Armor/AFV
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Old Matchbox Sdkfz11 + Pak revived! (OOB)
Mechworker
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Posted: Thursday, August 23, 2018 - 01:59 PM UTC
Man, I love all the Matchbox love! Those builds are all fantastic! I wish and hope mine will turn out that well!

I think it's great that so many people remember them so fondly, and still like to build them. I'm also glad that Revell Germany keeps up the slow, but steady, reissue stream!
Dangeroo
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Posted: Thursday, August 23, 2018 - 07:38 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hmmmm Stefan,

YOU would surely allow...? Is that an indication that a leader for this fledgling campaign is surfacing/has surfaced?

Perhaps if one wanted to expand the campaign but still keep it focussed on ground vehicles and allow larger scales? Just a thought as I'd have to check the Matchbox Book to see if there were any or many.

Cheers,
Jan



Well, Jan... that was not my intention...

But as I know you are a very active follower of such campaigns, If I did volunteer I‘d know you‘d puck up any of my slack. ... right?

You know I‘d still have to get a kit... I‘ve got a few 1/72 kits but none from Matchbox.
tread_geek
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Posted: Friday, August 24, 2018 - 02:48 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Well, Jan... that was not my intention...


Well Stefan, often the most innocent intentions lead us down a path that Fate has decided we are destined to follow?


Quoted Text


But as I know you are a very active follower of such campaigns, If I did volunteer I‘d know you‘d puck up any of my slack. ... right?



Heavens forbid but I might be persuaded to be there with a cattle prod, whip and chair as encouragement for a new leader?


Quoted Text


You know I‘d still have to get a kit... I‘ve got a few 1/72 kits but none from Matchbox.



With your physical nearness to Revell AG I'm sure you'd have little trouble of finding a suitable "re-pop" of a Matchbox kit by that company. Hmmm, perhaps an addition or mate to that which you created in that first glorious campaign!

114 by Jan Etal, on Flickr

Cheers,
Jan

P.S.- Hmmm, seems to me this thread might have been more appropriately placed in the Braille Scale Forum?
weathering_one
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Posted: Friday, August 24, 2018 - 03:33 AM UTC
Greetings all!

It's been far too long that I've been lurking but such is life. This lively discussion caught my eye and also brought back fond memories from my first campaign here on Armorama. The Matchbox phenomenon seems to once again have infected the denizens of this site and I believe I must have caught it.

I'd be all in for another resurrection of the MNC and could go either way with it being either open categories or specific (vehicles, aircraft or both for example). As far as vehicles go I have the Matchbox released T-80 (kit-40183) but also two aircraft with the TF-104G (kit PK-40 and A7D (kit 40137). Not sure why the kit numbers are so different unless the 40xxx kits were added during the Revell take-over.

I'll leave it here with the following:



TTFN,
AJ
tread_geek
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Posted: Saturday, August 25, 2018 - 03:30 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Greetings all!

It's been far too long that I've been lurking but such is life....



Long time "no see" (read) from you AJ. Funny how certain topics can bring certain types "out of the bushes" or wherever.


Quoted Text


...Matchbox released T-80 (kit-40183) but also two aircraft with the TF-104G (kit PK-40 and A7D (kit 40137). Not sure why the kit numbers are so different unless the 40xxx kits were added during the Revell take-over.



FWIW, those 40nnn kits are indeed part of the matchbox 'stable' and are indeed on "The List". All my information is based on the "Story of Matchbox Kits" book which I reviewed and can be found HERE. The T-80 kit is an ex-Ace kit via Revell while your A7D is ex original Matchbox with new decals.

For those interested the post 1992 period saw Revell release a lot of other manufacturers kits under the Matchbox name. These included former Renewal 1/32 armour, Italeri 1/35 armour and even 1/144 scale Revell aircraft.

For a bit more info or if you are really board you can check out the quite good Matchbox Org.

Cheers,
Jan
phantom_phanatic309
#372
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Posted: Saturday, August 25, 2018 - 04:42 AM UTC
I got bought 3 of their 1/32 tanks by my grandparents for Christmas in the mid 90's. Got the Bulldog, Patton and Duster AA tanks. Often wondered where they had come from as even then I knew they were not original Matchbox. May have to dig them out sometime.
tread_geek
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Posted: Saturday, August 25, 2018 - 06:29 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I got bought 3 of their 1/32 tanks by my grandparents for Christmas in the mid 90's. Got the Bulldog, Patton and Duster AA tanks. Often wondered where they had come from as even then I knew they were not original Matchbox. May have to dig them out sometime.



Yes, those are the three 1/32 ones, M-47, M-41 and M-42 so you qualify to win the unannounced mystery award at this time for a unique kit so far.

