Brekina make plastic models in Germany and they are mostly to 1:87 scale. In the past they have also distributed Chinese made plastic 1:87 models from Starmada. I suspect that Model Car World’s PCX range of Chinese made 1:87 scale models may come from the same Chinese factory that produced the Starmada models. Brekina has been owned by Model Car World Group of Germany since 2018. The models listed for release in November seem to be based on mouldings previously seen. Indeed like other German 1:87 manufacturers entirely new mouldings form only a small part of their releases.
Please note that some of the photographs are of decorated samples and the models will have further work done before they are released.
The releases include some interesting models including a Fleischer S5 coach. This was a unibody coach following in the mould of Setra coaches but produced in East Germany using a rear mounted Horsch engine. It was made until the reunification of Germany. Another less commonly seen vehicle is the 1962 Magirus Saturn bus/coach. Derived from the famous truck range this was Deutz powered and featured a characteristic rounded rear profile.
The Renault Fourgonnette has been in the range for many years but it seems to me to be a rather vague model with the rear section not quite shaped correctly and if features over large wheels. However there appear to be few available alternatives in this scale so sales will presumably continue to be brisk as the liveries will be of interest to diorama builders. In contrast their Citroen Dyane models are nicely shaped and detailed.
DAF trucks are to be welcomed as DAF trucks have not been widely modelled despite being seen quite frequently on the continent. They compliment models like the obsolete Wiking tractor and trailer unit and the variety of DAF models made by Netherlands based Artitec.
Finally Roger Clark fans will be pleased to see a Mark 2 Escort in 1976 RAC Rally livery to add to their collections.
Text and photographs copyright of the Author(s) unless otherwise stated.
Nr. 58 Pkw-Transporter (1957-1974), Part 3 of 3
Part 2 of this series covered the specific years 1968-74.
A WIKING Pkw-transporter from between 1961 and 1974 fully loaded with contemporary cars in a variety of colours has got to be a candidate for hitting the sort of display image I mused over in Transported in Delight Part 1. A sight bettered only, in my view, by a full load of bright yellow postal versions. During the era we are focussing on, WIKING postal models came only in Deutsche Bundespost livery with the exception of the Swiss home market where of course PTT livery was the order of the day.
In WIKING terms some of the public and emergency service versions led an interesting production history in that they were released when the tooling for the equivalent standard (civilian) version became obsolete. It was for this very reason that the last bastion of the Unveglast Modelle era lasted in the catalogue until as late as 1967 in the form of the 3p VW-Post (Beetle). In turn then obsolete Verglaste Modelle ‘1200’ Beetle became its successor for one year only being replaced by three different versions of the 3p ‘1300’ Beetle in as toolings were updated in rapid succession between 1969 and 1972.
At this point it seems worthwhile just to sidetrack for a moment to reflect on WIKING reference sources.
The ‘WIKING fan’ website is a focus point for WSN – the WIKING Sammler Netwerk – with numerous links to useful databases and resources. It also used to carry a gallery section from which the inspirational photo of no less than seven fully laden first series Art. Nr Pkw-transporters came: https://blog.wiking-neuheiten.de and https://blog.wiking-neuheiten.de/netzwerk/
The ‘Gelber Katalog Jahrbuch’ Editions have long been a standard reference for WIKING collectors with excellent, clear, listings supported by charming line drawings of each production version. They brought with them a colour card set that is an essential reference for accurately identifying the colours of the plastic components and cross referencing back to the listings in the Katalog itself: http://www.marktpreis-verlag.de/marktpreis/aktuell.htm and https://www.auktionshaus-saure.de/en/wiking-handbuch
To give one brief glimpse for readers not necessarily into WIKING is the ‘Neuer Gelber Katalog 2000’ (GK 2000) that I am going to turn to concerning the WIKING 3p Post-VW variations. Bear in mind that they each came in DBP and PTT livery is easy to start to realise that some versions were effectively one-year-only releases, and that given the PTT examples were only available in Switzerland some versions are consequently very clearly of the “more difficult to find” variety.
Finally, well almost, then let’s return to that recent ‘The Grand Ponton Mercedes Set’ over which I expressed mixed feelings about in “Transported in Delight Part 1” in the light of my subsequent musings.
Yes, sure my preference then would be to have the original models themselves unadorned with paint, but there is, in my mind, a pretty good second choice alternative. The (German) Post Museums Shop (PMS) have for over two decades been marketing Exclusive Editions of models including ones by WIKING. Back in December 2018 they released a limited run boxed set of ten reissue Mercedes-Benz 180s in a replica WIKING Händlerkarton (dealer package) of the sort that WIKING used to distribute the models wholesale to retail outlets.
