Oxford diecast... whats next?

[Johnfromoz]

Apologies if this has been discussed to death in the past but I have often been puzzled as to why Oxford, EFE or any other supplier has never produced any of the widespread Leyland Tiger/Leopard variants used by CIE Ireland betwix 1960-80s. Is it just a case of demand or lack thereof? Yet they have produced some Irish urban double deckers. Old and new.

[RANGERS]

Apologies if this has been discussed to death in the past but I have often been puzzled as to why Oxford, EFE or any other supplier has never produced any of the widespread Leyland Tiger/Leopard variants used by CIE Ireland betwix 1960-80s. Is it just a case of demand or lack thereof? Yet they have produced some Irish urban double deckers. Old and new.

 

Most Leylands in the 60s - 80s period had bodies unique to CIE, most of which only lasted a few years in production before styling change or a complete change of body style. Each was were fairly long lived and would have appeared in a number of different colour schemes, even so, they would only appeal to a limited market. Oxford do have a habit of choosing quirky prototypes with what might seem limited appeal though, so it might well be something which fitted their profile.

[RJS1977]

Nice range to come from Oxford, especially the Land Rovers.

 

On the buses side of things though. I wouldn't mind a Leyland Atlantean East Lancs variant like this one shown here.

Preserved Blackpool Transport bus 353 (UHG 353Y) 1982 Leyland Atlantean AN68 East Lancs, 2012 Teeside Running Day (3) [Public domain], by Ultra7, from Wikimedia Commons

 

I personally would love to see more double deck buses in OO/1:76 scale from Oxford and I think this one could be a good choice for a new model bus.

 

And you can quite legitimately get away with a stationary Atlantean on a layout - when they were first introduced in London they broke down so frequently that the towtrucks just kept running from one end of the route to the other, picking up any dead ones they found on the way!

[steve1]

And you can quite legitimately get away with a stationary Atlantean on a layout - when they were first introduced in London they broke down so frequently that the towtrucks just kept running from one end of the route to the other, picking up any dead ones they found on the way!

And don't forget the seat leaning against the back of the bus to show it's broken down.

 

steve

[grahame]

Great selection of releases but I must admit I thought it’s an ‘interesting’ choice for the British Gas van to be in the newer dark blue flame livery on the older Mk3 Transit instead of going for the classic white & blue stripe ‘Gas’ livery which will hold more nostalgia and be more use to modellers, then save the newer dark blue flame livery for a facelift ‘smiley-face’ Transit (if one appears) at a later date!

I think you'll find the dark blue BG livery is now an old one - the latest is a light blue: https://www.commercialfleet.org/news/van-news/2015/09/10/british-gas-turns-to-volkswagen-commercial-vehicles-to-renew-its-fleet

 

Corgi once produced a Ford Escort in the classic blue and white stripe livery:

 

 

G.

Edited June 25, 2018 by grahame

[James Makin]

I think you'll find the dark blue BG livery is now an old one - the latest is a light blue: https://www.commercialfleet.org/news/van-news/2015/09/10/british-gas-turns-to-volkswagen-commercial-vehicles-to-renew-its-fleetCorgi once produced a Ford Escort in the classic blue and white stripe livery:DSC_6084.JPGG.

Thanks Grahame,

 

I’m thinking the 90s-00s dark blue flame livery is too new to be ‘that’ common on the early 90s Transit van listed - you’d have thought logically the most useful livery on that version of Transit would be the classic blue and white stripe (as per your pic on the Escort van).

 

Ironically I’m well versed on the post-2010ish British Gas light blue livery - it’s almost the same shade as the Ford ‘Nitrous Blue’ used on my Focus RS - all the banter we get on the Ford forums and at car shows is that British Gas crew have turned up!

 

Cheers,

James

[grahame]

Thanks Grahame,

I’m thinking the 90s-00s dark blue flame livery is too new to be ‘that’ common on the early 90s Transit van listed - you’d have thought logically the most useful livery on that version of Transit would be the classic blue and white stripe (as per your pic on the Escort van).