Now who out there might have a 1/72 Flower Class Corvette PK-901? (also a post 1992 kit from Revell)


Cheers,
Jan
phantom_phanatic309
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Posted: Saturday, August 25, 2018 - 07:31 AM UTC
Woohoo!
From weI remember they were a little clunkyvin places but looked to be ok. They all have working hinges on all the hatches and engines. The M-47 also had a nice tiger decal for the hull front.
I always wanted to do the Duster in a Vietnam setting, but at the time I had a lot going on with final exams at school, so they were never finished. Must do someday, pure OOB of course.
What always stuck in my mind about the Duster was the inclusion of a mystery machine gun and not the usual Browning 50. I later identified it as a 20mm Polsten cannon. Why Renwal included it is strange as I don't think it was ever in US service and only saw limited use with the British Army. Always planned on fitting it to a 79th Armoured LTV as they were the main user.

Always wanted the Corvette. Revell are asking stupid money for it these days. Almost doubled in price since they included a (very cheap) LED light kit.

phantom_phanatic309
#372
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Posted: Wednesday, August 29, 2018 - 07:10 AM UTC
Got a Matchbox Panther arrive in the post this morning. Have to say it's one I'm the least impressed with. I can't put my finger on it looking at the sprues, maybe it's proportions, but it seems 'off' somehow.
Still, it fills the gap in my collection.
tread_geek
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Posted: Wednesday, August 29, 2018 - 07:58 AM UTC
AH yes! Good old PK-73 and actually not the worst Panther Ausf. G out there?



Some of us are fortunate enough to have a few kits in our stashes. I've found I have the Morris and 17 Pdr. set and a Revell RePop of the Priest. I believe I had a Panther built but not sure where it might be at the moment. I believe I had most of the Matchbox single vehicle offerings but during basement work last summer everything got packed away in plastic totes for safe keeping.

Cheers,
Jan
phantom_phanatic309
#372
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Posted: Wednesday, August 29, 2018 - 09:52 AM UTC
That's really nicely done.
I'll build it and see how it goes. Might look different assembled.
phantom_phanatic309
#372
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Posted: Friday, August 31, 2018 - 02:49 AM UTC
Had a couple of Fujimi 1/76's arrive in the post today and they are really nice little kits too. Got the Skoda LT38 and early Stug III. Stug even has a nice little interior.
Looking forward to building those two.
tread_geek
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Posted: Friday, August 31, 2018 - 03:19 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I'll build it and see how it goes. Might look different assembled.



Of course it’ll look different depending on what you the builder wish to create. Over the years I’ve seen quite a few builds of the same model and they are all “similar in their differences” as far as the final outcome is concerned.

Now for all interested parties, Revell has NOT released ALL Matchbox kits. Some, especially many of the larger multi vehicle sets may only be found in such places as “Evil-Bay”. A grand total of 15 of the 1/76 kits are available from Revell (and sadly the AVRE Bridgelayer is not one of them). According to their new instruction database they are:

Revell Matchbox -1 by Jan Etal, on Flickr

In addition to the above are:

80-3252 SD. Kfz. 11 and PaK 40
80-3308 Challenger 1

So basically the only three “sets” currently available from Revell are the SD. Kfz. 11, Monty’s Caravan, and the Protze and PaK 37.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Rather but I must agree that the Fugimi kits were very nice and many came with extra items and/or interiors. Their M7 Priest was quite detailed and I built a few of their Tiger II's, the Matilda and I'm not sure what else. So Stephen, do I see you hankering for another "Braille Battlefield" campaign before this one is even off the ground?

Cheers,
--Jan
phantom_phanatic309
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Posted: Friday, August 31, 2018 - 03:59 AM UTC
In this years catalogue the only ex matchbox were the sdkfz11 & pak 40, Wespe, Jagdpanther, Priest and Challenger. Who knows what we'll see next year. Hopefully more, but they may also drop them. They also have a few aircraft kits and the HMS Ariadne minelayer.

I wouldn't say no to a small scale campaign. I always seem to have more of successful completion rate than 1/35.

Bravo1102
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Posted: Friday, August 31, 2018 - 04:23 AM UTC
The Fujimi kits with interiors were originally Nitto but that's going back into the last century.

I built tons of all of them including a lot of conversions like Pzkpfw III J and H from the L, Pzkpfw II C from the F, Chevrolet light trucks from the LRDG set, Leyland retrievers from Monty's truck. I even kitbashed the Nitto Pzkpfw III M and Stug III D to get a Pzkpfw III G.

Those were all fun but I just can't work that tiny anymore even if I could fit a whole tank platoon in the shelf space one 1/35 kit takes up.

One thing I really loved from Matchbox were those great figures. For 1/76 they had such great well defined details. Still have some among the spares.
tread_geek
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Posted: Friday, August 31, 2018 - 06:51 AM UTC
Hmmm, looks like this topic has awaken the Stehpen/Stefans out there!


Quoted Text

..
Those were all fun but I just can't work that tiny anymore even if I could fit a whole tank platoon in the shelf space one 1/35 kit takes up.



You might be surprised what you can do if you employ an Option-visor and some specialty tweezers and tools? And besides, it might be more like a platoon and a half?


Quoted Text

One thing I really loved from Matchbox were those great figures. For 1/76 they had such great well defined details. Still have some among the spares.



