Nick Millman Posted April 6, 2017 Share Posted April 6, 2017 53 minutes ago, fightersweep said: To be fair, my memories of the kit go back 30 years or more. Just remember it being a breeze to put together, and had no idea of the accuracy of the kit. I can't imagine why the Zero would be any rarer than any of the other Matchbox kits, but I know I sold one on eBay over 10 years ago and got £26 for it. I was mildly surprised to say the least! Best regards; Steve It does seem to be quite rare and IIRC appeared in two different Matchbox boxes with different artwork, both by Roy Huxley. Maybe the production runs were shorter than for other kits or it just got built more! The value is perhaps to collectors wanting to complete a collection of Matchbox kits and reflects its scarcity. Regards Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Millman Posted April 6, 2017 Share Posted April 6, 2017 30 minutes ago, old thumper said: Couldn't agree more and what is there not to like about the Green Hornet. This is one I built some years ago, I would like to build another at some point only this time with re-etched panel lines and a browner shade of o/d against the green camouflage. A French glass nosed version is also tempting. Concerning the Zero, tapered cowlings were unfortunately a bit of common fault with Matchbox kits. I have a Matchbox Zero in my stash that I picked up from a show for about a fiver, unfortunately I later discovered that it is missing it's canopy so I will have to organise a replacement when the time comes to build it. It's a terrible cliché I know, but the Matchbox looks like an A-20 to me and has bags of nostalgia with that box art and scheme. I always think that the MPM/SH has a ginormous looking fin and rudder which seems wrong but have never checked it against plans. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted April 6, 2017 Share Posted April 6, 2017 I've actually got an acute urge to buy that A-20 again. Had it back in the 80's and remember not being able to chose which version to build! I've also got a question about the Walrus kit. I've had and seen a boxing with the original Matchbox logo and the early 80's boxing with the tri-colour flash, but I've never seen the Walrus in the mid/late 70's boxing with the rounded off logo. Did it ever appear in that style of box, because I've never seen one. I almost found the same with the Fw-190. Seen loads in the early boxes and loads in the 80's boxes...but the mid 70's boxings are quite hard to find. Well, it took me long enough to find one! Best regards; Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 6, 2017 Share Posted April 6, 2017 I can't think of many of the Matchbox kits that really warrant rereleasing these days. Off the top of me head: HS 125 Tempest II/VI Hawker Fury AW Siskin Fairey Seafox HP Hereford Walrus Do 18 He 115 BAC Lightning T55 Provost 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old thumper Posted April 6, 2017 Share Posted April 6, 2017 (edited) It depends on what you want from a kit. Most were nice fun builds but there were some dogs as well. Matchbox were always big on character. Edited April 6, 2017 by old thumper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted April 6, 2017 Share Posted April 6, 2017 Among the Matchbox tapered cowling we can add the Beaufighter's, not as bad as the Zero's but still noticeable together with the step before the collector ring. The A-20 cowlings on the other hand were not tapered but are much larger in diameter than they should be. In the end 1/72 modellers have to choose between a less accurate but easy build (Matchbox) and a more accurate (but not perfect) very fiddly build (MPM). And for other variants there's of course the option of a quite accurate but very hard build in the Hi-Planes kit. That such an important aircraft has not been treated with a good modern mainstream kit in 72 scale is one of the mysteries of modelling... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deacon Bill Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 17 hours ago, Giorgio N said: Really today I can't see how a modeller may prefer this one over the very nice and cheap Airfix kit I think it may be the difference between what you want to build vs. what you want to build, if you see what I mean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deacon Bill Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 (edited) deleted Edited April 7, 2017 by Deacon Bill Duplicate post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivand Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 (edited) On 23-2-2017 at 12:08 PM, tempestfan said: The ones I'd consider (regardless of what Revell has already re-released over the years: Mirage IIIC Twin Otter The Mirage IIIC may be a bit of a problem, as it was retooled to a Mirage IIIB (of which I would like a repop too). The recent two reboxes of the Twin Otter by Revell are still everywhere, though. I agree with most of your list. Edited March 5, 2018 by ivand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tempestfan Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 I don‘t think the C