Hyper Rescue Series by Tomica

Mike Pigott takes a look at this range of futuristic rescue vehicles from Tomica of Japan. The Japanese Tomica range includes its regular Matchbox-size line and the double-length Long Tomica series. The company also produces a third group of diecast models, the Dream Tomica line, which consists of fictitious vehicles. These include cars from television

Marvel Civil War by Tomica

Mike Pigott gives an update on Tomica’s superhero models with a look at a pair of miniature vehicles inspired by the movie Captain America: Civil War.In 2015, Japanese diecast company Tomica produced a series of three Marvel Comics related models as part of its ‘Dream Tomica’ line of fantasy vehicles. To tie in with the

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

Thunderbird 2 Pod Vehicles by Bandai

Mike Pigott looks at Japanese company Bandai’s three high quality sets of diecast models based on the rescue vehicles carried in the interchangeable pods of Thunderbird 2.In 2003, Bandai of Japan released three deluxe sets of International Rescue’s pod vehicles, which were the specialised machines carried in the pods of Thunderbird 2. While some of

Giant Thunderbird 1 by Aoshima

Mike Pigott looks at the second Thunderbirds model in the big 1/200 scale from Aoshima of Japan: a large model of Thunderbird 1 with a surprising number of working features.To accompany its giant diecast model of Thunderbird 2, Japanese hobby company Aoshima released a big model of Thunderbird 1 in the same scale of 1/200.

Old Timers by AHI

Mike Pigott  looks at this very rare, early Japanese range of miniature veteran cars from the 1950s.Over the years there have been a number of excellent models of vintage and veteran cars from many diecast manufacturers. Probably the best range would be from the Italian company Rio. Other popular brands include Dugu, Matchbox’ Models of

Giant Thunderbird 2 by Aoshima

Mike Pigott examines the biggest and best diecast model of Thunderbird 2 ever made, produced by Aoshima of Japan in 1/200 scale.In 2003, Japanese company Aoshima released a pair of large and incredibly well-detailed models based on the classic Thunderbirds series. They were large models of Thunderbird 1 and Thunderbird 2, made to 1/200 scale.

Mighty Jack by Imai

Mike Pigott takes a look at a rare model based on an obscure Japanese sci-fi espionage programme. Mighty Jack was a Japanese TV series first shown in 1968, involving a top-secret peacekeeping organization and their amazing flying submarine. The programme ran for a single season of 13 one-hour episodes and was created by Eiji Tsuburaya.

JAWS by Tomica

Mike Pigott looks at an exclusive Tomica model based on the blockbuster film Jaws, about a man-eating shark terrorising a coastal town.Recently, Japanese company Tomica issued a model truck that was inspired by the 1975 film Jaws. Although this sounds a rather strange choice of subject matter, it was actually an exclusive model for the

ZERO-X by Aoshima

Mike Pigott looks at another one Gerry Anderson’s TV-21 models… a spectacular model of the interplanetary spacecraft seen in the feature film Thunderbirds Are Go!, produced by Aoshima of Japan. The 1966 film Thunderbirds Are Go was a feature-length spin-off from the popular TV series Thunderbirds. However, the real star of the movie was not