 

The blue and white stripey livery was pretty much a classic and iconic look. There wasn't an OB news report on the TV in the 70s, 80s and 90s that didn't feature at least one van in that livery passing by in the background as well as in a host of entertainment programmes like the Sweeney, Minder and Professionals. And there was a large number of van types, escorts, marinas, Sherpas, trannies and lorries. Don't forget to add the 'pipe tube' fitted on the roof of many.

 

In the SE there was even a Leyland national bus (incident communication centre) and 'feeder one' - a truck that served food (including hot airline meals) to affected customers and engineers at incidents.

 

G

[Covkid]

It would be good to see Oxford do more 'deckers, the rear engine models would be particularly welcome but I'm not sure about the East Lancs ones, they always looked pretty bland to me. Very few made it into NBC fleets which restricts them largely to those municipals with loyalty to Blackburn. Personally, an Alexander, Roe or MCW would be more welcome but a Tate of the art VRT would be top of the list.

 

 

Echo the East Lancs decker. A number of towns and cities used them including coventry and latterly WMPTE.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/86020500@N06/21289792952

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jncarter1962/14938792618

http://www.wythall.org.uk/vehicles/vsda757s.asp

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8050359@N07/18078304049

 

And there a a good half dozen liveries for Coventry and the West Midlands just to start it off

[BritishRail60062]

I know I have been away from this topic for a wee while but I can think of a few liveries that the East Lancs Atlantean wore when they are kicking about.

Some are obvious like WMT, Covvy and Blackpool Transport.

 

However there are several other less known liveries such as:

Lincolnshire RoadCar

Morley's of Whittlesey

Pilkingtons

Sheffield Omnibus

South Western

Plymouth

MTL Manchester

 

Plus several others that have been snapped on flickr .

[acg5324]

Brighton, Eastbourne and Southampton also had them.

[37114]

Southampton also had them.

Indeed lots of them, and they were predominantly a double deck fleet in the 80's as well.

[BritishRail60062]

I think that is more than enough liveries to make this bus a viable model from Oxford. Not sure if anyone from ODC actually reads this topic. What I am going to do in a moment is contact Oxford models in regards to this model bus and propose this model bus idea of the East Lancs Atlantean to them for consideration. As shown here in evidence, I am not alone in wanting this as a model bus.

 

A good note is that a few of these real buses are in preservation. So getting 3D scans for CAD designing should not be a problem for Oxford to obtain. If all of us that want this bus to become a model. We should all contact Oxford Diecast and persuade them to consider making this happen. As with most things, people power very often makes things happen and if Oxford sees enough demand and viability to make this model bus. They will add it to their range of models.

 

Fingers crossed .

[Steamport Southport]

I think you'll find the dark blue BG livery is now an old one - the latest is a light blue: https://www.commercialfleet.org/news/van-news/2015/09/10/british-gas-turns-to-volkswagen-commercial-vehicles-to-renew-its-fleet

 

Corgi once produced a Ford Escort in the classic blue and white stripe livery:

 

DSC_6084.JPG

 

G.

 

My dad had one of those.

 

Bought second hand at an auction in the mid 1980s and they just painted out the GAS logos with blue paint to disguise the previous owners. Even though it was clearly a British Gas van. It was a good little cheap runaround for him when he was an electrician.

 

 

 

Jason

[25901]

I think that is more than enough liveries to make this bus a viable model from Oxford. Not sure if anyone from ODC actually reads this topic. What I am going to do in a moment is contact Oxford models in regards to this model bus and propose this model bus idea of the East Lancs Atlantean to them for consideration. As shown here in evidence, I am not alone in wanting this as a model bus.

 

A good note is that a few of these real buses are in preservation. So getting 3D scans for CAD designing should not be a problem for Oxford to obtain. If all of us that want this bus to become a model. We should all contact Oxford Diecast and persuade them to consider making this happen. As with most things, people power very often makes things happen and if Oxford sees enough demand and viability to make this model bus. They will add it to their range of models.

 

Fingers crossed .