This PMS initiative of reissuing three or four old mouldings in sets has run to something like 100 sets now. Some are excellent and some include rather dubious ‘dumbed-down’ modern tooling models, but all of which is best left for a future WIKING musings article …. The point is t that with one Händlerkarton box of 180s and a pair of Verkehrs-Modelle transporters the combined replicas offer a very attractive alternative to the 1960s originals enabling the display of two fully loaded, period consistent, transporters.
That PMS Mercedes-Benz Händlerkarton set is one of only two offered to date by the shop. The second, the following year, in 2019 contained ten VW typ.2 (T1) Double Cabin Pickup models. Frustratingly though they are too high to fit between the lower and upper car decks of any of WIKINGs Pkw-transporters that utilise the trailer based on the 1957 1:100 tooling!
The original WIKING Pkw-transporter releases 1957 -1974:
Unverglaste Modelle (1:100 ):
58 White and Henschel HS 140 S tractor cabs (1957-1960*)
Verglaste Modelle (1:90/1:87):
58 MB L 5000 S tractor cab (1961-1964*)
58 MB L 3500 S tractor cab (1962-1964*)
58 Magirus S 3500 tractor cab (1961-1964*)
58 MB LS 1413 tractor cab (o.Lüfter^) (1965-1967*)
58 MB LS 1413 tractor cab (m.Lüfter^) (1968-1971*) and “Auto-Transfer’ printing (1972-1974*)
Wiking releases for October introduce a few new mouldings and some upgrades to existing ones.
1:32 Scale
077857 Claas Trion 720 Montana with Convio 1080 and trolley
Trion is the name of Claas’s new generation of combine harvesters. Awarded “Farm Machine 2022”, it has become the world leader in its category of combine harvesters! The Wiking Claas Trion 720 Montana, has chassis tilt compensation in a model for the first time. The model features a Convio 1080 cutting unit on this launch model. The model features many working features and many details in the modelling.
077863 Claas Axion 950
The Claas Axion range has been a considerable success and has now been fitted with a whole range of digital technology in the cab including a driver assist system which optimises settings for the attached equipment as well as the Tractor itself. It is hoped that these advances will optimise the fuel consumption as well as improve the quality of the work.
The photograph’s show the detailed modelling with the mesh bonnet panels being particularly fine. As usual on Wiking models the model has all the attachment fittings needed to mount various items from the Wiking Range.
077862 Pöttinger front mower Novacat
The Novacat front mower engineered by Pöttinger is used to cut forage crops. This mower is designed to automatically adjust cutting height to the ground being worked and to leave cut forage cleanly cut for storage and use.
The model fits all Wiking 1:32 scale tractors.
1:87 Scale
Photograph of Taxi at Bremen Oldtimer Classics
080015 Taxi – BMW Isetta
Made between 1955 and 1956 this Taxi offered only minimal space and I can’t imagine that there were many in service. However a real life example can be seen on the internet as shown above.
It will certainly stand out on mail rail diorama builders station forecourts amongst the Mercedes-Benz and Opel cabs.
020307 Ford Escort scale 1:87
A sober colour on the Mark OneEscort for those who the bright yellows, oranges and purples fashionable at the time did not impress. It is also the four door model which is less commonly modelled. Designed in Britain to replace the Ford Anglia and produced at Ford’s new Halewood plant from 1967. It was adopted by Fordof Germany three years later and was produced at Saarlouis. It’s dog bone nickname came from the shape of the front grille/lights. It remined in production until 1974.
This ‘Doka‘ moulding is a new one adding to the myriad of other flatbed Transporters made by Wiking. Here it is finished in the livery of a Police Riot Squad vehicle. It will no doubt appear in many other liveries in the future.
022406 Renault R4 “Parisienne”
The decoration was inspired by Renault’s marketing Group wanting products with more feminine appeal. They were made available to women to test drive for 48 hours in a special sales drive. The R4 was a very popular car in it’s home market and widely sold in other continental countries as its practicality made it a popular family vehicle.
This generation was in production from 1964 until 1968
022504 Renault R4 box van “Spar”
The R4 van had a very boxy body suitable to fit in a bulky load from the suppliers. Spar was a marketing consortium which small retailers joined which gave them access to bulk buying discounts and subsidised retail signage and material. Spar shops sprang up all over Europe and their livery on vans and lorries was frequently seen on the road.
Produced from 1961 to 1967 the R4 van continued in production with modified styling after that.
022505 Renault R4 box van – ivory
A plain livery for this model. But like the Spar model the rear roof section can be opened above the rear doors. This feature was popular with builders and window cleaners as you could stick your ladders in the back of the van with any excess length sticking out of the roof – no need for a special roof rack. This is again finished as the version made from 1961 to 1967.
068904 Municipal mastic asphalt mixer (MAN)
A MAN F7 chassis fitted with a mastic asphalt mixer body ideal for construction site dioramas. This is a new fitment and the first F5/F7 vehicle in the Wiking range. Many more will follow in future!
