Exclusive Great Escape motorcycle now in the metal

Welcome to the latest edition of Corgi Die-cast Diaries, your regular blog review of all the news, updates and topical stories from the captivating world of Corgi die-cast model collecting.

When it comes to our Die-cast Diaries blog, we know only too well that there is nothing our readers like more than being the first to find out about new Corgi model developments and in this latest update, we are really delivering in this regard. With no fewer than four new model exclusives, we begin by featuring the very latest development advancement for a new tooling project which doesn't even have its own dedicated webpage on the Corgi website yet, that's how new it is. The model in question is the second proposed release in our new series of 1/12th scale motorcycles and we already think we have something of a classic on our hands with this one!

We will be following this with another new model, this time making its DCD blog debut, a new Original Omnibus model which didn't make it into the latest January to April 2023 catalogue, but one we have decided to release earlier than originally anticipated, a really attractive Leyland PD3 'Queen Mary'. If we weren't already spoiling you enough for one edition with these 'first looks', we will also be bringing you an exclusive selection of images featuring final production sample models from two further impending Original Omnibus releases, one very much classic in nature, with the other being much more contemporary. We will be bringing this latest update to a close by revisiting the subject of our new Corgi Hobby Rewards program and how this offers real benefits for the Corgi model collector.

It's time for a little Corgi model collecting indulgence, as we head into this first weekend of British Summer Time - don't forget those clocks!

Great Escape movie 60th Anniversary tribute

Our latest blog image exclusive, a first look at the metal engineering sample model of the new Triumph Trophy TR6 from The Great Escape movie, a stunning future addition to our 1/12th scale motorcycle range.

Over the years, Corgi have taken great pride in immortalising some of the most famous vehicles, machines and modes of transport seen on screens both small and large as scale die-cast model collectables and as such, we are delighted to confirm that this proud tradition continues to this day. With our new range of high quality 1/12th scale motorcycles bringing James Bond's Triumph Scrambler 1200 from No Time to Die to the range last year, another two wheeled star of the big screen is about to receive the Corgi treatment and is arguably one of the most famous motorcycles from arguably the most famous war movie of all time. Although it doesn't yet have its own product page on the Corgi website and is therefore still not available for pre-order, our new Triumph Trophy TR6 motorcycle from The Great Escape film is advancing through its development phase at quite a pace and as such, we felt it was high time for an exclusive project update.

First announced by our Brand Manager during a visit to the Triumph Motorcycles Factory Visitor Experience Centre late last year and aired as a Corgi advent calendar feature in the run up to last Christmas, the next addition to our 1/12th scale Motorcycle range is even more famous than the Bond motorcycle from No Time to Die, one which definitely has a claim to being involved in one of the most famous and exciting movie chase sequences of all time. 

To mark the 60th Anniversary of The Great Escape movie, we will be producing the most accurate 1/12th scale die-cast representation ever produced of the Triumph Trophy TR6 motorcycle ridden by Captain Virgil Hilts 'The Cooler King' in the film, one of the most thrilling sequences in one of the most famous war films ever released. Before we look at our project to immortalise this magnificent machine in die-cast metal, let's first take a look at the individual motorcycle itself and the history behind it.

During the production planning for the movie, one of the stars managed to convince producers to include a motorcycle chase as part of the main prisoner escape story, a thrilling sequence which would see the former prisoner use the powerful motorcycle to facilitate his escape to Switzerland. As you might well imagine, with hundreds of German troops on high alert in the area, this was not going to go unchallenged and what they were actually discussing would become one of the most famous war movie scenes ever committed to film and arguably the most famous appearance of a motorcycle in movie history.

This shot of the engineering sample model shows how this earlier Triumph motorcycle required additional finely detailed components to be designed in CAD, a reflection of the current advancements in the die-cast manufacturing industry.

Seat detail on a very special model which will immortalise on of the most famous movie motorcycles as a scale die-cast model collectable.

As part of these discussions, the actor recommended that they engage the services of his good friend in planning and executing the scene, a stuntman and US motorcycling legend, who just happened to be a Triumph devotee and the biggest Triumph dealer in the world at that time. The American market loved the power and responsiveness of the Trophy TR6 motorcycle and when it came to selecting a machine for this sequence, there was no question, it simply had to be a Triumph Trophy TR6. A standard production road bike was modified for this starring role and made to look like a wartime German BMW motorcycle - the scene was set for a memorable movie moment.

