The Pink Panther by ESCI

Mike Pigott returns to the subject of the Pink Panther as we look at the models made by Italian company ESCI – CB Toys.The Pink Panther is one of the most popular cartoon characters in the world, but he is particularly well-loved in Europe, where his silent style of pantomime humour is very much appreciated.

Rextoys – The Royal Miniatures

Mike Pigott looks at the fascinating history of this high quality Swiss manufacturer of classic diecast models from the 1990s.Rextoys was a high quality brand of model cars from the 1990s that specialised in 1/43 scale luxury cars from the 1930s. It was a brand with a very interesting history, being founded in 1989 in

Tintoys Diecast Tanks

Mike Pigott looks at a small – and rather unoriginal – range of military tanks made by Tintoys of Hong Kong. During the 1970s, budget diecast manufacturer Tintoys of Hong Kong introduced a small range of miniature tanks, based on military vehicles from four different nations. However, the models were not particularly original, and appeared

Play Trucks by Ellas Toys

Mike Pigott examines the history of this fascinating range of model trucks which originated in Greece. Greece may not be known as a leading producer of model vehicles, but during the 1980s, the Greek company Gavrielidis Brothers, trading as of Ellas Toys, produced a wide range of high quality of model trucks. Sold under the

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

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

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

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

Christmas Express by Kathe Wohlfahrt

Just in time for Christmas, Mike Pigott presents a diecast model based on a real promotional vehicle used by a famous Christmas decoration shop in Germany.Occasionally it’s possible to find unique diecast models in unusual places, and one of these would have to be a miniature bus in a German shop that specialises in Christmas

Siku Ships

Mike Pigott looks at the semi-waterline ship models in 1/1400 scale made by Siku of Germany. In 2013, the long-established German company Siku introduced a range of cruise liners to its popular diecast line. These model ships were somewhat unorthodox, being of a semi-waterline design and made to the unusual scale of 1/1400, but were