HOT PIRANHA

Here is another model from my small Monster Truck collection. This is the Hot Wheels Piran-ahhhh. Yes, it is a giant fish on giant wheels. Not to be confused with Piranha Terror from the Hot Wheels Mainline.

The colour scheme of this version is red and black. Again, the model is mainly plastic, with a very limited amount of metal. The inner chassis is black, with a red outer chassis and suspension. This is similar to the design used on the Loco Punk, but there are a few small differences, such as the lack of a diagonal brace for the rear strut, and no projecting edges to the chassis frame. Marked with the Hot Wheels and Mattel names, and 'made in THAILAND'.

Only the upper body of the fish (and the engine ?) are metal. This has cast-in, textured stripe detail, as some versions have a striped finish. The tail is black plastic, with the lower jaw (and teeth), and the dorsal fin in red plastic. Clear red plastic is used for the eyes. Overall length 92 mm, or just over three and a half inches.

The wheel hubs are red plastic, and the tyres black. These are a different design to those used on the Loco Punk.

Red and white tampo printing. Red strips, gill detail, Hot Wheels name and the word TRUCKS; only the word MONSTER is white.

This example comes on a card (copyright date on the back 2021). The plastic bubble is shaped like a wheel. The model comes with a soft plastic sedan for your Monster Truck to drive over, and squash over and over again. Mine is orange.

There was also a twin-pack version that came with both Piran-ahhhh and a small Piranha Terror. It is also sold in a Monster Truck four-pack. A previous version was orange and green, with a blue chassis.

The world of miniature Monster Trucks is filled with way-out designs, with the wildest coming from Hot Wheels and Monster Jam. Some of these are film, TV, or Super Hero related, so they fit in to a Star Cars collection.

Paul Adams from New Zealand

Tamiya Flying Saladin

  I just love the box art on this 1960s vintage Tamiya 1/35 British Armoured Car Saladin MK-2. Much better than the bland white background on their modern kits.

The vehicle is literally flying through the air, so I guess it belongs to an airborne unit ? The real Saladin was over 11 tons, so this one must have been really travelling to reach take-off speed.

I do not know what the correct order is for the box art styles, but both are likely from the 1960s.

Two photographs from Worthpoint.

Paul Adams from New Zealand

BRISTOL FASHION

Paul V recently identified the car make photographed here as a Bristol 401.

I was wondering if this black car on this art is a Bristol 401 too or is it a Jaguar? Anyone know?

This wonderful Merit Avengers Shooting Game set belongs to Arto.

Where's Wimpys?

Back in the late Sixties there was a Wimpy Bar where I grew up in Preston.

It had to be the first burger joint in the town. It was near the Ritz cinema I think and must have been popular.

I can't recall going but my childhood memory, other than toys and books and telly, is shockingly bad.

As I've got older, like everyone, else I've seen the rise of McDonalds and Burger King. I've even seen the odd Taco Bell ring out and just last year a David Hortens, the Canadian pancake joint.

But Wimpy Bars are nowhere to be seen. Not a sausage. They were first on the scene. What on earth has happened? How come Wimpys aren't everywhere?

Do you remember them? Which other eateries have vanished?

Arnold Palmer on a Stick

I'm pretty sure I had this set as a kid. Arnold on a pole for that true golfing experience! What an idea! 

I've seen other versions but this is the original Marx.

Did you Arnold Palmer?

Salvation

 I'm currently starting to rewatch Salvation, a TV series from 2017.

It's about an asteroid heading for Earth and the scrabble to stop it hitting.

26 episodes makes it quite long. I have watched before but I've no idea how far I got so I'm starting again.

Asteroids or otherwise heading for our planet are a Sci Fi constant.

There are loads to choose from. When World's Collide, Deep Impact etc.

Do you have a favourite planet killer or Apocalypse?

SUPERCAR SUN-EZE PICTURES

I saw these online a while back. A new one on me I think, a set of Sun-Eze pictures by Tillman from 1962.

Tillman Toy Inc. were from Monsey in New York.

The pictures are in fact negatives and the set is like a mini dark room!

The instructions show how the negatives could be developed using the small set and then fixed using salt water!

Really quite neat!

Anyone ever seen the finished pictures?

Industrial Model Making - Behind the Scenes

Here is a British Pathe film from 1959, in colour, on industrial model making. Large scale civilian and military aircraft, of the type once seen in the windows of travel agents.

Some of the airliners have clear fuselage sides, showing off the interiors. The models are shown under construction, and you can see just how large and detailed they are.

Wood, metal, and plastic are the main materials. Prices range from £3 to £1500 - and £1500 would have been a lot of money in 1959.

A Series 1 Airfix kit sold for two shillings in 1959. So £1500 would have bought you 15,000 Airfix kits !

The armed Jet Provost trainer is in the markings of the Royal Ceylon Air Force - now Sri Lanka.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srukErH2dl4

Paul Adams from New Zealand