Category Archives: Kässbohrer

News from the Continent February 2018 – Schuco

By Hans-Georg Schmitt

All the models shown below were due to be available in late December 2018 so should be available at suppliers now. Ranges entitled PRO.R are premium ranges made in resin with etchings. Most other ranges are diecast metal and plastic. Some Schuco models provide a nostalgic look back at the toys produced by Schuco in the past so include printed material in the period style as well as models. Schuco models are made in China for Germany.  

PICCOLO

450513600 Piccolo Pop Art “The Game”

Here small scale Piccolo models are packed as place markers to be used with the supplied games board and dice. It is all painted and printed in bright ‘pop art’ colours.


EDITION PRO.R43

450905600 Volkswagen Transporter Typ 1b. Articulated race car transporter

The photograph above shows the original ‘Continental Motors’ Volkswagen based transporter with a Porsche shield on the trailer. Above that we see the Schuco model which is impressive and unusual.


EDITION PRO.R32

450782800 Tractor Progress RS09-GT124

Here we find the Progress (Fortschriff) fitted with a flatbed. This tractor produced in the former DDR was unusual in allowing all sorts of fitments in front of the Driving cab. It was powered by a twin cylinder diesel mounted behind the driver and driving the rear wheels.


450782900 Tractor Progress RS09-GT124

Hree we have the same tractor unit with a different registration and fitted with a grass cutter fitted to the vestigial chassis forward of the cab.


EDITION 1:18

450034700 Setra S6 Coach

This 1:18 scale model of a smaller coach, often used for tourist trips, is incredibly detailed with superb panoramic windows and finely fitted opening components. Here it is finished in a blue and white livery


450037600 Volkswagen Transporter Typ 1b Samba bus

Here SChuco’s Samba is fitted with racks to carry skis and is called a “Wintersport” edition. Again there are many finely fitted opening parts. I might have expected snow chain or studded tyres though with German winter tyre laws.


450037700 Volkswagen Transporter Typ 1b bus

Here we have the lower specified Transporter bus fitted out with seating and fewer windows. The model is entitled ‘on the move with the family’ from the advertising strap line on the vehicle itself.


EDITION PRO.R18

450014800 FMR (Messerschmitt) TG 500 “Tiger”

Here we have the four wheeled version of the Messerschmidt with a 500cc engine replacing the normal 175cc to 200cc engine fitted to the three wheeler. Here it is finished in red.


450014900 FMR (Messerschmitt) TG 500 Roadster “Tiger”

Here we have the Tiger again, this time in white and with a convertible roof furled up open.


# 22771 – 22774

450006600 Mercedes-Benz Maybach Vision 6 cabriolet

Here we have a very expensive electric car from Mercedes-Benz in their premium Maybach range shown in blue the same colour it was premiered in in the US.


450006700 Mercedes-Benz Maybach Vision 6 Coupe

In red as shown at Pebble Beach the coupe is in red. Again this is an electric vehicle, but this time as a coupe with gull wing doors.


EDITION 1:87

452629400 Porsche 924S

Here is a tiny 924 finished in white which was a common colour when the 924 was in production.


MILITARY 1:87

452636000 M47G battle tank

Here liveried for the German Army


452636100 M113 Armoured Troup Carrier

Here the armoured vehicle is an Ambulance unit of the German Army.


452636200 M113 Armoured Troop carrier

Here is the standard unit in operation with the German Army.


1:600 Aircraft

22782 Airbus A330-300 “Delta Airlines”


22783 Boeing 787-8 “China Southern Airlines


News from the Continent January 2019 – Wiking

By Hans-Georg Schmidt

Text and photographs copyright of the Author(s) unless otherwise stated.

Hans-Georg has sent us a roundup of the news received too late for his last dispatch. This allows these models to be given ‘their day in the sun’ as the next dispatch will be a busy one full of the first news of new models for 2019.

Amongst the final new and upgrade releases of December 2018 are some interesting models which were first issued in the 1960s. I have the original models are in my collection and so I took the opportunity to do a comparison between the original and the current release.

There are also some releases which have an interesting background history. All models are moulded in Europe for Germany in 1:87 scale.

0070 01 Opel Caravan 1957

The Caravan was issued first in 1959/1960 with catalogue number 7n, with silver painted headlights and radiator grille and red painted tail lights. Authentically detailed body had light tinted windows and no interior. Baseplate was detailed and fitted with rolling axles.