Initially wearing German uniform for his audacious escape attempt, our motorcycle riding hero was challenged by German troops in a village and being unable to reply to questioning in German, made good his escape at high speed, with German troops in hot pursuit. Following a thrilling chase sequence, 'The Cooler King' arrived at open land which marked the border with Switzerland, with the tantalising view of the Alps in the background highlighting just how close he was to freedom. With German troops now closing in, Hilts used the motorcycle to jump the first of two tall barbed wire fences between him and his potential escape, but as he attempted to do the same over the second, higher fence, his motorcycle was hit by machine gun fire and he slid into the barbed wire. Unfortunately for him, it was captivity and back to the cooler for our hero Hilts.

This relatively short sequence would become arguably the most famous in the movie and added a real adrenalin fuelled few minutes into what was already proving to be an extremely tense section of the film. As for the actual filming, the US stunt rider was engaged for just two days in planning and setting up this sequence and the fence jump scene itself was completed in just a single take, testament to the Triumph Trophy TR6 and the faith the production team had placed in it.

More views of the engineering sample of the Triumph Trophy TR6 motorcycle from The Great Escape movie.

Following the end of filming, this unique Triumph Trophy TR6 motorcycle was sold to a farmer in Norfolk, who apparently used this two wheeled star of the silver screen in a new role, that of cattle herding assistant. Following his death many years later, the estate passed to his family, who discovered the bike languishing in a barn in rather a sorry state and didn't give the matter another thought. Initially considered to be lost forever, a Triumph expert and collector later decided he was going to try and find out what happened to this famous motorcycle and following a period of extensive research, turned up at the Norfolk farm hoping to find this mechanical screen legend. A deal to purchase the motorcycle was struck and it was taken away to undergo a lengthy period of meticulous restoration to as near to its Great Escape starring configuration as could be achieved - this would take fully fifteen years to complete.

The iconic Triumph Trophy TR6 used in The Great Escape movie is now one of the prized exhibits at the Triumph Motorcycles Factory Visitor Experience facility and in a development which further enhanced the relationship between Triumph and Corgi, we were allowed the opportunity to conduct the LIDAR scanning of the actual bike for this next 1/12th scale project. A model which will be the most accurate die-cast representation of this famous motorcycle ever produced, we are backing up this exclusive 2023 new tooling announcement with a further exclusive, a first look at the metal engineering sample model produced from our new CAD files. This really is a stunning new model and one which will definitely be of interest to a great many people - one of, if not THE most famous film motorcycle of all time in 1/12th scale die-cast form.

Speaking with Corgi Development Engineer Dan Foulser after he had received the engineering sample from this newly tooled model, he could hardly contain his excitement in describing the model as superb. The first time the development team have seen the model in metal, he told us that this is very different from the first motorcycle release in this scale, a completely new tooling project and one which brought with it its own set of design challenges. As this Triumph was of a much earlier generation of motorcycles than the James Bond release, it proved to be very different when it came to the design replication of it, a much lighter machine, with more of its internal structure on show, all of which had to be incorporated into the design.

Dan described how for those who will eventually have both models in their collections, this Great Escape Triumph Trophy TR6 will be noticeably smaller than the first release, with this design incorporating impressive wiring and piping details which proved really quite challenging to replicate in scale. As this Triumph did not feature all the protective plates and enclosed sections which appeared on the 007 release, resulting in more of the actual mechanical workings of the motorcycle being exposed on this second release, a difference which could have made the finished model noticeably lighter as a result. This was avoided by the clever redistribution of metal to internal features such as the fuel tank during the design phase, developments which resulted in the finished model having a really nice weight to it.

One interesting feature Dan informed us about concerns the display of the model and how this TR6 adopts a very different posing method than that used on the James Bond Triumph. Initially, the design team assumed that the Great Escape Triumph would have used a spring loaded kick stand to support the motorcycle when it was not being used, however, after speaking with this rare machine's owner Dick Shepherd, he told the team that this TR6 didn't feature a built in stand and when not in use would either have been propped up against a wall or building, or something was commandeered to keep it upright. Dick suggested that a separate part, such as an ammunition box might do the trick, which is how the design team proceeded.

A final look at a model which is destined to be an incredibly popular addition to the Corgi range in this 60th anniversary year of The Great Escape movie. 

As you can see from the engineering sample model images we are exclusively showing here, the Triumph sits quite happily on the ammunition box stand (which is still subject to further modification, as is everything on a pre-production model) without the requirement to use any locating pegs. It has been designed in such a way that the model just sits on the box and is really rather sturdy when doing so. Dan also told us that Mr Shepherd has also been instrumental in ensuring the paint used on the model is as accurate to the motorcycle used in that famous Great Escape movie sequence as possible and how there is quite a story behind it, however, that's definitely a feature for another blog.