062647 Fire brigade – Rosenbauer FLF Panther 6×6 with extending arm
Yet another Rosenbauer joins the Wiking range. The Panther 6×6 has already been seen in 1:43 scale and now appears as a 1:87 scale model. Like many newer Wiking models it now has a sprue with some of the more delicate parts for the purchaser to fit themselves.
Here it is modelled with an extendable arm carrying the foam supply closer to the blaze and extensive detailing of the roller shutters and cabin.
038915 Claas Trion 730 harvester with Convio 1080
Here again we see a model made to 1:32 scale has been reduced to 1:87 scale. Here the 1:87 model is shown which is inevitably less detailed and with fewer working parts and opening parts. But it is a good replica of the new Claas Trion and a new moulding from Wiking. Like the larger 1:32 model it is fitted with a Convio 1080 cutting unit
Well detailed and printed for its relatively small size this model would look good on any diorama showing a contemporary farm.
022805 Volvo Amazon – dark green
A classic three-box shaped car from Sweden produced from 1956 to 1970 with over 660,000 sold by the time it was withdrawn. This existing moulding, seen previously in light blue for example, has been finished with a fine grille and printed badging. Engraved and silver printed door handles, rubbing strips and even reflectors all add to the quality of the model. Inside the model has a separately inserted steering wheel, a dashboard and an easily recognizable reproduction of the ribbon speedometer. Front and back seats are also separate inserts,
010204 Land Rover Defender 110 scale 1:87
Already seen in a variety of colours and finishes we have the Defender here with the addition of a double layer roof to reduce cabin heat in hot climates and a snorkel exhaust to make sure that fording water doesn’t stop it in its tracks.
This model is of the final generation of the Defender and features finely detailed and printed door handles, grilles and light surrounds. Again small parts like mirrors are supplied on a sprue to self fit.
088010 Lanz Bulldog with roof- yellow
Produced in several versions over time this is the first appearance in yellow and with a roof fitted. It appeared in the first classic series release from Wiking in 1973 and has been seen in several colours since. A German classic tractor which was in production from 1936 to 1954 and stayed in use for many years after production ended.
038819 Krampe Halfpipe tipper trailer black
Krampe tipping trailers are used in agriculture, civil engineering and lansdscaping. Many are owned by German municipal authorities. The HP20 modelled by Wiking features a tipping mechanism and connectors to allow it to be towed by other vehicles.
Another Bölling liveried vehicle joins the Wiking range. Here a New Generation (NG) chassis from Mercedes-Benz, already seen on a flatbed tipper and the road sweeper, is the tractor unit pulling a four-axle flatbed tipper.
The model is well finished with good printed livery and a functioning tipper body. The grille unit and lights in bumpers neatly done to capture the original NG look.
042496 Flatbed tipper (Magirus)
Another re-engineering of a vehicle that has been in the Wiking range for a long time. The bonnet is now a separate part from the rest of the cab and the gap between mouldings seems rather large on photographs, but is perhaps better seen from a normal distance? The Magirus with its characteristic engine noise was often seen on building sites in the 1950s and 1960s. Here Wiking has modelled it in two tone green and it comes with mirrors and other small items on a sprue for self-fitting. The flatbed can be turned upright and the rear panel will open for tipping.
The original vehicle was produced from 1957 to 1967.
Here a Mercedes-Benz tractor unit pulls an American box trailer made by Dorsay with its characteristic ribbed structure. Wiking based this on on photographs of Dorsays launch of their trailers in Europe in 1963.
This box trailer was entirely re-engineered for this issue as the moulds made for the original historic issue of this trailer had been converted to other uses. The Mercedes-Benz Pullman cab unit has also been re-made several times over the years and is used here in its latest incarnation with finely printed details and a fine grille/light unit.
055407 Stanchion trailer truck (Faun)
Hauled by a Faun tractor unit this stanchion trailer is liveried for Paul Rosenkranz who made heavy duty transporters in Witten on the Ruhr. Wiking have featured many vehicles in Rosenkranz livery over the years including a similar stanchion trailer pulled by a MAN tractor unit. The Faun F610 series provided heavy-duty tractor units capable of pulling up to 80 tonnes – even as a semi-trailer vehicle. The engine output alternated between 250, 262 and 275 hp. This distinctive normal control unit was manufactured from 1965 to 1977.
Here we see the new Faun tractor unit from Wiking in Rosenkranz colours for the first time.
1:160 Scale
096138 Fire Appliance – TLF 16 (Magirus)
Here the Magirus fire appliance from the 1:87 range has been ‘shrunk’ to the Continental N Gauge of 1:160 scale with a little simplification along the way. There has been a flatbed Magirus in Fire Service livery in 1:160 scale in the past but no appliance,
The classic ’round hood’ Magirus cab/chassis was used to build appliances between 1955 and 1961 before the hood and cab changed to the squarer generation which replaced it and which has also been made in Wiking’s 1:87 scale range.
