IT training model collector TruePDF february 2019

Andrew of Miniature Autoworld is • Modern & Vintage Diecast Models • White Metal & Resin Models • White Metal, Resin & Plastic Kits • Modern & Vintage Toy Soldiers Large Collections -

NEW RANGES, NEW TOOLING &

NEW INCARNATIONS REVEALED!

NEW RANGES, NEW TOOLING &

NEW INCARNATIONS REVEALED!

CORGI

2019

FLAMING MARVELLOUS!

Dinky Toys’ packed with play value 1960s/1970s

The fascinating link

between three new

The ‘take fi ve’ choices

of this month’s castaway

OUP FEB 2019

£4.35

ONE HAPPY CAMPER

All out of space but still smiling Avid

collector Randy Rusk explains why

Warwick and Warwick have an expanding requirement for early to modern

collections of British and foreign diecast models and diecast models of individual

value Our customer base is increasing dramatically and we need an ever

larger supply of quality material to keep pace with demand.

The market has never been stronger and if you are

considering the sale of your collection,

now is the time to act.

Get the experts on your side!

Selling your diecast models?

Warwick & Warwick Ltd., Chalon House, Scar Bank, Millers Road, Warwick CV34 5DB England

FREE VALUATIONS - We will provide a free,

professional valuation of your collection, without

obligation on your part to proceed Either we will make

you a fair, binding private treaty offer, or we will

recommend inclusion of your property in our next

public auction.

FREE TRANSPORTATION - We can arrange insured

transportation of your collection to our Warwick offices

completely free of charge If you decline our offer, we ask

you to cover the return carriage costs only.

FREE VISITS - Visits by our valuers are possible

anywhere in the country or abroad, in order to assess

more valuable collections Please phone for details.

ADVISORY DAYS - We have an ongoing programme of

advisory days, in all regions of the United Kingdom, where

you can meet us and discuss the sale of your collection

Visit our website for further details.

We will be visiting the following towns within the next

few weeks: Oswestry, Ryde, Andover, Ulverston,

Bury, Kettering, Mansfield, Swanage, Midsomer,

Nottingham, Ruislip, Hexham, Tynemouth, Brighton,

Chichester, Stoke on Trent and Telford.

EXCELLENT PRICES - Because of the

strength of our customer base we are

in a position to offer prices that

we feel sure will exceed your

expectations.

ACT NOW - Telephone or

email Richard Beale today

with details of your property.

shipping costs:

£ 8.90*

0049 6145 54 56-0**

www.modelcarworld.com

*Notice: Shown prices in £ are based on exchange rate 0,90 £ = 1 Euro of January 2019

And if there is no Brexit, you will get free shipping for the whole year.

scale 1:87

Austin Mini Van

No 190458 6.32 £*11.70 £0 £ Austin Mini Van

No 162312 5.83 £*10.79 £0 9 £ Austin Mini Van

No 187353 5.83 £*10.79 £0 9 £ Austin Mini Van

No 190460 6.32 £*11.70 £0 £ Austin Mini Van

No 187352 6.32 £*11.70 £0 £

Austin Mini Van

No 190459 6.32 £*11.70 £0 £ Ford Transit II A Kombi

Land Rover 109,

RAF Flight Service

No 202187 9.73 £*

8 0 £18.02 £

Land Rover 109,

Marine Rescue

No 205093 9.73 £*

8 0 £18.02 £

Erie Builders, USA

No 191499 7.78 £*

£14.41 £

Mini Countryman

No 157552 4.85 £*8 99 £ Mini Countryman

No 157553 5.83 £*10.79 £0 9 £ Mini Van, Royal Mail

Cooper Racing

No 165151 6.32 £*

0 £11.70 £

No 190462 5.34 £*9 89 £ Morris Minor

No 149249 5.34 £*9 89 £ Morris Minor

No 190464 5.34 £*9 89 £ Morris Minor

No 151564 5.34 £*9 89 £ Morris Minor, Police

No 151563 Minor, Police6.32 £*11.70 £0 £

▲ ALEX WILKINSON SCANIA 4

WITH MULDOON

S730 WITH POWDER TANKER

SCANIA R 560 WITH PEZZAOILI LIVESTOCK TRAILER

R HIGHLINE

FH4 WITH PARKHOUSE LIVESTOCK TRAILER

Alex Wilkinson Scania $ with trailer

St Marys Daf XF SSC with livestock FloatBarclays of Portsnoy, Daf 106ssc with Houghton livestock fl oat

Ricketts XF106 ssc unit onlyR&J Love DafXFSSC with CurtainsiderProudlock FH4 with Livestock FloatStevie Wilson (unit)

Habro Feeds FH4 with MuldoonA.Binns XF105SSC (unit)David Philip (recovery truck)

JM Bell Scania with Livestock FloatW.Walker Scania with Livestock Float

RW Stewart Scania 143 with Livestock FloatAlsop Transport FH4 with Curtainsider (5 only)

S & N Caravans (7 only)

IRISH

Philip Ryan S730 with Powder TankerC.Govern T-Cab 8x4 unit onlyMartrain Scania 143 8x4 unit onlyDempsey’s Actros Unit onlyBradford FH4 Unit onlySurefreight S580 with Low Loader James Adams Highline Unit onlyCorr Bros T-Cab 5 onlyMcAuliff e XF106SSC Unit onlySam Culotty FH4 with livestock FloatTranszone Scania R with Reefer (5 only)Polar FH4 with Reefer

Julian Davis Scania T-cab with tipperKeohane FH4 with tipper (6 only)

PJ Gillane FH4 with ReeferBarna Transport scania R with ReeferMcCulla F12 with reefer

Derry Bros Scania 111 with reefer

C Rocks Scania 560 Unit only

T Hayes R730 with crane Zellwood Daf XF106SSC with ReeferFrank Pratt Scania R730 with Low Loader

INNISHANNON- COUNTY CORK- IRELAND

M A I L O R D E R A P L E A S U R E

w w w c o l l e c t o r s - t o y s c o m

Tekno Back Catalogue Irish, UK & European models in stock

Tel: 00353 (0) 21 4775218 Tel: 00353 (0) 21 4775301 Mob: 00353 (0) 872355379

Open 7 days a week 10am - 8pm

TRADE ONLY

Available from all good model retailers and specialist Aviation shops

Distributed in the UK and Europe by Clevelands Wholesale Ltd.

Contact us for your nearest stockist • Tel: 01923 711772 • Email: sales@clevelandsdiecast.co.uk

www.clevelandsdiecast.co.uk www.clevelandsb2b.co.uk

CBW721405

CBW721406 PAN12172PA

PAN12172PB

PAN12172PC

1/72 F-14A VF-143 PUKINDOGS

1/72 F-14A VF-33 STARFIGHTERS

AVAILABLE JAN 2019

AVAILABLE JAN 2019 AVAILABLE JAN 2019

MGT00010

HONDA CIVIC TYPE R (FK8) CHAMPIONSHIP WHITE W/ MODULO KIT

MGT00004

1/64 LB WORKS NISSAN GT-R R35 TYPE 1 REAR WING BLUE

MGT00001

1/64 HONDA CIVIC TYPE R (FK8) CHAMPIONSHIP WHITE

MGT00009

1/64 LB WORKS NISSAN GT-R

R35 TYPE 1, REAR WING

VER 1 MATTE WHITE

PMAP0325

1/72 BRITISH LRDG PATROL CAR CAMOUFLAGE SAND

PMAP0326

1/72 BRITISH LRDG PATROL CAR CAMOUFLAGE SAND

IN STOCK NOW

2 A5

Ruttle Plant

£165.00 01-2487

LANGLEYS of NORWICH

Estd 1883

We are the largest independent

Toy & Model Shop in East Anglia,

stocking a vast range of Toys, Models and Accessories, and Games

We also offer collectables, both new and pre-owned,

including wargaming and militaria.

