Shite in Miniature II

eddyramrod · December 6, 2020

The place to pick up a bargain these days is... here!

Especially (he says, in an orgy of self-advertising) my Diecast Sale thread... My prices are way below eBay.

I haven't been to a toy fair in a long time as they were getting to be an expensive day out. Boot sales are too thin on the ground where I am, and anyway have little to choose from. Market Andy was a prospect but Covid has closed him down, and some of his prices were bordering on optimism. If you want a good deal, buy from a Shiter.

Spottedlaurel · December 6, 2020

3 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

Wonderland Models are still in Lothian Road in Edinburgh thankfully and my head office was a few doors down. Once we all get back to office working, whenever that will be I will celebrate with a visit to their shop (if they have survived )

I picked up a kit in the summer that had one of their price tags on it. I looked them up and was pleased to see they were still going, they had stuff online at a very good price.

I'm lucky in that there are a couple of decent local shops still going - Model Junction in Bury St Edmunds, and Langleys in Norwich. The latter recently opened a separate shop selling secondhand kits and diecasts. My taste in obscure stuff means that I don't tend to buy many kits from them, but whenever I can I pop in and pick up paints etc.

There used to be Snetterton Park Model Shop, at the circuit. It was good when I started going, but they kept expanding and tried to diversify into too much other stuff and sadly it closed down.

I can think of numerous other local model shops where I bought kits over the years, but they've all sadly gone.

One thing we do have here is Hannants, primarily a wholesalers but they also sell online and they're happy with customers turning up for a wander around the warehouse and buying direct from them.

AndyW201 · December 6, 2020

Sadly, I got a bit of bad news this week.

Earlier this year, by accident I discovered TigerTaz models, a proper old school model shop, which happened to be in my local area, dealt in exactly the sort of models I go in for, and didn't go in for taking people's trousers down with pricing. It was one of the leading model railway dealers, and also an official dealer for Corgi and Oxford diecast, so I could get my new Vanguards stuff for quite a bit less than they go for on ebay. Lots of older Vanguards stuff there as well, (some nice mint boxed Vitesse French shite as well, which I've had my eye on) and lots of nice buses from the likes of EFE and Corgi OOC, all at a fair whack less than eBay prices. It turned out that I once worked with Anth the proprietor, years ago, and soon became a fairly regular visitor, and made quite a few purchases. Unfortunately after going into hospital for a few days, Anth caught Covid, which had him in hospital for a good few months, and when I last went to the shop after the first lockdown ended and he was out of hospital, it was obvious it had taken it out of him.

Anyway, this week, Anth passed away after coming home from another hospital stay, which pretty much knocked me (and many people in the hobby) sideways. Obviously, there are arrangements to be made and other priorities, but a lot of people seem to be in agreement that the shop should continue, it was Anth's pride and joy, his favourite expression for running his own model shop was "I'm living the dream". There have been a few enthusiasts running the shop for Anth while he has been ill, so hopefully his dream will continue.

AndyW201 · December 6, 2020

On a slightly happier note, some new Hot Wheels have arrived.

A few re colours, but I don't mind with the Nova wagon gasser, I love this version,

Ditto with the Silvia. In a nice blue this time. This would look great IMO as a Factory Fresh version like they did with the DR30 Skyline,

The Toyota GT looks good in white, pretty much the only colour I've ever seen them in TBH. I think I may have to open one of these Tokyo Toyotas and de-tampo it.

Interesting semi-matt paint job on the Merc A Class. Now I'm prepared for a flaming here, but I like the full size A Class, in the right colour and with the AMG styling pack. The Hot Wheels rendering is a decent one, the panoramic roof being a nice touch. Nice tampo detailing front and rear too.

Next, didn't realise till I looked at the base, but this is a new casting of the AE86 Sprinter. Apparently the JDM fans are all excited about this one.

A bit disappointing though that a new eagerly awaited casting doesn't have any tampo detailing at the front or rear.

One release that I didn't know was a thing, until now.

Another good casting, and a nice colour. Good detailing on this one,

And the one I was most chuffed to get,

Always knew this one would look good in road trim!

Pleased to see this road version has tail lamp and badge detailing to the rear as well, which the touring car versions don't.

Can't wait for the custard edition!

bunglebus · December 6, 2020

Who's hungry?

warch · December 6, 2020

Some 1/76 (railway scale) stuff I've acquired lately

An Atlas Editions Morooka tracked dumper in Stobart Rail livery. I saw a real one of these the other day (see my Plantshite thread). Atlas sold a lot of interesting looking models of unusual machinery that no one else makes. This is a very good model of the prototype, albeit with non functioning tracks but a working tipper bed and tailgate.

A Tomica (Tomy) model of a Yanmar YT5113 tractor. This is a very good model of quite a strangely styled prototype, although the huuuuge front weight pack seems a bit over the top for this type of tractor. Yanmar tractors are very rare in the UK, although I did see one at a fruit farm a mile or so up the road from me. I bought it because there are really no other models of modern tractors available in this scale, although Oxford Diecast do have a JCB Fastrac on their dad job list.

