Centenary Chinooks at the treble
Welcome to this latest edition of Corgi Diecast Diaries, your regular blog review of all the news, updates and topical stories from the captivating world of Corgi die-cast model collecting.
Unusually for a Diecast Diaries blog, we will be starting this latest edition by featuring a model which has already been released, albeit one which takes its place as a rather significant addition to the Aviation Archive range. Enabling collectors to finally replicate an iconic RAF Centenary photoshoot event from 2016 in diecast form, the first collectable star of this blog is our latest Boeing CH47 Chinook HC4 release.
With our usual selection of exclusive Corgi model imagery, we will be following this up with a first look at computer development images from our new Ford Escort RS Cosworth tooling, a model which is already proving to be a real hit with Vanguards collectors, before moving on to see how the second release from our magnificent 1/48th scale McDonnell Douglas Phantom tooling will end up being quite significantly different to its predecessor and not just in terms of its livery selection. We have details of a rather unique addition to our Original Omnibus range and we will be bringing you a Bristol F2B fighter image the like of which has never been seen previously, before ending with our latest warehouse sweep, where we take a look at a selection of current models which are about to be consigned to the annuls of Corgi model collecting history. We are excited to proclaim that it’s Corgi time once again!
A trio of wonderful Wokkas
For the first time, Aviation Archive collectors are now able to recreate the iconic sight of three RAF Chinooks presented in their respective squadron’s commemorative centenary markings, if only in a scale model collecting sense
At a time when most of the aircraft in UK service are usually presented in bland and rather uninspiring colour schemes, what could be more appealing to aviation enthusiasts than the thought of managing to take a picture of three specially painted machines all flying in formation with each other? The answer if you are a Corgi collector is to have a stunning scale diecast model collection which features each one of these aircraft, so we can replicate these images in our own display cabinets and with the release of this third model, that is exactly what we can now do. The recent release of AA34216 Boeing Chinook HC.4, ZH777, RAF No. 28 Squadron, 100 Years Anniversary scheme marks the last of the three Centenary Chinooks to be released into the Aviation Archive range, and is a diecast celebration of an aircraft which has to be considered one of the most impressive in the RAF’s current aviation inventory.
With its distinctive tandem twin rotor configuration, the mighty Chinook heavy lift helicopter counteracts the effects of engine torque by having each of its rotors rotating in opposite directions and thus negating the need for a traditional tail rotor. An extremely impressive machine, the Chinook made its first flight back in 1961 and would go on to become one of the most effective aircraft designs of the post war era, one which was capable of operating in almost any environmental situation, no matter how inhospitable the terrain and therefore used in a multitude of military and civilian applications. The unrivalled versatility and load carrying capabilities of the Boeing Chinook helicopter has ensured that this mighty twin rotor heavy lift machine is now one of the most famous aircraft to see post war Royal Air Force service. Equally at home on the battlefields of the Middle East as it is dropping ballast sacks to prevent a dam burst a little closer to home, the Chinook has now been in RAF service since 1980, with the latest variant of this magnificent machine continuing to enhance its already legendary reputation for flexibility, with seemingly no task being beyond the capabilities of this helicopter.
As well as being one of the most important aircraft currently in service, the Chinook is also the consummate Airshow performer and a real crowd favourite wherever it appears, with the RAF’s Chinook Display Team having the privilege of demonstrating the aircraft’s power and manoeuvrability to many hundreds of thousands of people in a normal Airshow season. Retaining their fully operational status at all times, the team must balance normal training requirements with practicing for their dynamic display routine and even though a Chinook may be scheduled to take part in an Airshow near you, it could be called away on deployment at a moment’s notice, as the RAF don’t have all that many in reality and operational requirements must always take precedence over entertaining the Airshow-going public. If you are fortunate enough to see a display, there is nothing quite like the experience of witnessing this huge helicopter being hurled around the sky with unerring ease, accompanied by the distinctive sound of the Chinook’s iconic ‘blade slap’, which has made the aircraft such an Airshow favourite.
Another view of our enigmatic centenary Chinook trio, we wonder how many readers will choose to display all three of their Chinooks together as a special display?
Our 1/72nd scale Boeing Chinook tooling first joined the Aviation Archive range back in 2003 and since that time, has always been a popular feature of any range of models in which it appears. Standout releases during its production history include AA34202 HC.1 ZA718 ‘Bravo November’ the only RAF Chinook to operate during the Falklands War and AA34207 G-BJAC, a rather attractive Chinook which operated in the livery of British Airways, however, these stunners now have rivals and they come as a threesome. With the Chinook becoming such an important aircraft in the history of the modern Royal Air Force, news that three RAF squadrons currently operating the type were intending to mark their centenaries by presenting one of their aircraft in special commemorative liveries was of huge interest to enthusiasts, who genuinely could not wait to see one of these mighty helicopters wearing an imaginative and flamboyant scheme.