In our welcoming, family friendly shops,

in the heart of Norwich, you will always find knowledgeable and experienced staff

happy to help.

We are keen to buy pre-owned collections of models, toys, vintage cars and buses, and militaria

in fact anything collectable and in good condition.

What can you offer us?

Andrew of Miniature Autoworld is

• Modern & Vintage Diecast Models

• White Metal & Resin Models

• White Metal, Resin & Plastic Kits

• Modern & Vintage Toy Soldiers

Large Collections - Small Collections

- Surplus Stock Selling couldn’t be easier!

We will travel anywhere in the

Or post details to:

Andrew Sutton, Miniature Autoworld,

Green Ridge, West Down, Ilfracombe,

Devon, EX34 8NF

Visit the website:

MATRIX MODELS: 1972 ROVER P5B 3.5 LITRE

SALOON, HANDBUILT LTD: 408 BHM PRICE

ONLY £79.99!

BHM MAJESTY: MC07 1968 CORTINA MK II

1600E, SERIES 1, AMBER GOLD, DRAGOON

RED OR SILVER FOX £89.99 EACH

MATRIX MODELS: 1948 DAIMLER DE 36

HOOPER, OPEN TOP HANDBUILT LTD: 199

TWO-TONE BURGUNDY & SILVER £89.99

BHM/CROSSWAY: 1954-56 MORRIS OXFORD

SERIES II, WOODY TRAVELLER HANDBUILT

WHITE METAL EMPIRE GREEN £119.99

BHM/CROSSWAY 1972/3 VAUXHALL VICTOR

FE 1800/2300 SALOON CHOICE OF COLOURS HANDBUILT WHITE METAL PHONE £119.99 EACH

BHM MAJESTY: MC 08 1970 SUNBEAM RAPIER FASTBACK DUE IN! FEW AVAILABLE COPPER BEECH METALLIC £89.99

BHM MAJESTY: MC 08 1970 SUNBEAM RAPIER FASTBACK, DUE IN! LIMITED QUANTITY

GOLD METALLIC £89.99

MATRIX MODELS: ROVER 3500 P6B, GREEN HANDBUILT LTD: 400

BHM PRICE ONLY £79.99!

NEW RANGES, NEW TOOLING &

NEW INCARNATIONS REVEALED!

NEW RANGES, NEW TOOLING &

NEW INCARNATIONS REVEALED!

CORGI

2019

FLAMING MARVELLOUS!

Dinky Toys’ packed with play value 1960s/1970s fire appliances

GT Spirit’s new 1:18 scale Dodge Challenger Demon, plus loads more of t he latest releases reviewed & rated

THE ZUFFENHAUS

/OSNABRUCK

CONNECTION

The fascinating link

between three new

The ‘take five’ choices

of this month’s cast away

OUP F EB 2019 £4.35

ONE HAPPY CAMPER

All out of space but still smiling A vid

collector Randy Rusk e xplains why

Just ahead of the deluge of revelations about to made at the annual

London and Nuremberg toyfairs (which we’ll be covering in a special photo report in next month’s issue), Corgi has announced its new line-up for

2019 (see pages 28-35) Naturally, you will have your own personal views on the ranges/themes focused on (or not, as the case may be) , the choices made when

it comes to the new tooling, and the new outings decided upon for existing castings,

so please put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, and share your thoughts

It will, no doubt, be pointed out that new tooling is thin on the ground, but considering the Hornby Group (Corgi’s parent company) is still in the early days of rolling out its recovery plan, following its well documented financial woes and the bringing in of new CEO Lyndon Davies, that’s hardly surprising New tooling requires huge investment and so, if we want to see more

of this in 2020 and beyond, those tills need to start really ringing Has Corgi done enough to make this happen? I don’t know; but what’s encouraging is that there genuinely seems to

be a renewed energy amongst all those in the team, and I think that’s a very healthy sign

While I work in publishing rather than the diecast industry, there is a shared truth:

the tougher the market and the smaller the budget you have to work with, the more creative you have to get – and if you love what you do, that can be an incredibly motivating challenge

Another shared reality is how invaluable feedback – whether it be positive or negative – is

As a community, this is a gift we can all chip in collectively to offer An increasingly hot topic right now is the urgent need to reduce the amount of plastic that goes into the packaging of our models A popular solution seems to be a return to good old fashioned cardboard boxes

Interestingly, this method has recently been adopted, rather charmingly, I think, for TSM’s new 1:64 scale Mini GT series models I’d applaud TSM even more if it went one

small step further and replaced that protective moulded plastic tray inside with a cardboard one, though

That’s all from me, so enjoy your read and I look forward to hearing from you!

to Model Collector and get your favourite magazine for less, delivered to your door

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13

HOW TO CONTACT US:

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16 New Releases

Honest, unbiased reviews,

so that you know the score

26 News

All the latest, hot off the press

28 Corgi 2019

The line-up for the year ahead has

been announced So, what’s in it for you?

36 One happy camper

All out of space but still smiling:

avid collector Randy Rusk reveals why

40 Desert Island Diecast

Laurence Price takes on the role of

Robinson Crusoe and selects his

‘take five’ selection

44 The Zuffenhausen/

Osnabruck connection

Stephen Paul Hardy lifts the iid on

the West German motor industry

as he reviews a trio of recent

1:18 scale releases from Norev

50 Fiat X1/9 finds - Part 2

Kevin Brock contines his quest

for thematic completion

56 Fire! Fire! - Part 2

Michael Driver gives a shout out to the

packed with play value 1960s’ and 70s’

Dinky Toys fire appliances

62 Hobart’s funnies – Part 2

Richard Young continues his fascinating

series of articles about some very quirky

specialised armoured vehicles, which

he has replicated in miniature for his

own military model collection

66 Dubious dates

Paul Brent Adams explains why the

date on a model’s baseplate doesn’t

necessarily relate to the year of its issue

14 www.modelcollector.com | february 2019

70 Auction news

We report back on the models making money in the salesrooms and on eBay

74 Letters

Views aired and info shared

79 Swapmeets & events

Find out what’s on where, and when

81 Signing Off

Goal driven or simply addicted?

Stephen Paul Hardy contemplates the choices

we make as collectors

16 New Releases

Latest issues reviewed and rated

28 Corgi 2019

New ranges, new tooling, new incarnations – the line-up for the year ahead revealed

44 The Zuffenhausen/Osnabruck connection

The link between three new 1:18 scale Norev releases explored

36 One happy camper

Find out why Randy Rusk is all out

of space but still smiling

40 Desert Island Diecast

This month’s volunteer castaway selects his ‘take five’ choices

• CURRENT AND BACK ISSUESPlease visit www.mags-uk.com Tel: 01795 662976

Model Collector, ISSN 0951-6840, is published monthly with an additional issue in October by

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DISPENSING WITH THE PERILS OF PLASTIC

In view of one the buzz words of 2018, plastic, I am returning to one of

my old bugbears: packaging.

There’s no doubt that plastic is a boon in many ways But it’s a bane

to the environment Even if it wasn’t,

do we really need so much of it in our packaging?

Look at it this way Most collectors are over the age of 25 We know what

we want We know what we’re looking for Will spectacular packaging with plastic frames and display windows persuade us? I think not

The argument is that the purchaser wants to see what he/she is buying

But what’s so wrong with a nicely decorated lift off lid box, just like the old Dinky models? Or, for that matter

an end fl ap box? You can still get the model out of the box to look at it and with a lot less bother than most fancy display boxes.

And one fi nal thought

The test of time has proved how vulnerable

window display boxes are.

