Brains' New Ride

FAB1 FETTLED!

 Junior gave me his small Matchbox FAB1 to fettle.

It had lost some paint after Parker took Tin Tin out for a spin.

Avoiding any trouble with the Tracys, I gave it a simple new coat of shocking pink.

I tidied up the chrome work

And finally, glossed the body with PVA.

Just hope Lady Penelope is happy! 

THE MATCHBOX SKY BUSTERS DREAM CHASER

The Matchbox Dream Chaser has been mentioned before on Moonbase Central, but it seems to be a fairly hard model to track down. 

I finally found one, so I thought you might like some photos of it. 

Not exactly a pretty craft, with its upturned nose, but a welcome addition to the ranks of Real Space models.

The Dream Chaser is a small, re-usable space shuttle, built by the Sierra Nevada Corporation in America. It is intended to produce both unmanned cargo, and manned versions (with seating for up to seven astronauts). The first mission is now due in 2022, a little later than originally planned. It will be used to carry cargo and personnel to the International Space Station. The launch vehicle being a Vulcan Centaur rocket.

Here is the Wikipedia entry for the craft.

Dream Chaser - Wikipedia

The Matchbox Dream Chaser is part of the Sky-Busters line, and was first released in 2019, model number SB143. Length 91 mm. The black base and engine bells are metal, with the rest of the model being either black or white plastic. The cockpit windows are opaque, so there is no interior. The black plastic undercarriage is fixed, and the wheels do not revolve. The tampo printing is well done, in red, blue, black, and yellow.

The information cast in to the underside comprises the model name Dream Chaser - SIERRA NEVADA, Matchbox, © 2017 Mattel, the number SB143, MADE IN THAILAND, and a tiny elephant.

The card for the original 2019 version had a cloudy sky background, and a red stripe at the bottom. The 2021 card is orange, with the planet Earth providing a background to the model. The craft themselves appear to be the same.

Matchbox Wiki page for the Dream Chaser.

Dream Chaser (SB-143) | Matchbox Cars Wiki | Fandom

Paul Adams from New Zealand

Addition: Hot Wheels branded Skybusters!

THE NASA SEV/ CHARIOT

Matchbox first released the NASA S.E.V./Chariot space exploration vehicle as part of the 2018 line, in white and gold, with NASA markings. It was a short-lived model, and was gone by the following year.

At the latest model fair in Auckland, I was able to pick up a new version. This is part of the 2022 Collectors Series, which comprises 20 models. The Chariot is 11/20, meaning model 11 in the series of 20.

It is an enhanced version of the original model - and it looks spectacular. Although the basic colour scheme is the same as before, the finish is much more detailed.

The lower body is moulded in a light gold plastic (much lighter than the previous version). Only the upper body is metal, and painted gloss white. The cab windows are tinted light blue. The wheel hubs are gold chrome, with light grey tyres.

Tampo printing includes yellow on the raised pipework. US flags and NASA emblems, including one on the roof of the cab. The lights are silver, edged in black; with a row of white lights on the gold lower body.

The Collectors Series models are bubble-packed atop cardboard boxes. These boxes are of standard dimensions, rather than being sized to each model. So, if you open the packaging and put the models in to their boxes, they frequently rattle around, risking damage.

The box and backing card are mainly blue and yellow, just like early Matchbox boxes. The copyright date is 2022. Made in Thailand.

Here is my earlier look at the basic model:

https://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-nasa-moon-chariot.html

Paul Adams from New Zealand

S U P E R T R A N S P O R T E R

I've been having fun touching up my new 1974 K-21 Tractor Transporter Matchbox Super Kings with a blue Sharpie pen. Just got the front lights to silver and the wheel hubs and then its done. Alas, I couldn't resist taking some shots now as I like this metallic blue Andersonesque truck so much!

See what you think of this King transporting various kitchen items around Moon Base!

