Hi all
On Saturday, 10th April 2021, I was able to go to my first collectors fair for over a year!
The last was in late 2019, everything (at least in Auckland) got cancelled last year.
Having been starved of models for so long I did get far more than I usually do. Not everything is shown, I did get some more kits in plastic bags, but these did not have any nice box tops, so I left these out of the photos.
1 Two assembled model railway buildings in HO scale. A block of flats and shops - I did not realise at first that there are clear skylights in the roof, it is so dirty.
The long, low building is for an airport and has a control tower on the roof. Both will be very useful for backgrounds in model photographs. They will have to be cleaned very carefully to avoid losing the decals and paper stickers. $15 for the pair.
2 Books. Toys of Road Vehicles Made in New Zealand was only published last year. I have only had a chance to quickly flip through it so far, but it covers die-cast, pressed steel, wood, and plastic toys. Obviously the result of years of work. Aircraft Nose Art from WW1 to the present day. The P-51/F-51 Mustang in service with the air arms of Latin America. Great to finally get my hands on a copy of this.
3 Kits. Two examples of the Airfix 25 pounder field gun, in different boxes. The Novo (made in the USSR) re-issue of the old Frog Lancaster bomber in 1/96th scale. A modern re-issue of the old, odd-scale Martin B-57 from Revell, which was a US built version of the British Canberra bomber.
4 More Kits. The Mustang X was the first Mustang to be fitted with a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine in place of the original Allison. Totally different nose shape to the production Merlin Mustangs. Limited run kit.
Martin Baker, the ejection seat makers, also built whole aircraft, including the experimental M.B.5 fighter. Another limited run kit - I built a vac-form version by Falcon back in the 1980s - it was my only vac-form. Lockheed P-38D Lightning, this has a great decal sheet with special markings used during major US Army exercises in 1940.
5 Small Corgi die-cast Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Dated 2001, it refers to the stage musical version based on the film. This movie is one of my all-time favourites.
6 A boxed Crescent Royal State Coach, with a selection of loose die-casts. The large blue car is a Spot-On model, these are usually a terrible price but I got this rather worn example for $20.
The rest are a mix of Matchbox, Japanese Tomica (the yellow school bus), NZ Fun Ho (the blue Scenicruiser bus), a couple of Corgi Juniors, and a Budgie Austin Westminster station wagon in orange.
It was a great day out, except for all the rain.
Hope you've enjoyed the photos!
Paul Adams from New Zealand
Great stuff. And a tribute to your country for getting on top of COVID.
ReplyDeleteHoly cow! What a great haul! The very first photo did my heart good - that cool ultra-modern office building is from Faller of Germany, their #927 Department Store kit, which was released in the U.S. by Atlas Tool Company as "Professional Building." I had that model proudly displayed on my HO train layout for many years. You will want to clean up that little beauty and give it a place of distinction!
ReplyDeleteThe Revell Martin B-57B is also an iconic model. I had an earlier release of it, and I recall it built up real pretty, even without a paint job. Do you build models? That one might be worth taking some time with, its a real beauty when finished.
ReplyDeleteThe diecast and plastic car and bus models are great, great, great, what a great catch. We have nothing like this in the States, everything of that vintage is behind glass at fancy antique markets and waaaayyyyy overpriced.
ReplyDeleteJust those four dump trucks were worth the trip - wow!
ReplyDeleteI agree, a sumptuous bag of goodness there Paul. You did well and saving up a bit beforehand was a smart move! Can't wait to see what you get in July!
ReplyDeleteThank you ZigguratSF2000 for the identification of the building model. I thought they would be German kits. Very nice, but very dirty. Yes, I have been building models since 1974. Getting back in to it more now after a slow period. The four dump trucks are all Matchbox, mainly from the 1960s. The cockpit of the B-57 is interesting in that the two crewmen, their seats, and instrument panels are all moulded as a single piece. Some models are very expensive and well out of my league, that blue Austin Cambridge is my only Spot-On so far, usually the prices are far too high for me. Glad you enjoyed the photos.
ReplyDeleteLovely! I hadn't really thought much about Budgie toys since my childhood! I fondly remember a red 6 wheel steam shunter (sort of Thomas the tank engine style, but not related) and a Scammel Scrab 3 wheel articulated lorry with real canvas covered trailer!
ReplyDeleteI think Budgie also made a Supercar, but that was a bit before my memories!
Yes, Budgie did a Supercar model, long before Corgi became King of the Star Cars. That is also well before my time. I only have a few Budgie toys. I did not have any as a boy, and I do not recall ever seeing them in NZ. Those I have today were all picked up at toy fairs. This fair was very well attended, despite the rain, obviously I was not the only toy starved collector out looking for treasure.
ReplyDelete