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Text and photographs copyright of the Author(s) unless otherwise stated.
Nr. 58 Pkw-Transporter (1957-1974), Part 1 of 3: Years 1957-1967
Maybe a good place to start is by giving some answers to the ‘Why?’s I raised previously in “Transported in Delight”.
Firstly then why do I have mixed feelings about some of WIKING’s the contemporary reissues like the ‘The Grand Ponton Mercedes Set’?
I guess that one of the root issues is something that Maz Woolley touched on recently and struck a chord with me not only in connection with my love of the early Rio models numbered circa 1-85 as originally released – but not current – models but in the same vein also with respect to WIKING models:
“In some cases, the fit of bumpers and added parts, and vague panel lines buried under thickly applied paint contrast with the addition of photo etched parts and nicely made wire wheels. The inconsistent finish means that some, but not all, M4 models are of a standard below the standard of modern part work models.” (M4 GROUP RELEASES JULY 2022, 11TH JULY 2022.)
Taking the Mercedes-Benz 190 and 220S models in that gift set then, I feel that however good the highly detailed finish of the modern wheels on the cars are, the overall ‘dolling up’ with extensive addition of silvered ‘chrome-work’ over two tone paintwork not only serves to actually highlight the age of the base models but in many ways detracts from it as well. The expression from my childhood which is probably considered politically incorrect nowadays but which springs to mind is ‘mutton dressed as lamb’
After years of having a superb reputation for high quality self-coloured plastic finishes, WIKING started introducing models with painted body colours circa mid 1990s and certainly evident in the promotional models (SoMo’s or Sondermodell, ‘special models’ in German) they made for VW from the late 1990s onwards.
For me there is also the vibe that somehow – and this is just a feeling that can’t be rationally quantified or explained – models of car, van and trucks made when they were of contemporary vehicles seem to exude a different charisma than retrospective reissues.
Taking that train of thought one step further and deeper into the psyche of collectors preferences that also raise the fascinating conundrum of which is more important when considering the era of the model car transporter and its load when displayed . Should both be from the same manufacturers catalogue era or of vehicles that were all contemporary with the arguable permissive latitude that a transporter could pre-date the year of the new car load that it was carrying within a reasonable timeframe?
(There is a subtle difference between when the 1:1 vehicle and the scale model of it are contemporary. In the case of WIKING although new models were frequently introduced of vehicles soon after they were first seen on the roads in Germany there was, sometimes a lag. The * annotation in the accompanying illustrations signifies the years that the vehicle appeared in the WIKING catalogue and not its real life manufacturing period)
This leads onto the matter of what era it is that particularly attracts us as already touched on in “Transported in Delight” Part 1. and the motivating driver that shapes our own particular preferences over the transporter and its load.
For me the root of my preference lies in the catalogue illustrations for the Art.Nr 58 Pkw-transporter which showed, (by way of cars in red outline) it loaded with VW Beetles but clearly annotated as ‘ohne Fahrzeuge’. An illustration that was first used with the introduction of Art.Nr 58 in 1957 and evolved as the model sequentially changed over the years and which I will explore in more detail in Part 2 – the years 1968-1974.
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Ixo are part of the PCT/Sonic group based in China. In addition to being the major supplier of models to partwork ranges they have their own brands which often use the same castings but in different colours and/or liveries and often with a higher quality finish and more detailing.
Here we have a variety of releases expected in the UK during June from bus, truck and car ranges. Although Ixo models are made in several different scales all the models shown here are diecast to 1:43 scale. The photographs shown are all pre-production items so small changes might occur to the product when released.
TR113 MAN TGX XXL D38 Grey/Decoration
TRF025 IFA W50 LF 16 Feuerwehr
TRUD004 Magirus Jupiter 6×6 Blue/Red Tipper
CLC391 Ford Sierrra Ghia Estate Silver 1988
CLC393 Saab 99 Turbo Metallic Blue 1977
CLC405 Opel Manta A Turbo Red/Black 1973
CLC407 Skoda 440 Spartak Blue 1955
CLC410 Volvo 144 Blue 1972
MDCS029 Renault Clio R3C White with Extra Night Light Under Base
MDCS030 Peugeot 307 WRC in White with 2 Set of Wheels and Tyres/Extra Rear Spoiler
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These China based brands are from the same group company who produce detailed sealed resin models with etched components and rubber tyres. The models shown are to 1:43 scale and are expected in the UK in Q2 2022. The focus is on American made vehicles, though a few classics from elsewhere do appear from time to time. There is no indication that any of these models are licenced by the original vehicle manufacturers.
