Mystery Model Spitfire

Hi Woodsy

The recent post from Lewis about his visit to the Hurstville Collectables Fair included a photograph of a mystery Spitfire toy. 

It is a pretty terrible model of a Spitfire – probably the Mark Vb, which had two long barrelled 20mm cannon in the wings, along with four .303 inch machine-guns which did not project from the wing.

The deep chin is probably meant to represent the Vokes tropical filter, intended to keep dust out of the engine. The Middle Stone and Dark Earth colour scheme was used mainly in North Africa.

https://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/2025/08/looey-at-hurstville-fair.html#comment-form

Lewis has mentioned Google Lens a few times, but I thought this was something you had to sign up for. It turns out I already had it on my computer, but have only just discovered it.

Using Google Lens I was able to find several matches for the model. It is marked under the starboard wing UNIVERSAL PRODUCT © 1977, and under the port wing SPITFIRE, with MADE IN HONG KONG under the starboard tailplane.

Although a basic toy, the undercarriage does retract. The colour scheme is original, and has not been re-painted.

Thanks to Lewis for explaining what Google Lens is, in previous posts. I think it is going to be very useful, now that I know I have it.

Four photographs from Worthpoint.

Paul Adams from New Zealand

Looey at the Hurstville Fair

Hello Moonbasers! The Missus and I visited the Hurstville Collectables Fair and caught up with our old mate Glen Ware, who organised the Jonathan Harris "Never fear, Smith is here" Australian tour last century!

As a mixed toy and record Fair, the records seem to be rising in number, the toys were pretty thin by comparison.

The venue was the Marana Auditorium.

A full squad of hand painted Marx knights.

I actually found a Dinky Spitfire in pretty good condition (although possibly repainted) but as put off by the ugly Typhoon style lower cowling (I've just thought it might have been to accommodate the internal electric motor to spin the propellor)

There was a Corgi and Dinky arms race going on!

A brace of Dinky Star Trek ( later issue?) Ships and Geoff Love who was a big feature in my late teens! I had that Tee Vee Tunes 2 disc vinyl set on CD, back in the day...

The auditorium almost inundated with LP's rather than toys! (Who IS that woman on the scooter?

Is she really 69?)

Three strikes and he's out...

A vintage Matt Mason accessory, but nothing is priced -Strike 1!

It's been opened -Strike 2!

So HOW much is it? He can't tell me until he's Googled how much they're going for on Ebay!!!

$190, but he'll knock of a few bucks for the damaged pack...

STRIIIKE 3 -AND HE'S OUT!

I did get a bunch of vintage DVDs for $3, 2 &1 each and the Missus got a 1999 Cinefantastique Stop Motion double issue, with Ray Harryhausen on the cover!!

Oh, and NZ Paul, you know that Barbie Movie Corvette 4 pack?

...they didn't have it!

Happier Hunting in the Old Dart, Woodsy!

Looey

Oz

Looey's 3D Printed Georgian Mansion

Looey's Second Hand Sheds

On our road trip home from Melbourne, we passed through Daylesford and Castlemaine. BOTH had extensive second hand market sheds one claimed to be the largest in the Southern hemisphere!

Regardless of the veracity of that claim, there was plenty for Moonbasers to look at.

Stand by for Action, Men!

A nice MG pedal car

Breakfast Cereal Premiums still in their baggies!

Ah, a Beetle Game! I remember playing with one of those at school during a rainy day!

A familiar looking headless woman sideshow banner (did I see that at the Royal Easter Show back in the early 70's?)

You wouldn't believe the size of the Mosquitos around here!

Ooer! That's taun taun it now! Where the heck did that come from?

How Chad was my Valley...

No boots? Soldier you are out of uniform!

...Sweet Sixteen souls, at the drums of Johhny Ringo

Nice tin F111's Mint In Box

No peek at the Harrier inside the box, but!

Nice Tug and Bomber

See anything you like?

Looey's Scratch Caravan

Here's a pic of my 1/12 scale Dispersal Caravan. It's the only finished model for my film to date. I'm quite proud of the chintz curtains!

Looey,

Oz

More WIP from Looey too.

Looey's Tiger

I  thought these pages from the 1969 Tiger Annual  bought at The Chapel Street Bazaar would interest you Moonbasers.

Did you have it? 

"Macarthur's pricing in the dark..."

Hello Moonbasers,

here is my latest trek through Antique Shops in the Blue Mountains NSW Australia...

Macarthur's Arcade used to be a Men's outfitter in the 60's (I think) I've tried looking for a history but only came up with a website review from 2014.

 Anyway, it has a nice '60's style facade and sign facing onto Katoomba's main Street.

"Show us the toys!"

The prices are in the "Tell 'em they're dreamin' range" but with all the tourists traipsing past, they can obviously afford to keep the doors open.

Just remember that A$1 is worth about 50p. So you can get an idea of the pricing.

Whaddya think?

Looey

Oz

Twilight of the BEST...

Hello Moonbasers,

I've been coming down to Melbourne town for over 40 years now. In that time, the Chapel Street Bazaar has always been my favourite place to visit.

Nothing lasts forever and the surrounding area is Yuppifying, with a change in the type of shops. Even the Bazaar is changing, some of it's vintage goods (old movie posters especially) are still here, but the toys have time shifted and most are 1980s onwards now.

Here's a sampling of the most relevant..

That Tiger Annual was worth a punt for £6!

I also picked up a Giles collection that tickled my nostalgia senses!

Oooh! Uranium glass!

'Pon my word! I had that paint set as a kid!

I'm sure my parents didn't pay $195 for it!

Luchboxes anyone?

"The Esso sign means Happy Motoring..."

A happy shopping experience, but even I can sense the sands of time drifting onwards...

Looey

Oz