Now the model has been re-issued, moulded in bright blue and printed with white side sections. Mouldings and Opel emblems are silver printed. This time the model received an interior and a roof rack. The baseplate no longer has a hole for the hook of a breakdown lorry and the WM was changed into “WIKING”. Finally, it got special wheel rims and white wall tyres for an elegant appearance.


0184 03 Glas Goggomobile

The tiny Goggomobile was developed by the Hans Glas GmbH. at the early 1950s. It appeared in Autumn 1954 and production started in February 1955. It started life as a car for people with lower incomes, later it appealed mainly to people with only the old driver licence class IV for vehicles up to 250cc. Glas went into bankruptcy by developing bigger and bigger cars, culminating with the Glas V8 Coupe. After their take over, BMW closed all production in 1969.

Wiking modelled the tiny saloon in scale 1:87, Schuco in 1:43 and Revell in 1:18. This makes up the display shown above. The Revell model is now obsolete and only available second-hand. The difference between the three scales is impressive.


0335 01 Tempo Matador pick-up

The Matador was one of the first newly designed transporter launched in the early post-war years. It was developed by Tempo and appeared in 1949. It foreshadowed the layout of transporters of today, especially the front wheel drive and cab over design. Its engine came from Volkswagen and was placed under the seating bench. Production was cancelled in 1951, when Heinrich Nordhoff stopped supply of the engines, because by then Volkswagen had launched their own transporter.

The Matador with its typical ‘crumpled face’ entered Wiking production first in 1951, with wire-push-axles and in approximately 1:100 scale. Today it is are very rare bird and sells for very high prices. Also very rare is the promotion model shown with the new one above, which Wiking produced for Tempo in 1:48 scale. The Matador model of today is shaped authentically and is highly detailed for its scale. The ‘crumpled face’ front panel is a separately inserted part so its successor will appear later.


0314 01 Volkswagen Transporter T2a Pick up with crew cab

0293 07 Volkswagen T3 Pick up with crew cab

Modelling the Volkswagen transporters with crew cabs is usual for Wiking, the Transporter T1b appeared in 1961 and was re-issued several times later, including one moulded in green and equipped with ladder and workmen tools shown above.

The TransporterT3 has now been issued in the design of THW (Technical Rescue Work). A Transporter T2 with crew cab was long overdue. So this has now been launched with a well detailed body moulded in lemon green with a realistic beige interior.


0730 02 Setra S8 Coach

In Autumn 1950 Otto Kässbohrer and Georg Wahl started building their first frameless coach with rear mounted engine. The unit construction body was revolutionary at this time. Six men could pick up and carry the raw stud work frame. The coach was fitted with 8 rows of seats, and provided space for 35 passengers. So it was called Setra S8. Its engine developed 95 hp, good for a top speed of 90 kph. It was launched at the 1951 Frankfurt Motor Show and production started in 1952.

In 1956 the Setra appeared in the Wiking model range. An accurate and well detailed body with a separately inserted interior. The detailed baseplate and clear upper part all added up to an excellent miniature.

In the early years of production Friedrich Peltzer produced a batch as promotion models for Setra, these are very rare birds today. Over the years, the coach was re-issued several times , sometimes with a driver figurine. It has now been re-issued in two tone green, but with a new – a bit strangely placed – separate steering wheel. The upper part is printed now and is fitted with a roof rack for luggage. The baseplate has been changed to allow faster fitting of the axles.


0990 94 The Swedish Haulage Company ASG

Founded by a shipping company and then taken over by the state-owned Swedish railway company, the role of ASG trucks initially appeared to be limited to distribution and feeder services. In Sweden the distances to the customers were often larger than in other European Countries as railway connections did not reach many areas. In addition, there was an increasing volume of goods, and a need greater speed and flexibility.
The development in favour of truck traffic is also reflected in the individual ASG stations, which now cover the country nationwide. First, there were open spaces next to the freight sheds of the railway. With a further increase in freight volume, loads were increasingly merged into freight centres, where they were picked and shipped on. Accordingly, the forwarding companies’ buildings changed from a “rustic” office in a goods shed to a logistics center.

The prefabricated house made by Wiking, was a quicly erected and efficient industrial building which were widely used during the rapid growth of the ASG in the 1970s. Here in the office, the flood of paper can be handled trouble-free. The option of stationary refuelling of the vehicle fleet was often provided. An in-house forklift facilitates loading and unloading. For special cases, a humped Volvo PV544 with trailer as courier and service vehicle is ready [Not in set].

