Shite in Miniature II

[flat4alfa]

In the the meantime, POST LADY likes red helmets

Even helmets that have taken a rub

[flat4alfa]

1 hour ago, bunglebus said:

Nope just wanted one so it's surplus to requirements now

Okay...   I'd like to do one resembling the metallic brown '61 Bonneville that was in a few films

Apparently the full title was Superior Criterion Super Headroom, one of 264 long wheelbase Pontiac professional cars built that year

[bunglebus]

A bit of Ford Roman Bronze on the lower half and job's a goodun

[sierraman]

It’s 10:30 and there’s no tat update... what’s going on!!!

[eddyramrod]

I hope Tim is ok!

[bunglebus]

Trainer man has probably bundled him into the back of his tatty Transit

[flat4alfa]

I'm actually quite worried about Cogman now

[Split_Pin]

Last visited 7 minutes ago, he's fine!

[Datsuncog]

Bit of a speedy one this morning, so sadly not possible to have a leisurely 'live from the tat stall' event over coffee and pastries. Deadlines to meet meant a swift half-hour to grub around the stall, snap a few pics, and then I had to dash back home again for 9.

Entirely new selection of tat on the stall this morning though, with a slightly different approach to display:

Two cut-down banana boxes, each with a sizable variety of Lesney/ Dublo/ Husky/ Lone Star. Looks like this has been someone's collection, rather than just a box of old toys - an example of nearly every regular wheeled Lesney between 1953 and around 1970 seemed to be here. All priced at £3 each.

Zooming in:

It's hard to overstate just how tiny the first-release Lesneys are.

First and second-gen Land Rovers.

I didn't realise the Ford GT40 was one of the rare 'red hub' versions until I was editing the pics; annoying.

The Nemesis was, typically, in before me.

Maybe he sneaks in on Thursday night and hides under one of the stalls. I dunno.

He had grabbed A LOT before I even made it to the stall, and must have had two or three dozen held over behind the stall.

Here, you can see an action shot of him reaching in to swipe quite a decent Mercury police car.

He also nabbed this two-tone Commer pickup, which turns out to be a mega-rare colour variation worth $$$$, according to the Charlie Mack Matchbox bible.

Maybe Nemesis flogs them on, maybe he keeps them in the bath and loves to get in and writhe around in all the diecast loveliness. Who knows. But he paid quite a few twenties over for his haul, so I guess he must be doing okay.

Rare for the fire appliances to still have their ladders in situ.

There were three identical Husky bin lorries too, all in very good nick.

The VW camper is missing its doors, typically.

Some are obviously better than others here.

The Ford station wagon here had a broken base.

Some very early (1950s) Yesteryears in here too - including this US steam locomotive.

All the caravans had broken drawbars, irritatingly.

VW Beetle in front of the Field Car had no manufacturer - possibly Morestone? Bumper castings were broken front and rear, which put me off a bit. Naturally since I left it, it's probably worth more than my house or something.

No name on the little plastic Beetle convertibles, either.

DS Safari is the earlier, smaller plastic-base version compared to last week's find.

Blue Healey is a Dublo repaint.

A few Scammell snowploughs were in the mix, all with their ploughs.

Caravans pretty far gone; also the Mercedes coach.

Morris Cowley coupe another Yesteryear, missing its dickey seat cover.

Lotus Climax in both orange and BRG colourways.

And it wasn't just Lesney stuff today:

To be fair, there's probably not much here of significant interest. I think he was looking a fiver each on these.

Still-sealed Majorette fire engine was unusual.

Also, Micro Machines LaFrance ladder trucks, looking like they've been cut out of something with bigger packaging.

Possibly the most unusual item on the stall this morning was this colossal scratch-built military vessel - a landing craft, at a guess?

Seriously, this took up most of the stall, and must have been over four feet in length from bow to stern.

Not an uncommon thing for Harland & Wolff (or Workman Clark) shipbuilders to construct models of some of the boats they'd worked on apparently, so I'd guess that LC F24 was a real ship. This model is crafted in wood, but sadly looks like it's had a bad time of it lately.

Seems like a lot of the detailed fittings have been lost, sadly.

What you'd do with something like this, and where you'd store it, is anyone's guess. But let's hope someone takes it on who can put it back to its former glory.

So I took a quick spin round the rest of the market; only the Charity Stall had anything new with wheels, and The Nemesis was predictably all over that as well.

Nothing particularly exciting; it looked like some bashed Tonka and some modern Chinese pull-back toys, but I couldn't get close enough for a pic or a decent peek.

So that's pretty much it... Market Blokey did inform me that he'll have more Lesney coming for next week, plus more Dinky as well, so that's probably worth investigating. 

If I can just get in before my funky-trainered rival...

[sierraman]

He sounds like the usual swapmeet type that covers a box to have his big sausage fingers through everything without letting anyone else look. Assuming they could stand close enough to endure his poor personal hygiene. 😂

[Datsuncog]

Yeah, pretty much... I mean, he's not a terrible guy, he usually says hello and there's times he's steered me towards something particularly interesting in a box; once or twice he's even passed me something over from his stash with "you'd probably like that more than me".

