Further to the recent mention of the Airfix Scammell Scarab kit.
The real thing was one of a series of small, three-wheeled vehicles developed for use by British railway companies, in confined spaces such as a railway goods yard, and for local delivery work. Most were built as tractors for a two-wheeled trailer.
The Airfix kit depicted the 6-ton version of the Scarab, and was part of the Trackside range of model railway buildings and accessories. It was the only vehicle in the range, if you do not count the Travelling Crane.
Kit No.20 included the Scarab tractor unit; a choice of two trailers - a British Railways flatbed, or a Watney's trailer with three wooden barrels (combined capacity 648 Imperial Gallons), plus a mini barrel for the cab roof; and two figures.
The 67-part kit was moulded in cream coloured plastic, and was released in 1962. It was sold in a plastic bag, with a paper header, at a price of 2/- (two old shillings, or 10 New Pence).
The decal sheet included the Watney's markings for the barrels, but there were no clear parts. It was marked as HO & OO Gauge, so it was suitable for use with normal British OO model railways (1/76th scale).
The kit was very short lived, and only appeared in the first two editions of the Airfix catalogue. It was never re-issued by Airfix.
In the 1980s Airfix sold off its railway and trackside kits to Dapol in Wales. Dapol re-introduced many of these kits, including the long-vanished Scammell Scarab, which was now moulded in light grey plastic.
Kit number C-33 was still sold in a plastic bag, with a paper header, although the design changed a few times over the years. Just like Airfix, the assembly instructions were printed inside the header.
Here is a look at the kit, and building the model.
This kit is still available under the Dapol name, for anyone wanting to have a crack at a 1962 vintage model. There have also been a number of die-cast versions.
Four photographs from Worthpoint and Ebay.
Paul Adams from New Zealand
