FUN IN FINLAND

Arto's fabulous collecting never ceases to amaze me. Finland really is the centre of the vintage universe. Its quite incredible what turns up in the far North.

Some of Arto's recent finds include a rare Finnish Flintstones cornflakes teepee and the blog legend that is the 'Space Boat' [Ebay]. This is only the second one Arto or I have ever seen. This second example is yellow rather than the white we saw decades ago.

Arto also recently visited Vintageland, a huge Spring fair at Aino Arena, where all sorts of goodies were on offer. Here are two of Arto's snaps and also the venue's own promo [Petri Matero].

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ve2w6sw_cM

What do you think readers?

Are you going to a collectables, vintage or toy fair this year?

HOT WHEELS AND JAMES BOND TOYS: THE BIG AND BIGGEST COLLECTIONS

My friend and blog reader Paul V kindly sent me this interesting BBC link to a 25,000 strong Hot Wheels collection. Wow! Check it out.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-68486307

On the same page is a link to an amazing James Bond toy collection that was selling in 2023, the biggest in the world!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-manchester-66799280

Do you see anything you have or had?

CANBERRA MAN

Well, at the Canberra Miniatures exhibition the bloke with his Action Man display was there, but with quite a small display this time.

Enjoy!

Looey

Oz Base

ED'S TIN: Big Deal Toys Tin USAF Jet FG-786

Woodsy and Gang,

Here's a nice little rack toy for your enjoyment. 

As I've said before, not all my tin collection consists of behemoth toys and I have quite a few on the opposite end of the spectrum. This toy is still in its original header bag and made by an unknown Japanese manufacturer. 

To me it looks like a caricature of an F-104 Starfighter, just a tad shorter and stubbier :-). It was packaged for Alfred M. Lewis, Inc. of Riverside, California and only $.26 cents back in the day! Ahhh for the good ol' days. 

The jet measures 5" (12.7cm) L x 3 3/4" (9.52cm) wingspan x 1 5/8" (4.12cm) H.

From Vegas Air Field

Ed

USA

Skybusters Spacex Starship

A recent purchase and part of the Matchbox Skybusters range, introduced recently by Paul from New Zealand, with the Falcon Heavy model. There are three Spacex models in all, with the third being the small Dragon capsule.

Although I was initially unimpressed with Spacex somewhat bland designs for space vehicles, this model changed my mind. Rather than the seemingly basic cylinder shape adopted by the other vehicles, this has a much more classic rocket shape.

The model itself is very basic, in that it's a solid casting with no action features, but is very realistic in its depiction, even down to the tiny Spacex logo on the back.

It's a pleasant change from the usual planes and sits well with the recent Dreamchaser lifting body model from the same range. The Starship comes with a small two sided backing card (referred to as a playmat) and a nice rocket shaped stand that echoes the shape of the vehicle. Addendum - I didn't notice the playmat was folded over, so it does make a nice double sided diorama backing, with a planets cape on one side and the spacex logo on the other. Thanks Paul Adams!
 

Revved Up and Off Caravaning

 My new "bodge-job" is inspired by the wondrous Hot Wheels redlines Revvers camper, a beautifully sleek yellow caravan done the way only Mattel knew how.

Here's Mattel's wonder.

Wanting something die-cast size I began with a cheapo coach.

I then cladded it in plastic to mimic the square edges and swept rear.

Problems arose painting the base silver. It just clogged for some reason so I scraped it off, forgot about it and painted the top lemon yellow. A couple of final coats mixed with PVA should give it a smooth finish.

THE DILLYPUFF: TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION!

Recently I had the opportunity while visiting Baltimore, Maryland to visit the B&O Railroad Museum which appropriately enough is centered in and around a roundhouse.

Now, growing up in the UK, as a child of the 50's I had a number of Toby Twirl picture books. One of the memorable images from those books was an eccentric railway locomotive named The Dillypuff. It reappeared in a number of stories and had a very distinctive appearance, a parody of a traditional American 4-4-0 locomotive.

Imagine my surprise when in the B&O Museum I encountered PIONEER. Clearly this was the artist, E. Jeffrey's inspiration for Dillypuff. It's hard for me to believe that this locomotive really exists, yet it does. A case of truth being stranger than fiction?

Terranova47

USA

KEVIN'S SHORTS

Here are some small videos I've done:

Matchbox motorway

Lunar loop

Nomura dc9 airliner

Enjoy!

Kevin

UK