Split_Pin · December 6, 2020

I finished the Tamiya Supra.

After the difficulties painting the NSX I decided to leave this one alone. The shell was a decent enough metallic silver, had it been a solid or Matt finish then I would have needed to have another go. I did paint as much else as I could though, such as the sideskirts, splitter, lights and engine parts.

In the main there were no foul-ups and I'm quite pleased with this one. It makes a nice model, and a type I have never had in my collection before.

In the new year I'm going to try another 1/24 truck. They're expensive though which is putting me off a bit.

Split_Pin · December 6, 2020

I didn't check my pictures before posting, they were shite, here is a slightly better one.

Datsuncog · December 6, 2020

On 12/5/2020 at 3:33 PM, bunglebus said:

Edocar (MC Toys?) 205 - is this casting borrowed from another manufacturer?

Quite a varied haul there, and good going for the money!

Edocar, to the best of my knowledge, was a brand marketed by a Dutch company, mostly using bought-in MC Toy/Maisto items (including some former Rainbow Toy castings) - they seemed to be sold through newsagents in the early 1990s. Big 1/40-ish ones were sold as the Edocar Super Series - largely the same classic/ sportscar castings given away with the Shell petrol promotion - while Matchbox size were boxed as the Mini Series, and sold from spinner racks.

I had a couple of them - some new, some via charity shops - and I think I spouted a load of drivel on here about them previously.

When I was going through a catalogue-buying spree last year, I was very drawn to a 1993 trade catalogue on eBay; it's still there, and it's still expensive!

14 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

Wonderland Models are still in Lothian Road in Edinburgh thankfully and my head office was a few doors down. Once we all get back to office working, whenever that will be I will celebrate with a visit to their shop (if they have survived )

Heh, I passed by Wonderland Models when I was staying off Lothian Rd in October last year - looked like a fantastic range in there. I was mildly concerned that I couldn't trust myself not to go buck daft in there and end up paying a small fortune in airline excess baggage fees, so I didn't go in... mebbe I will, next time I'm over...

I'd like to think they'll still be there - even with all the retail messing about, hobbies seem to have been one sector that's done really well this year.

The only bricks and mortar model shop near me now is the one in Smithfield, that has a fantastic range of old and new stuff but some deeply optimistic pricing. Plus an owner who bugs the life out of me.

The fella with the antiques shop in Whitehead is meant to be reopening at the end of the week, though - not a model shop per se, but he does have some nice stuff... and he may have uncovered more new items from his Shed of Wonders...

9 hours ago, AndyW201 said:

On a slightly happier note, some new Hot Wheels have arrived.

A few re colours, but I don't mind with the Nova wagon gasser, I love this version,

Ditto with the Silvia. In a nice blue this time. This would look great IMO as a Factory Fresh version like they did with the DR30 Skyline,

The Toyota GT looks good in white, pretty much the only colour I've ever seen them in TBH. I think I may have to open one of these Tokyo Toyotas and de-tampo it.

Interesting semi-matt paint job on the Merc A Class. Now I'm prepared for a flaming here, but I like the full size A Class, in the right colour and with the AMG styling pack. The Hot Wheels rendering is a decent one, the panoramic roof being a nice touch. Nice tampo detailing front and rear too.

Next, didn't realise till I looked at the base, but this is a new casting of the AE86 Sprinter. Apparently the JDM fans are all excited about this one.

A bit disappointing though that a new eagerly awaited casting doesn't have any tampo detailing at the front or rear.

One release that I didn't know was a thing, until now.

Another good casting, and a nice colour. Good detailing on this one,

And the one I was most chuffed to get,

Always knew this one would look good in road trim!

Pleased to see this road version has tail lamp and badge detailing to the rear as well, which the touring car versions don't.

Can't wait for the custard edition!

Some really nice versions there, especially the Volvo!

I always thought Mattel chose whether apply tampos to either the front and back OR the roof and sides, but rarely both - yet the Sylvia clearly manages to get the full detail package. I guess they only budget for a certain amount of detailing complexity, but some get a little more... maybe a future AE86 will get front 'n' rear lights, but in the meantime I'm just pleased to see a road version of the 850!

Noel Tidybeard · December 6, 2020

On 04/12/2020 at 17:59, 155V6 said:

eBay lot with the Corgi Fire Tender turned up,it's the later version with no siren,& the squirty bulb is missing but still nice.