It soon became clear that this project would be quite a challenging exercise for the design team, particularly as the RAF’s Chinooks are in such high demand and would need to spend some time in the paint shop, if this project was to come to fruition. The task of designing the proposed centenary artworks fell to the same man, a serving member of the RAF’s Chinook force and it would actually take many months to complete, across the three squadrons. His brief was to design a scheme which reflected the heritage of the individual squadron, something which was challenging enough in its own right, but something he would also be undertaking in the knowledge that a special scheme had not been applied to an RAF Chinook for almost a quarter of a century. The first of his designs was rolled out in time for No.18(B) Squadron’s centenary commemoration event in May 2015, with the last of the three being No.28 Squadron’s ZH777 Chinook ‘Peggy’, which was rolled out in April 2016 - now all that remained was to get all three in the same airspace at the same time.
With pressing operational commitments facing all three squadrons, the opportunity to have all three of the centenary Chinooks available for a photoshoot event was proving quite a challenge, however, everything finally came together on the 14th of September 2016, when all three aircraft took off from RAF Odiham to embark on a navigational sortie, with a Lynx AH9A helicopter acting as a support aircraft (camera ship). On a beautiful late summers day, the official photographs which were later published from this sortie were absolutely stunning and a fitting tribute to the continuing legacy of each individual squadron, as well as the mighty Chinook. Even though most of us had to make do with admiring these images either on-line or in aviation magazines, thanks to our design team at Corgi, we now all have the opportunity to replicate this memorable event in a scale sense, in our model display cabinets. As the final model in this trio has been available for a couple of weeks now, most Diecast Diaries readers will probably already have their example on display, but as some may still be available through some retailers, let’s take a look at the description which accompanies Chinook ‘Peggy’s’ release.
AA34216 - Boeing Chinook HC.4 ZH777, RAF No. 28 Squadron Centenary scheme, RAF Benson, Oxfordshire, 7th April 2016
For all operational Royal Air Force squadrons, the occasion of their centenary commemoration is something to be rightly celebrated and it is often the case that the opportunity is taken to adorn one of their aircraft with special markings, to the absolute delight of the country’s army of aviation enthusiasts. The 18 month period up until September 2016 saw no fewer than three RAF squadrons, who were at that time operating the mighty Boeing Chinook helicopter, marking this significant service milestone and with the shape of this large twin rotor helicopter offering the opportunity to do something very special with regard to commemorative scheme application, the scene was set for a unique official photoshoot event. Gathering at RAF Odiham on Wednesday 14th September 2016, this unusual sortie was the culmination of many months of planning and would see all three of the beautifully presented centenary Chinooks flying close together during a formation navigational exercise, a sortie which yielded some truly iconic images. Taking in such waypoints as the famous Needles lighthouse on the Isle of Wight, the Army Flying Museum at Middle Wallop and the Salisbury Plain Training Area, anyone fortunate enough to see this centenary trio along the way would have been in for a real treat. For most of us though, we had to be satisfied with admiring the beautiful images circulated following this event, particularly as all three aircraft would quickly have to give up their attractive markings, for operational reasons.
They always say that good things come in threes and when it comes to scale diecast Chinooks in RAF centenary markings, they certainly weren’t kidding!
One of the most impressive aircraft in current Royal Air Force service, the Boeing Chinook has already been in service for an incredible forty years and with it continuing to prove one of Britain’s most useful military assets, seems set to continue in its role for many years to come. The last of the three RAF squadrons to present one of their Chinooks in centenary markings, No 28 Squadron elected to base their design on two images which are synonymous with their history, the Pegasus horse which features on the unit’s crest and the crossed Kukri knives, which commemorate the squadron’s proud association with the Gurkhas. The date of RAF No.28 Squadron’s actual centenary occurred on 7th November 2015, however on this date, the unit was going through a transitional period and it was not possible to arrange an official event to mark the occasion at that time. The situation was rectified on 7th April the following year, when Boeing Chinook HC.4 ZH777 took pride of place at a commemorative event held at RAF Benson, where the unit also took possession of new hangarage facilities at the base. With the release of this scale diecast representation of this beautiful RAF No.28 Squadron centenary Chinook, Aviation Archive collectors can now have examples of all three of these magnificent anniversary machines in their collections, replicating the iconic scenes which took place above Salisbury Plain on 14th September 2016.