GLM
130703 Chrysler 300C Hardtop 1957 Red
130805 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe Convertible Black 1954
300506 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ55 1979 White
Stamp
64201 Cadillac Sixty Special Black 1964
64202 Cadillac Sixty Special Turino Turquoise Metallic 1964
64203 Cadillac Sixty Special Palomino Metallic 1964
Swiss based DNA Collectibles have been designing detailed 1:18 scale sealed resin models, which are produced in China, since the company was formed in 2017. The releases notified for the final quarter of 2022 are all of Swedish made vehicles which are a speciality of this company.
000117 Saab 900 Turbo Sedan 1983 Brown
000121 Saab 900 Turbo Sedan 1983 Green
000122 Saab 900 Turbo Sedan 1983 Blue
000125 Saab 900 Turbo Sedan 1983 Silver
000153 Volvo V70 R P80 1998 Saffron
000154 Volvo V70 R P80 1998 Red
000155 Volvo V70 R P80 1998 Silver
000232 Volvo V70 R P80 1998 Black
Wiking
Wiking has announced its reproduction of a famous German Truck remembered for the howling noise of its Deutz Diesel engine and how it proved that Magirus trucks were capable of trans-continental haulage. The model is moulded in plastic in Europe to 1:87 scale.
A famous endurance run was undertaken in 1965 using a Magirus forward control truck first launched in 1963. A Magirus 235 D 22 tractor unit pulled a twin axle dump truck trailer made by C. Blumhardt Fahrzeugwerke from Wuppertal-Vohwinkel to Kabul powered by a powerful air cooled Deutz diesel units. The road conditions included blizzards and land slips and the truck arrived in April 1965 after covering more than 7,000 Kilometres with a defective shock absorber being the only mechanical problem on the way. This truck was fully laden with 20 tons and was accompanied by ten fully loaded Magirus 200D 16 trucks all destined for the Mahipar power plant near Kabul where Siemens, Hochtief AG and A. Kunz & Co were carrying out construction.
Wiking has created the tractor and trailer unit with authentic detailing to celebrate this part of German Industrial history.
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Wiking are closing the year with models in a variety of scales. As ever these are mostly made in plastic, moulded with a considerable detail and finished with printed details. These models are still made in Europe and the prices reflect the higher cost of manufacture there. NB the 1:43 scale models are diecast items.
1:160 scale models
Twin Caravan and tow car set
#092210
Those mouldings have been in the Wikiing range for many years. An Opel Rekord in in grey-beige and a Chevrolet Malibu and red. The Caravans are in grey and white. The chassis for cars and trailers are in black-grey. The units are glazed with a hint of topaz colouring.
1:87 Scale Models
Normag Faktor I – reseeda green
#039801
Body and chassis are coloured reseda green, rims are red. Black steering wheel, silver headlights. Normag branding strips on the hood front and rear lights printed in red.
Fork lift (Clark) – pale green
#117101
Body and chassis as well as mast and fork are cploured pale green. Black steering wheel, seat and tires. All-round white decorative stripes and white Clark lettering on the back. White Clark letters on the side of the lift mast. Yellow rims.
Audi 50 – purple
#003697
Body is in purple. Black chassis and grille. Sand yellow interior and black steering wheel. Transparent headlights fitted. Silver rims and black-silver bumpers. Printed window surrounds, door handles, reversing lights and trunk lid lock. Rear lights printed in red. Audi logo printed in silver on the radiator grille, orange indicators in the bumper.
Alfa Romeo Spider – light blue
#020604
Black chassis, grille and steering wheel. Light blue body, convertible roof and interior with black dashboard. Front and rear bumpers silver-plated, side door handles also silver-plated. Indicator orange printed. Silver-plated Alfa Romeo lettering on the rear. Decorative strips along the windows also silvered.
Opel Kadett C Coupé GT/E – Black
#022903
Black body. Transparent headlights fitted. Interior moulded with steering wheel just as black as the radiator grille. Silver bumpers and rims. Window trims, as well as door handles and side ventilation black-grey. Radiator grille printed with silver Opel logo. Orange indicators. Black rear spoiler. Opel lettering on the rear.
Campervan (VW T4/Karmann) “Cheetah”
#026802
Cab and body white, chassis with cardan shaft as well as exhaust modelled. Radiator grille and body floor black. Interior moulding of driver’s cab and mobile home fittings with an insert in silver-grey. Front roof section and ladder white. Rims silver. Glazing of the motorhome structure transparent with hint of topaz. Front lettering ‘Cheetah’ silver-grey. Silver-grey and signal red decorative stripes on the side as well as black Karmann lettering and door handle. The VW logo on the front is printed in silver, the rear taillights are red. The headlights are silver-plated, the window frames are black. Silver-gray Karmann logo on the rear as well as black window frame and Karmann lettering printed.
