THE HOT WHEELS H2GO BOAT

One of MC's posts mentioned the Matchbox Seafire boat model from the 1970s. Hot Wheels do a rather similar model, called H2GO.

This is a twin-hull, twin-engined, twin-seat racing speedboat. Very low and sleek.

Only the white upper hull is metal. The black lower hull is plastic, with chromed engines and interior, and smoke-tinted windscreens.

Red and blue tampo-printed graphics. The model actually runs on four small wheels, hidden under the model.

The model dates back to 2008, and has © 2008, '16 Mattel on the underside. Made in Malaysia.

Four photographs

Paul Adams from New Zealand

BAT JAM

Woodsy and Fellow Batnuts!

I do love the various iterations of Batmobiles and have had up to 70 in my collection, but as the latest discussion has pointed out, Mattel just gets totally bonkers with its constant release of 'new' Bat-rides. Anywho, this Monster Jam Batmobile from 2011 is probably the oddest I've ever bought.

From Vegas Bat-Cave

Ed

HOTZILLA

There have not been too many new Hot Wheels models lately, but I pounced on this one when I saw it. A Nissan Skyline GT-R R33 in white, with Godzilla markings on the sides.

It has Godzilla himself and claw marks in black, with the Godzilla name in red. The model also has red tail lights, and a black plastic base.

Most Hot Wheels movie related models are in the Showtime sub-series, but this one is part of the J-Imports series instead. It is a 2024 model, but there was also a 2023 version with different markings on the sides in blue, grey, and black.

Upon looking in to this model, it seems that Hot Wheels have done a few Godzilla models over the last few years, including a Character Car (a vehicle in the shape of the character), and a Monster Truck, but this is the first one I have seen.

I am sure these models will disappear very quickly, given the number of monster fans there are out there. If you see one, grab it.

Paul Adams from New Zealand

HOT WHEELS WHITE BATMOBILE 2023 ISSUE

Batman might prefer his Batmobiles in black, but Hot Wheels like a little variety. The latest version of the 1989 movie car is white, with black tampo-printed stripes, clear purple windows, and purple wheel rims.

This is a tie-in model for the recent DC Superhero movie The Flash, with the movie title in the upper left hand corner of the card. Although it seems the car in the film is the usual Batmobile black.

The model is part of the 2023 Batman sub-series. It has a black-painted metal baseplate, with the copyright dates "2004, '17" cast-in, and a white plastic body. Made in Malaysia.

The 1989 movie car is also available in dark grey with orange stripes, but this does not have The Flash on the card.

Paul Adams from New Zealand

Sundae Sundae

Before we cut down on car booting on account of our house bursting at the seems, we visited the local Leeds sale one last time this month. We plan to limit our car boot visits to just one a month from now on. That's the plan anyway!

Today's old and inexpensive toy haul was an interesting bag.

See what you think.

At the back, a Clangers 1969 jigsaw

Left to Right, Action Man go kart, Popy Kaiju monster [ID needed], cheap Action Man KO [ID needed], Action Man detonator, Italian plastic car, A Team Enforcer van, Action Man German helmet, four Hot Wheels and a Terrahawks tank.

My Older Bruder!

 Dropping off lots of old clothes, we took the opportunity to have a wander round the Diakonie again, the large German charity store. Here's some snaps.

As expected, tons of Playmobil, the national toy.

Soft toys and a Playmobil hospital.

Cabinet stuff. Not sure what that orange dragon egg is. You?

Games galore.

Old tech too like vintage cameras

And this toy motorbike in a cabinet. At 18 euro it must be something good. Any ideas?

The handful of bits I got were as follows: a lovely old West German skip wagon by Bruder. I love their logo. What is that font?

Also two unbranded cowboys, probably modern and three die-casts: a Majorette Gull Wing coupe 1975, a Hot Wheels Stingray 1979 and a modern Hot Wheels Aston Martin, which I thought was unusual.

What do you think of my meagre haul readers? 

S U P E R T R A I N

 I'm only just learning about NBC's 1979 Supertrain series for the first time.

I thought it was a model kit but it was an American TV show.

Supertrain was like Love Boat but on tracks.

The late Seventies show's set reminds me of Derek Meddings and his team years earlier.

If its a model for TV it looks darn real to me. The team made two models for outside filming and a huge indoor one. They cost NBC $10 Million!

Sleek, sharp and low. It recalls Hot Wheels' Hot Tracks trains! Despite its fabulous looks, the show was panned.

But what a fantastic model those model makers made! It was the costliest TV show in America at the time.

Yep, that really looks like a Thunderbirds set now!

Unlike Thunderbirds, Supertrain is ranked as one of the worst TV shows of all time and has been consigned to that big folder marked Flop.

Wiki say more about it. I imagine there's a book out there too. I wonder where the models ended up?

Have you seen Supertrain?

SURFIN' USA

 Since getting my ace new American redline Deora I've been after some surfboards to finish it off.

I want it to look like this complete one I saw online.

I touched it up with a green sharpie and set to on the surfer trail.

I considered alternatives like repro redline and corgi surfboards but they're all too dear.

I then thought of stuff we might have in the house; plastic, nail files and ...... pen tops.

My first attempt was a pair of shocking pink boards cut from some play-doh pot lids. I also cut off some pen top clasps to see how they looked too.

Not happy with these and really wanting the classic Deora pairing of a red and yellow board I went to Home Bargains in search of pens.

I found a packet of about ten coloured gel pens like these. I snipped off the clasps of the red and yellow ones and filed the cut ends. 

I liked the results I must say. See what you think ......

...... eh voila!

Time to hit the road and ride the waves!

Have you got any surfboards on or off a car?

2023 BATMOBILE 5-PACK BY HOT WHEELS

Here is an addition to my die-cast collection last year. The 2023 Batman 5-pack, which has a 2022 copyright date on the back of the box.

These 5-packs usually contain one or two real Bat vehicles, a Gotham City Police car, and two or three villain cars. This set is a little different, in that there are no villain cars. Instead, the extra vehicles are marked for Batman's main side-kicks - Robin and Batgirl.

Sometimes the Bat vehicles in these sets are also available individually on cards, or they may be unique to the set. The Gotham City Police cars, villain cars, and side-kick cars are only available in 5-packs, and never on their own. If you find one loose, it came from one of these sets.

In recent years Hot Wheels have taken to listing the vehicles in their sets on the back of the box, which is very helpful.

Muscle Bound is a red coupe, with yellow and black markings, depicting Robin.

'11 Dodge Charger R/T is a metallic blue Police car, with white trim.

'49 Merc is a light blue convertible, with a black plastic interior. The markings are mainly yellow and black, and depict Batgirl. Her name appearing on the rear wheel spats.

TV Series Batmobile is the classic 1960s TV car. Black, with maroon trim, and turquoise pinstripes.

The Bat is semi-matt black, with dark gunmetal grey pods, and a green tinted canopy. This model does not have wheels, and desperately needs a stand, but does not have one.

My favourite models in this pack are the Batmobile, and the Batgirl car. Poor Batgirl is one of the most over-looked characters in the Batman universe, so it is good to see her getting some attention here.

See what you think.

Paul Adams from New Zealand

Devil Reds

 I was lucky enough to pick up two lovely and original redlines this week.

A blue Hairy Hauler for Junior ( minus window) - his first redline too - and a green Deora for myself ( minus surfboards).

They came home with two gorgeous Zowies.

These red Zowies are Diablos, again one each for both of us. Again, Junior's first Zowie.

What do you think readers?