NEW

RELEASES

Reviewed & rated

THE HOBBY’S FAVOURITE

MODEL REVIEW SECTION

Turn the page for Dom’s views on all this month’s new models

74Your letters

Views aired and fascinating information shared

Replicating these quirky specialised military vehicles in miniature

50 Fiat X1/9 finds - Part 2

The quest for

thematic completion

continues

Aviation72 Westland Gazelle AH.1 Royal Marines

n 1:72 scale n rrp £32.99 n cat no AV7224007

GT Spirit Dodge Challenger Demon

n 1:18 scale n rrp £131.99 n 1,500 pcs n cat no GT213

Dom's verdict I like this model very much For one thing,

the bubble glazing has been made to an excellent standard (not easy) and allows great views of the interior The tail fan, engine and body detailing all smack of high quality and the camouflage and insignia are super Handle with care, though!

Dom's verdict The Challenger Demon

is a spectacularly fast street-legal car

and it gets the accolade of a very fine

model by GT Spirit This model is fitted

with a passenger seat, which is

offered by Dodge for $1, but

not the rear seat (also $1),

so the imaginary owner

has saved some cash

here! Anyway, for the

collector’s purposes, just

lookat the detailed interior,

the panel lines and the fit

of the glazing If that isn’t

impressive enough, there’s

plenty of engineering

excellence in the rendering

of the wheels and lamps.

Chipper chopper n RATING: 9/10

CONTACT DETAILSSee ads or call Clevelands on 01923 711772 for stockist advice

Demon delight n RATING: 10/10 CONTACT DETAILSSee ads or call John Ayrey Diecast Ltd on 01274 594119 for stockist advice

DOM’S CHOICE

WE TRY BEFORE YOU BUY All you need to know before buying your next model

GT Spirit 1993 Porsche 968 Turbo S

n 1:18 scale n rrp £131.99 n 999 pcs n cat no GT201 Dom's verdict Just 14 examples of the real car were sold

when it was introduced in 1993 Luckily for us, GT Spirit has made rather more It’s a lovely model in every respect

The all-important magnesium alloys are a joy to behold, the body moulding is crisp and the overall finish is impeccable

A rare beast indeed n RATING: 9/10

CONTACT DETAILSSee ads or call John Ayrey on 01274 594119 for stockist advice

Mark of the beast: the devil's in the detail on this Demon

GT Spirit's model sports

perfect panel lines and

the fit of the glazing is

simply superb

Surely now the

ultimate muscle car

Note the Air-Grabber™ hood scoop

Bye, bye! The real car boasts a satanic 0-60 in 2.3 seconds

18

What’s new? NEW RELEASES

OttOmobile 1999 Nissan Silvia spec-R AERO (515)

n 1:18 scale n rrp £109.99 n 1,500 pcs n cat no OT273

OttOmobile Subaru Impreza WRX STI

n 1:18 scale n rrp £114.99 n 1,500 pcs n cat no OT250

Solido 1983 Alpine A310 Pack GT

n 1:18 scale n rrp £49.99 n cat no S1801201

Dom's verdict For my money, this is a champion The interior sports different textures and colours and is an exemplar of quality In addition, the body casting has superb panel and shut lines The glazing is perfect and everything’s topped off with a gorgeous paint job

Dom's verdict The problem I have with Otto's models

is that I can rarely find something bad to say about them! This fab model is no exception I think the lights and grille are spectacular and the alloy wheels are as close to the real thing

as would be possible As usual, the fit and finish are great

Dom's verdict I’d like to award this model 'Bargain of the

Month', as it ticks all the boxes The doors are a good fit, open properly and reveal an impressive interior The model is well assembled and looks good in white The alloy wheels and tyres are convincing and the glazing is lovely and flush

A strong MOM contender n RATING: 10/10

CONTACT DETAILSSee ads or call John Ayrey on 01274 594119 for stockist advice

Scrummy Scooby n RATING: 10/10

CONTACT DETAILSSee ads or call John Ayrey on 01274 594119 for stockist advice

Great quality at a reasonable price n RATING: 8/10

CONTACT DETAILSSee ads or call Amerang on 01903 765496 for stockist advice

Scores 10/10!

Scores 10/10!

WE TRY BEFORE YOU BUY All you need to know before buying your next model

Vanguards Land Rover Series 1 Royal Military Police

n 1:43 scale n rrp £27.99 n cat no VA11117

OttOmobile Alfa Romeo GTV6 Production

n 1:18 scale n rrp £110.99 n 1,500 pcs n cat no OT295

Aviation72 DH82a Tiger Moth, G-ANRF

n 1:72 scale n rrp £34.99 n cat no AV7221006

Dom's verdict Quite aside from the very handsome and authentic livery, I think this is a really jolly little casting For instance, I like the latches on the loadbay panel tops and the exhaust detail And the wheels and tyres, together with the lamps and grille all look super

Dom's verdict Yet another MOM contender arrives in the

form of the wonderful GTV6 –one of my favourite cars and a rare machine now The alloy wheels alone justify the money But then there’s the interior and exterior decoration to enjoy,

as well as the delightful lamps and grille

Dom's verdict There are good and not so good aspects

of this model The paint finish is lovely and the overall shape and detailing to fuselage and wings is good But the bracing struts and wires are extremely fragile and easy to damage and for me, don't really convince

Spit and polish! n RATING: 9/10

CONTACT DETAILSSee ads or call Hornby on 01843 233512 for stockist advice

Viva Italia! n RATING: 10/10

CONTACT DETAILSSee ads or call John Ayrey on 01274 594119 for stockist advice

Mothballed n RATING: 6/10

CONTACT DETAILSSee ads or call Clevelands on 01923 711772 for stockist advice

Scores 10/10!

20

What’s new? NEW RELEASES

Solido Alpine A310 Pack GT

n 1:18 scale n rrp £49.99 n cat no S1801202

TSM Mini GT Honda CIvic Type R (FK8)

n 1:64 scale n rrp £6.99 n cat no MTL00001-L

TSM Mini GT Honda CIvic Type R (FK8) Modulo K

n 1:64 scale n rrp £6.99 n cat no MTL00010-L

Dom's verdict I think this is another real bargain buy from Solido! OK, so it’s the same model, but this time in red Personally, I prefer the lovely colour here, which really complements the flamboyant scheme in the interior

The fitting of lights, screens and other ancillary pieces is good

Dom's verdict In 1:64, these new TSM models look better

when viewed with the naked eye than they do in our enlarged

to fill the grid images A good job has been done of capturing the shape and I like that TSM offer the option of RHD or LHD versions But I do find the glazing is a tad too thick

Dom's verdict All in all, this is a neat enough little model

The wheels and tyres are good enough and the paint finish and other markings are applied satisfactorily I do wonder, however, how the price point will go down with those who collect in this scale Answers on a postcard, please!

Super in red n RATING: 8/10

CONTACT DETAILSSee ads or call Amerang on 01903 765496 for stockist advice

Good shape, glazing could be finer n RATING: 6/10

CONTACT DETAILSSee ads or call Clevelands on 01923 711772 for stockist advice

Possibly a tad pricey n RATING: 6/10

CONTACT DETAILSSee ads or call Clevelands on 01923 711772 for stockist advice

WE TRY BEFORE YOU BUY All you need to know before buying your next model

GT Spirit 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S

n 1:12 scale n rrp £249.99 n 993 pcs n cat no GT190

Solido Renault RS 18 F1 2018 Launch Version

n 1:18 scale n rrp £59.99 n cat no S1802401

TSM Mini GT McLaren Senna, Victory Grey (RHD)

n 1:64 scale n rrp £6.99 n cat no MGT00013-R

Dom's verdict This is a staggering piece in every respect Being cast in resin also makes it a heavy model in 1:12!