 

One good visit to a bus museum and quite a few 3D scans of different buses could be done (hint hint)

[adb968008]

I think you'll find the dark blue BG livery is now an old one - the latest is a light blue: https://www.commercialfleet.org/news/van-news/2015/09/10/british-gas-turns-to-volkswagen-commercial-vehicles-to-renew-its-fleetCorgi once produced a Ford Escort in the classic blue and white stripe livery:DSC_6084.JPGG.

If you see Sid, tell him.

Edited July 15, 2018 by adb968008

[mikeharvey22]

 

EFE used to have a detailed checklist of info required for them to look at a new livery. What has worked for me with Oxford has been submitting a detailed dossier including plans and fleet lists. Do a lot of the research yourself and your wishlist is much more likely to become a worthwhile project.

Edited July 15, 2018 by mikeharvey22

[RJS1977]

One good visit to a bus museum and quite a few 3D scans of different buses could be done (hint hint)

 

The Oxford Bus Museum, perchance?

[RJS1977]

I think you'll find the dark blue BG livery is now an old one - the latest is a light blue: https://www.commercialfleet.org/news/van-news/2015/09/10/british-gas-turns-to-volkswagen-commercial-vehicles-to-renew-its-fleet

 

Corgi once produced a Ford Escort in the classic blue and white stripe livery:

 

DSC_6084.JPG

 

G.

 

I don't know whether he still has it but my father certainly had one of those Corgi vans at one time - he worked for the CEGB and a friend of his worked for British Gas, at a time when there was a degree of rivalry between the two businesses. So they often gave each other Christmas presents branded for the companies they worked for!

[HOTTODDY]

I know this off piste a lot, but collectors of Oxford diecast collect their aircraft too. They produce many different types suitable to compliment railway scenes.

Sooo...... my question is, do all the aircraft shown in flying mode on stands have drop down undercarriage, so they can be posed on the deck? Some pictures do show the wheels down, the Anson and Walrus, for example, but I can't assume that all the others can drop their wheels.

 

When on their stands though, it would be nice to see a clear disc to simulate the prop/s actually turning! I have seen that done on exhibition layouts when posed on almost invisible thread. We have two Spits "flying" over "Rowlands Castle" layout that I help run and maintain. Their props were modified by Peter Goss the previous builder/owner and look the part, receiving many nice comments (as does the whole layout) especially hearing the soundtrack Peter provided and the occasional flypast of the Goodwood Spitfire as it zooms over Stansted Park, West Sussex. Lovely stuff that Merlin sound...................!

 

So please, anyone, do they drop or not, that is the question?

 

Tod

[Covkid]

I know this off piste a lot, but collectors of Oxford diecast collect their aircraft too. They produce many different types suitable to compliment railway scenes.

Sooo...... my question is, do all the aircraft shown in flying mode on stands have drop down undercarriage, so they can be posed on the deck? Some pictures do show the wheels down, the Anson and Walrus, for example, but I can't assume that all the others can drop their wheels.

 

When on their stands though, it would be nice to see a clear disc to simulate the prop/s actually turning! I have seen that done on exhibition layouts when posed on almost invisible thread. We have two Spits "flying" over "Rowlands Castle" layout that I help run and maintain. Their props were modified by Peter Goss the previous builder/owner and look the part, receiving many nice comments (as does the whole layout) especially hearing the soundtrack Peter provided and the occasional flypast of the Goodwood Spitfire as it zooms over Stansted Park, West Sussex. Lovely stuff that Merlin sound...................!

 

So please, anyone, do they drop or not, that is the question?

 

Tod

 

Do you mean something a bit like this ?

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/6344749

 

Kermit Weeks' museum a few miles down the road from Disney in Florida if anyone fancies it.

[wamwig]

Oxford Diecast have two aircraft ranges, the (more expensive but still reasonable) History of Flight range (ie Walrus, Anson, Oxford, Dove, Hornet) have an undercarriage down option, however the main (less expensive) Oxford Aviation range come in 'flight' mode only.