This stunning model is available now and allows us all to replicate this iconic Chinook formation - we would be really interested to see how our readers have elected to display all three of the models and how imaginative you have been. Please do send us a small selection of pictures if you get a few minutes, using the usual diecastdiaries@corgi.co.uk e-mail address. There can be no doubt that the distinctive profile of the RAF Chinook really does lend itself to the application of special markings and it will be interesting to see what they come up with next.
Ford Escort ‘Take Five’
Announcing the existence of our new Ford Escort RS Cosworth tooling, this catalogue image broke with tradition and featured a computer rendered representation of the new model, as opposed to a hand decorated sample
With the launch of every new Corgi model collection at the start of each new year, collectors all over the world will be desperate to get their first glimpse of the latest selection of models, hoping that some of their particular favourites might have been included. Without doubt, the feature of each new range announcement which is universally of most interest to the collector masses is the subject of new tooling inclusions, finding out where the Corgi team have decided to spend the company budget over the coming twelve months and whether this meets with your approval, or indeed falls within your collecting sphere. If you happen to be a Vanguards collector, then news that the latest range includes a newly tooled representation of the stunning Ford Escort RS Cosworth will have come as an extremely pleasant surprise, a vehicle which possesses stunning good looks and will certainly be a popular addition to the range.
As with every new Vanguards model range, the Corgi team will have been presented with a long list of potential re-livery options many months prior to the announcement of the latest range, in addition to a slightly smaller selection of vehicles to be considered for new tooling projects. Undoubtedly, this list will include many, if not all of the vehicles most Vanguards collectors would like to ultimately see joining the range, but clearly, the significant costs associated with the design and production of a new model tooling dictates that only a small number of suggestions will get through in any one year and often, only one new model is added. Thankfully, the Vanguards range has done rather well in the tooling investment stakes over the past few years, even though there will never be enough money available to allow all suggestions to be authorised in any given year. All the models which didn’t make it this year will remain in the selection pool for subsequent years and may well make it through to the next development stage in the not too distant future.
With regard to the inclusion of the Ford Escort Mk.5 (Escort RS Cosworth), most collectors will view this as an entirely logical decision, particularly as we already have Escort marks 1 through 4 within the Vanguards range and this is an incredibly popular series of vehicles. Importantly, these cars will have been in the lives of many millions of people during the production run of the Escort and if you didn’t actually own one, you probably aspired to do so at one time or another. Unleashing the latest range facelift on this successful series of cars, the Mk5 first appeared in showrooms during 1990 and would later go on to include the purposeful looking Escort RS Cosworth, a car which drew significant inspiration from Ford’s successful rallying credentials and was a real brute of a car. Belying its stunning good looks, this beast was powered by a turbocharged 2.0L Cosworth 16-valve engine and was capable of attaining speeds of around 150mph, making this the most powerful Escort ever produced and in the eyes of many people, was the ‘Ultimate Escort’.
Due to the original nature of this stunning vehicle, this was the car which selected as the most appropriate for our scanning procedure and from this image, it isn’t difficult to see why it not only attracted our attentions, but also the judges in several recent motoring competitions
The decision to include the RS Cosworth in the new Corgi range had our Development Manager searching the country for a suitable subject vehicle to scan, as this would be used as the template from which the new model would be designed. With a host of specialist contacts in his little blue (for Corgi) book to help him, it didn’t take long before a vehicle was identified, one which was in the hands of a private owner. After making contact and obtaining authorisation, a scan date was arranged and a series of supporting pictures taken to highlight all the relevant details of the car, details which would prove vital during the development of the model. It this stage, it is also crucial that the owner makes our DM aware of any non-standard features added to the car, or if it has suffered any damage and has undergone any repairs. All this information has to be available to the designer responsible for the model, as these details will either need to be removed or modified, to allow the correct version and any future variants of the vehicle to be accurately designed.
The actual car scanned for this new tooling project is an absolute stunner and one which has won numerous awards at motoring events up and down the country, even though it does exhibit a couple of non-standard features from a Vanguards model perspective. Although the owner has the real thing safely tucked away in his garage, he must surely be looking forward to seeing our 1/43rd scale diecast model representation of it a little later in the year - he will probably be salting several examples away, just for posterities sake.
