Jimbo and the Jet-Set by Ertl

Mike Pigott continues his series on character toys with a look at Ertl’s models based on a 1980s British TV cartoon about a diminutive aeroplane.Ertl is an American firm best known for manufacturing diecast model tractors, but in 1986 the company produced a pair of plastic model aircraft based on a relatively obscure British cartoon character named Jimbo the Jumbo Jet.

Corgi Juniors Fire Engines

Mike Pigott looks at the surprisingly small range of fire engines produced by Husky Models and it successor Corgi Juniors.The Corgi Juniors range, including its predecessor Husky Models, and subsequent New Corgi and Mattel Auto City incarnations, was in production for a total of an incredible 33 years, from 1964 through to 1997. Most model car ranges included fire engines, and Corgi Juniors was no different. What is surprising, however, was how few castings were produced over the 33 years, with two of them being particularly long-lived. There were only four different fire engines produced during the life of the range, plus an additional specialist fire appliance.

Postage Stamp Tractors from Liechtenstein

Mike Pigott presents the concluding part of his series on diecast models produced by Liechtenstein Post, looking at the set of tractors and industrial vehicles that were featured on postage stamps.

In 2015, the tiny European country of Liechtenstein released a series of four postage stamps commemorating some of the classic agricultural vehicles based in the state. To tie in with this philatelic release, Liechtenstein Post commissioned four high-quality 1/43 scale diecast models based on the vehicles featured on the stamps.

Batman V Superman by Tomy

Mike Pigott continues his series on superheroes with a look at these high quality diecast figures from Tomy of Japan.The 2016 film Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice was notable for being the first cinematic meeting of the two title characters. To tie in with the movie, Japanese company Takara-Tomy, the manufacturer of Tomica model cars, released a set of three highly-detailed diecast figures of Batman and Superman as they appeared in the film.

Postage Stamp Cars from Liechtenstein: Part 3 – Luxury Post-war Roadsters

Mike Pigott continues his series on diecast models released by Liechtenstein Post. In this third part we look at the luxury sports cars from the post-war era.The small European country of Liechtenstein is sometimes described as a ‘postage stamp nation’ because it earns a significant portion of national revenue from issuing postage stamps that are sold to collectors around the world. In 2012 Philately Liechtenstein produced several series of stamps picturing classic vehicles that were based in the principality. In addition, the bureau also commissioned a range of high quality 1/43 scale diecast models based on the vehicles pictured on the stamps. The first series was covered veteran cars (click here), the second group were luxury saloon cars (click here), while the third series was based on luxury sports and touring cars located in Liechtenstein.

Flash Gordon by Tootsietoys

 Mike Pigott focuses on a famous science fiction hero with a look at Tootsietoys’ range of models based on Earth’s first spaceman, Flash Gordon.

The science fiction character Flash Gordon has been around since the 1930s, but it took 40 years before any of the many spacecraft in his comic strip was featured as a diecast model. The most extensive range of Flash Gordon models was introduced in 1978 by American budget manufacturer Tootsietoy.

Postage Stamp Cars from Liechtenstein: Part 2 – Classic Luxury Cars

Mike Pigott continues his series on diecast models released by Liechtenstein Post. In this second part we look at the classic luxury cars from the art deco era.The small European country of Liechtenstein is sometimes described as a ‘postage stamp nation’ because it earns a significant portion of national revenue from issuing postage stamps that are sold to collectors around the world. In 2012 Philately Liechtenstein produced several series of stamps picturing classic vehicles that were based in the principality. In addition, the bureau also commissioned a range of high quality 1/43 scale diecast models based on the vehicles pictured on the stamps.

Star Wars diecast models by Kenner

Mike Pigott continues his series on science fiction models, as he looks back at the legendary original Star Wars diecast range by Kenner.One of the most collectible toy ranges in history is the extensive line of Star Wars action figures and accessories made by Kenner during the late 1970s and early ’80s. However, Kenner also produced a second line of Star Wars toys, which was a series of diecast spacecraft and vehicles based on the first two films. These were excellent models, but were overshadowed by the more popular action figures.

Postage Stamp Cars from Liechtenstein: Part 1 – Veteran Cars

Mike Pigott looks at an incredible range of classic cars that was issued by the Liechtenstein Post Office.Liechtenstein is a tiny country in Central Europe, and like many smaller nations with limited industry, it makes a large portion of its national income from the sale of commemorative postage stamps. In 2012, the Liechtenstein Philately Bureau released the first of several stamp sets that pictured some of the vintage and classic cars that could be found in the principality. To accompany the stamps, the Bureau commissioned a range of high quality model cars in 1/43 scale that were based on the vehicles featured on the stamps.

Grease 2 by Kidco

Mike Pigott looks at a set of models based on the little-known sequel to the smash-hit musical Grease.Everyone remembers the hit 1978 musical film Grease, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, but significantly fewer people are aware of its 1982 sequel, and even less are aware there was a range of diecast toys based on it. However, there was a set of three model motorcycles produced by Hong Kong based Kidco that tied into Grease 2.