For now though, we hope you have enjoyed this exclusive engineering sample update from our new The Great Escape – Triumph Trophy TR6 project, the sight of which might even tempt you to re-watch the movie once again this coming weekend. Our next update from the project will feature the pre-production sample example of the model and will hopefully coincide with its appearance on the Corgi website and the ability for us all to reserve our example, but again, that's the subject for another blog. 

Public Transport sentinels

A trio of public transport classics, each one an impending addition to the current Corgi range.

We would all probably concede that when it comes to die-cast model collecting, we can all be rather particular with the subject matter which appeals to us and others which don't and would all probably also admit that models which do not align themselves within our collecting area of interest are rarely given much consideration. One area which might be an exception to this rule is our popular Original Omnibus range, models which are not only amongst the most attractively presented models in any Corgi range, but also ones which hold a strange fascination for many of us, even though we might only have one or two 'local' examples in our collections.

Beautifully crafted 1/76th scale models, every Original Omnibus die-cast model is 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 tasked our manufacturing facilities to attempt and whilst these liveries also 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 this committed band of collectors.

Majestic in its appearance, this Leyland Titan PD3 in attractive Southdown Motor Services livery is making its debut on a Die-cast Diaries blog.

Rumbling its way into the range, our latest Leyland Titan PD3 bus model in attractive Southdown Motor Services livery is not in the current January to April 2023 catalogue, but has just been added to the Corgi website and is therefore appearing in Die-cast Diaries for the very first time. One of the great British bus designs, the Leyland Titan series was in production from 1927 until 1942 and then again from 1945 until 1969. Many readers of a certain vintage will probably remember riding one of these graceful beasts on their way to school, or whilst on their way to meet up with friends in the town centre, because at that time, everyone used the bus.

The post war PD3 was Leyland's response to a relaxation in British construction regulations, which now saw an increase in the maximum double-deck length to 30 ft and a gross vehicle weight up to 14 tons. Spotting an opportunity, they released a six model range of PD3 Titan buses, each with 18ft 3ins wheelbases and all featuring 8ft wide bodies. Models 1, 2 and 3 all retained full-width bonnets, whilst models 4,5 and 6 would all feature exposed radiators.

The Leyland PD3 with Northern Counties bodywork was a bus type closely associated with Southdown Motor Services, where they were widely referred to as 'Queen Mary's'. They had a relatively large fleet of these vehicles during the 1950s and 1960s, with some later acquisitions having the ability to be converted to open top configuration during the summer months, although as we all know here in Britain, that really could be tempting fate with the weather gods. The Queen Mary name only appears to have been adopted by Southdown and even then, some former employees have no idea where and when the name started to be used. Could it be that this was a name bus enthusiasts used in reference to the Southdown fleet, rather than a more formal company reference? Hopefully one of our Original Omnibus collectors can help us out with this particular quandary and we can report back in a forthcoming edition. For now though, please enjoy this first look at an advanced production sample of this new model and the catalogue description to announce its range inclusion.

OM41914 Leyland PD3 'Queen Mary' - Southdown

Southdown Motor Services Ltd. was formed in 1915 as a merger between Brighton Hove and Preston United Omnibus Company, Sussex Tourist Coaches and the London and South Coast Haulage Company Ltd. Southdown Motor Services acquired the new PD3, BUF 277C in 1965, one of the later buses to be produced by Leyland as production ceased in 1967. Assigned the number 277, the bus was predominately used on some of the most popular Brighton Routes until 1977, when it was bought by OK Motor Services, entering service with them later the same year.

BUF 277C remained in service until 1989, when it was purchased by Northumbria Motor Services as a driver training vehicle, which it did successfully until 1992. This hard working vehicle would then be the subject of a restoration project, the result of which saw it returned to the green and cream livery of its glory days - she is now a regular at bus meets and transport shows across the UK.

This handsome new model is scheduled for a spring release and is available for pre-order on the Corgi website now.

Original Omnibus charts the history of Britain's public transport vehicles

London Transport heritage at its best, it's been a long 20 years since a Corgi range has been able to boast the inclusion of a Feltham Tram.

When it comes to putting any new Corgi model range together, our research team have a number of criteria we must consider before making any range proposal suggestion, but do have an extensive back catalogue of tooling options to choose from. Clearly, new tooling additions will always be the range attention grabbers, however, there are some real gems residing in the Corgi tooling bank and with the right livery and story behind it, it's always nice to see the return of an old favourite to a current range.

Flying the flag for the Original Omnibus Company in this latest range, we welcome the long overdue return of a Feltham Tram model, one wearing London Transport livery and a machine which took the honour of running the final London service for a Feltham on 7th April 1951. A significant inclusion in the range, can you believe that it's been twenty years since one of these handsome models has been in a Corgi range.