An image which represents the start of the design phase for this impressive new model, scan data which can be used to design the tooling which will soon immortalise this stunning vehicle in diecast metal and have us all clearing a little space in our display cabinets
Once the scan data has been cleaned up and supplied back to our DM, it will actually form the basis of this entire new tooling project, providing the designer with incredibly accurate size, shape and surfacing detail from which he can design all the individual components for the model, starting with the scaling of the 1:1 scan data. Although we are guilty of simplifying what is clearly a highly specialized and time-consuming process here (mainly because we have covered it several times previously within various blogs), the CAD software will allow both individual components to be designed, whilst at the same time yielding files which will prove invaluable for members of the Corgi team with responsibilities in the areas of graphic design and marketing. Having access to CAD development screenshots and computer rendered images may not be a substitute for actual sample models, but they do allow us all to have an accurate impression of what the new model is going to look like, whilst at the same time proving invaluable from a marketing perspective. Interestingly, in this particular instance, as the hand decorated sample model was not available in time to make either the 2021 catalogue, or to be shot for the product webpage, a computer rendered image was used instead and whilst this certainly supported the model’s announcement and stimulated some strong ordering activity, the Corgi team are fully aware that the image exhibits a couple of inaccuracies which have already been rectified. We are really looking forward to bringing you pictures of the first pre-production sample model, when we will also be able to compare these against its computer rendered predecessor. Importantly for the Vanguards collector, for the first time, we can now have an example of the Ford Escort in our collections covering marks 1 to 5 of this famous car, whilst at the same time giving our research team many more release options for inclusion in forthcoming catalogues.
With grateful thanks to our Development Manager, these design CAD screenshots are being shown for the very first time and already show the impressive levels of detail he has managed to incorporate into this new Ford Escort RS Cosworth tooling
The product copy produced to support the release of VA14800 Ford Escort RS Cosworth in Diamond White is as follows:
After Group B was abandoned and Ford’s bespoke RS200 rally machine was no longer eligible, Ford rallied the 4WD Sierra Sapphire Cosworth, but it was too large to win regularly. Boss, Stuart Turner, who was not an engineer, suggested what they really needed was a Sapphire Cosworth 4x4 chassis under the new, smaller, 2-door Mk5 Escort body. The engineers laughed openly at this naïve idea, then went away and did it anyway, grafting an Escort body on to a shortened Sierra Cosworth floorpan. The resultant 1992 Escort Cosworth won ten WRC events and was one of the fastest road cars of its era.
The Escort Cosworth modelled was bought by first owner, Christopher Goozee, on September 10th, 1992, from Brooklyn Ford, Redditch. The current owner, Nottinghamshire-based Paul Bostrom, is the car’s fifth keeper and bought it in December 2000 when it had covered just over 48,000 miles. A long-standing Escort RS enthusiast and member of the RS Owners Club, Paul has since kept this car in immaculate condition. He enjoys taking the car to events and in 2019 won both the RS Owners Club National Day Concours and the club’s Gold Cup, which is awarded through a series of local heats. The car has now covered just over 56,000 miles and remains very original. Because of its originality this was the car scanned by Corgi Vanguards to produce our new Escort Cosworth model tooling.
This beautiful new model is currently scheduled for an Autumn release and we look forward to bringing you many more updates from this attractive new tooling project in forthcoming editions of the blog.
New Phantom receives early upgrade
As the Corgi team considered which new tooling project would make for the perfect second model to take its place in our 1/48th scale post war jets range, whilst at the same time complementing our new English Electric Lightning F.6, one aircraft immediately jumped to the head of this enigmatic queue and simply screamed out to be immortalised in diecast metal, the McDonnell Douglas Phantom. Although the Fleet Air Arm could not wait to get their hands on the Phantom during the mid to late 1960s, it would be fair to say that the Royal Air Force were decidedly less enthusiastic about the prospect, feeling that they had almost had the aircraft thrust upon them, rather than selecting it for themselves. With the Admiralty already having selected the Phantom and with the lack of a suitable British built alternative for the RAF, the Government announced that it did not make financial sense to procure different aircraft for both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force and the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II would now be purchased for both air arms.
To retain some semblance of design autonomy, the new British Phantoms would incorporate a number of distinct differences from the aircraft in service with US forces, the most significant of which being the decision to use a British designed and built engine, one which would require some significant structural modifications to the Phantom’s airframe. Concerned about operating these mighty jets from the relatively short decks of Britain’s diminutive aircraft carriers, the Admiralty wanted their Phantoms to have the additional thrust offered by the larger and more powerful Rolls-Royce Spey turbofan engine, a unit which was proving to be such a success in their Buccaneer strike aircraft. This would result in British Phantoms requiring a re-design of the engine bays and rear fuselage, with larger air intakes also needed for the air hungry powerplants. Additional modifications included the inclusion of auxiliary intake doors to the rear of the aircraft, larger flaps and a folding nose radome, to better facilitate the storage of aircraft on Britain’s relatively small aircraft carriers. The Navy’s Phantoms would also feature a nose wheel oleo leg which could be extended far higher than the ones used on US Navy machines, something which aided the launch of these mighty jets. Perhaps more than any other feature, this high angle of attack attitude in the moments immediately prior to launch gave the aircraft a distinctive and aggressive profile and ensured these would become some of the most iconic aircraft to ever see British service.