Matchbox Sky-Busters MBX Hypersonic Jet

A fantasy design from Matchbox, the Hypersonic Jet can fly at Mach 5 or higher (the Concorde could only manage Mach 2). The model is actually very similar to a Concorde, with just a few changes. The wings on the real Concorde curve downwards slightly, on the Hypersonic Jet the tips are angled upwards.

The biggest changes are around the tail. Instead of a single fin, there are twin fins, which are canted outwards; with a board, flat rear fuselage. The four engines are mounted on the underside of the wing, just as on Concorde.

Only the white upper fuselage, including the nose tip, small canards, and twin fins, are metal. The lower fuselage and wings are orange plastic. These are held together with four rivets. The undercarriage is black plastic. The wheels do not rotate. Length 118mm; wingspan 63mm.

The colour scheme is orange and white, with black, white, yellow, and orange printing. Matchbox World Airlines. M Airlines appears on the fins, with the number SB70 on the wings. The model has previously been released in a number of other colour schemes, but this is probably the nicest, and most realistic looking.

Moulded in to the underside is the usual collection of names and dates. The Matchbox name is half hidden by the port main undercarriage. The copyright date is 2015, Mattel. SB134 just ahead of the nosewheel. Made in THAILAND appears beneath the starboard wing.

The model comes in a clear plastic bubble, glued to a backing card. The model is shown flying low over a city filled with skyscrapers. Copyright date on the back of the card is 2021, number 16 of 31 models in the 2021 Sky-Busters range.

This is a very nice model, and would have been right at home in Thunderbirds or Captain Scarlet. What do you think?

Paul Adams from New Zealand

THE STRETCHA FETCHA BY PAUL ADAMS

THe futuristic Matchbox Stretcha Fetcha ambulance was released in 1972, as model number 46 in the 1-75 series. 

It had a white body, with a detailed interior, a lift-up rear door in white plastic, and blue or orange-tinted clear plastic windows and twin roof lights. There were red crosses on each side.

A point about the side windows on the Matchbox model is that these extend up in to the roof, with the metal portion of the roof comprising only a narrow central bar.

For the German market there was a red emergency ambulance version - with Unfall Rettung on the sides. For the US there was a light green version with Viper Van written on the sides.

Stretcha Fetcha | Matchbox Cars Wiki | Fandom

A Spanish company called Mira copied this model. Apart from releasing it as a normal ambulance, and a military ambulance in dark green, there was also a Charlie's Angels version in pink. This looks to have had solid sides, with the show logo on the flanks, but on closer inspection of photographs it seems that paper stickers have simply been applied over the windows. 

The title appears in its Spanish form - Los Angeles de Charlie. Obviously, a copy of the Corgi Charlie's Angels Van, but using an existing casting in the Mira range. The underside is marked Mini-Mira, Made in Spain, and it is still called Stretcha Fetcha. Model number 127.

I say that the Mira model is a copy, rather than a re-issue, of the Matchbox model as there are differences between the two. Most obvious is that the large side transparencies are no longer a single window. There is now a narrow bar along the edge of the roof, creating separate side and roof windows.

This is a brief look at the Mira van (and a Charlie's Angels revolver) from You Tube.

Charlie's Angels Toys: Spain Revolver & Van - YouTube

coche furgoneta stretcha fetcha de los angeles - Buy Model Cars at other Scales at todocoleccion - 250327210

There was a whole slew of these futuristic models from various die-cast companies in the 1970s. Often in wild colour schemes, as companies sought to compete with Hot Wheels.

Paul Adams from New Zealand

MATCHBOX ANNUALS BY PAUL ADAMS

Hi

Happy Birthday!

Recently the subject of Matchbox Annuals came up, and I thought they deserved a closer look. Since I do not have either of these volumes, it is just a brief look.

