, I'm not going alone.)

[sierraman]

Supposedly SOO636R has resurfaced in Portugal but there’s some legal wrangling about it. 

[sheffcortinacentre]

  On 23/12/2024 at 13:24, bunglebus said:

Looks like the closest, but with full width bumpers and no spoiler. I'd have rather they went with a standard early or late MK1, but at least they did it I suppose, the yanks only knew them as Mercurys.

There's also a sunroof cast in, was a tilt/slide available back then? I've seen the Webasto fabric roof in an early MK1

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Yes rare option.

[AndyW201]

A Ford press fleet Mk1 3-litre GT with factory sliding sunroof in the BBC sitcom My Wife Next Door,

[Datsuncog]

  On 23/12/2024 at 19:37, AndyW201 said:

If I end up on Shit Street due to a diecast habit, I'm not going alone.

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Hi, neighbour!

[danthecapriman]

Had a delivery this morning of a slightly more difficult to get hold of model I needed* to make something I’ve been planning for a while.

Heres the photo that started this idea. 
Ex dairy ERF now in use by a contracting company who were in road building. The two AEC’s on the back are ex Wimpy tippers, off highway use trucks.

Then I found this photo. 
It’s a Kraz 256B dumper, but these Ukrainian built Soviet era trucks were sold in small quantities in the UK by a specialist importer. Export models were oddly badged as Belaz 256B (Belaz were a completely separate manufacturer behind the iron curtain). This particular one was photographed in a temporary yard during the construction of the M25 motorway! 
I love these trucks, and their military spec version, the Kraz 255, so this is a great excuse to build one as a load for a low loader.

I tracked down this IXO Kraz 256B from a seller in Spain recently. It’s not the most common model and in the UK I couldn’t find any.

It’s a really nice model in its own right, but my intention is a rough respray into blue, like in the photo above and some dirt & weathering.

So now I need a low loader trailer and a tractor unit. 
Trailer is easy, as I’ve got 3 or 4 of the IXO/Altaya/Odeon ones now ready for various projects so one of those will do with some modifications. 
The tractor unit… forget having the ERF sadly as there’s absolutely nothing available in 1:43. So something else that’s a believable tractor will have to do.

About a month ago when I was about to move house I found a really nice IXO Scania 141 at a good price so I bagged it. This is the one I had to get posted to my sisters house as it’d have been delivered on moving day!   
So for now, here’s a mock up of what I’m planning on building in the new year.

The Kraz/Belaz will need the most attention, trailer I’m undecided about if I repaint it but it definitely needs weathering and the side boards removed. The Scania, I’m tempted to leave as it is. I’ll swap it to RHD of course but I might just give it a coat of satin or matt varnish to dull it down a bit, then a light weathering. Maybe it can look similar to the ERF in the first pic, where it’s clearly a second hand truck in another livery and pressed straight into use hauling plant equipment. From how most of that sort of equipment seemed to look I’d imagine it was a case of ‘who cares what it looks like as long as it works’ so painting the tractor unit into a new colour scheme probably wouldn’t be the highest priority.

Eventually, I’d like to build an AEC tipper to go with the Belaz, but that can come later, probably using IXO/Altaya chassis bits and a Dinky AEC cab.

[FakeConcern]

I'd call that done!

[MiniMinorMk3]

Here are the two Lotus Europas from my auction haul.

The one with racing decals jogged something in my memory. It made me think that when you got cars with a track set they had racing numbers.

So after a search on the net I found the answer.

The racing numbers and stripes are from G3 Racing Specials Gift set.

It turns out that I have at least another two from a set, the Dodge Charger and the Ford Group 6.

The Charger has numbers and sponsor stuff.

The Ford just has some side stripes.

Here's a picture of the back of the gift set box showing the decals placement

 

There are examples of two of the other cars from the set amongst the auction items, but they do not have an extra decals on. There's no Pinnin BMC.

[bunglebus]

They are nice finds, I'd be very pleased. I'm going to check my examples to see if I have any from that set!

[bunglebus]

Christmas Eve is here

Now what do I do with it? 😆

[MiniMinorMk3]

  On 24/12/2024 at 10:22, bunglebus said:

Christmas Eve is here

Now what do I do with it? 😆

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Stick it in a box, put it in the loft and forget all about it until you find it again in ten years time when you move house.

[Split_Pin]

That's a pretty good calendar to be fair.

[MiniMinorMk3]

Some more of the Superfast from my auction winnings.

First up is a narrow wheel GT40 with busted screen and wonky back wheel.

A small hint of the base colour...

which is turquoise.

Next up is a Mk2 'Tina. This is its good side.

The other side looks like Michael Caine has been ragging it around Gateshead.

Purple Fastback looks good apart from a cracked screen pillars.

The SM looks like it has appeared in The Day of the Jackal with shot out screen...

and heavy wear on the tyres.

Tidy looking Pork 910.

Siva Spider has missing centre trim.

SL is in Speedster mode with no screen.

 

[Snake Charmer]

  On 24/12/2024 at 11:15, MiniMinorMk3 said:

The other side looks like Michael Caine has been ragging it around Gateshead.

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🤣

[warch]

  On 23/12/2024 at 18:12, AndyW201 said:

Corgi have already released a version of Doyle's silver X-Pack which appeared alongside the Ghia in series 1, albeit as part of a Screen Stars twin pack with The Cow's Granada. My pocket money hasn't stretched to one of those yet...