In 1998, ASG was one of the leading companies in the field of transport and logistics in Northern Europe. It employed 5,700 people and generated sales of SEK 12 billion (€ 1.35 billion). The Swiss company Danzas, which has been working with ASG since 1993, took over ASG in 1999 and was then bought by Deutsche Post AG. In 2002, Deutsche Post buys the logistics company DHL, under whose name the entire logistics division of Deutsche Post has been operating since autumn 2003. Since then the vehicles of the ASG, Danzas and the German post drive with the livery of the DHL.

For this set in memory of the Swedish haulier Wiking reactivated a number of historic original moulds in scale 1:87 including a Volvo P444 pulling a trailer. The trucks shown represent some of the ASG vehciles made by Wiking over the years.


News from the Continent December 2018 – Wiking

By Hans-Georg Schmitt

All text by, and copyright of, the Author. Photographs are supplied by the Manufacturer and the Author.

Wiking has announced new releases for December 2018. As usual these are a mixture of new or largely new models and a set of upgrades to existing models. Wiking models are moulded in plastic in Europe for Germany.

New Items in 1:87 Scale

0335 01 Tempo Matador high-side flatbed


0314 01 Volkswagen T2 pick up with crew cab


0861 45 Volkswagen 1600 saloon “Fire brigade”


0311 48 Volkswagen Amarok GP Comfortline


0293 07 Volkswagen T3 pick up with crew cab “THW”


0797 22 Volkswgen T1 Samba Bus


0570 02 Mercedes-Benz L 3500 beverages truck


0523 04 MAN articulated Container truck


0440 01 Hanomag Henschel refrigerated with draw bar trailer


0990 94 “ASG” Set

Upgraded Models

1:160 Scale

0949 05 Magirus box truck


1:87 Scale

0805 09 Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia Coupe


0184 03 Glas Goggomobil saloon


0070 01 Opel Rekord Caravan 1957


0656 07 Site trailer


0650 05 ABG Road roller


0832 04 Mercedes-Benz 260D saloon


0388 15 Beet trailer


0386 02 Deutz-Fahr DX 4.70 tractor


0730 02 Setra S8 tour bus


0389 14 Claas Lexion 760 combine harvester with V 1050 forager headers


1:32 Scale Range Additions

0778 45 Stertil Koni mobile column lift (contents two pieces)


0778 41 AGRIbumper Claas design


0778 42 AGRIbumper Fendt design


0778 43 AGRIbumper John Deere design


0778 44 AGRIbumper black

New and Original – Some thoughts

Amongst the upgrade releases in October 2018 were some interesting models first issued in the 1960s. As I have these models in my collection I took the opportunity to compare the original with the current release. In many cases there is an interesting background history to be told. All models shown below are made to 1:87 scale.

0183 05 BMW 2002 saloon “Bavarian Police

The BMW 2002 was manufactured beween 1966 and 1971. It was in widespread use with the city police of Munich. Under the bonnet was fitted a powerful 100 hp, 2.0 litre petrol engine, and its top speed was 170 km/h. The BMW 501 in the background, its predecessor, was also made by Wiking. These cars were typical sights in the daily traffic in Munich. The BMW 501 patrol cars got the code name “Isar” and a legendary TV serial, named Isar 12, told the life of two policemen, their families and their car.


0206 01 Alfa Romeo Spyder

This is the first Alfa Romeo miniature ever modelled by Wiking. The chosen subject is the version of the Spyder made from 1966 to 1969. The body is very authentically shaped, it is moulded in bright red plastic, and the bumpers and windscreen frame are silver painted, as is the radiator grille. Head and tail lights are made from clear plastic. The interior is moulded in black with considerable detail moulded in. The baseplate is well detailed for a small model.


0620 02 Magirus S 3500 Fire Brigade turntable ladder truck 1958-1967

The “round bonnet” Magirus is one of the great classics of German fire engines of the post war era. The impressive, rounded Alligator bonnet is impressive and full of character. The the radiator grill surround encircles the contours of the cathedral of Ulm, where the vehicles were assembled.

The Magirus ladder was introduced into the Wiking model program very soon after the launch of the original vehicle. The legendary modelmaking master Alfred Kedzierski designed the first version with closed windows. Later it emerged with pierced windows and now it has been re-issued from reworked original moulds with a new baseplate.


0071 49 Opel Rekord P2 Caravan 1961 – red

The P2 Caravan is a typical early 1960s Wiking model accurate and well detailed moulding fitted windows but still with generic wheels and simple printing. Now the model has been given a ‘makeover’. The body is moulded in read and a white roof section has been printed on. Silver printing of coachwork lines, grilles and emblems is to current standards. In addition white wall tyres and replica wheels are fitted. What a contrast to the original models shown besides it!