Lesney, the makers of Matchbox toys, ventured in to the world of publishing several times over the years. There was an early set of four colouring-in books; Mike and the Modelmakers was a look inside the Matchbox factory, at how Matchbox toys were made; and a short-lived line of Annuals. Just two, in fact.

Published by Purnell and Sons Ltd., each was a 64-page hardback, in the usual Annual style. There were comic strips, games, a quiz, and articles. Most of these featured the real vehicles Matchbox models were based on.

The title is The Matchbox Annual, and there is no date or other means of identification on the cover. However, there is a copyright date inside. The front and back covers are identical. Both feature a variety of Matchbox models, driving or flying right off the page.

Red cover, copyright date 1979

Among the articles were: refuelling a Jumbo Jet; a look at the Opel Monza, with a cut-away showing the interior; Veteran cars; and the last of the British aircraft carriers, HMS Ark Royal.

Green cover, copyright date 1980

Articles included: Aeroplanes through the Ages; Rally Driving; Customized Cars; and Battleships - actually a look at the different types of warship.

Photographs both from Worthpoint.

Have you got one or both?

Paul Adams from New Zealand

THUNDERBIRD 4 CAUGHT ON FILM

 Messin' with my phone and a Matchbox TB4!

THUNDERBIRD FLEW!

Hi Woodsy. Back in the 90s, a friend of mine knew an American U-2 pilot from one of the local air bases. 

He persuaded him to take this Thunderbird one model with him on one of his missions. As you can see, it was flown over a height of 65,000 feet. 

This must be the highest that Thunderbird one flew!, although I don't know what the cruising altitude of Thunderbird one actually was . 

Hope this little curiosity is of interest to the readers. 

All the best . 

Will Os.

UK

Top Gun: Matchbox Maverick Models

Hi Woodsy

Top Gun: Maverick is a sequel to the original Top Gun (1986). It was apparently due for release back in 2019, but has been delayed several times, and is now due out in the middle of 2021. The trailers can be seen on You Tube. Matchbox have released a host of models to go with the film, at least some of which are now in the shops. A quick look on-line also shows a die-cast twin pack of the F-14 and F-18 models by Corgi, and plastic kits by Airfix and Revell.

Here are the Matchbox Top Gun: Maverick models that I picked up a few days ago - the first of these models that I have seen here in NZ. You can imagine how fast I jumped on them. A quick look shows that there is actually a lot more in the way of Matchbox models. My initial haul includes two different five-packs, each with four vehicles and a small F-14 Tomcat fighter. Plus, a four-pack of Sky-Busters aircraft, with two larger Tomcats in different markings. None of these aircraft have any US national insignia, which seems really odd. Perhaps these now require a licence, and have to be paid for ? Just a guess on my part.

The five-packs come in a clear plastic tray, inserted in to a cardboard sleeve. Thankfully, both Matchbox and Hot Wheels are now listing the names of the models on the back of the pack, something they neglected to do for many years. Both packs include the Swing Wing model (a mini F-14 Tomcat), but in different markings. I do not know if any of these vehicles actually appear in the film.

First set:

2011 Mini Countryman - green

2019 Ford Mustang - gunmetal

1972 Ford Bronco - light blue

Jeep 4x4 - red

Swing Wing - pale grey


Second set:

1956 Aston Martin DBR1 - green

2008 Dodge Challenger - grey

2010 Ford Raptor - Black

Petrol Pumper - blue and white

Swing Wing - medium grey

The Sky-Busters four-pack comes in a clear plastic blister, mounted on a backing card. There are two F-14 Tomcats from the 1986 movie, in slightly different markings, as flown by Maverick and Iceman; along with the F/A-18 flown by Maverick and Darkstar from the new film.