Whilst the first release from our new Phantom tooling marked the aircraft’s Royal Navy career and featured the distinctive ‘Omega’ tail markings of a No.892 Squadron aircraft, the second model in this series could hardly be more different and presents the aircraft in the camouflage of the Royal Air Force, a Phantom which really does look like it means business. By this stage, the RAF had come to love the rugged qualities of the Phantom and were even happy to take over the operation of former Royal Navy Phantoms, following the retirement of Britain’s remaining aircraft carriers.
Responding to collector comments received following the release of our first 1/48th scale Phantom, our Development Manager was determined to open the design files again and see if he could make some modifications to the tooling before the second model was produced.
McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1 XV592/L, RAF No.111 Squadron, Leuchars, Fife, Scotland, Late 1970s
Although some may argue that the American McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom was an acquisition which was almost forced upon the Royal Air Force during the late 1960s, Britain would soon come to appreciate the rugged qualities of this magnificent aeroplane and accept that it presented them with a hugely capable multi-role platform. McDonnell Douglas F-4K (FG.1) Phantom XV592 had the distinction of being the last aircraft produced for the Royal Navy and it would go on to serve aboard HMS Ark Royal in the markings of No.892 Naval Air Squadron (as they knew they would be the last unit, they added a large black Omega symbol to their aircraft’s tails), until the withdrawal of Britain’s last big carrier at the end of the 1970s. As with the rest of the remaining Royal Navy Phantoms at that time, XV592 would later be transferred to the care of the Royal Air Force at Leuchars in Scotland, where she would perform an air defence role, patrolling the vast expanses of the North Sea, challenging the frequent Soviet incursions into British air space. Her RAF camouflage scheme could hardly be more different from the extra dark sea grey and white colours she adopted during her Navy days, presenting the mighty Phantom in a much more sinister manner, even though both proved incredibly popular with enthusiasts. Indeed, Phantom FG.1 XV592 is fortunate to have worn two of the most iconic British Phantom schemes during the service history of this Anglicized American aviation classic.
For the Phantoms which previously operated in the colours of the Fleet Air Arm, RAF Leuchars in Fife, Scotland would become as much a home to them as either HMS Ark Royal, or RNAS Yeovilton had been. With the aircraft ‘diverted’ to the Royal Air Force from the ever diminishing original Navy order already equipping No.43 Squadron at the airfield, disbandment of the last remaining Royal Navy Phantoms would also see these aircraft heading up to Scotland, as it was decided all the former Navy F-4K (FG.1 in British service) machines should operate out of the same airfield. During 1974, RAF No.111 Squadron was operating the Lightning F.6 our of Wattisham, whilst a designate unit was working up on the new RAF Phantom F-4M (FGR.2 in British service) at Coningsby. Once this process was complete, the squadron number was transferred and this famous old fighter unit became a Phantom squadron, but flying the multi-role variant of the jet. The following year, ‘The Tremblers’ made the move to Leuchars and embarked on a long association with the airfield which would last for 35 years and encompass two different aircraft types. With the arrival of the last remaining Fleet Air Arm FG.1 Phantoms from 1978, No.111 Squadron began the slow conversion from FGR.2 to FG.1 variant in the air defence role, with their earlier RAF Phantoms being distributed between other FGR.2 units around the country. For the next two decades, RAF Leuchars would be home to the Phantom Training Flight and the FG.1 Phantoms of Nos.43 and 111 Squadrons, until both units replaced their naval heritage Phantoms with the air defence variant of the Panavia Tornado during 1989 and 1990.
Not only are we delighted to be welcoming this stunning new addition to our 1/48th scale post war jets range, we are also pleased to inform Diecast Diaries readers that this second release has undergone some quite significant modification and all in response to collector feedback. When designing any new tooling project, the overall cost of a proposed new model has to be at the forefront of our Development Manager’s mind, not only how much the entire project is going to cost the company, but also how these costs will translate themselves into the price collector’s will have to pay once it hits model stores. This was certainly one of the considerations which led to the first Phantom being produced with a fixed, one-piece canopy, which whilst certainly not detracting from the aesthetic appeal of the model, did not meet with everybody’s approval.
Having listened to our collectors and the fact that they really wished the model could be made available with an opening canopy option, our Development Manager decided that he wanted to give Phantom Phanatics what they were hoping for and immediately set about redesigning the canopy area of the tooling, something which would allow it to be displayed with one or both of the canopies in the raised position, with a number of other associated design modifications this development would require. The result of this work is quite dramatic and will ensure that every future Phantom release will benefit from the addition of this modified design feature. Far from undermining the initial release, this development has secured its diecast immortality as this first model will now be unique within the series, a beautifully collectable model in its own right, but also one which will never again be released in this specific configuration.