0521 02 Articulated Box truck with Chevrolet tractor unit “Mayflower” 1955-1956

This model set could have been chosen by the late Friedrich Pelzer the founder of Wiking. A Chevrolet tractor from the 1950s pulls a contemporary trailer, which embodies a piece of Wiking history, as it appeared as one of the earliest commercial models. To the pleasure of Wiking collectors, the truck load is the furniture for a well known bungalow model. The model may enlarge the international appeal of the Wiking model range and perhaps open new export chances to the US where 1:87 scale railways are popular.

Wiking Magazine for 2018

The photographs below show a few of the interesting articles printed in this magazine. No other producer of models in 1:87 scale has such an interesting background and can tell so much stories.

it is no wonder that the publisher always surprises the reader with new subjects. In this year, the highlights are the development of the new Tempo Matador, and the classic Henschel cab of the 1950s, All of this illustrating new models from these new moulds.

There are also articles on an impressive diorama at the Sieper museum at SIKU/WIKING world. More topics are the history of the Swiss food dealer Migros and the 50th anniversary of the German Furniture Forwarder “Deutsche Möbelspedition”.

Finally their is a feature on the model ranges of 25 and 50 years ago.

0006 25 WIKING Magazine 2018


Hachette Italy World Buses Part 21

By Fabrizio Panico

All text and photographs by, and copyright of, the Author.

Number 61 to 63.

Three more European buses : a German, and two French. A strange mix as we have already met all of them in this collection, in one form or another. They are from the Italian Hachette partwork “Autobus dal mondo”, a collection of eighty 1:43 scale bus models, very similar to the French one “Autobus et autocars du monde”, produced in Bangladesh for Ixo.

No. 61 (no. 84 in the French collection) Renault R 4192 1952 – We have already met Renault and the AGP Saharien (see part seven, no. 19), the TN6-C2 (see part twelve, no. 34) and the R4192 (see part nineteen, no. 55). Renault is one of the oldest automobile manufacturers, always facing strong competition and, thanks to its many successes, able to slowly incorporate many of its commercial vehicle making competitors after the Second World War.

The R4000 series was the first “modern” Renault bus, previously based on truck chassis, heavy and uncomfortable. Facing the Isobloc challenge (use of a self-supporting structure) in 1949 Renault presented the R4190 with a chassisless structure and the engine placed horizontally under the floor on the right side between the two axles. It was an instant success and was produced in many different versions (the R 4192 was a low roof version with a more powerful diesel engine), and it went on until 1993, with periodic updates.

The model is shaped accurately. The body is plastic whilst the chassis is metal with lot of detail. It has single rear wheels. Many additional small parts are fitted as usual: lights, front bumper, mirror (one only) and registration plates, plus a large ladder to reach the luggage area on the roof.

As already noted the mould was used on no. 55 (see part nineteen), no changes are apparent, only the livery is new, this time from Ets. Gonthier & Nouhaud, an urban and suburban passenger transport company from Periguex, a small town located in the Dordogne department in the New Aquitaine region (capital Bordeaux), south west of France.

It seems that the company was active from 1959 to 2012, when it was absorbed in the larger Régie Péribus, the transit network serving Périgueux and its wider community.

On the internet it is possible to find pictures of the real vehicle, with the same green and cream livery, the same strange advert on the front bumper and the same registration plate (24), correct for the Dordogne. No apparent differences to the French edition. A faithful reproduction of an once quite common sight on French roads.

 

 

No. 62 (no. 85 in the French collection) Berliet Crusair 3 1969 – We have already seen the Berliet history and its Crusair (see part eight, no. 22), the PHL 10 (see part ten, no. 30), the PR100 ranges (Jelcz version, see part fourteen, no. 40) and the PLR 10 (see part sixteen, no. 47). Founded in 1899, like Renault, Berliet is one of the oldest automobile manufacturer, part of Citroën from 1967, then acquired by Renault in 1974 and merged with Saviem into the new RVI in 1978.

After the Second World War only the commercial vehicle production was resumed, at first it was highly successful, but in the sixties the competition was very tough and resources to innovate were lacking, leading to the loss of its independence. The Cruisair range, developed from 1966, offered innovative technical solutions (rear engine) and a new aesthetic (straight lines and large windows), fixing new standards for the European buses.

