ARMOURED COLUMN

 Besides space toys, I have always favoured army and military toys too. There was always a set of the polythene Airfix Attack Force models at home and the later larger models of the Abbot SP Gun, Stalwart and Hanomag etc. But as far as diecast military models, I always went for Britains, as my family had all shared the toys from the Floral Garden, Farm and Zoo collections, handed down from my sisters to me. So my usual go to, besides the odd Dinky or Corgi toy, would be Britains. As my Dad was always picking up toy and model catalogues, I was browsing through his latest acquisitions one day in 1976 and found a large colour catalogue for the french brand Solido. I had never come across these models, probably as they were more aimed at collectors or the more serious market, as the production values and detailing was a good deal higher than most high street brands. Naturally, the cost of the models was a lot higher, so that, more than anything probably accounts for my dads lack of interest in them, as he knew full well that I liked to play hard with my toys!

The Solido catalogue has a great range of cars, racing cars and commercial vehicles, but as I was more used and fond of the more exotic models from Matchbox Superfast and Hot Wheels, the quite staid lineup could not seize my attention. However, as I fanned through the catalogue, I came upon the military range and was quite taken aback at the variety and range.

Whereas Corgi had released some nice military models in the form of the Jagdpanther and Rocket Firing Hanomag Half Track and Dinky had the Scorpion and Striker vehicles, the range was limited and restrained compared to Solido. Unusual shapes or models would always take my eye and anything with a rocket or a missile would always be headed for the Xmas list.

Rather than focus on the usual American tanks, Solido also produced some fabulous Soviet armoured vehicles alongside modern European hardware.

The construction and detailing of the vehicles set them apart from other makes, which individual metal tank tread links and authentic paint schemes. A remote control version of the Jagdpanther with motorised movement was also included.

I used to feel that I was fairly knowledgeable about rockets and missiles and the various transporters, but here were models I had never heard of, such as the AMX Pluton and heavy rocket launchers. I was amazed at the breadth and variety of models.

The Dinky Alvis Stalwart that had been released was a tiny simple model, packed with a Ferret Armoured Car and a single piece casting of the D.U.K W as the Task Force set, but the Solido Stalwart was a large, chunky, authentically detailed model. The Solido Soviet SU 100 Tank Destroyer had eschewed Corgi's route of making a firing gun, with a huge plastic barrel and gone for a much more imposing finish and realism as the goal.

On top of the stand along models, the were kit versions of several models too, so that an owner might have the pleasure of assembling the model from scratch.

Needless to say, despite my requests over the years, I never added any Solido to my carpet wars!