The last model fair of the year in Auckland has come and gone. It seemed to be quieter than usual, but I still managed to find some goodies for the collection.
Three Airfix Series 1 aircraft kits in plastic bags, with paper headers stapled to the top. The style of header is from the late 1960s to the early 1970s.
A very good find, as the bagged kits are hard to find these days. Also, a bagged Frog P-51 Mustang from around the same era.
A 1/48th scale Monogram P-38 Lightning, with optional parts for four different versions. The copyright date on the model is 1964, while the box says 1966.
The box does not actually say 1/48th scale, instead it has 1/4 Inch [to the foot] Scale. This style was once common on American kits, but is no longer used.
Die-casts - everything but the yellow Corgi Juniors Mercedes-Benz 280 SL is by Matchbox. Two heavy trucks; a boxed trailer; a Massey Harris Tractor (early version); the large and small versions of the Bedford Low Loader; and the early and late versions of the Jaguar 3.4 Litre.
A 1/32nd scale Scalextric Pitstop and Crew. This was missing one of the six figures, and a few other minor pieces, but there were a few other odd bits in the box.
Very useful for dioramas and model photography. I was also able to get the JB Models 1/76th scale Hard Top Land Rover; several magazines; and some old kit catalogues - very useful reference material.
I will now have to start saving up for next year!
Have you been to a toy fair this year?
Paul Adams
New Zealand
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Some lovely pieces there. I always loved the airfix kits in header bags, very much a staple of the 1960's. Gorgeous Roy Cross artwork. The Mustang is an unusual find, in RAF livery. and the cars - I never realised the green and brown ow loader on the left came in two sizes! Ive got the tiny version and the brown trailer in the middle. Ive also got the orange tractor that goes with t, but the two you have look smaller and different too! The little box on its own is a beauty as well. Bill
ReplyDeleteGreat to see the old kits in plastic bags. Reminds me of the time when they were pocket money prices and I would buy one and make it the same afternoon. Not the greatest of models but they are from a time when it was actually fun and cheap to build them. Nowadays most kits are rather more expensive and have far too many parts for my patience. Will you build them? Personally I wouldn't as they're a part of history now.
ReplyDeleteThose Airfix/Frog bagged kits are a joy to behold! Dime Store throwaways back then, and pure gold today. I would be torn between building, and archiving! Good haul! SFZ
ReplyDeleteThank you, I am glad you enjoyed the photographs.
ReplyDeleteNo, I will not be building any of these old kits, they are for my small collection of vintage kits. There are plenty of modern kits of the same subjects that can be built. These are pieces of modelling history.
Airfix introduced plastic bubble packaging in 1973, and I began modelling in 1974 (50 years next month), when there were still a few of the older, bagged kits around. I built a few at the time.
Matchbox models grew larger during the 1950s, which left the early models looking rather small compared to the later releases. So Matchbox produced new, larger versions of their existing models.
There were four versions of the No.1 Road Roller and the No.5 double decker bus. With two or three versions of several other models.
The box is for the light brown trailer just in front of it. The tractor and trailer were sold separately. The early No.15 tractor has a flat ballast box (weight) at the rear, the later version has a sloping box with a spare wheel on top. There are also two versions of the No.16 trailer. Early version with six wheels and fold-down ramps, and the late version with eight wheels and fixed ramps.
The No.27 Bedford Low Loader was always sold as a single vehicle, in one box. There were also two versions of the No.4 Tractor - with or without rear mudguards.
The two Jaguar 3.4 Litre cars are a little later. The difference in size is less obvious, but the later model has more detail, including clear plastic windows, and an opening bonnet showing off the engine.
I am slowly trying to fill in the many gaps in my collection of older Matchbox toys. Including these Little and Large pairs.
I've never seen Auckland, a Toy Fair sounds great! Slaving in the Mines of Weta, my only relaxation was a weekend scoot to Wellington with no chance to roam further afield. Maybe I should put the rest of NZ on my bucket list.
ReplyDeleteI'd ponied up the bucks for the NZ World SF Convention, but Covid 19 put an end to that jaunt...
There are four of these fairs in Auckland each year, at two different venues, organised by two different groups. This was the last one for 2023, and the first for 2024 is not until April. There are other fairs out of Auckland, but they are too far afield for me.
ReplyDeleteSorry you missed out on the SF convention.