 

Comfortable, reliable and profitable, but not free from defects, the Crusair was limited by its max length (11 metres), but achieved widespread success, and was assembled by Porto in Portugal, Heuliez in France and also in Algeria. Produced, under the Renault badge, until 1989, the Cruisair underwent few aesthetic changes: you could date the models only on the basis of updates to the front panels with a major modernisation made in 1972.

The scale model has a plastic body and a metal chassis. As usual there are small additional parts, like the front grille, bumpers, mirrors and wipers. As previously noted the mould was already used for no. 22 and no differences can be seen, only the front grille and light assembly is new, while the wheels are lacking chromed hubcaps.

According to Hachette no. 22 and no. 62 are both from 1969, but the different front grille and lights assembly dates no. 22 as a post 1972 version, while no. 62 is the original one. Also the livery is new, no. 62 sports the white and blue colours of Air France, in this case a shuttle service between the Orly and Le Bourget airports. The registration plate is coded 75, correctly from Paris (Île-de-France). Also for the Cruisair it is possible to find on internet some pictures of the very same real vehicle. No apparent differences to the French edition. A nice souvenir for lots of tourists of the Concorde years.

 

No. 63 (no. 86 in the French collection) Setra S14 1961 – We have already met the Setra company and its S215 HD, and the S14 by the Spanish Seida licensee. In 1951 the Wagenfabrik Kässbohrer in Ulm decided to create a new company dedicated only to buses. It was named Setra, short for “selbsttragend” (self supporting), referring to the integral nature of the construction. The modular system (same structure’s elements and same cockpit) allowed to change only the wheelbase, the engine power and the interior fittings.

The S14, presented in 1961, is considered one of the first modern European buses. Featuring a high windshield, with a thin central pillar, and a longitudinal rear engine by Henschel, a straight six diesel delivering 170 CV, the S14 was the mould for the whole range of Setra buses in the 60s. The S14 was a full-length 12-metre 55 seats vehicle, and despite being rather expensive it was very successful. In 1963 an agreement with Seida allowed to license-build chassisless coaches in Spain. They were equipped with Pegaso engines and marketed with simultaneous double badge as Setra Seida and Pegaso.

The model is accurately shaped and the livery seems to be authentic, on internet you could find many pictures of similar real vehicles. Anker Reisen is a travel company from Lüneburg, a “Hanseatic” town in the German state of Lower Saxony, located about 50 km southeast of the more famous Hamburg, and belongs to that city’s wider metropolitan region. The registration plates are correctly coded LG. As usual there is a plastic body and a metal chassis, The body is quite bright, helped by the red and light grey livery and plenty of windows, which are also fitted to the roof. Many small separate parts are fitted: front and rear bumpers, lights, front grille, wipers and rear view mirrors.

Hachette has created the original Setra version and partly modified the mould used for no. 24. The original details were erased from the baseplate and and new ones printed on. The body has been slightly changed with lights amended. The Kassbohrer logo has replaced the Pegaso one on the front grille and on the hubcaps. All the Seida logos have been replaced by the Setra ones. The side windows have been changed to show a different split design. There are no apparent differences to the French edition. After the integral (and a bit disappointing) re-use of the Renault R 4192 mould, it is heartening to see the effort made by Hachette to differentiate between the two S14s. We’ll see more mould re-use, it’s logical, but thankfully in some original and interesting ways. Altogether a nice and welcome model.


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Hachette Italy World Buses Part 19

By Fabrizio Panico

All text and photographs by, and copyright of, the Author unless otherwise stated.

Numbers 55 to 57

 

Three successful buses, one from France and two from Germany, each one representative of a decade, from the fifties to the seventies. All of them are from the Italian Hachette partwork “Autobus dal mondo”, a collection of eighty 1:43 scale bus models, very similar to the French one “Autobus et autocars du monde”, produced in Bangladesh for Ixo.

 

No. 55 (no. 44 in the French collection) Renault R 4192 1956 – We have already met Renault and its AGP Saharien (see part seven, no. 19) and TN6-C2 (see part twelve, no. 34).

Renault is one of the oldest automobile manufacturers,  established in 1899 and by 1903 it was manufacturing its own engines and by 1906 it had introduced its first commercial truck. Renault experienced formidable development after the Great War, taking advantage of the industrial power acquired during the conflict the brand consolidated its place in the commercial vehicles market. In 1945 Renault was nationalised and its resources were concentrated on the new 4CV and one ton trucks. After the Second World War Renault slowly incorporated many of its competitors. In 1955 it formed Saviem (Société Anonyme de Véhicules Industriels et d’Equipements Mécaniques) with Latil and Somua. In 1957 it bought Isobloc and in 1960 Chausson. In 1978 the Renault name was back, when Saviem grouped with Berliet forming RVI (Renault Véhicules Industriels).