fuselage has been physically converted into the B - it has been claimed for a lot of kits (e.g. in the SMI review for the Monogram F-5F in ca. 1990 - different manufacturer, I know), but usually manufacturers make a duplicate mould or a replacement mould insert. Matchbox IIRC reissued their Harrier 1 after the 3, also the standard trainer Hawk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivand Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 That would make sense. It's just I've read the phrase "the mould has been irrevocably changed into ..." so many times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tempestfan Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 (edited) ... but hindsight is always 20/20, they say 😉 The only manufacturer who actually seems to have done this was Airfix in the Palitoy era. Of course I can’t say for sure re the Mirage, but as Matchbox seems to have been smarter... Edited March 5, 2018 by tempestfan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinChipmunkfan Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Got to be the HS 125 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
General Jumbo Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 On 06/04/2017 at 1:17 PM, The Wooksta! said: I can't think of many of the Matchbox kits that really warrant rereleasing these days. Off the top of me head: HS 125 Tempest II/VI Hawker Fury AW Siskin Fairey Seafox HP Hereford Walrus Do 18 He 115 BAC Lightning T55 Provost Not many then... 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invidia Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 Got a stash of siskins, furys and p12s. Matchbox at their best. After a couple of seafoxs, and then i might build some. Got a xtrakit meteor nf11/12/14 and a revell twin otter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie_c67 Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 Watch out which nose you pick for the NF Meteor... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glatisant Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 Norduyn Norseman. A superb little build. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob Lyttle Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 I did the F101 Voodoo two -seater last year, just because I like Voodoo's. I can't recommend it.. apart from the novelty of doing a matchbox kit, it just doesn't stack up against the Revell version. Having said that, I do have a Frog single seat PR to tackle one day, so Matchbox may still take the Silver. It was a challenge to do, though. Nostalgia ain't what it used to be😃 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mini man Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 The car range............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hairystick Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 The Matchbox 109e that I built around 1979(?). Hairystick finish (no surprises there...). Pocket-money scale (1:72 as that was what pocket money bought you back then!) 20180321_185652-1 20180321_185736-1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albeback52 Posted March 24, 2018 Share Posted March 24, 2018 Interesting question. ; A W Siskin Fairey Seafox H P Heyford Supermarine Stranraer Consolidated Privateer Vickers Wellesley Dornier DO-18 Heinkel HE-70 Most are still not too difficult to get hold of second hand anyway Allan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jure Miljevic Posted March 24, 2018 Share Posted March 24, 2018 Hello Allan Actually, some of the kits on your list are still available in retail stores around here (He 70, Do 18 Stranraer, Privateer with a bit of luck) under Revell brand. Heyford could still be occasionally found until a year or so ago. Of course second hand stuff is even more readily available, usually at lower price. Cheers Jure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie_c67 Posted March 24, 2018 Share Posted March 24, 2018 You're lucky then! Some matchbox kits seem to be attracting a premium here, despite being in a bit of a state... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71chally Posted March 24, 2018 Share Posted March 24, 2018 (edited) There was something about the original Matchbox kits that made them joyous to own and build, despite swearing my way through their Privateer kit. The Siskin was my favourite to build, and still have one or two. Seeing mention of their cars, I remember getting their Auto Union for Christmas and that felt a real treat to open and build. Edited March 24, 2018 by 71chally Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jure Miljevic Posted March 24, 2018 Share Posted March 24, 2018 Well, engraved trench-like panel lines are over the top on some kits. Still, even if its sagging is exaggerated fabric usually looks superb. Norseman that glatisant mentioned is a perfect example of such a kit. Built one original Matchbox (white-yellow float plane colour scheme) decades ago but still have another one, along with several Revell repacks, in my stash. Cheers Jure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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