If you’re a hard-line Porsche fan, this could well be near the pinnacle of your collection The interior and exterior detail and finish are simply superb

Dom's verdict I have to confess, I’m not an expert on

F1 cars and I’m sure there are nuances and differences

I will miss But I think this looks a very handsome model and it's pretty well built too The decoration and cockpit details are fine and I like the wheels too

Dom's verdict Granted that some of the shut lines are

a bit exaggerated at this scale, I do like the look of this model The glazing is thicker than on, say, a 1:43 piece, but it doesn’t detract The wheels are very nice indeed The paint looks smooth I do think the spoiler looks rather plasticky, though

Big, bold and beautiful n RATING: 10/10

CONTACT DETAILSSee ads or call John Ayrey on 01274 594119 for stockist advice

Well decorated n RATING: 8/10

CONTACT DETAILSSee ads or call Amerang on 01903 765496 for stockist advice

Whoops, sorry about that front tyre in our pic! n RATING: 6/10

CONTACT DETAILSSee ads or call Clevelands on 01923 711772 for stockist advice

Scores 10/10!

22

What’s new? NEW RELEASES

OttOmobile Renault Super 5 Baccara

n 1:18 scale n rrp £109.99 n 1,500 pcs n cat no OT764

OttOmobile Mercedes-Benz S55 AMG (W220)

n 1:18 scale n rrp £109.99 n 2,000 pcs n cat no OT292

GT Spirit Mercedes-AMG S 65 P

n 1:18 scale n rrp £131.99 n 999 pcs n cat no GT228

Dom's verdict It’s great to see a fancy version of

Renault’s dependable 5 The interior looks impressive and you could almost sink into the plush leather seats! The exterior is a lovely burgundy and Otto has captured the dumpy shape of the little 5 really well

Dom's verdict This is another superb model from Otto

For a start, there’s the chrome grille and headlamps, which look outstanding Inside and we get wood effect trim, extensive dials and fancy leather The paint finish is sheer perfection and so, too, are the wheels

Dom's verdict This month, Mercedes-AMG enthusiasts

should be in 7th heaven GT Spirit has made a fantastic model, which inside and out looks as expensive and authentic as the real thing The smoked glass roof gives ample view of the plush interior and that grille is fab, too

Posh runabout n RATING: 9/10

CONTACT DETAILSSee ads or call John Ayrey on 01274 594119 for stockist advice

A top quality Merc n RATING: 10/10

CONTACT DETAILSSee ads or call John Ayrey on 01274 594119 for stockist advice

Sensational n RATING: 10/10

CONTACT DETAILSSee ads or call John Ayrey on 01274 594119 for stockist advice

Scores 10/10!

Scores 10/10!

WE TRY BEFORE YOU BUY All you need to know before buying your next model

GT Spirit Lamborghini Diablo GT

n 1:18 scale n rrp £143.99 n 400 pcs n cat no GTS 185075S

TSM Mini GT LB Works Nissan GT-R R35 Type 1

n 1:64 scale n rrp £6.99 n cat no MGT00004-L

GT Spirit 2017 RAM 2500 Power Wagon

n 1:18 scale n rrp £131.99 n 999 pcs n cat no GT224

Dom's verdict This offering from GT Spirit (in association with Kyosho) ably captures the brutish attraction of the real machine It gets all the sharp angles just right and comes with a fantastic paint finish The wheels, glazing and interior are masterfully done

Dom's verdict This model is available in Left Hand or

Right Hand Drive versions I like the paint quality and the sponsorship decoration I do think the glazing is quite thick and the panel lines quite broad However, the shape looks right and the wheels and tyres are pretty impressive

Dom's verdict If big beefy pick-up trucks are your bag,

then this is sure to be a winner Construction is top quality and so is the fit of the glazing and lamps.The interior sports all the necessities, including your triple Big Gulp beverage holder The front winch and wheels/tyres look super

Raging Bull n RATING: 10/10

CONTACT DETAILSSee ads or call John Ayrey on 01274 594119 for stockist advice

A neat enough Nissan n RATING: 6/10

CONTACT DETAILSSee ads or call Clevelands on 01923 711772 for stockist advice

For the good ol' boys! n RATING: 10/10

CONTACT DETAILSSee ads or call John Ayrey on 01274 594119 for stockist advice

Scores 10/10!

www.keithscars.co.uk Of Derby

AMAZING DIE-CAST BARGAINS FROM

Cheques/Postal Orders Payable to : Keith Bradley and send your payment to: Keith’s Cars, Keith Bradley,

25 Allestree Lane, Derby, DE22 2HQ Tel: 07976 917574 Email: sonofcornershop@btinternet.com

“For lots more exciting models, please visit my website: www.keithscars.co.uk”

NEW 1/43 MODELS! ALL POST FREE!!

1/43 BATMAN COLLECTION BACK IN STOCK &

NEW LINES ADDED!! (BIKES 1/22 SCALE) POST FREE!!

All items posted fully insured

FREE!!

BATMOBILE ‘BATMAN AND ROBIN’ 1997 19.99

THE BLACK WIDOW BIKE & SIDECAR ‘BATMAN’

IXO SMEAL 105 AERIAL LADDER OVER 11 INCHES LONG & LADDER EXTENDS TO OVER 32 INCHES!! 32.99

IXO 1992 RENAULT MAGNUM AE 420 TI 32.99

GREENLIGHT 1969 FORD MUSTANG BOSS 429

BAT-POD BAT-BIKE ‘THE DARK KNIGHT’ 2008

14.99 BATCYCLE & SIDECAR CLASSIC TV SERIES 1966 14.99

RARE! BATGIRL CYCLE 1966 CLASSIC TV SERIES FEW ONLY! 24.99

BATMOBILE ‘BATMAN FOREVER’ 1995 19.99

ROBIN’S REDBIRD BIKE ‘BATMAN AND ROBIN’

1969-76 MK3 MINI COOPER S 1974 TRIUMPH SPITFIRE MKIV

MAN PUMP LADDER DURHAM & DARLINGTON 1979 BEDFORD TK CARMICHAEL MID WALES

LLANIDLOES FIRE SERVICE 1938 LEYLAND TLM TURNTABLE LADDER LONDON FIRE BRIGADE

1970-1974 BOND BUG 700ES 159.99

STEYR RSO 0-1 & PAK 40 ANTI TANK GUN 2ND PANZER DIV FRANCE 1942 12.99 FLAKVIERLING SD.KFZ 7-1 & TRAILER 24TH PANZER DIV USSR 1942 12.99 PANZER I AUSF.B 5TH PANZER DIV POLAND 1939 11.99 LIGHT ARMOURED CAR SD.KFZ.222 10TH PANZER DIV TUNISIA 1943 11.99 PANZER IV AUSF.G 19TH PANZER DIV USSR 1942 11.99

GREAT VALUE DETAILED /72 GERMAN WWII MILITARY VEHICLES! ALL POST FREE!!

CLASSIC BRITISH CARS (MADE BY NOREV FOR

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ACME DIECAST 1/18 1948 SO-CAL SPEED SHOP BELLY TANK LAKESTER INCREDIBLE DETAIL!

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1964 PEEL ENGINEERING PEEL P50 129.99

DNA COLLECTIBLES 1/18 RESIN MICRO CARS!!

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Supporting great causes

TWO NEW 1:43 scale Scania S Highline tractor units customised

in Hawthorns Logistics’ livery, both teamed with charity

supporting fridge trailers – one for the Great North Air Ambulance

Service (GNAAS) and the other for Dragonfly Cancer Trust –

have been brought to our attention by customised model vehicle specialist

Search Impex Ltd Both releases come complete with individually numbered

limited edition certificates and just 55 examples of each has been produced

As both Hawthorns Logistics and Search Impex Ltd are always keen

to support charitable causes, these models are not available via

Search Impex as is usually the case with commissions but instead

can be ordered directly from the respective charities themselves

What’s new? NEWS & UPDATES

TRUCK NEWS

www.speidel-replicars.com | E-Mail: verkauf@speidel-modellauto e

Wor ldwide wholesale

We speak english!