In 1946 the demand for vehicles of all kinds was growing quickly and Renault presented the 215 D, an advanced-cab bus, closely derived from the ZPD, and bodied on the chassis of the 208 D truck, a prewar concept. But the competition was very strong and soon Renault presented the new chassis-less R 4190. The engine was now placed horizontally on the right side between the two axles, and the body had a rounded shape with a chromed grille. It was an instant success and was produced in many different versions (the R 4192 is a low roof version). In line with company policy in 1955 it gained the Saviem logo, in 1957 it was restyled and renamed the Saviem ZR2. In 1960 a new engine was adde and it was renamed again to the SC1. By 1965 it was named the  S45 and it went on until 1993, with periodic updates.

The model is shaped accurately, the body is plastic while the chassis is metal with lot of details. It has single rear wheels. Many additional small parts are used as usual, like lights, front bumper, mirror (one only) and registration plates, plus a large ladder to reach the luggage area on the roof.  The long bars along the roof are very nice, these were used to fix the canvas cover to protect the baggage. The livery seems to be authentic and neatly printed.

There are no indications of a transport company, only the destination plate (Clermont) and the registration plates (63) from the Puy-de-Dôme department (region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, prefecture Clermont-Ferrand, headquarters of the French tyre manufacturer Michelin).

 

The red circle on the front and rear means that the vehicle runs a regular service. The interior is quite basic, but it has a nice driver area. Also well reproduced are the doors, the windows and the wheels. There are no apparent differences to the French edition. A nice reproduction of a once familiar sight on French roads.

 

No. 56 (no. 46 in the French collection) Setra S 215 HD 1976 – Setra is a brand we have already met with the Setra-Seida S14 (see part eight, no. 24). Founded in 1951, its origins are from the Wagenfabrik Kässbohrer, founded in 1893 in Ulm, while its name is short for “selbsttragend” (self supporting), referring to the integral nature of the construction. Until 1995 the firm operated under the name Kässbohrer-Setra, but in that year economic difficulties forced its sale to Daimler Benz, and to operate as a division of EvoBus GmbH. Standardisation and modularity were Setra’s winning features. The integral construction allowed changes to the wheelbase, the engine, and the interior fittings. The series 200 was presented in 1976.

 

Its models are identified by the maximum number of rows of seats (like 15 for this bus), while the letters added after the type number indicate the equipment and features, like HD for Hochdecker (high floor). The engine was located behind the rear axle, usually a diesel by Mercedes-Benz Henschel, here a V8 delivering 256 HP. The body shape was indeed a glass box with flat sides and large sealed windows, a huge slightly inclined windscreen,  and an unobtrusive front grille. Almost perfect, it was very successful and was  produced until 1991, to be replaced by the new 315.

The quite large scale model is true to the original shape and the livery is authentic, created by Setra itself to commemorate the forty years of the series 200. As usual it has a plastic body and metal baseplate. The baseplate is largely undetailed apart a silver painted exhaust. Many small separate parts are fitted like mirrors, lights, bumpers, grille, wipers. It looks very real indeed from a picture you could almost believe that it is the real vehicle.

A nice driver area is included but the seats are basic. There are well reproduced wheels (twin at the rear axle) with the chromed hubcaps adorned with the “K” of Kässbohrer. The German registration plates are from Ulm and the code number (S 215) is a clear reminder of the bus name. No apparent differences to the French issue. An accurate reproduction of a bus known all over Europe.

 

No. 57 (no. 57 in the French collection) Büssing Senator 12 D 1964Büssing AG was established in 1903 in Braunschweig (Germany) by Heinrich Büssing, heir of a blacksmith dynasty and founder of many bicycle, engineering and railway signal works. From heavy duty trucks to omnibus and armoured cars, Büssing soon developed into one of the largest European producers. In 1923 it presented the first rigid three-axle chassis and the world’s first full-size bus which allowed Büssing to lead the market share in Germany in commercial vehicles. In 1934 Büssing took over NAG. After the Second World War civilian production was resumed and in 1950 the company name became Büssing Nutzkraftwagen GmbH while production was concentrated on underfloor-engined trucks.