Some stuff in the picture will be available

oh gawd how am i going to resist putting my hand up for the mg maestro😬

155V6 · December 6, 2020

27 minutes ago, Noel Tidybeard said:

oh gawd how am i going to resist putting my hand up for the mg maestro😬

Let me know if you want it 😉

Noel Tidybeard · December 6, 2020

1 minute ago, 155V6 said:

Let me know if you want it 😉

oh course i want it

i have a problem

155V6 · December 6, 2020

9 minutes ago, Noel Tidybeard said:

oh course i want it

i have a problem

Just going to bed,but I'll get some better pictures up tomorrow.

bunglebus · December 6, 2020

1 hour ago, Datsuncog said:

Edocar, to the best of my knowledge, was a brand marketed by a Dutch company, mostly using bought-in MC Toy/Maisto items (including some former Rainbow Toy castings) - they seemed to be sold through newsagents in the early 1990s. Big 1/40-ish ones were sold as the Edocar Super Series - largely the same classic/ sportscar castings given away with the Shell petrol promotion - while Matchbox size were boxed as the Mini Series, and sold from spinner racks.

Having a look online, my Edocar seems to have been sold as an otherwise identical Maisto

and MC Toys

Even a boxed one!

Looking closely I'd say Maisto was the original, then MC and eventually Edocar bases were altered to show the new brand

Datsuncog · December 7, 2020

As far as I can remember, Maisto and MC Toys were the same outfit - the MC Toy name was used at first to market Maisto products in the West, apparently as it sounded less 'foreign' (think Mitsubishi's first European foray under the name Colt).

By the mid-90s, they started producing their own detailed 1/18 range under the Maisto name because these were no longer toys, and before long the MC Toys brand was phased out - so certain castings can be found with either MC Toy or Maisto on the baseplates.

Edocar were a European firm who just bought in toys from the Far East (mainly Maisto) with their own name on the baseplate and packaging, exactly like Dinky's ill-starred miniature range of 1980, contracted from Universal Toys.

They were sold at the same time as MC Toys, but I believe Edocar's distribution network was through newsagents and 'impulse purchase' retail, while Maisto's distributor sold mainly to toy shops and variety stores like Poundstretcher.

I think Maisto now own Bburago, or am I making that up?

Split_Pin · December 7, 2020

I have 2 Granada's, one branded as MC Toys and the other Maisto.

Bburago is owned by the Mai Chong Group now and I think it's merely a label these days. I bought a nice looking Scirocco in TK Maxx a few weeks ago but when I opened it the fit and finish is very chunky like a Motor Max or City Cruiser brand. I was expecting something a bit closer to Nex or perhaps I've just forgotten what 'modern' Bburagos are like. I'll compare it with my 1/24 Alfa Romeo 156.

Anyway, it's clear they are not the same as they once were.

RoadworkUK · December 7, 2020

2 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

...it's clear they are not the same as they once were.

They are somewhat variable, but there are some gems. I think the 1:24 Capri covered upthread is remarkably good.

BBurago's "signature" 1:18s are, I believe, pitched slightly above the Maisto norm, in both price and detail, but of course there's not a lot in that range to tickle the shitebone.

Split_Pin · December 7, 2020

Good shout on the Capri!

DoctorRetro · December 7, 2020

Charity shop finds today.

SUMMER Toyota Crown

ERTL Pontiac Trans Am (with added red paint to make it a fake KITT)

Both available if wanted, they were the only ones worth having.

Split_Pin · December 7, 2020

Both please if that's ok! The Kitt would have had a holographic sticker on its nose when new. From memory, on the one I had as a kid, it was already falling off from new so the paint is no surprise!

I have the 1/24 version in its box that I got from Cars of the Stars museum in the lake District back in 1996 so to have this one again will be great!

Never enough Japanese cars in my collection either, I've gone from 0-60 odds in about 2 years!

quicksilver · December 7, 2020

11 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

As far as I can remember, Maisto and MC Toys were the same outfit - the MC Toy name was used at first to market Maisto products in the West, apparently as it sounded less 'foreign' (think Mitsubishi's first European foray under the name Colt).

By the mid-90s, they started producing their own detailed 1/18 range under the Maisto name because these were no longer toys, and before long the MC Toys brand was phased out - so certain castings can be found with either MC Toy or Maisto on the baseplates.

Edocar were a European firm who just bought in toys from the Far East (mainly Maisto) with their own name on the baseplate and packaging, exactly like Dinky's ill-starred miniature range of 1980, contracted from Universal Toys.

They were sold at the same time as MC Toys, but I believe Edocar's distribution network was through newsagents and 'impulse purchase' retail, while Maisto's distributor sold mainly to toy shops and variety stores like Poundstretcher.

I think Maisto now own Bburago, or am I making that up?

I recall Woolworths selling a lot of Maisto/MC Toys stuff under their Chad Valley brand - Chad Valley on the packaging but the real manufacturer's name on the base of the toys. Edocar also did some sort of deal on everyone's favourite* collectable* diecasts, Lledo Days Gone in weird colours that were never part of Lledo's own range.

DoctorRetro · December 7, 2020

27 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

Both please if that's ok! The Kitt would have had a holographic sticker on its nose when new. From memory, on the one I had as a kid, it was already falling off from new so the paint is no surprise!

I have the 1/24 version in its box that I got from Cars of the Stars museum in the lake District back in 1996 so to have this one again will be great!

Never enough Japanese cars in my collection either, I've gone from 0-60 odds in about 2 years!

Drop me a pm with address details and I'll sort.