Dragonfly Cancer Trust makes a very real and positive difference to the lives of

young cancer patients with limited time, so bravo to both Hawthornes and

Search Impex for getting behind this marvellous charity

Priced at £120, 100% of the profits from this highly limited Search Impex 1:43 scale GNAAS Scania wlll go to the charity it promotes

Orders can be placed via their respective charities:

www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk/shop Dragonfl y Cancer Trust – Tel 01434 602043

Got to have it?

A BELATED CHRISTMAS PRESENT!

Automodello

prize draw winner

In the Christmas issue of Model Collector,

our sample of Automodello’s gorgeous new

1:24 scale 1963 Ford Mustang Concept II was

offered up in a prize draw Limited to a build of

just 299 pieces, this officially licensed high

spec resin model retails at $249.95 (approx

£193), so congratulations to our lucky winner!

Peter Hustler of Malton, North Yorshire

christmas 2018 | www.modelcollector.com www.modelcollector.com 35

christmas 2018 |

christmas 2018 www.modelcollector.com

WIN AUTOMODELLO’S 1:24 SCALE

1963 FORD MUSTANG II CONCEPT

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Entry is open to all UK residents with a permanent UK address, with the excep

tion of employees (and their families) of MyTimeMedia Ltd, its printers and agents, and any other companies associated with the competition Winners must be aged 18 or over Only one entry per household is permissible No responsibility can be accepted for entries lost, damaged or delayed in the post Winners will be notifi ed by post Prizes are not transferable to another indi-vidual and no cash or other alternatives will be off ered The promoters reserve the right

to amend or alter the terms of the competitions The winner will be chose

n from all correct entries received by the closing date specifi ed Please note that data will be managed in compliance with GDPR law Our privacy policy can be found at www.mytimemedia.co.uk/

privacy The decision of the judges is fi nal and no correspondence will be entered into.

EXCLUSIVE PRIZE DRAW

AUTOMODELLO’S 1:24 SCALE WIN!

AN IMPORTANT LITTLE PIECE

OF AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY

The debut of the Mustang I Concept in the summer of 1962 generated much excitement Launch of the pr oduction Mustang was planned for April 1964, so while this was indevelopment, Ford produced the Mustang II Concept

to bridge consumer expectations and fur ther prepare the public for its production pony Like the original Mustang I Concept 2-seater, the Mustang II was,

in the autumn of 1963, pr emiered at Watkins Glen

It then hit the show circuit and also underwent a press tour before the unveiling of the production car

in the spring of ’64 After that, the Mustang II was put into storage and has rarely been seen since But it remains

a crucial piece of Mustang history, with its a direct lineage

to the beloved Ford that established the pony car genre

The model off ered in our draw is fi nished in white with blue stripes, as the car itself debuted in 1963

Serious Mustang historians and collectors, however, may be interested to learn that Automodello has also produced a very special Tribute Edition in red, limited to a build of just 50 pieces Both models can

be sourced via www.automodello .com, where customers

can take advantage of the free ONE24™ worldwide shipping.

Worth

$249.95

This month we’re off ering you the opportunity to win our review sample of Automodello’s new 1:24 scale

1963 Ford Mustang Concept II

Limited to a build of just 299 pieces, this offi cially licensed high spec resin model retails at $249.95 (that’s approximately £193)

Stylishly plinth mounted, this gor geous replica will make a truly stunning addition to your display! All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning it is complete the entr

y form on this page (photocopies or hand-wr itten entries are acceptable for those not wishing to deface their magazine) and r eturn it to

Automodello Mustang II Concept Prize Draw, Model Collector, MyTimeMedia Ltd, Eden House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6HF before the closing of December 24, 2018

AUTOMODELLO MUSTANG II CONCEPT PRIZE DRAW’

HERE’S A SNEAK pre-production

preview of the 1:43 scale

1966 Hillman Hunter Mk 1,

proposed by Frank Jones of

British Heritage Models as the

first release for a new series of

hand built white metal models

In a collaboration between

BHM and Keith Williams of SMTS,

the new range, to be marketed

under ‘Hastings Classics’

branding, will focus on models

that have rarely, or in some

cases never before, been released in this scale

The Hillman Hunter will be offered in a choice of blue or white, of which just

100 pieces of each will be produced (pre-orders are now being taken)

We can also reveal this will be followed by an Austin Maestro (more on which soon!) Call British Heritage Models on 01244 320761

or email bhm-uk@talktalk.net to order

Got to have it?

A Hillman Hunter Mk 1 (shown here in pre-production form) will launch the new 1:43 scale Hastings Classics range

coming soon

Must-have Ghia

for VW enthusiasts

ONE OF THE items that caught our eye in the December 2018 WIKING

releases list was a reissue of its evergreen 1:87 scale VW Karmann

Ghia Coupé model in bright yellow with black trim Although

WIKING’s press release describes it as a "yellow-black racer”

it is, in fact, a representation of a very rare version of the Karmann

Ghia sold in the USA in 1973, with a fascinating back history

In 1973 Volkswagen had produced a Sales Campaign version

of the Beetle for Germany, known as the ‘Gelbschwarzer

Renner’/’Yellow and Black Racer’ on account of its unique

Saturngelb (Saturn Yellow) and black trimmed paintwork (see the

Sept 2016 issue of MC) and a sister model for the USA and Canada

known as the ‘Sports Bug’ (as yet unavailable in scale model form)

So successful was the ‘Sports Bug’ that a very interesting twist came about Volkswagen of America (VWoA) is understood to have made direct contact with Wilhelm Karmann GmbH to order

a shipment of Karmann Ghias in to match the ‘Sports Bug’ -

a comparatively easy arrangement given that Saturngelb was,

at that time, a standard paint colour for the KG, which just needed the addition of Lemmerz GT Sports wheels and black trim

This VWoA commissioning of Karmann was apparently made without the sanction of Volkswagen AG, though Probably only a couple of hundred ‘Sports’ Karmann Ghias were manufactured (in both sedan and convertible guise) in total before Volkswagen reportedly intervened and vetoed further production Hearsay recounts that this was not the first time either that a Volkswagen interjection had caused the cessation of a project at Karmann Documentation and VWoA press photographs exist to

authenticate the provenance

of this very rare version, notably dated right at the end of Karmann Ghia production and on the eve of the introduction of its successor, the Scirocco Given that only a handful of

‘Sports’ Karmann Ghias now survive in the USA, WIKING’s model is therefore much more than

a quirky colour variation!

See ads or call John Ayrey Diecast Ltd

on 01274 594119 for stockist advice

Got to have it?

GOT A STORY? CONTACT email: modelcollector@mytimemedia.com

For events news see page 81

Just added to Alan Rushworth’s Victory Industries replacement parts repertoire

are a series of translucent rear lamps, including the ones seen above for the TR2

The lamps are priced at £4 each, which includes the metal washer they sit on

To advertise in Model Collector please contact:

David Holden

+44 (0) 7718 64 86 89 david.holden@mytimemedia.com

shutterstock.com

SPARES AND REPAIRS

JUST ADDED TO the range of Victory Industries replacement parts

provided by Alan Rushworth are a series of translucent rear lamps

Regular readers will remember Alan did a little feature for MC

some years ago now and he remains a great source of help and

advice for anyone working on restoring one of these gorgeous

British classics, frequently dealing with queries such as: “Can

you make brass contact strips [which sometimes corrode in the

battery well]”, “Which batteries fit the model I’m working on?” and

“I’ve bought a wreck – how do I get the motor working again?”