But then, if you've just had the pick of the stall, I guess you can afford to be magnanimous...

Cheers for the concern, guys! Just a very busy morning - it was touch and go if I was even going to get over. Glad I did, though.

[bunglebus]

56 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

VW Beetle in front of the Field Car had no manufacturer - possibly Morestone?

I'd say so. Not especially valuable especially with broken bumpers. No idea on the plastic cabrio, quite an interesting one but unless it falls into the 50p box...

[bunglebus]

Now we've got the main event over with, I can post this - apparently never played-with blackwall Chevy Lumina

[Datsuncog]

Managed to grab a few things though, limited by available cash reserves.

Lesney No. 12 Land Rover S2 is the slightly rarer green version, still with its luggage and with an in-period self adhesive tax disc added.

Lone Star Impy 'Gran Turismo' (Corvette) isn't too terrible, though the wheel situation is a bit sub-optimal.

No. 31 Lincoln Continental looks well in metallic blue, despite some chipping to leading edges.

No. 14 Iso Grifo with the hub wheels is glorious; I've been after a half-decent one of these for quite a while now.

Major Pack No.7 Thames Trader tractor unit was bought purely to complete the livestock trailer picked up the other week.

No. 43 Ford Corsair should look better after a wash:

There were two of these in the cardboard tray, but this was the better by a wide margin.

This No. 29 Bedford milk float is in decent enough shape:

I know @eddyramrod had asked me to keep an eye out for one of these in the 50p box; this one's maybe a cut above the usual resto-grade stuff in price and condition, but it's yours if you want it!

No. 65 Jaguar 3.4 Litre in metallic red is really nice, though the towbar has taken a hit.

And lastly, a well-used Dinky Dublo VW T1:

I just kinda liked this, despite its smallness.

So there we have it... with any luck I'll not be so pressed for time next week, and can respond to requests as usual - so if there's anything you particularly like, let me know and I'll see what I can do...

[Split_Pin]

The backing on the small fire engines packaging looks like genuine MicroMachines. Of they're not ruinously priced I'd take them. 

[bunglebus]

1 hour ago, Datsuncog said:

VW T1:

That's cute. Let me know if you chose to re-home it

[Datsuncog]

Remember this lot from the eBay minitat thread?

On 6/29/2021 at 9:11 PM, bunglebus said:

Not the cheapest lot, but some nice bits

And the interest expressed?

On 6/29/2021 at 11:58 PM, eddyramrod said:

If it was going to be cheap enough I'd relieve you of the responsibility of the Commer...

 

On 6/30/2021 at 12:35 AM, barrett said:

I can't tell what brand it is, but assuming something weird and European I'd probably relieve you of the Chevy Astro thingy if it was cheap... as it stands I think the asking price is worth it for the Norev (I assume) R16 alone...

Well, some parcels arrived earlier while I was frantically trying to compile an urgent briefing at the dining room table, and I've only just got the chance to open them...

DY-2 Matchbox Dinky Chevrolet Bel Air is an effort to plug another gap in the MB-DY collection, and atone for getting rid of my (boxless, damaged, sun-yellowed) childhood example a few years back. It was pretty good value.

But the big box was what interested me...

Initial packaging impressions were good - a sturdy box, well wrapped, and foam sheeting indicating that the vendor understands the importance of cushioning.

Oh.

Ah.

RIght, well that's not brilliant.

What kind of dimwit sells a boxed model, and then throws the box and the model in separately? Box crushed, model scratched.

More paint marks on the Matchbox DS.

Meh.

I mean, I know it said 'well used' on the ad, but they didn't have to add yet more patina...

So, what does £20 get you?

More pics to follow...

[bunglebus]

Still up for the Mothercare Matra. @155V6's donor Mustang has provided a spare tyre for the Field Car - slightly too small but it'll do

 

[bunglebus]

41 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

Looks like the two figures on the right are from the Chevy Astro. That's a good find as they're usually missing

[Datsuncog]

So @barrett gets first refusal on this one - Corgi Whizzwheels Chevrolet Astro.

Some paint damage, but otherwise intact.

And with figures too, it transpires.

£3, if you fancy it?

**EDIT: AGREED!!**

 

Likewise, @eddyramrod had thrown his hat in the ring for this 'un:

It's missing a rear door, and has some casting damage to the roofrack - call it £2, if you can do something with it!

 

And @bunglebus has asked for the Chinese era boxed Corgi Matra Rancho - also £3, if that works for you! **EDIT: ALSO AGREED!!**

Oddly, it has Mothercare branding, but the price sticker says Dominoes Toy Shop.

£1.10 in 1991. You get more for your money these days, it's true.

 

So that leaves us with the Norev Jet Renault R16:

It's metal, not plastic, and has an opening bonnet and boot.

It's nice, but I don't think it's for me somehow.

