Scale
Models |
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Making and collecting scale model cars, is
a hobby enjoyed by millions of people. Ready made models come
complete or in kit form. They are made from either plastic,
die-cast metal, resin or wood. Popular scale's include 1/32nd
and 1/25th actual size. Current (and past) UK manufacturers
include Matchbox, Dinky, Corgi and Airfix. Whilst the Maxi
is not included in many of the major manufacturers portfolios,
scale models of the car can be bought (or made). The one opposite
is the clubs own model which is currently on sale to members.
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| Famous
scale model car manufacturers |
| Matchbox |
Matchbox was started in 1952 by World 2 naval veterans
- Leslie and Rodney Smith - who formed the Lesney Toy
Company. Matchbox toys were so-called because their
packaging resembled boxes of matches. The company operated
at first out of premises in East London, but relocated
to Rugby in Warwickshire in 1990. Lesney Toys went out
of business in 1982. The Matchbox brand name was sold
to Universal Toys who then sold it onto Tyco Toys. Today
its owned by Mattel.
Links: matchbox.com
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| Airfix |
Airfix was started by Hungarian, Nicholas Kove in
1939. His first venture into the model kit market was
10 years later, when his company was asked to make a
model of a Ferguson tractor for use by that companies
sales rep's. In order to keep costs down Kove sold the
model as a toy to Woolworth's. A few years later Woolworths
suggested to Kove that he might like to repeat the exercise
by building a copy of the ship "the Golden Hind"
in kit form. It was an instant success and the company
went onto build many other kits, in particular those
for military aircraft. It also built a kit for
the Maxi. The company had its hey day in the
1970's. In the 1980s children found other more interesting
hobbies and the company went into serious decline. In
1981 the company declared itself bankrupt. Today Airfix
is owned by Humbrol (the company who originally supplied
the paint for its kits).
Links: Airfix |
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| Corgi |
Corgi was launched in 1956 by toy company, Mettoy
Playcraft. Corgi were an immediate success, partly because
they were the only toy cars at the time that had plastic
windows. Mettoy sold more than 2.75 million in Corgi's
first year. Since then the brand has had a somewhat
chequered career, a fire at its Swansea plant almost
but destroyed the company in 1969 .... in 1989 it was
taken over by Mattel, before regaining its independence
in 1995 .... in 1999 it was taken over again this time
by Zindhart, a US company.
Links: Corgi
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| Dinky
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Dinky model cars were first produced in 1934 by parent
company, Meccano. Originally they were intended as accessories
for their O scale Hornby Train sets, but became a successful
brand in their own right. It wasn't until the 1950's,
however that Dinky mania took off .... every child in
Britain seemed to want one. In 1963 Meccano were bought
out by rivals Tri-ang. Unfortunately the latter was
brought to its knees in the 1970's and it went bust.
The Dinky brand name was eventually bought by Matchbox.
Today Dinky toys are very collectable items, some fetching
thousands of pounds at auction.
Links:
dinkyclub.com |
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