So, if you’re struggling with such a project and/or a set of

these new lamps

arejust what you’ve

been looking for,

here are his

contact details!!

Call Alan Rushworth on 07790 070383

or email alan@car303.f9.co.uk

Got to have it?

For further details and/or direct ordering, visit the www.insigniamag.com/index.html

GREAT NEWS FOR fans of

the Tintin adventures:

Blue Rider Publishing has

just added four more

1:72 scale decal sheets

for the aircraft depicted

in the Tintin stories to its

eclectic range of niche and

specialist aircraft markings

decals Particularly

interesting is the limited

run sheet that allows

modellers to represent the

aircraft that appeared in

the simple black and white

illustrations of the stories

Also just launched is a

further modellers’ guide on the subject,

which supplements previous books from

Blue Rider Publishing on the detailing of

aircraft illustrated in the Tintin stories

The Hogwarts Express

has featured in every Harry

Potter film in the series

As featured in Harry Potter

& the Prisoner of Azkabhan

RRP: £27.99

MR WEASLEY'S ENCHANTED FORD ANGLIA

CODE: CS99725

AVAILABILITY:

Q2 2019

RRP: £27.99

As Hornby marks the ringing in of a new year with

a move back to its spiritual home in Margate,

there seems to be a real sense that the team behind the

much-loved Corgi brand has well and truly got its mojo back

The A5-sized 2019 Corgi catalogue includes various new/

revived ranges, new tooling and new outings for old favourites

At this early stage, we can but bring you a taste of what’s

to come (with the majority of future releases represented

here by 1:1 vehicles, rendered images and manufacturer’s

own pre-production sample shots) but we are hoping to

be able to provide some updates from London/Nuremberg

toyfairs next month (including, possibly, a first look at the

Eclipse Gemini 2 and New Routemaster in the Original

Omnibus Company 1:76 scale Fusilier50 Wrightbus Commemorative Twin Pack (OM46620) announced late last year.Regretfully, we’ve been unable to squeeze in the planned additions to the budget buy Best of British and Showcase ranges and the new series of toys (taking in emergency, construction, farm, recycling and ‘treats’ themes) that will be marketed under ‘Chunkies’ branding, but, if you visit our FB page at

www.facebook.com/modelcollector you'll find plenty of pictures

posted in our specially dedicated ‘Corgi 2019’ gallery to browse.It’s worth pointing out, too, that we’ve been advised some ranges and products are being held back so that Corgi can keep

a few surprises up its sleeve; so watch out for announcements in this magazine of further special launches throughout 2019/2020

Film/TV products such as the Harry Potter and Paddington related

models obviously allow Corgi to appeal to and engage a whole new generation Many seasoned collectors, however, will be delighted that new versions of some familiar favourites, such as the James Bond DB5 and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, will feature more of the original (Corgi Toys) parts and working features – the DB5, for example, will include a working passenger ejector seat, deployable battering rams, machine guns and a bullet shield

So, the new line-up has been announced and we’re dying to know what you think of it!

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG

CODE: CC03502

DESCRIPTION: This model will now have even more of the original parts, making

it Corgi’s most accurate release since the original

fi lms are both out on DVD, with another planned for release in 2020

AVAILABILITY: Q3 2019 RRP: £21.99

It’s been a while since we’ve seen any new tooling in this

range, so British car enthusiasts will be pleased to learn

of the Jaguar/Daimler Series 2 XJ range additions coming

soon Also sure to be welcome will be the return, after many

years, of the Vanguards Morris Mini and VW camper van

castings in new incarnations All new models announced

for 2019 will carry an RRP of £29.99

NEW TOOLING

JAGUAR XJ12 SERIES 2 LWB, JUNIPER GREEN

of the most beautiful saloon cars

of all time, the Series 2 was

produced in Jaguar’s factory

at Browns Lane, Coventry,

from 1973 until 1979

Itimproved on Sir William Lyons’

fi nal masterpiece, bringing in the higher bumper needed

for a then imminent new safety regulation, whilst retaining

thesense of fl owing motion and sculptural form that only

Lyons could imbue

Vanguards new tooling off ers numerous possibilities

and the fi rst three releases planned are shown here

NEW TOOLING

DAIMLER DOUBLE SIX SERIES 2 VANDEN PLAS, CARAMEL

CODE: VA013900

AVAILABILITY: Q4 2019

TRIUMPH HERALD 13/60 CONVERTIBLE

(WITH REMOVABLE ROOF)

See ads in this magazine

or visit www.corgi.co.uk

to place your pre-orders.

Got to have it?

FORD GRANADA 2.8I GHIA, COSMOS BLUE

CODE: VA12413

AVAILABILITY: Q2, 2019

FORD CORTINA MK 3 2000E, PURPLE VELVET

CODE: VA103013

AVAILABILITY: Q3, 2019

FORD ESCORT MK 2 MEXICO, SIGNAL RED

CODE: VA12615

AVAILABILITY: Q4, 2019

AUSTIN MINI 850, RAF STATION COMMANDER

CODE: VA01319

AVAILABILITY:

Q2 2019

It's a welcome back to the Mini Van, which hasn’t

featured in the Corgi range for almost a decade

MORRIS MINI VAN, THE RED ARROWS

CODE: VA01427 AVAILABILITY: Q2 2019

Pre-production preview 2019

See ads in this magazine

or visit www.corgi.co.uk

to place your pre-orders.

Got to have it?

STEAM WAGON

CODE: CC200008

DESCRIPTION: RS 5540, Tiger Engine No 5260, The Aberdeen Coal & Shipping Co Ltd

AVAILABILITY: Q3 2019

RRP: £87.99

1919 GARRETT SHOWMANS 4CD TRACTOR

CODE: CC20311

DESCRIPTION: Turner Brothers

of Thormanby, Engine No 33486,

Golden age of steam enthusiasts will no doubt be

delighted to see the return of this 1:50 scale range!

It’s somewhat astounding

that this life saving 24/7 search

and rescue service is funded

entirely by public donations;

so we’re pleased to see that a minimum

of £1.25 from sale of each of these sets

will be donated to the marvellous and

invaluable work done by the RNLI

Shown here are the first models that

will be rolled out in this new series of

tanks and military vehicles Please note

that on release the liveries carried will

be representative of their descriptions

These models have been allocated

MILITARY LEGENDS – 1:50 SCALE

CHURCHILL MK III, 6TH SCOTS GUARDS BRIGADE

CODE: CC60215

AVAILABILITY:

