Thanks to all our customers who have asked about RecoverToy and the Coronavirus (aka COVID-19 or 2019-nCoV). We are all ok and currently healthy.
For our on-line orders, we are still trading, until instructed otherwise, and as long as the post office is open we will be posting orders on a daily basis.
All our planned markets and swap-meets have been postponed indefinitely and we are only taking on-line or phone orders. No personal collections are being processed.
We hope that all our customers remain safe and healthy through this troubling period. Look after yourself and each other.
Comparison of Matchbox and Dinky Toys versions of Thunderbird 2 Pod
Issued in the 1990’s the Matchbox Thunderbird 2 model scale is larger than the 1960s’ issue Dinky Toys model, and includes an out of scale Thunderbird 4 submarine.
In this side-by-side comparison, the left-hand pod and Thunderbird 4 are from the 1990 Matchbox model while the right-hand side is the Dinky Toys model 101 pod.
The Matchbox Thunderbird 4 is large and fills the entire pod door-way with the exhausts just fitting in the width and the tail fin scraping the top of the pod door frame.
The Dinky Toys model shows similar characteristics even though the pod and Thunderbird 4 are a smaller scale.
Measuring the difference between Matchbox and Dinky Toys Thunderbird 4 versions.
Overall the measurements show that the Matchbox Thunderbird 4 is almost 50% larger than the Dinky Toys version. The Matchbox model being around 44mm compared to the Dinky Toys one at around 30mm.
Looking back at the television episodes, the width of the rails that extend from pod 4 to launch Thunderbird 4 into the water, are probably only half the width of the pod door.
Still shot from 1965 television episode of Thunderbirds.
This still-shot from an episode shows Thunderbird 4 is dwarfed by the pod as it runs down the rails.
With that in mind I swapped the Dinky Toys reproduction Thunderbird 4 with the Matchbox version in the larger pod and the scale looks a whole lot better. Ok, so why are they out of proportion? I’d take a guess that Matchbox looked at the size of their Thunderbird 2 and simply created a fit-to-container version of Thunderbird 4. It might also relate to the audience and making it too small might be a choking hazard for the young children in the target market.
Dinky Toys Thunderbird 4 with Matchbox Thunderbird 2 Pod
From a display perspective and as an adult not prone to trying to swallow my Thunderbird models, I think the smaller Dinky Toys version suits the Matchbox model much better, even though it is probably still too big.
Matchbox Lesney 73c Mercury Commuter Station Wagon F Style Box
We were recently asked for a Matchbox Mercury Commuter 73 Repro Box and in the process of doing so we confirmed three variations of the box for this model.
This is one of the true transitional models that appeared with both the early regular wheels and the later Superfast wheels.
At the time of the first issue Regular Wheels model the boxes were done in the F style, circa 1967. As the first Supefrfast models were being rushed to market the box design was quickly changed to feature Superfast on the off-sides and as a logo on the front of what was basically the regular wheel F style box.
In the case of the Mercury Commuter Station Wagon the same picture of the model was simply modified to have the mag look Superfast wheels for a second box variation which we designate as F-SF2 style.
Subsequently when the first new design for Superfast models, the G style box series, was issued a third style for this model was released.
RecoverToy now has all three Mercury Commuter Wagon box variations available as reproductions:
We have added a Toy Events Calendar for all toy related swap meets, fairs, club meetings, or other events where old toys might be on show or for sale or swap.
We will add any events that RecoverToy will attend, hopefully well in advance of the date!
If you have an event or regular meeting that you would like to make known to the toy collecting community please send the details via our Contact page.
RecoverToy has a large range of reproduction boxes and hundreds more that we can make. If you cannot find the box you want please send a request from our Contact page.
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