I must agree that the Matchbox figure sculptors were definitely ahead of their time. I think that I still might have a few lying around.

Cheers,
--Jan
phantom_phanatic309
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Posted: Friday, August 31, 2018 - 08:06 AM UTC
I agree they were really nicely done. Pity the macro on my camera isn't good enough to pick up the detail. I was always impressed with the sculpting on the French infantry figures in the Char B set. I also have a duplicate of Stuarts commander in a set of resin tank crew. Don't know who made them, they were bagged loose when I picked them up at a show.
petbat
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Posted: Saturday, September 01, 2018 - 11:05 AM UTC
Some of you guys may be interested in this site:
http://matchboxkits.org/
tread_geek
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Posted: Saturday, September 01, 2018 - 11:37 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Some of you guys may be interested in this site:
http://matchboxkits.org/



Thanks for your interest but if you check near the top of this thread you’ll see a link to that site already posted.

Cheers,
—Jan
petbat
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Posted: Saturday, September 01, 2018 - 04:15 PM UTC

Quoted Text



Thanks for your interest but if you check near the top of this thread you’ll see a link to that site already posted.

Cheers,
—Jan




Yes Jan, it would help if I posted the right link!!! I meant this one with a few kits for sale including the Matchbox Patton mentioned earlier
https://www.oldmodelkits.com/index.php?page=2&manu=Matchbox
Dangeroo
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Posted: Saturday, September 01, 2018 - 06:16 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

I'll build it and see how it goes. Might look different assembled.



Of course it’ll look different depending on what you the builder wish to create. Over the years I’ve seen quite a few builds of the same model and they are all “similar in their differences” as far as the final outcome is concerned.

Now for all interested parties, Revell has NOT released ALL Matchbox kits. Some, especially many of the larger multi vehicle sets may only be found in such places as “Evil-Bay”. A grand total of 15 of the 1/76 kits are available from Revell (and sadly the AVRE Bridgelayer is not one of them). According to their new instruction database they are:

Revell Matchbox -1 by Jan Etal, on Flickr

In addition to the above are:

80-3252 SD. Kfz. 11 and PaK 40
80-3308 Challenger 1

So basically the only three “sets” currently available from Revell are the SD. Kfz. 11, Monty’s Caravan, and the Protze and PaK 37.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Rather but I must agree that the Fugimi kits were very nice and many came with extra items and/or interiors. Their M7 Priest was quite detailed and I built a few of their Tiger II's, the Matilda and I'm not sure what else. So Stephen, do I see you hankering for another "Braille Battlefield" campaign before this one is even off the ground?

Cheers,
--Jan



Hmm... interesting. That list can't be complete, as I just found some kits being sold on our Swiss version of Evilbay, the M19 and the humber AC, both re-released by Revell.

And yes, the Fujimi kits were real nice. I remember the Sherman and M36 with full interior or Harleys added.


So I'll take the leap:
Who'd be in for a campaign starting January for 6 months?
phantom_phanatic309
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Posted: Saturday, September 01, 2018 - 11:44 PM UTC
I think it's just a screen grab of a section of Revells pdf instructions database. The Humber is a nice little kit.

I would be in for a campaign. Either Matchbox or a general small scale build.
tread_geek
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Posted: Sunday, September 02, 2018 - 04:23 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Hmm... interesting. That list can't be complete, as I just found some kits being sold on our Swiss version of Evilbay, the M19 and the humber AC, both re-released by Revell.



I must apologize if I worded the statement above wrongly. That was a list (that after careful investigation today) comes from the new Revell North America site. It and the main Revell AG lists are not exactly the same and indeed the kit numbers don't totally match. Further, on the main Revell AG site not all the former Matchbox kits are numbered in consecutive order, further "muddying the waters". As far as the "Matchbox Story" book says, Revell out and out bought ALL the moulds especially for the Aeronautical range and for a time withheld release of certain kits that its own products might have had to compete with. So I guess that what, where and when they might release other members of the former Matchbox "stable" is "up for grabs".
....


Quoted Text


So I'll take the leap:
Who'd be in for a campaign starting January for 6 months?



I would enthusiastically like to participate (circumstances permitting) and would offer what assistance I can to a "Fearless Leader". I believe I may still have information that I gathered for the original campaign (that might be helpful) on an external drive, I just need to locate it.

Cheers,
--Jan
petbat
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Posted: Sunday, September 02, 2018 - 09:10 PM UTC
Memories of Matchbox.... I'm in for a GB!!
tread_geek
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Posted: Monday, September 03, 2018 - 02:29 AM UTC
Well, seems like perhaps a version of this thread should be posted in the Campaign forum as it seems that we already have phantom_phanatic309, petbat, tread_geek and our “Fearless Leader” Comrade Dangeroo expressing more than a passing interest in the basics of this campaign. IIRC, we need at least ten individuals committed (or at least certifiable) before it can be officially submitted to the proper authority. Further, campaign requirements or rules need to be written up and of course as Campaqign Ribbon designed (then of course the bribes submitted to the appropriate places? ).

Cheers,
—Jan