Scaffolding tug unit with trailer (Magirus Deutz)
#039206
Driver’s cab and bed in coral red, interior fittings in dusty grey. Chassis modelled with cardan shaft as well as bumpers. Rims and saddle plate are also dusty grey. Radiator grille in black and printed with silver Magirus-Deutz lettering and the brand logo. Side door handles, as well as outer and step edges with grab handle, printed in black-grey. Red taillights. Trailer with a dusty grey chassis, wheel arches as well as drawbar and rims. Platform coral red. Taillights printed in red. Scaffolding parts silver-grey, scaffolding boards grey-white.
Flatbed with towed trailer (Hanomag Henschel) “Friderici”
#047502
Dust grey driver’s cab, canvas grey interior. Chassis with cardan shaft, double wheel arches and aluminium platform, dusty grey. Flat bed insert, silver. Grey-white tarpaulin, silver rims. Silver printing on the front with Hanomag-Henschel lettering and decorative stripes. Cab doors with Friderici logo and silver-plated door handles. Bumper edges printed in black, indicators yellow-orange. Tail lights printed in carmine red. aluminium fittings printed in silver. Black Friderici lettering on the sides of the tarpaulin. Trailer with a dusty grey chassis, wheel arches, turntable and drawbar as well as flatbed. Flat bed insert, silver. Silver rims. Grey and white hood. Side bumper edges printed in black, taillights carmine red. Tarpaulin sides printed with black Friderici lettering.
Polizei – Mercedes-Benz 240 D
#086444
White body, black interior, silver chassis. White warning light poles topped with a blue transparent dome. A white loudspeaker is fitted in the centre of the roof. Bonnet, boot and doors printed green. Side door surfaces printed with white police lettering. Decorative strips and door handles black. Front and rear indicators printed in deep orange, taillights traffic red. Radiator grille has black coloured recesses and bumpers are printed with black rubber profiles.
DKW Schnelllaster panel van – sky blue
#033406
Body sky blue, interior brown. Black chassis and steering wheel. Door handles, trim strips and DKW rings on the front silver-plated. DKW lettering 3 = 6 printed in silver. Window frames printed black. Door handles and decorative strips in silver. Rear lights printed in red.
Volkswagen Transporter T1 double cab – olive grey / pearl white
#078907
Upper body part olive grey, lower body part pearl white. Transparent headlights and red transparent taillights. Silver grey interior. Pearl white US version bumpers inserted. Black chassis, rims and steering wheel. Front VW logo printed in pearl white. Indicators traffic orange. Chrome rings and door handles printed in silver. Olive-grey stripes around the sides and back. Porsche style custom wheels.
Box trailer (Chevrolet) “John Deere”
#052103
The tractor unit has a grass green driver’s cab, a black chassis and zinc-yellow rims. Grass green saddle plate. Silver-plated headlights and orange printed indicators. Grill engraving printed in silver. Silvered roof lights, logo also printed in silver. Grass green rear body on a grass-green chassis with support feet. Trailer has zinc yellow rims and roof surface. John Deere parts logo printed on the sides of the trailer.
Fire Appliance- Rosenbauer AT (MAN TGM Euro 6)
#061299
The latest version of the Rosenbauer bodied MAN unit. Red driver’s cab, anthracite grey interior and steering wheel. Silver-grey siren attached. Red front apron, black radiator grille with silver MAN trademark and decorative strip. Front wheel arches with red steps. Chassis with cardan shaft and rear interior in anthracite grey. Topaz tinted glass. Red equipment storage areas with anthracite-grey blinds, pump stand with topaz-transparent cover. Blue-transparent warning lights on all four corners of the vehicle. Anthracite grey roof structure, silver roof monitor plugged in. Rear ladder silver. Black pump fittings, silver rims. Windshield wipers as well as mirror mounts and trim strips on the driver’s cab printed in black. Front turn signals traffic orange. Crew cabin with black door frame and silver R logo. Equipment compartment structure with Rosenbauer logo as well as printed indicators and white emergency number 112. Rear taillights with silver reflectors. LED bar printed in traffic blue on the body sides. Sprue with exterior and side mirrors included.
Flatbed semitrailer (Henschel) “Union Transport”
#051406
Carmine red driver’s cab, dust grey interior with steering wheel. Front wheel, arches and headlights, but also chassis with cardan shaft and rear fenders and rims in anthracite grey. Black grille with silvered Henschel star. White printed roof area. Bonnet with silver-plated hinge and black bonnet buckles and silver Henschel lettering on a black background. Decorative strips and door handles silver-plated. Front headlights also silvered, taillights printed in carmine red. Trailer with anthracite grey chassis, support legs, double wheel arches and rims. Carmine red base with silver shelf and basalt grey tarpaulin. Flatbed printed with white lettering “Transport-Betriebe” with a black drop shadow. Tarpaulin has white Union lettering and a black drop shadow.