Edited August 1, 2018 by wamwig

[HOTTODDY]

Oxford Diecast have two aircraft ranges, the (more expensive but still reasonable) History of Flight range (ie Walrus, Anson, Oxford, Dove, Hornet) have an undercarriage down option, however the main (less expensive) Oxford Aviation range come in 'flight' mode only.

Thank you, that's exactly what I needed to know. 

 

Tod

[wombatofludham]

Heads up folks, I've just read on the Oxford Collectors Facebook feed that Eloise is going to be uploading details of the next quarter's new items from 7pm tonight on the Collector's Facebook page.  As I won't be around to relay the news here if anyone else who doesn't have a 747 sized wasp up their behinds about Facebook is around perhaps they can relay the information onwards?

[mikeharvey22]

Oxford diecast have announced over 90 additions to their programme this evening. Items with xxx001 suffix are new tooling. Most items are recolours and reliveries. Official announcement to the trade will take place tomorrow with illustrations of all the items.

 

 

These are the new 1/148 scale items added in the October 2018- January 2019 catalogue.

 

N105008 Ford Anglia Yellow (Vyv)

NMGB003 MGB Roadster British Racing Green

NMMT008 Morris Traveller Almond Green (Dot Cotton)

NMN008 Mini Surf Blue/OEW

NVWB005 VW Beetle Black

NCA021 Bedford CA Ice Cream Van Mr Softee

NFT023 Ford Transit Mk5 SWB Low Roof Network Rail

NSHL01TK Scania Highline Tanker BP

NTCAB006 Scania T Cab Semi Low Loader Sandy Kydd

NRT007 RT Bus Browns Blue

NTR008 Tram London Transport

 

 

These are the new 1/43 scale items added in the October 2018- January 2019 catalogue.

 

Automobiles

43ACE002 AC Aceca Red

43CCC001A Ford Cortina MkII Crayford Convertible Blue Mink Roof Up

43JUP002 Jowett Jupiter SA Scarlet

43XK150009 Jaguar XK150 Roadster Indigo Blue

 

Commercials

43LR2AS002 Land Rover Series IIA SWB Hard Top Royal Mail Post Brehinol

43WM008 Whitby Mondial Ice Cream Van Mr Whippy

 

 

 

 

These are the new 1/87 scale items added in the October 2018- January 2019 catalogue.

 

Automobile

 

87CC61002 Chrysler 300 Convertible 1961 (Closed) Black

87CI61004 Chevrolet Impala Convertible 1961 Hot Rod

87CN57005 Chevrolet Nomad 1957 Hot Rod

87CSD61003 Cadillac Sedan Deville 1961 Nautilus Blue

87DC68002 Dodge Charger 1968 Gold/Black

87DD69002 Dodge Charger Daytona 1969 Orange

87DP57002 Dodge D100 Sweptside Pick Up 1957 Turquoise/Jewel Black

87DS46002 DeSoto Suburban 1946-48 San Francisco Taxi (Godfather)

87PB59003 Pontiac Bonneville Coupe 1959 Seaspray Green

 

 

These are the new 1/72 scale items added in the October 2018- January 2019 catalogue.

 

AC090 Focke Wulf 190A 15/JG 54 _Hauptmann Rudolf Klemm

AC091 Macchi Veltro 205 1L.Gorrini - 1 Squadriglia - 1 Gruppo Caccia - 1944

AC092 Mitsubishi A6M2 Imperial Japanese Navy

 

These are the new 1/50 scale items added in the October 2018- January 2019 catalogue.

 

50HYD001 JCB Hydradig

 

 

These are the new 1/76 scale items added in the October 2018- January 2019 catalogue.

 

Emergency.