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As a Professionals fan I prefer the Mk 2 3.0l S, mainly because I like the shape of the headlights more,  loved the x pack arches and also that it was in some great early episodes. There was a gold automatic Mk2 in some episodes too (driven by Bodie).

It always annoys me a bit that the merch tends to fixate on Bodie, Doyle and the Mk3 Capri when Cowley was just as cool and the alt modes of transport like the SD1, Dolomite, RS 2000, earlier Capris and above all the various Granadas  were equally cool. 

[MiniMinorMk3]

Some more Superfast, this time it's the turn of the commercials.

The Ford Pick-Up has been to a few Tailgates...

and lost a bit of the front.

A couple of Merry weather Fire Engines. One is well used...

and one is very clean. Both need to go to B&Q to pick up some new ladders before they go on a shout.

The Merryweather has clipped in axles, so after a quick bit of tweaking...

the wheels are straight again.

Never understood why the SRN6 was in the range.

 Clean looking Freeway Tanker in the original Burmah livery.

There were loads of Burmah petrol stations about when this was released. The name disappeared in the end when the company was swallowed up by BP Amaco.

Last of the commercials sees the Fork Lift Truck in original Lansing Bagnall livery. It's in good condition...

with a nice shiney black base.

I'll be keeping this as Lansings in Basingstoke was the last place that my Grandad worked before he retired. When he worked there he had a Mk2 Capri GL in white with a brown vinyl roof.

 

 

[MiniMinorMk3]

The last batch from my auction lot are the dragsters and fantasy Superfasts. I had all of these when younger and most got wrecked. Those that were left were passed on to my younger brother who finished them off.

First up are a pair of Draguars, maybe that's what Jaguar should have rebranded to the other day.

One is an overpainted original copper metallic and the other is the later pink metallic. Also, are the engines always out of alignment.

The pink on is quite good with some wear on the wheels.

Next up is a Boss Mustang that has gone round the block a few times. It was one of my favourites back in 1972.

Another fave of mine were the Beach Buggies. Back than you would see Buggies on the road quite often.

The first one was the pink with yellow drops, this example is well worn. The V8 still has it's sunflower and black pipes.

Next are a couple of Bug based things.

I like the Dragon Wheels. It is just like a 1970s Funny Car. This one is in quite good nick apart from the scratches on the roof.

The Flying Bug was just pure cartoon, just like Mini Ha-Ha. A quick session with some pliers sorted the bent rear wings, but this doesn't have clip in axles like the Merry Weather, so the bent rear axle is staying bent.

Pink was a regular feature of matchbox stuff. Here we have a Jeep Hot Rod with missing screen and broken front axle.

The Mod Tractor has lost a couple of intakes.

Clean looking Slingshot Dragster...

that sadly is missing two pipes.

I've no idea what this is supposed to represent, I guess Lesney were trying to keep up with Mattel.

It does have an attempt at a VW engine.

A tidy Stingeroo. I have just noticed that it has what looks like Lledo on the engine, but it actually spells Liedo.

Here we have what must be the lamest of the Rolamatics.

May I present the Clipper with it's lift up canopy...

and trumpets that go up and down.

It's no where near as exciting as the Piston Popper based on the Boss Mustang. This one is in great condition though.

Lastly we have the Blue Shark. I think this was the first of the fantasy Matchbox that I got.

Along with the felt penned decal it has lost it's exhausts.

Well that's it for this lot, there's a local auction on the 2nd of January that has a lot I might bid on that contains more knackered old toys Here's hoping I get luck and it goes cheap.

[junkyarddog]

  On 24/12/2024 at 13:36, MiniMinorMk3 said:

lamest of the Rolamatics.

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It's the one that works the best though!

Hot Rocker Capri works well too.

[MiniMinorMk3]

  On 24/12/2024 at 14:09, junkyarddog said:

It's the one that works the best though!

Hot Rocker Capri works well too.

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Yeah but what car drives along with it's engine bouncing up and down, a fooked one, that's what.

The Blue Shark casting was morphed into Turbo Fury with it's rotating fans,

which at the time reminded kids of teh Brabham Fan Car.

[sierraman]

Slingshot dragster unusual in that it’s got wide wheels on the front? 

[bunglebus]

  On 24/12/2024 at 15:31, sierraman said:

Slingshot dragster unusual in that it’s got wide wheels on the front? 

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  On 24/12/2024 at 13:36, MiniMinorMk3 said:

 

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Ooh good spot, not seen that before 

 

[sierraman]

Could be a factory error. I think sometimes they used to just use what they had on the day hence pink bases, skinny wheels etc etc

[MiniMinorMk3]

  On 24/12/2024 at 21:10, sierraman said:

Could be a factory error. I think sometimes they used to just use what they had on the day hence pink bases, skinny wheels etc etc

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  On 24/12/2024 at 19:43, bunglebus said:

 

Ooh good spot, not seen that before 

 

 

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I did a search on Vectis. They have had quite a few Slingshots with the wide wheels, but only on the metallic blue versions, which was the third and last colour that they were issued in.

[hennabm]

  On 22/12/2024 at 09:23, hennabm said:

As a lad I had the corgi rocket system and cars including the “super booster” which propelled the cars around the track.

A friend had the hot wheels system and IIRC their take on it was a battery powered booster that the cars went through. I think it was built to look like a pit or garage.

Does anyone have pictures of the booster or indeed own one?

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Well, just to prove what I was on about a picture shows up on facetwit.

Hot Wheels called it a super charger.