Driver’s cab with chassis, cardan shaft, rims and platform in coral red. Interior grey, saddle plate silver. Radiator grille surface printed in pearl white, Mercedes-Benz star with decorative frame printed in silver. Side of the driver’s cab finished with silver double trim. Pearly-white mid band on the driver’s cab with Clark lettering on the side. Rear lights printed in traffic red. Dolly with wheel arches, turntable, drawbar and rims in a coral-red colour as well as a low-loader with a ramp. Winch silver. Side double decorative stripes as well as pearly white ‘Ruhr Intrans’ lettering.
Tanker with Trailer tank (Mercedes-Benz LP 333) “Esso”
#042904
Cab with chassis, cardan shaft and bumper, wheel arches, rear bumpers and oil tank with base plate, and rims all in Esso red. Black radiator grille with silver printing of trim strips and Mercedes-Benz star. Interior fittings anthracite grey. Light ivory steering wheel fitted. Decorative strips on the driver’s cab are silver-coloured, front indicators are signal orange. Tricolour Esso logo on the cab doors. Rear lights printed in carmine red. “Esso Aviation Products” logo on the side of the tank. Trailer with chassis, turntable as well as wheel arches, drawbar and oil tank with base plate Esso-red. Carmine red taillights. “Esso Aviation Products” logo on the side.
1:43 Scale Models
Fire Appliance – Rosenbauer AT (MAN TGM)
#043196
The MAN chassis fitted by Rosenbauer. WIKING is introducing a detailed 1:43 scale model that, like its prototype, appears as a compact and equally manoeuvrable emergency fire-fighting vehicle. The “AT” series enjoys the most careful printing. Particularly noticeable: the glass doors optionally offered by Rosenbauer for the rear entrance to the cabin are transparent on the model and allow the viewer to see the cabin details moulded inside. The Rosenbauer logo is emblazoned as a silhouette on the door. The high-quality model consists of painted zinc die-cast components that are combined with plastic elements and authentically reproduced with fine detailed printing.
Fire Appliance – Rosenbauer DL L32A-XS 3.0 (MB Atego)
#043103
After the L32 turntable ladder on the Mercedes-Benz Econic chassis, WIKING has now produced the new L32A-XS 3.0 also scaled down by 43 times. This is based on the latest Mercedes-Benz Atego chassis. Rosenbauer designed this unit to be compact and functional. A large equipment room is located directly behind the crew’s cabin. Dark blinds are just as much a part of it as the five section extending ladder which has the retractable rescue cage at the front end. All functions of the turntable turntable ladder are movable. The 1:43 model shows off the character of the Rosenbauer turntable ladder. The model consists of painted zinc die-cast components, which are combined with plastic elements and finished with finely detailed printing.
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Wiking‘s June Releases are pictured below. These are in two scales and are produced in plastic in the EU.
1:87 Scale
042499 Magirus Flatbed Truck 1962-68 – brilliant blue
Frequently used for the delivery of sand and/or bricks to building sites during the boom years of the 1960s.
015302 MB 280 SE Cabrio 1967-71- chocolate brown
A luxury open car for the prosperous.
027044 Borgward Camping car B611 1957-61 – ivory beige and yellow/green
Printed curtains and two tone paintwork made this an attractive contemporary design.
042903 Mercedes-Benz LP 333 Lorry with tilt “Dortmunder Union” 1958-1961
In the 1950s and 60s Dortmund Union was one of the larger brewers in West Germany and trucks in their liveries could be seen making deliveries around the country.
086149 Magirus Uranus Fire Service Crane 1957-71
Powered by a powerful and loud Deutz diesel engine this was a powerful crane capable of dealing with many tasks at major emergencies.
078817 VW Transporter Type 1 box van “afri cola” 1950-53
Afri cola was one of the big selling German soft drinks brands during the boom years.
030003 VW Transporter Type 1 panel van “100 Years Sieper” 1963-67
Wiking is celebrating because the parent company, Sieper, which owns Wiking and Siku is celebrating its 100th anniversary. This is the second Wiking model celebrating this event.
1:32 Scale
077853 Claas Xerion 4500 wheel drive – current vehicle
The Claas Xerion is a very successful tractor range which is continually refined and developed. The Wiking model has a wide range of detail as well as featuring key operating features like the reversible cab, hitches etc.
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Wiking models are mainly made in plastic and produced in the EU. They are made in a variety of scales. This article shows the models expected to be launched in April 2021. As usual they mix new mouldings with updated ones.
1:32 Scale
0778 56 Fendt 1046 Vario Tractor chrome
This is a Special Edition of the most powerful model in the Fendt range. This top tractor from Marktoberdorf is turning heads. Chrome exterior panels are part of the design language of the tractor.
1:87 Scale
0183 07 BMW 2002 purple-red 1968-1971
100 bhp styled with Bavarian understatement
0227 13 Mercedes-Benz E-Class S213 Avantgarde diamond white pearl effect
Avantgarde modelled by Wiking with a closed glass roof
0797 30 Volkswagen Transporter T1 Samba bus 1963-1967
With roof lights to shed light inside for a northern German Operator.