Q4, 2019

Pre-production preview 2019

AVIATION ARCHIVE

The Aviation Archive range has

long been one of Corgi’s most

successful and highly regarded

ranges, so perhaps not surprisingly it’s

here we see the bulk of new releases for

2019 It’s worth pointing out that the

models to mark the 75th anniversary of

the D-Day landings and the 1:48 World

War I aircraft will come in packaging

featuring specially dedicated

artwork Let’s take a look…

JUNKERS JU87B-2 STUKA

HANDLEY PAGE HALIFAX B.III,

‘EXPENSIVE BABE’, RAF NO 51 SQUADRON, SNAITH,

SCALE: 1:72 CODE: AA36512

AVAILABILITY: Q2 2019

RRP: £49.99

HEINKEL HE111H-16 - A1+HK,

2./KG53, AIR LAUNCH V-1 FLYING

BOMB UNIT, AHLHORN, GERMANY, 1944

SCALE: 1:72 CODE: AA33716

AVAILABILITY: Q2 2019

RRP: £120.99

JUNKERS JU52

‘IMMELMANN II’, ADOLF HITLER’S

PERSONAL TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT

SCALE: 1:72 CODE: AA36909

AVAILABILITY: Q3 2019

RRP: £120.99

SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE XIV RAF NO 322 SQN

SCALE: 1:72 CODE: AA33318

AVAILABILITY: Q2 2019 RRP: £131.99

NAVAL AIR SQUADRON,

FLEET AIR ARM,

SCALE: 1:72 CODE: AA33422

AVAILABILITY: Q4 2019 RRP: £61.49

MESSERSCHMITT BF110E - G9+EC, STAB II./NJG 1, DEELEN, HOLLAND, SPRING 1942

SCALE: 1:72 CODE: AA36809

AVAILABILITY: Q2 2019

RRP: £49.99

WESTLAND WESSEX HC.2, NO 78

SQUADRON, RAF, SHARJAH AIR

BASE, TRUCIAL STATES 1970

SCALE: 1:72 CODE: AA36711

AVAILABILITY: Q3 2019 RRP: £71.99

BRISTOL BLENHEIM MK IV, ‘F FOR FREDDIE’, RAF NO.18 SQUADRON

‘OPERATION LEG’, AUGUST 19, 1941

SCALE: 1:72 CODE: AA38409

AVAILABILITY: Q3 2019

RRP: £71.99

JUNKERS JU88A-5 - 9K+ED, STAB III./KG51, WINTER 1940

SCALE: 1:72 CODE: AA36712

AVAILABILITY: Q3 2019 RRP: £71.99

| the Randy Rusk collection

Randy Rusk has spent a lifetime building

up one of the largest accumulations of

camping-related toys and models in

the USA This month he talks to Lindsey

Amrani about the journey and why,

in 2018, he finally made the decision

to turn part of his magnificent

collection over to a museum

QFirstly, Randy, what was

it that kindled your

interest in this particular

collecting theme?

AMy dad was a

school-teacher for nearly 40 years,

which allowed his vacation

time to always sync up with

ours as we were growing up

So our family – my dad, mom,

two sisters and me – did a lot

of travelling in the US each

spring, summer and winter

break On a teacher’s salary,

that meant we did a lot of

camping in tents, various

pop-up campers and

eventually a small RV

My parents got a more

luxurious tow-behind RV

once we were out of the house,

but our routine of setting up

camp was definitely

influen-tial in my eventual pursuit of

vehicles that mimicked those

great childhood experiences

QWhich were the toys, and brands, you most loved as a boy?

AI was drawn to photos and stories about antique cars when I was quite young, in the early 1970s Noticing that,

my mom bought me some Matchbox Models of Yesteryear for my ninth birthday, and

I was hooked! Soon, I was saving up money from chores and mowing neighbours’

lawns to go to Ben Franklin’s,

a local department store, to buy the latest releases By the time I left home for college,

I had a pretty good collection

QWhen and why did you begin collecting toys/

models an adult?

AIt was only after I got

my first real job and got married that the collecting

bug really took hold

I went to a toy

auction and met a guy who had the MICA MOY book My head exploded! That was the first time I learned about first series Yesteryears and all the variations that were known

to exist Soon, I was writing

to other collectors (this was before the internet) to fill as many gaps in my collection as possible I joined MICA and worked hard to become a com-pletist My mom would still step in to feed my hobby – even when I was an adult – buying

me the elusive Sunlight Seife

or other hard-to-find releases

as birthday gifts

About the time Mattel purchased Matchbox and the MOY line started to falter,

I started looking for thing new I stumbled upon Brooklin models and saw a photo of their beautifully rendered Airstream camper

some-But at the time, I’d never spent that much on a single model, so it took a while to pull the trigger and order one After all, it was a camper and I had to have it! Plus, as I discovered, they also put out a Shasta Airflyte, which I had to have Soon, I was building up

a sizeable Brooklin collection, aided by their Pierce

Arrow Travelodge, Wesley Slumbercoach, Willerby Vogue caravan, and the SMV

12 in their RobEddie range

QDid you set yourself any parameters – i.e by restricting the eras, scales, materials in which vehicles are modelled, condition, etc?

AHonestly, for the next 20

years, I was like a kid in a candy store I bought anything and everything that appealed

to me in a range of scales and materials — diecast, resin, white metal The only thing that reined me in was my budget I never dropped a penny on models until all bills were paid, food was in the refrigerator, kids were clothed and expenses were covered I’ve also been blessed with a very understanding wife.The evolution of the internet really contributed to an explosion in my collection

I was finding models from around the world that could now be inexpensively shipped

Randy was thrilled to discover the beautifully rendered camper models produced in white metal

to my house from Australia,

Japan, Europe, China and

even Russia I was always

looking for exact scale

replicas, though, rather than

toys Even then, if it was a

camper, there were no rules

I’d add a Tekno, a Mebetoy,

a Polistil, an Oxford, etc

QHow have you gone about

sourcing models for your

collection over the years? And

are there any reference books

or websites you have found

invaluable and can

recom-mend to others who share your

interest in the theme?

AOne of the first ways I

began sourcing models

was subscribing to Model

Collector magazine My

preferred scale – 1:43 – has

always had a more loyal

following in Europe than in

the US So flipping through

the pages of new releases

and reviews helped educate

me about what was available

outside of our shores

The next big step came

when I started following the

www.diecast.org 1:43 forum

It’s a US-based collectors’

group with members from

around the world I would

post pictures of camper

models I found, and others

would chime in with photos

of their own That’s where

I connected with another

rabid camper collector named

Peter, who unexpectedly

died in 2018 He and I had a

friendly rivalry to see who

could uncover the newest

camper releases first – and he

usually beat me

While I’m not

a big fan of eBay,

it did introduce me to minded collectors from around the world In fact, through an eBay auction I met a great guy from Belgium named Michael He’s since become my source for all the Hachette parts works camp-ers and motorhomes now available Michael’s always

like-on the hunt at toy shows, and

he knows what I want even before I do!

QI appreciate this may seem

like asking you to choose

a favourite child, but is there one model within your vast collection you could pinpoint

as the most treasured?

AActually, that’s quite easy

And you may be surprised

to learn it’s not a camper — although I do have some favourites among those, including the aforementioned Brooklin Airstream My most treasured is the 1:43 scale model of the 1910 Brooke Swan Car made by EMC for One43

It is so unusual, so beautiful and so delicate that I placed a pre-order for one the moment

I saw it I’m glad I did, as only

a few were ever made It’s the prize jewel in my collection

of more than 18,000 models, and I’ll never part with it

QAre there any items that have proved/continue to prove particularly elusive?

AHonestly, this was harder

in the earlier days before the internet But with easy access to collectors’ forums,

sellers’ and auction websites, and decades’ worth of hobby-ist friends established around the world, nothing seems out

of reach anymore It just takes patience and money I’m actu-ally more likely to hold off on buying something today if it has a high price tag, because there’s a better than average chance one will reappear at a price I’m willing to pay With the exception of some really old or very limited models, like the Swan, there’s not a lot that earns the distinction of being called rare anymore

QThose who collect on this theme have been well served by our toy/model manu- facturers, but are there, in your opinion, still any glaring gaps

in the market?

AI really feel that right now

is a bit of a new golden age for 1:43 collectors of camp-ing vehicles I was strictly a metal-only collector for many years, but with the contribu-tions from Autocult, Ace, Neo, Schuco and others, I’ve ven-tured into resin models, too

Their more cost-effective ing has allowed for some really oddball limited-issue camper releases that never would have seen the light of day other-wise Take the 1938 REO truck with Curtiss Aerocar set from Autocult, for example For just

tool-180 Euros, you can own a truly

remarkable, museum-quality replica of this rare and unusual camper set

It’s really beautiful, and only a few hundred of them were made worldwide

Then, of course, the parts works models are much cheaper but just as much fun

to collect And talk about odd! Look at the Vixen 21, the Ultravan or the Mikafa They’re mostly diecast metal I’m not sure how Hachette found a way to be financially viable with these releases, but I don’t care as long as they keep putting more into the market

QRoughly how many

camp-ing toys/models have you accumulated over the years?