Another publication exclusive for Diecast Diaries readers, these next two images show the initial ‘first shot’ test model which incorporates the design changes which have now been applied to the 1/48th scale Phantom tooling. From release two, the model will have the option of being displayed with its canopies open in direct response to collector feedback
By the good grace of our Development Manager and utilising the talents of our company Photographer, we are delighted to be able to bring you this exclusive selection of new Phantom canopy CAD design images, in addition to the first test shots produced using the newly modified components. Please be aware that these images feature pre-production working samples which are subject to change and as you can also see from the ‘first shot’ images, the clear canopy parts are not actually that clear, which denotes that they have been produced to check the validity of the modification design. We know our readers love to see these development images ‘as they are happening’, so to speak, just so we can all keep our excitement levels up in advance of the release of this second model from the 1/48th scale Phantom tooling. Even though RAF Phantom AA27902 is not due for release until later in the year, we though you would like to take a look at the design work which has been going on behind the scenes and how this will enhance what is already an incredibly appealing model release. In our next Phantom update, we will be hoping to bring you pictures of the pre-production sample model, along with confirmation of something a little different with regard to the box artwork presentation.
Designing a London bus livery is ‘child’s play’
We diecast collectors are strange beasts and whilst our collecting themes may span several different sections within each new Corgi range, we rarely consider models which are outside our areas of interest and in truth, probably usually ignore those sections of the catalogue. Having said that, there is one range of models which can always be guaranteed to attract our attention, whether we are devotees of this range or not, purely and simply because the models in this section are just so attractive and pleasing on the eye - our Original Omnibus range. These beautiful 1/76th scale models are a must for bus collectors, who will probably have been collecting them for years, but also regularly manage to appeal to more casual collectors, buy virtue of a particularly attractive livery, or perhaps as it represents a vehicle from their local area or one they may have travelled on.
Every Original Omnibus die-cast model forms part of a strictly limited production run of high quality collectables, with most releases coming with individually numbered limited edition certificates and all presented on a removable presentation plinth and finished with a high quality Perspex display case. The vast majority of our releases come with a choice of one of two route numbers, each one meticulously researched to ensure the most accurate representation of some of our most distinctive passenger transport vehicles is produced. This range includes some of the most intricate designs we have ever attempted to apply to one of our models and whilst they pose plenty of challenges for our development team, there is always a huge amount of pride when the latest release hits the model stores and is immediately snapped up by delighted collectors.
That is almost the position we currently find ourselves in with the arrival of the latest Signed Sample Original Omnibus to arrive at the Corgi offices, a model which is now scheduled for release in the next few weeks and one which not only posed plenty of challenges for our design team, but one which replicates arguably the most unique design to feature on a new Routemaster bus. In order to support the ‘Transported by Design’ initiative, which was a celebration of the role great transport design in London has played, Exterion Media, Transport for London and the London Transport Museum launched a competition in 2016 entitled ‘Kids’ wrapped bus competition’, where they invited school children from years 3-6 to create an imaginative and eye-catching bus design. The huge incentive for getting involved in this project was that the winning entry would be turned into a full size vinyl wrap design and would adorn one of Exterion Media’s buses - quite some prize … can you imagine the classroom kudos!
When it comes to distinctive bus liveries joining our Original Omnibus range, there can be few which will have either the impact or the interest levels this stunning design has already attracted
The competition organisers made a downloadable pdf file available to all the schools taking part in the project, which gave the children blank drawings of a new Routemaster bus, showing front, back and both side profiles of the bus, so they could just get on with creating their design. The brief was quite simple - to produce a design which reflected their local area and could include their favourite places, local landmarks, or initiatives which were important to them. To produce their designs, they could use any combination of coloured pencils, felt tipped pens, paints or a collage and as they embarked on this fascinating project, each youngster knew that their design might be the one to feature on a new London Routemaster bus. They would also have the honour of being responsible for producing a truly unique bus design, one which could genuinely claim to be amongst the most distinctive to have ever appeared on Britain’s roads.
The organisers were clearly delighted with the response they had to the competition, not only with the number of exceptional entries received, but also by the high quality and truly imaginative way in which the children had embraced their competition. This did however leave them with a sizeable problem, how on earth would they choose a winner from all these fabulous entries? No matter how difficult a choice, a winner had to be selected and that winner was year 6 pupil Sehba Basra, a student at Dr Triplett’s CE primary school in Hayes. Her design featured a colourful interpretation of her home area of Hillingdon and features important places in her life, such as the local library, Minet Country Park and the London Motor Museum. With her creative work done, it was now over to the talented people at Exterion Media to take the design and scale it up for application onto a full size new Routemaster bus and the culmination of this interesting project. If you would like to see how they applied the vinyl to the bus, it is still possible to find a video of the process on the web, which really does make for an interesting few minutes watch.