£3 to whoever fancies it?

**EDIT: SOLD TO @barrett!!**

 

Then there's this abandoned project:

A Corgi DS Safari, missing its interior, glazing and lower tailgate.

It does have four good tyres, mind, and if nobody's keen at 50p, I might borrow them to return some other Corgis in the fleet to full running capabilities.

**EDIT - NOW TAKEN!!**

 

The Solido Renault Dauphine was one of the reasons I bid on this lot - a family friend asked me a while ago if I could find a Dauphine model for him, so this'll be on its merry way again soon.

I'll try a dab of T-Cut to see if I can get the marks off the paint.

 

This plastic, push-fit no-name 'Citroen Diane 6' had clearly had a bad time of it in the parcel:

Bits and pieces everywhere, and some bits (front bumper and lights) missing - although referring back to the listing pics indicates they're missing there too.

Reassembly reveals...

Well, it's not much better, to be fair.

Opening everything!

I genuinely thought the pair of figures belonged to this, rather than the Corgi Astro.

They do fit perfectly - but I've returned them to the Corgi now.

50p, if anyone fancies this?

 

These two were another reason I bid for this lot:

Better than my surviving childhood originals, these have a bit of paint damage but are otherwise ok.

 

The same can't quite be said for this Corgi Juniors Dyane and Fiat X1/9, which are kinda knackered.

10p each, if anyone fancies giving them a second chance?

 

I might keep the Matchbox Sierra - my example lost its spoiler a long time ago, but the more recent DS is a duplicate to me - so, 50p takes it. **EDIT: DS TAKEN!!**

Again, a dab of T-Cut might remove the blue paint that's besmirched it in transit.

And lastly - two elderly Lesney without much paint; the Caddy ambulance and Vauxhall Victor F.

Anyone feeling brave, for 50p each?

**EDIT: CADDY TAKEN!!**

So that's that... and this weekend will bring a bit of wrapping and posting, as I still haven't had a chance to get parcels posted this week - it's been a bit of a time of it. But thanks for your patience, kids!

[flat4alfa]

5 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

Seriously, this took up most of the stall, and must have been over four feet in length from bow to stern.

Not an uncommon thing for Harland & Wolff (or Workman Clark) shipbuilders to construct models of some of the boats they'd worked on apparently, so I'd guess that LC F24 was a real ship. This model is crafted in wood, but sadly looks like it's had a bad time of it lately.

LCF stands for Landing Craft Flak, a conversion that was intended to give anti-aircraft support to a landing.  The bow door was welded up and living quarters / armoury were installed on the deck.  Holding a crew of 60, the operation of the craft was the responsibility of Royal Navy while the arms were manned by Royal Marines.  32 LC were converted into three types: Landing Craft Flak (LCF), Landing Craft Guns (LCG) and Landing Craft Rockets (LCR).  The 12 LCG were definitely converted by H&W.

This is LCF24 on the Clyde.  F24 was part of 332 Flotilla at Southampton and final action service was for Operation Infatuate, the invasion of Holland 1st Nov 1944

[flat4alfa]

@Datsuncog

Of your haul, the Astro and the Commer if not taken.

And the Cadillac and both Citroen DSs please

[bunglebus]

37 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

Chinese era boxed Corgi Matra Rancho

Yeah sounds good to me. That Astro is lovely, especially with the figures. I've got one - or is it two? And they do pop up on eBay fairly regularly, usually with the later "holey" wheels

[flat4alfa]

I ought to mention I've never owned the Commer or the Astro, just in case folks are feeling generous 😊

[barrett]

I'd like the R16 and the Astro please sir. @flat4alfa I'll pass the Astro on if I get bored of it...

[Datsuncog]

3 hours ago, bunglebus said:

That's cute. Let me know if you chose to re-home it

Y'know, this is much more your bag than mine - I'll pop it in with your other bits and pieces.

Online prices are wild; it was a nice thing to find.

If there's anything else here that anyone fancies, other than the Grifo, the VW van and the Corsair (which I'm strangely drawn to), I'll be happy to pass them on for the £3 paid.

[eddyramrod]

57 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

I ought to mention I've never owned the Commer or the Astro, just in case folks are feeling generous 😊

I have already claimed the Commer by PM, but it's not like I'm suffering a shortage of them, so I'll stand down.  It's yours!

[eddyramrod]

Oh and the Bedford milk float is some distance over budget, so thanks but no thanks on that one.

[egg]

2 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

Vauxhall Victor F.

Yes please DC.

[bunglebus]

On 08/07/2021 at 11:49, Mad Cyril said:

The current wheels are 11mm diameter and the axles are 26mm long

I've looked through the project box, parts cars and my boxes of wheels - best I can come up with are these. Look like they've been painted white but could be re-done easily. 11mm diameter, 29mm axles

I haven't got any of the Superfast wheels you suggested in a suitable width, all my spares are the earlier narrow type. A lot are really worn too and will let down a resto. Yours if you want them unless anyone has a donor car