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Posted

One last one from a GB on another forum...

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A nice little kit, with quite a lot of detail on offer, but improved with some wire of various sorts and sizes. The Bugatti 59 wheels are unique, with very fine piano wire spokes, but they look like cartwheels in the original Matchbox plastic. These have been rebuilt with some Detail Master radial spoke wires intended for 1/24 50s Americana...

best,

M.

Posted (edited)

Thanks very much, all! Someone elsewhere wanted to know how big it is, so here you are:

 

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There's a story to those Humbrol tinlets. Both were used on this build. The 55 Copper is for sure 35 years old, because I bought it when I was painting metal D&D figures at 17 or so; the Railway Authentics Steel is probably even older, because I inherited those paints from a guy in his 60s when I was 25... Both worked perfectly after a quick stir!

 

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Here's a nice grid of 1930s Historic Racers, ready for the off: Airfix 1930 Alfa Romeo (2300), Matchbox Bugatti Type 59, Matchbox Aston Martin Ulster, and Airfix MG K3 Magnette.

 

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And finally, the current Matchbox 1/32 built cars in my collection. I have an MG TC, Porsche 935 and Auto Union Type D still to do, and there are obviously quite a few more to be had, if I can find them at reasonable prices (£30+ for a Citroen TA or Packard Victoria seems rather a lot!)

best,

M.

Edited by Matt Bacon
Posted

That's a fabulous collection Matt, all beautifully done.

I built a few of these years ago- but never this well. I've got a Tomy Jag SS100 coming along very slowly.

Posted

Thanks, guys! Both the Matchbox kits and the later (60s/70s) Airfix 1/32 kits are pretty impressive, and a world away from the Highway Pioneers/1st Generation Airfix kits of the 1950s.  Sadly, Airfix is pretty limited in its re-releases, so although a handful of the 60s cars (DB5 and E-Type) come back regularly, some real gems like the Jaguar 420, Sunbeam Rapier, Mercedes 250SL and Maserati Indy languish in the vaults. Maybe the new  Vintage Classic range will bring them back  into the daylight.

The Matchbox kits constantly surprise me with the detail they HAVE included. Half a dozen times as I built these, I’ve spotted something on a reference photo and thought “how am I going to make that bit?” only to discover that there’s at least a basic plastic version in the box already. The wheels are the only consistent issue, but that’s state of the art plastic moulding in the UK c1980. @peekay the wire wheels alone are a reason to get the Tomy SS100. It’s a lovely kit, and shows its finesse sitting next to the MBox in my cabinet... but I lucked in on the price of mine, so it was less than £20.... similar to what people want for the Matchbox.

It’s not a Classic British Kit, but I’ve got an Arii/MicroAce 911S on the way... it’ll be interesting to see how it compares.

i’ve started the Matchbox Porsche 935, which, since it’s not in a GB elsewhere I’ll post a build of here, starting shortly!

Thanks again for your interest and positive comments, all...

best

M.

Posted
9 hours ago, Matt Bacon said:

@peekay the wire wheels alone are a reason to get the Tomy SS100. It’s a lovely kit, and shows its finesse sitting next to the MBox 

I have a spare Tomy Jag and will use its wire wheels if I ever get to the Matchbox Aston Martin. I'd want to paint them which could be tricky.

Posted

Wow, you really did your homework and followed up with outstanding craftsmanship. BTW, I found some very good piano wire wheels from Le Mans, intended for the Bugatti Tank slot racer, which I got for the AMT and Matchbox T59 kits. I also got a great set from Italy for the Bburago 1/18 diecast kit, but he stopped making them.

http://www.gts-series.com/en/spare-parts/wheels/1-32/set-of-wheels-type-bugatti-57-or-59-6524.xhtml

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