We can hardly imagine the excitement which must have been in the air at Dr Triplett’s CE primary school on the day they were expecting a visit from the newly decorated bus wearing Sehba’s design, such a proud moment for her and for the entire local community. With her beautiful design going on to serve passenger transport route TFL 38, it is possible that millions of people have admired her work over the past few years, which isn’t bad for a school project which began on a sheet of blank A4 paper.
A really interesting addition to the Original Omnibus range, the sight of these Signed Sample models highlight the fact that this dual release will soon be unleashed on the diecast bus collecting community and Sehba’s design will this time be immortalised as a 1/76th scale diecast model
Taking this project into the world of scale diecast collectables, Sehba’s intricate and unique design definitely posed one or two challenges for our development team, who were desperately keen to remain faithful to the design and to make this a really attractive addition to the Original Omnibus range. The product images used to illustrate this feature are of the signed sample model, therefore highlighting the fact that this model is still on track for a summer release. They also show how our development team have managed to beautifully recreate this unique design on one of our 1/76th scale new Routemaster models, making this a highly collectable scale tribute to this really fascinating project. This release has been produced in two versions featuring the same vehicle registration LTZ1230 which is working the TFL No.38 route, with one displaying the destination Victoria and the other showing Hackney Central. Both models are limited edition releases, with both being produced in relatively small numbers, so we really don’t expect these to be available for long. With their release now only a couple of months away, this may be your final opportunity to make sure one of these stunning little models will be heading your way and don’t forget to use the details in this latest blog to describe the project behind its unusual bus livery.
Bristol Fighter at the double
Our final new model feature for this edition of the blog focuses on the significant news that our magnificent new 1/48th scale Bristol F2B Fighter model should be winging its way to display cabinets all over the world within the next few days. An incredibly welcome addition to our Aviation Archive WWI aircraft of the Great War range, the Bristol Fighter is much larger than any other model in this range and takes its place as one of the most heavily requested new tooling suggestions amongst collectors with a passion for our WWI aircraft. To mark the model’s release, we wanted to bring you these exclusive images which show the pre-production models of both the first and second releases, both of which display some details which have since been updated, but as a model pairing, look absolutely magnificent. A really challenging model for our development team to tackle, the Bristol Fighter takes its place as one of the most important British aircraft of the pre WWII era and most certainly from the Great War itself. Developed and produced to replace the stable reconnaissance aircraft which suffered so terribly at the hands of the Luftstreitkräfte during the period known as the ‘Fokker Scourge’, the Bristol Fighter was an exceptional warplane and in conjunction with the Sopwith Camel and Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a, helped to turn the tide of the air war in favour of the Allies.
The release of this stunning new model is the culmination of many months of hard work amongst the various members of the Corgi team and we are really looking forward to seeing how it is received by our collectors. We are extremely proud of it and we sincerely hope you are pleased with it when adding it to your own collections. The first release from this tooling marks an aircraft which played its part in an unusual wartime story, one which involved a celebrated air ace and the future King of Britain. The outbreak of the Great War placed a moral burden on the shoulders of a young Edward, Prince of Wales, heir to the British throne. Desperate to do his duty and be seen alongside the thousands of troops heading for France, he was forbidden from joining his Grenadier Guards regiment at the front by Lord Kitchener, who was concerned about the potential damage his loss or capture would have on a nation at war. Nevertheless, over the course of the next four years, the Prince would regularly visit the trenches and was extremely popular amongst the fighting men of Britain. An early supporter of the aeroplane, the Prince is thought to have made several flights as a passenger whilst in France, however, an incident which reputedly occurred in September 1918 is quite astonishing. Whilst visiting No.139 Squadron in Italy, the Prince was taken on several flights in Bristol F2B Fighter D-8063 by celebrated Canadian ace and friend William Barker and on one such flight, it was reported that the Prince was taken close to the front lines, where he fired the aircraft’s Lewis guns on enemy trenches. On hearing of this unofficial action, the King was said to be furious and chastised his son, telling him ‘never to be so foolish again’.
This fascinating story is commemorated by the release of this first model from this impressive new 1/48th scale tooling and as far as the Bristol Fighter is concerned, a rather large hole in our Great War aviation model collection is just about to be filled in some style. We are delighted to confirm that our latest addition to the Aviation Archive range AA28801 – Bristol F2B Fighter D-8063, RAF No.139 Squadron ‘Royal Flight’, Major William Barker, Villaverla Aerodrome, Italy, September 1918 is just about to be released.