The company was taken over by MAN AG in 1971, which continued production of its underfloor-engined truck range through to the late 1980s, still using Büssing’s Brunswick Lion emblem. We have already met MAN and its 535 HO (see part fifteen, no. 43). The Senator 12 D was part of a new bus family (11R, 12R, 13R and 15R) launched in 1959.

 

The self-supporting bodywork was based on welded steel tubes and was fitted with a rear underfloor six inline diesel engine. Both city and long distance versions were made in different lengths and with different interior designs. Their names were changed regularly: Konsul, was followed by Senator, President and Prefekt. During the sixties they represented about 50% of all the buses in Germany. The Senator 12 D was presented in 1965 and gained an enlarged engine producing 150 HP. Their robustness and reliability combined with good performance allowed them to perform a very long working life with many still in service until the eighties.

This is another nice reproduction. Again with a  plastic body and metal baseplate, which in this case is well detailed with twin rear wheels. A red and cream livery is used, probably from the city of Hamburg based on the registration plates and the destination board (Altona train station). A neat “Lion” emblem can be seen on the front and the rear. The model has the usual added plastic parts like lights, bumper, mirrors, and destination boards. Like the other buses covered in this article it has a basic interior. The windows are well reproduced and on the sides is a well printed advert for the AEG washing machine. No apparent differences to the French issue. Another good choice, a well known bus.


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JC-Jägerndorfer

By Robin Godwin

All photographs by, and copyright of the Author unless otherwise stated.

Who is JC-Jägerndorfer? As far as I can tell, it is a large Austrian toy retailer. They also have certain products manufactured for them to sell under the Jägerndorfer brand, and perhaps even act as the middleman/manufacturer contact for promotional products.  Most of their “brand name“ products revolve around the Austrian skiing industry; ski lifts and Pisten Bullys, but they also produce trains in HO and N scales. But it is the Jägerndorfer 1:43 diecast Pisten Bully line that I’ll feature here (they also do 1:32 diecast Pisten Bullys as well as radio control ones). The Pisten Bully 600 shown is what appears to be a promotional model for Kässbohrer, judging by the packaging. Although the Jägerndorfer company detail is there, it is clearly designed to highlight the real machine.

It is a well-done diecast, perhaps not ROS (Italy) overall quality, but arguably better in one important aspect – the tracks. ROS tracks are like the old Solido tanks or modern tracked plant (construction) crawlers – all metal linked construction. Real Pisten Bullys feature a rubber track with aluminum (or aluminium for UK readers) or stainless steel cleats for traction, so an all-metal track is nice but incorrect. The Jägerndorfer model features more accurate vinyl/rubber tracks, improving the scale look significantly. The tracks feature a barely noticeable join, which means they are moulded flat. When looking at the pictures, it would seem that the manufacturer has painted the cleats greyish to look like metal. Closer inspection shows it is not paint at all but what looks like an advanced manufacturing process – the cleats would be the “deepest” part of the mould, and it appears those depressions have been filled with grey vinyl/rubber, and then the rest of the track mould has been filled with black vinyl/rubber. The two colours have bonded to each other to appear as a one-piece moulding, but with perfect colour separation. The net result is very impressive and, as mentioned, more realistic than all-metal tracks. My only criticism of the model is that, other than the cab and plow (plough) blade, almost everything else is made of plastic.

The photos show a comparison between a slightly earlier version of a PB 600 by ROS and a previous century PB 300 by German company Brami (now defunct). The Brami has “Made in EU” cast on the base, but the other two give no indication of where they were actually made. Retail price point vs model detail would imply Chinese manufacture, but I don’t know for certain. I also do not think the PB600 models were ultimately made by the same manufacturer (in China, I suspect), as there are virtually no common parts.

There is a new Jägerndorfer PB100 model available in 1:43 scale, but this is not yet indicated on the website (below). The full range of models from Jagerndorfer, from last year, is available as a catalogue download from the website, but there have been no updates for at least a year. See www.jaegerndorfer.at

JC Jägerndorfer Pisten Bully 600 Polar SCR featuring excellent detail. Note seamless colour separation between grey and black on tracks
JC Jägerngorfer on the left, with ROS older generation PB600 on right. The 600 Polar SCR features upgraded hydraulics and engine, among other smaller improvements. ROS has all metal tracks – nice but inaccurate
JC Jägerndorfer, left, and ROS, right. The Jägerndorfer retails for less than the ROS and can be ordered off the website listed in the article.
JC Jägerndorfer, left, Brami, right. Brami has rubber tracks, but nowhere near the quality of the JC Jägerndorfer. Brami also lacks many fine details evident in modern models. I bought my Brami in 1998
Brami base, indicating Made in EU
Packaging, which all appears to be promotional. Brami top. ROS middle, JC Jägerndorfer bottom
Same boxes, same order, but end view