A video showing the same five-packs as I have, plus the first Sky-Busters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gaWK5OBEp0

There is a 20 inch long aircraft carrier playset, with an F/A-18 Hornet model. Here is an unboxing clip of it. This is an existing model, in a special Top Gun box. Bet that is going to be expensive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ErTqq-iaJw

Another carrier video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJvTasuviM4

Another clip showing some of the 15 different Sky-Busters aircraft models, all on single cards. Some of these are different versions of the same casting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHkmcpZ81SA

According to the 2020 Matchbox Wiki the models in this series are as follows:

1/15 Darkstar

2/15 Enemy Strike Jet

3/15 F/A-18 Super Hornet Hero

4/15 F-14 Tomcat Maverick

5/15 F-35B Lightning II

6/15 P-51 Mustang

7/15 F-14 Tomcat Rogue Nation

8/15 F/A-18 Super Hornet Rooster

The remaining models are not yet listed.

This site lists all of the above, plus a couple of aeroplane launcher sets, with the F/A-18 and Darkstar models.

https://www.military.com/off-duty/movies/2020/06/24/manage-your-top-gun-maverick-sadness-these-awesome-toys.html

Collecting all of these is going to be an expensive business, given the sheer number of models.

Clearly, I have a lot still to look out for.

Paul Adams from New Zealand

SUPER FUN WITH SUPERFAST

 Some recent car boot and charity shop finds for my current obsession, Matchbox Superfast super and concept cars from the 1960's and 70's - my childhood - and later stuff from the1980's. Cheap and in decent nick are the watchwords!

Sneaking in here are a nice green Hot Wheels Dodge Charger I think [I love the film Bullitt!] far left - and next to it a knockoff Fandango, which is unbranded. 

The rest are two Matchbox Super GT's and in between a pale blue Carabo, all three in a strange 1980's pale pastel colour palette I'm starting to recognise. What is that all about?

Oddly enough I had none of these as a kid, only the Carabo in its earlier forms.

I also picked up a Matchbox Thunderbird 2 body from the 1990's I think. No pod.

Like last summer's car boot sales and charity shopping and my hot fascination with small plastic toy figures, this year's keen interest I have in car boot Superfast is proving equally enjoyable and I have a few more since taking this picture. The collection is growing!

Matchbox National Parks Police Car

This is the Matchbox '59 Dodge Coronet Police Car. I know this is a long way from space toys, or anything else you normally cover, but I thought the finish might be of interest to you, given your interest in parks and the outdoors.

Initially released in 2019 (copyright date on the base is 2018), this is a 2021 version. The model is a four-door sedan, with a single roof light. Being part of the main window moulding this is in clear plastic. The interesting thing about this version is the light green colour scheme.

It depicts a National Parks vehicle, with Superintendent Park Operations just ahead of the doors. The base and bumpers are black plastic, with a light grey interior.

Matchbox models are not as widely available in NZ as Hot Wheels models, so it is harder to get all the models you want. They are also a little more expensive, usually $4 each, rather than $3, which is the usual price for a Hot Wheels.

The latest card design includes the Dodge badge in the upper left corner. The artwork is rather odd, as it has the Parks vehicle driving through a brightly lit city, rather than a forest track.

Paul Adams from New Zealand

A L I E N T R A C Y I S L A N D

toys courtesy of moonbase junior

KEVIN'S TENDER

Hi,

Here is my matchbox crash tender keeping an eye on my Zombite fighter.

Kevin

found my joe

From US reader Brian:

Your Action Man article prompted me to go spelunking in the attic for my Joe.

He is the Kung Fu grip Land Adventurer. Also we have a mummy and the star of Search for the Abominable Snowman!

The footlocker was customized by my dad using his dog tag numbers (not complete).

And as a bonus, I found a familiar face, Scott Tracy. This came to me in a random lot from New York city superstore Toy Tokyo many years ago but that's another story in itself!

Brian

SPACEX THUNDERBIRDS POD VEHICLES BY PAUL VREEDE

Hi Woodsy, light had gone pretty much by the time I could get round to these, but not too bad. The TBs are 90's Matchbox of course, but the size of the large one goes well with Spacex!

Best,

Paul V