Last of the many in our latest ‘Warehouse Sweep’
We end this latest edition of our blog with another ‘Warehouse Sweep’, where we look for some models which could be described as ‘Oldies, but Goodies’ in a diecast collecting sense, but ones which are now only available in such small quantities that they are about to pass into the annuls of Corgi history, disappearing from the Corgi website for good. This month, we are featuring six models which are about to disappear, with most now only being available in low double figures, with some actually now being down to single figure availability. Although it is always nice to see our models sell out and all find new homes, it can also be tinged with a little sadness, because it means that invariably, the models now reside with collector owners and for anyone to try and find one in the years to come, they are going to either have to get lucky, or try to persuade a fellow collector to part with one. As we rarely (if ever) go back to cover the same model subject in exactly the same form, especially within our limited edition collector ranges, this means that when they have disappeared from the warehouse, they have gone for good and your search could be long and expensive. Let’s take a look at our latest model selection.
Featuring two Aviation Archive, two Vanguards and two Original Omnibus models, we begin with AA28103 Curtiss Tomahawk IIA AK402 PO Neville Duke 112 Squadron, a representation of one of the famous sharkmouthed Tomahawk fighters which served with the Desert Air Force during WWII, with this one being the mount of famous Allied ace pilot Neville Duke. Meticulously researched and expertly produced, this model did cause us a few customer service issues, as some collectors thought the unusual paint marking on the rear port side fuselage was a manufacturing defect, when in actual fact, it was a faithful recreation of this beautiful fighter from actual wartime photographs. AA27705 North American P-51D Mustang ‘Hurry Home Honey’ is the fifth release from our new Mustang tooling which replaced the original back in 2015 and in this case, presents this famous aircraft in the markings of one of the ‘Yoxford Boys’, Mustang pilots based at Leiston airfield who aggressively attacked the Luftwaffe following their posting to the ETO.
If classic British buses are your thing, then you need look no further than this attractive Daimler ROE in its distinctive Glasgow Corporation livery, a model which will appeal to many and not just those in the greater Glasgow region. We collectors have many reasons why this hobby appeals to us as it does, whether it be an infatuation with the actual vehicles themselves, or just the attractive colours they wore, but on both counts, this model definitely wins. Keeping it company, OM46316B AEC Type RM, ALM 50B, Heritage Route 15 Trafalgar Square, 'MAMMA MIA!' is a bus which has surely been seen by many millions of Londoners and tourists over the past few years and especially whilst advertising this incredibly popular London theatre production - oh to be able to go back to the theatre!
On the Vanguards front, we have two models which occupy opposite ends of the British motoring spectrum, with one being an affordable and thoroughly practical family car and the other being a much less practical but incredibly desirable two seat sports car. As far as classic British cars go, you don’t get more classic than the Mini and VA01317 Austin Se7en Deluxe, Vanden Plas was actually a vehicle ordered specifically for the eldest daughter of Lord Herbert Austin, one which turned out to be a rather unique example of the Mini. For those with a slightly sportier disposition, VA07007 Sunbeam Alpine Series 2 in Quartz Blue Metallic is a little stunner, something which would definitely still turn heads if you saw one on the roads to this day. Although only capable of speeds around the 95mph region, the Sunbeam certainly looks as if it could go much faster, although if you could afford one of these, you would probably want to travel slow enough to allow everyone to see just how stylish you were!
That’s it for this latest sweep and it will definitely be the final time that any of these models feature in an edition of our blog and definitely whilst they are still available on the Corgi website. If any are of interest to you, all the product descriptions above feature live weblinks to the respective product pages on the Corgi website, so please go and take a closer look for more details.
We are afraid that’s it for another edition of Diecast Diaries, which we are delighted to say is now back on its normal production schedule. As a consequence, it will now be four weeks until the next edition is published, but until then, we are always interested to hear from our readers on all matters Corgi, especially those who would like to suggest a subject for future discussion within our blog.
Better still, if you would like to send us pictures of your own model collection, or details of a Corgi model release which has a special significance for you, you may even find your submission featuring in a future edition of Diecast Diaries. As always, we would be grateful if you would send all correspondence to our usual diecastdiaries@corgi.co.uk email address.
If you can’t wait for the next edition of our blog, there is always plenty of Corgi model related news, views and conversation taking place on our official Facebook and Twitter social media pages, which welcome your contribution. We look forward to reading about all the latest Corgi collecting discussions and pictures of your favourite models over the coming few weeks.
Finally, we would like to thank you all for your continued support. We very much look forward to bringing you much more Corgi related news, features and updates in future editions of our blog.
Our next blog is scheduled to be published on Friday 23rd April.
The Corgi Die-cast Diaries Team
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