WIKING commemoration of the 100 years anniversary of the Sieper company which owns them.
0335 06 Tempo Matador box van “Sea Fish” 1949-1952
High-speed delivery van used to carry fresh fish
0870 67 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U411 1950-1951 “Glück auf !”
The first time that this jack-of-all-trades vehicle has been made in this livery. Glück auf is a traditional miner’s greeting a shortened version of ‘I wish you luck, open a new passage’. It has come to be a a greeting in modern German, especially in the Ruhr.
0844 36 Hanomag K55 crawler tractor with dozer blade – light blue – 1952-1960
Produced in Hannover these tractors worked had to reconstruct and develop post-war West Germany.
0270 58 Mercedes-Benz L406 box van “Westmilch” 1967-1974
Bearing the distinctive Lotti the Cow livery. This Düsseldorf made transporter was used to deliver school milk.
0524 02 Articulated Container truck “Seawheel” with Magirus tractor 1970-1974
The Square hooded tractor unit operating for Seawheel at the docks.
0457 03 Scania 111 drawbar “ASG” 1974-1980
Another classic ASG livery, Sweden´s legendary freight forwarder, for the Wiking range. This one with a modern classic Scania 111 Scania draw bar unit.
0224 05 Renault R4 “Parisienne” 1964-1968
Parisian ‘savoir vivre’ with red ‘wicker’ pattern on the sides.
0797 29 Volkswagen Transporter T1 bus “German Red Cross” 1963-1967
These Volkswagens were the standard ambulance used by many local German Red Cross (DRK) services.
Text and photographs copyright of the Author(s) unless otherwise stated.
In last December’s Wiking releases there were a number of interesting models which were upgraded or re-liveried versions of vehicles that have been in the range before. As I have some of the older models in my collection too I have taken the opportunity to look at old and new together.
In some cases the models come with an interesting background history which I share. All the models shown as made to 1:87 scale.
0036 46 Volkswagen Polo Mk. 1 1975-1979
This small Volkswagen was used for district police and investigation services. Corgi created the model many years before. It is Interesting to make a comparison of the models in scales 1:87 and 1:36 scales.
0153 01 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Cabrio 1967-1971
The big Mercedes-Benz was the dream car of the 1960s, later on it was the “Staff car in red light regions”,. This Wiking miniature has been re-issued several times. At least it has got a new interior, though why it was decided to fit a three-spoked steering wheel, which looks like taken from a commercial vehicle is an open question.
0663 37 Still RX 70-25 fork lift truck
Fork lift trucks have a long tradition in the Wiking model range. The new Still model is fully movable and has authentic functions.
0662 04 Fuchs mobile excavator truck on base of a Magirus chassis 1958-1964#
Mobile excavators were urgently needed in the late 1940s for the rebuilding of German cities. After first makeshift solutions, professionally developed and constructed vehicles were launched. This miniature is one such a solution. The model has excellent detail and is fully movable, the right item for populating building sites on a model railway.
0862 33 Magirus DL 25h turntable ladder 1962-1965
The ladder truck was originally launched in 1968 with a two-piece ladder. In 1983 it was re-issued with a three part ladder moulded in silver. Now it has been issued again with a four part ladder moulded in brown to appear like it has been made wood. Wood ladders have not been seen for many years on fire appliances.
But a key point for collectors is that this new miniature is from new and distinctly more detailed moulds. It also enjoys much better printed details. The hose reel, the lights and the support posts are all much more authentic than on previous models.
0023 04 All Terrain Vehicle
Still such a tiny offroader with so much detail is a masterpiece in mould making and manufacturing. Typical of the high standards that WIKING embraces.
0476 04 Büssing 4500 flatbed lorry 1953-1955
The Büssing 4500 first appeared as a Wiking model in the 1960s. It was later re-issued as a ‘Veteran’. Now it has been re-issued in December 2019 in the livery of the Büssing promotion vehicles.
Another version is as a coal delivery truck as operated in the city of Berlin in the 1950s. An essential part of the urban scene where there were many tenement blocks heated by coal fired stoves.
0260 04 Mercedes-Benz O 319 Panorama bus with trailer 1955-1968
The Panorama bus was launched by Wiking in 1959. It has been re-issued a number of times over the years. Now it has been released in two-tone green, with silver printed mouldings and with curtains lining its tinted windows. UNderneath the baseplate has had minor changes and it has received a new Wiking inscription.
0011 03 Jeep 1952-1968
Producing model Jeeps has a long tradition in the house of Wiking. These have mostly been made in military olive green with four seats. This time the Jeep has been made in the livery of a company building wooden structures and is obviously more than capable of working on their building sites.
This release is moulded in ‘civilian’ green, and has only two seats. It is fitted with a trailer hook, jerry can and a spare wheel is fixed to the right hand body side behind the rear wheel.
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