Back of JC Jägerndorfer box with technical detail. Small print on right hand side is the only reference to the JC Jägerndorfer company

Back of ROS box. No Technical detail, but also only a small reference to the ROS company

Brami box states clearly “Made in EU… “
Superb detail on the 1:43 scale JC Ja1gerndorfer model. Note join on bottom of track. Neither cab nor bed are openable (but they are on the ROS model)

(Thanks to Hans Georg Schmitt for help on Jägerndorfer research).


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Atlas Buses Collection

By Gunnar Bernstrup

This article was originally hosted on the first MAR Online website. As access to that site is no longer available from zeteo.com we have copied over a number of articles to ensure that they are saved for the future. This article has been adapted from its original form to appear in this blog.
These models are produced for Atlas in China to 1:72 scale and the Author’s photographs of some of this range may be seen below.

Atlas releases are confusing. Like a lucky dip you never know what you get next time. Certainly the releases often appear out of sequence. When I started collecting the European Bus collection and writing about it, I was ‘advised’ in MAR and on a Swedish collector site, that I had missed the Scania D11 (1964) and that Atlas would not send me one. So I bought one on EBay and now Atlas has sent me one too. So now I have two what do I do with the second one?

It appears that after just over 30 models the partwork has reached its end.

I’d say all the models are good. Very good. Choosing a favourite then very much depends on my own memories or impressions of the real thing. I love the rounded forms on the Volvo B375 from the late 1950s when I was a kid. I do like the MB Lop 1935, a simple but for its time modern design, though I wasn’t around then to see them operating myself! The ‘Holland Coach’, ‘dressed’ in the colors of my home team Malmoe FF, Swedish champions and at the moment playing in the the Champions League, look so friendly with good touches from the advertisements along the roof line. Saurer Swiss Post models are always nice too, I guess I have a soft spot for bonetted buses. Finally, the Opel Blitz 54 is diminutive, but rather cheerful model.

Some are less to my taste. The Fiat 306 is a boring bus in a rather boring all blue color. The Volvo B57 is dull in all green as well: Shoe boxes on wheels. The Robur Garant and the DDR Star N52 were again not favourites. The Star N52 is really ugly, but then so was the original, an overbodied small vehicle. Even my much wanted Scania D11 isn’t a very inspiring bus, but it’s well modelled.

Edition ATLAS Bus Collection

7163101 Kässbohrer S8 red/white
7163102 Borgward BO 4000 grey/blue
7163103 Henschel HS 100 N maroon
7163104 Saurer L4C swiss post
7163105 Büssing DSU Berlin
7163106 M-B O 3500 blue/white
7163107 Van Hool 3006 grey
7163108 IFA H6 creme
7163109 Magirus-Detz Saturn II orange/cream
7163110 Holland Coach 1955 light blue/white
7163111 Steyr 3380q ‘marooninsh’ red/white
7163112 Krupp Titan black
7163113 Brossel Jonckheere red/cream
7163114 Leyl.RTW LT-red
7163115 Büssing Senator 12D cream
7163116 Skoda 706 RTO 1963 creme
7163117 Ikarus 66 1955 creme
7163118 Fiat 306/3 blue
7163119 Volvo B 616 1:76 grey/red
7163120 FleischerS5 1977 creme
7163121 Scania Vabis D11/64 orange/creme
7163122 Reo Speedwagon white/black
7163123 Tatra 500 HB 1950 cream/blue
7163124 Ikarus 311 red/white
7163125 Volvo B375 red
7163126 MB LoP 300 1935 begie, brown
7163127 Robur Garant yellow/brown
7163128 Star N52 1953 green
7163129 Volvo B57 -72 green
7163130 Neoplan NH9L creme/white
7163131 Opel Blitz -54 blue/white
7163111 Steyr 380 Q 1955 Maroon/White

 

Volvo B375

Volvo B57

Star N52

Scania Vabis D11

Robur Garant

Opel Blitz

Mercedes-Benz LoP3500

Magirus-Deutz Saturn

Krupp Titan

Kassbohrer Setra S8

Holland Coach

Borgward BO4000

Ikarus 66

Mercedes-Benz Coach

Steyr 380Q