Feltham Tram London Transport, 2079, Croydon, 7th April 1951.

In 1929, Union Construction Company (U.C.C), located in Feltham, Middlesex trialled their first tram, known as the ‘Feltham’. 100 of these vehicles were built and in 1931, 54 of them were used by Metropolitan Electric Tramways, the other 46 being used by London United Transport. All 100 were transferred to London Transport in 1933. Between 1949 and 1951 the Feltham tram was phased out due to the arrival of the more flexible Trolleybus.

As depicted here, the last run of a Feltham Tram in London was given to tram No.2079 on the 7th April 1951, a commemorative last day tour of the Croydon route (the last of the routes to close). It give passengers one final opportunity to ride on one of these iconic trams, because just two days later, 2079 left for a new life at Leeds Corporation Tramways along with 91 other Feltham Trams. It would serve there until the tramway's closure in 1959.

There are only 3 Feltham Trams which survive to this day, No’s 331, 341 and 355, all of which are former Metropolitan Electric Tramways vehicles.

Caetano Levante East Yorkshire, YY63OJA, Route X5, Hull.

Representing a more modern incarnation of passenger transport, the Levante is a PTV which is the embodiment of design excellence and passenger comfort and accessibility and with around 700 examples in service around the UK, is now a 'prime mover' across Britain's road network. The coach body was designed by Portuguese commercial vehicle specialist Salvador Caetano and was specifically designed to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act of 2005. Initially, the body was only available on a Mercedes-Benz OC500 chassis, but has since been adapted for use on various Volvo chassis options, in addition to the Scania K EB. 

East Yorkshire Motor Services was formed in 1926 by British Electric Traction, a business which was made up of two separate companies, Lee & Beulah and Hull & District Motor Services. In February 1987, it was the subject of a management buyout, following which it would undergo a period of significant growth, culminating in it being awarded the Large Bus Operator Of The Year for 2009.

New to East Yorkshire Motor Services in January 2014, Caetano Levante YY63 OJA No.84 was part of the National Express franchise, and was liveried with that branding, serving routes the length and breadth of the UK. It was loaned out for a short time to MP Travel in 2020 in a plain white livery and in the autumn of 2020, was re-liveried in the company's current cream, blue and gold livery. The vehicle now spends most of its time on the X5 Route to Hull, in addition to sometimes being a rail replacement service in Cleethorpes.

Another model being shown here in advanced production sample form, this smart looking new model is destined for imminent release and is available for pre-order on the Corgi website now.

Rewards for the Corgi Collector

In an edition of Die-cast Diaries posted last year, we provided an overview of the then still to be launched Corgi Hobby Rewards scheme and how this could be an exciting opportunity for active Corgi collectors. As the scheme is now live and with people already benefitting from membership, we thought it was about time we included an update to provide all the details readers who are still to discover its delights might need.

A new initiative designed to 'give something back' to our loyal customers, Corgi Hobby Rewards is loyalty program available to everyone using the Corgi website and for those who decide to join, benefit from an immediate points award equivalent to 10% of every £1 spent on the Corgi website (scheme membership also covers purchases on all the other Hornby Hobbies brand websites), in addition to offering a host of other exciting benefits, which hold the promise of increasing over time. From launch, we wanted this scheme to be a real tangible benefit for Corgi customers using the Corgi website for their collecting and with every new purchase, your points total can be instantly checked along with its conversion value in monetary terms. Points values can be redeemed against future purchases and those values really do mount up quickly. Many Corgi collectors are already benefiting from Corgi Hobby Rewards membership and that membership is absolutely free.

Right from the outset, the Corgi team wanted this loyalty program to offer real value for our collectors and with the scheme now live and in full effect, we are constantly looking at other ways to add even more benefits for our members to enjoy and real savings on the models they love to collect. We are excited to see where we can take the Corgi Hobby Rewards scheme and look forward to bringing you news of additional benefits in the very near future.

We are afraid that's all we have for you in this latest edition of Corgi Die-cast Diaries but we will be back as usual in two weeks' time with a further selection of model project updates. Between editions, we are always interested to hear your views on all things Corgi, so if you feel like dropping us a line to comment on anything blog or Corgi model related, or indeed to suggest a topic you would like us to include in a future edition, please feel free to do so at diecastdiaries@corgi.co.uk.

If you can’t wait for the next blog, you will find plenty of Corgi model collecting discussions taking place on our official social media channels, access to which can be obtained by clicking on the respective links at the foot of the Corgi website homepage. 

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Thank you for continuing to support our Die-cast Diaries blog. Our next edition is scheduled for publication on Friday 7th April.

The Corgi Team