AAt last count, it’s

approach-ing 500 camper models

in a variety of scales, mostly 1:64, 1:43, 1:24 and 1:18 With online searches for old ones,

as well as the newest releases, I’m probably picking up five or more additional models each month

QYour homes in the US tend

to be far larger than ours

in the UK, but that’s a huge number of models Have you had them all on display, or have a lot of them had to be kept packed away or put into storage?

AIn addition to campers,

my collection also has significant offshoots of woody wagons, hearses, fire engines and show cars, among others I can’t display them all, so most are now in secure storage

The jewel in Randy’s 18,000 strong collection is not a camper but this exquisite 1:43 scale model of the 1910 Brooke Swan Car made

by EMC for One43

Randy is thrilled that by working in resin manufacturers have been able to produce some really quirky and unusual camper releases, such as this

1938 REO truck with Curtiss Aerocar set from AutoCult

| the Randy Rusk collection

But as I sit at my desk talking

to you, I am surrounded by

beautiful woody wagons from

Conquest, WMC, Brooklin,

Matrix and Motor City, as well

as Motorama–era show cars

from Bizarre, Great American

Dream Machines, Minichamps

and others Of course, that

Swan is just over my shoulder

in the case that used to hold a

number of my campers and

other cherished pieces still

of Fame in Elkhart, Indiana

What prompted this decision and, when it came to the crunch, how heart wrenching was it?

AThe decision to donate

my camper collection to the museum was driven by two things – turning 50 and a record rainstorm I turned 50

in 2017, and that was the first time I really started to think about the long-term future of

my collection As my wife and I have moved closer to becoming empty-nesters and eventually retiring, we’ve been

down sizing and getting rid of

a lot of stuff we don’t need That caused me to start reflecting on the boxes and boxes of models in my collection Not long after that,

a record rainstorm swept through our area and drove water into our basement Now, I’d always stored my models up on plastic milk crates, but the rising water stopped less than an inch from causing catastrophic damage to a lifetime of collecting The ensuing clean-up process forced me

to take stock of all of it and ask: “Do I own this collection

or does it own me?”

Over the next few weeks, I moved everything to an offsite, climate-controlled and very dry storage unit I began go-ing through everything and committed to start selling off stuff that no longer had such

an intense hold on me It was hard at first, but as I sold more pieces and heard from the new owners about how excited they were to add them to their

Camping related models are just one of the thematic

strands in the collection Randy has spent a lifetime putting

together, so it’s perhaps no surprise that he’s all out of

cabinet space at home!

collections, it eased the pain

But I couldn’t bring myself to

sell my campers, even though

it was clear there were simply

too many of them to ever

display in my home

That’s when I started

think-ing about fi ndthink-ing all of them

a new home I’d been to the

RV/MH Hall of Fame a couple

times before and marvelled at

their tremendous collection of

campers and RVs But I always

found their display of model

replicas to be lacking In truth,

they had only a small case

with a few donated Brooklins

and some other toys So rather

spontaneously last summer,

I wrote a letter to their

president, Darryl Searer, to see

if he’d be interested in putting

my entire camper collection

on permanent display I didn’t

know what to expect, but he

called me the day he got my

letter I think he was even

more excited than I was, which

was really thrilling I went

up to meet him, hammered

out the details and picked a

premier spot for them to be

displayed He and his tions manager, Ryan, ordered some glass cases, and we set

opera-a dopera-ate for the instopera-allopera-ation

I planned a couple days off work in late November and packed up my car for the two-hour drive to Elkhart

I’ll be honest, there were a few moments when I questioned if this was what I really wanted

to do … giving away a sizeable collection that took me many years – and many dollars – to accumulate But knowing they’d be appreciated by an

audience far greater than thing I’d achieve in my home spurred me northward

any-The unexpected surprise was in discovering the fun

of taking everything out of storage, sorting it by category and then taking the models out of their boxes It was like Christmas! I rarely remove models from their original packaging but here I was taking everything out, cutting open blister packs, unscrewing campers from their bases and putting models on shelf after shelf of the display cases I had

a real blast, even though I was physically and emotionally exhausted after the second day

QHow do you feel about the

decision now the collection

is all laid out on permanent display in its new home? And what’s next for Randy Rusk?

AI couldn’t be more pleased with my decision While I was setting up the displays,

museum visitors stopped by

to see what I was doing There were lots of “Wow!”s It gave me the opportunity to talk about

my collection and why I was nating it One guy from Europe was thrilled to see how many Hymer models I had and even pointed to a Citroen camper like the one his family drove around the countryside when he was a kid To make that kind of con-nection and to know that thou-sands more people each year are going to see these models

do-is more than I ever could have hoped for or expected Plus, I made some great new friends with Darryl and Ryan, who are equally tied to the camping life but in a diff erent way from my own I’ve committed to them that I will continue to search for new examples for the collection And I’m hoping now that everything is in place, a few

of the current manufacturers might be open to donating their models instead of me having to buy them all! MC

THE RV/MH HALL OF FAME

The RV and Manufactured Housing Hall of Fame, located in Elkhart, Indiana, is dedicated to preserving the history and honouring the pioneers and individuals who have made signifi cant contributions to the RV and Manufactured Housing industries Within its multiuse facility is the

RV Founders Hall, which displays trailers, photos and memorabilia reaching back to the 1920s and 1930s and is open to the public from 10 am to 4 pm Monday through Saturday The museum presents chronological and technological advancements in the industry from before WW I

to the present Learn more about the RV/MH Hall of Fame at www.rvmhhalloff ame.org.

Some of the models in Randy’s collection, now on display at the RV and Manufactured Housing Hall of Fame, in Elkhart, Indiana

Desert island

diecast Laurence Price takes the plunge and reveals

the booty he’d most like to fi nd washed up on the beach with him…

FLOAT YOUR TOP FIVE ISLAND COMPANIONS PAST US!

Fancy sharing your

‘desert island’' model choices in MC? If so, send us a message in

a bottle – or, failing that,

a letter/email will do!

Oh, and there's a

£50 bounty for every selection published!

1

Iwrote these words on a suitably dark

and stormy night and, as I also live

by the sea, it wasn't too diffi cult to

imagine being in a tropical storm,

somehow escaping from a sinking ship,

surviving the giant waves and eventually

being washed up on the shores of a

desert island! Once I was dry, I'd be looking out for crates that had also survived the storm and one, to my delight, just happens to have the fi ve unattainable models I've wanted for

so long! Being a perfect storm, the crate also contains two books,

Dinky Toys & Modelled Miniatures and The Great Book of Corgi, ideal for reading

for hours and hours under the palm trees But let's get back to those fi ve models

All model images courtesy of Vectis Auction Ltd

In the mid-1950s my best childhood Christmas present ever was a Victory Models battery-powered

electric, bright red plastic Vauxhall Velox – a near replica of our then current family car, a metallic green 1953

Vauxhall Velox It was the most realistic toy car of my childhood, with steering and miniature Firestone tyres –

complete with accurate tread, and lots of chrome and aluminium trim It could move in forward and reverse,

usually in circles, and was the undisputed king of all my toy cars, which included Dinkys (the ones without

windows), Corgi Toys and Matchbox models It got gradually downgraded over the years and the electric motor

packed up, so it got pushed around the garden, and lost its lovely bonnet fl utes In 1966 we moved house and

my parents said all my toy cars had to go I sold the Velox for fi ve shillings (25p) and I still miss it to this day

It would be great fun to push another one along a sandy shore.

VICTORY MODELS VAUXHALL VELOX