76FTC012 Ford Transit Connect RAC

76JFP004 Jaguar F Pace Police

76LR3S007 Land Rover Series 3 SWB Station Wagon HM Coastguard

76TN004 Thornycroft Nubian Isle of Man Airports Board Fire Service

76WMB005 Willys MB AA

 

Construction

763CX003 JCB 3CX Eco Backhoe Loader 70th Anniversary

 

Commercials

 

76ACC009 Accessories Pallet Load Gossages Dry Soap

76ACC010 Accessories Pallet Load Spam

76CIT002 Citroen H Catering Van Jamie Oliver at Gatwick

76DEF017 Forestry Commission Land Rover Defender

76FT032 Ford Transit Mk5 Post Office

76FTC011 Ford Transit Connect London Underground

76J4004 Austin J4 Van BMC Parts

76LR2AS002 Land Rover Series IIA SWB Hard Top Royal Mail (PO Recovery)

76LR3S003 Land Rover Series III Canvas Mid Grey

76SDF004 Shelvoke & Drewry Freightlifter BRS

76TPU003 Ford Transit Dropside London Underground

 

Haulage

76ATKL005 Atkinson Cattle Truck L Davies & Sons

76LV005 ERF LV Flatbed Trailer Scottish & Newcastle

76SCA01LT Scania Houghton Parkhouse Professional Livestock Transporter George

76SHT002 Scammell Highwayman Tanker Pointer

 

Military

76BD024 Bedford OX Queen Mary Trailer RAF Blue

76LRL005 Land Rover Lightweight RAF

76MWD008 Bedford MWD Captured Luftwaffe

76WMB004 Willys MB RAF 83 Grp.2nd Tactical AF -1944/5

 

Showtime

76BR002 Burrell 8nhp DCC Showmans Locomotive No. 2351 Ephraim

76CTR002 Canvassed Trailer Maroon/Red

76DTR002 Dodgem Trailer Anderton & Rowlands

76FOW004 Fowler B6 Road Locomotive Titan Spur Inman & Co. Wakefield

76FSR006 Fowler Steam Roller No.15981Eve

76LW002 Living Wagon Pickfords

76SCV001 Showmans Caravan Maroon

76FBB004 Fowler BB1 Ploughing Engine No.15337 Louisa

 

Automobile.

76105009 Ford Anglia 105E Black

76AA007 Austin A40 MkII Maroon B/Snowberry White

76AQ001 Audi Quattro Tornado Red

76ASS007 Austin Seven Yellow/Black

76ATL005 Austin Atlantic Saloon Ensign Red

76BCF004 Bentley Continental Fastback Gunmetal

76CAP009 Ford Capri MkIII Peppermint Sea Green

76CDS006 Citroen DS19 Jonquil Yellow/Silver

76CP001 Ford Capri Mk1 Maize Yellow

76FE001 Ford Escort Mk1 Modena Green

76JFT002 Jaguar F Type Project 7 Ultra Blue

76JXE003 Jaguar XE Narvik Black

76LRDF012 Defender 90 Station Wagon White (HK Reg)

76M3003 BMW M3 Coupe E92 Silverstone Blue

76RCL003 Range Rover Classic Masai Red

76RK005 Riley Kestrel Blue/Black

76S3001 Audi S3 Cabriolet Glacier White

76SDV003 Rover SD1 3500 Vitesse Moonraker Blue

76SET66 5 Piece VW Van Set T1/T2/T3/T4/T5

76TM005 Triumph Mayflower Jade Green

76TR6003 Triumph TR6 Emerald Green

76TS004 Triumph Stag Tahiti Blue

76TX5001 LEVC Electric Taxi Black

76VWB011HK VW Beetle Pink - HK Registration

76VWB011UK VW Beetle Pink - UK Registration

 

1:76 Oxford Omnibus

76DC002 Duple Commander MkII Grey Cars

76MW6005 Bristol MW6G Thames Valley

76PAN009 Plaxton Panorama NBC Ribble

76SB004 Saro Bus County Donegal Railways

 

1:76 Coca Cola

 

76CIT003CC Citroen H Van Coca Cola

76VWS007CC VW T1 Van/Bottle Coca Cola

Edited October 4, 2018 by mikeharvey22

[mikeharvey22]

The new Oxford Diecast catalogue can now be viewed and downloaded from this link:-

 

 

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1017/3257/files/OCT-JAN_19.pdf?15357187787527904344