The First Step


When, after decades of collecting toys and models and memorabilia, we decide to share some of the objects online, we all face the same dilemma – where do we start this journey? With some rare and valuable toys? With unique and priceless models that we proudly made from scratch? Or with surprisingly realistic scenes in our layouts?

In my childhood, I have the privilege of playing with model trains and slot cars and exquisite tinplate toys. But, in fact, I only play with them at the weekend and under my dad's supervision. My everyday toys are mainly small metal cars and plastic figurines. Why not start this journey there?

In my childhood, most of my small metal cars are from Matchbox, Corgi, or Majorette, in scales around 1:64. Brought in from abroad, some Norev, Schuco, Siku, or Hot Wheels. Later, some Efsi, Mira, Guisval, Yatming, or Zylmex arrive at my garage. My first purchase is a charming Tomica in the seventies – which I keep to this day.

At that time, I don't like models in larger scales, such as 1:43 or 1:36. Still, I have some from Märklin, Tekno, Dinky Toys, Corgi Toys, Matchbox, Solido, or Eligor. Portuguese-made MetOsul and Luso Toys are also present, as well as, in even larger scales, a variety of colorful models from Pê-Pê, some with friction motors.

Most of the plastic figurines are either cowboys and indians or medieval knights and soldiers made by Timpo and Britains in scales around 1:32. These plastic figurines do not go well with the small metal cars and are kept in a context of their own, normally involving the taking of a fort or a castle. My forts and castles are made at home from cardboard and wood.

Other plastic figurines are gifts from various products, such as ice cream, breakfast cereals, or detergents and come in collections with themes as diverse as TV series, hippy culture, wildlife, or space exploration. In a collection of astronauts and aliens we can obtain the space station, a curious donut-shaped plastic artifact, to accommodate the figurines.

At some point, I discover another type of plastic figurines, soldiers from Matchbox and Airfix at a scale of 1:76, and in less than two weeks, two friends and I mobilize large detachments of military forces, including numerous properly painted and detailed land and air vehicles – love those helicopters. Shortly after, the war begins in a garden close to home.

Things start to go wrong when a gardener complains about our intricate trench work – something to do with roots and water and dying plants – and then definitely goes wrong when I adopt live ammunition based on carnival explosive devices. Mothers rush to the scene, fingers are pointed, and the war ends right there. Everyone home!

So, let’s start this journey with some small metal cars and plastic figurines. Some of these toys and models were made a long time ago, others not at all. A couple of pictures and a brief description, a comment. I will be happy if here and there it makes you smile.

It’s a long journey, anyway. ●


Versão portuguesa, aqui

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rajá – Colecção Espacial

Image
Miniatures of human and alien figures constituting the series " Colecção Espacial ". This series of 16 miniatures appears in 1970 associated with the Rajá ice cream brand, which offers a figurine on each ice cream purchased. Monochrome plastic, various colors. Although the figurines themselves do not have movable or removable parts, two of them, offered separately, can be fitted together – the Capitão Roskoff and his Disco Volante. The height of the figurines varies between approximately 0.9 and 1.4 in. About 0.1 to 0.2 oz. These miniatures depict a group of astronauts, aliens and a smiling robot. A small flying vehicle used by one of the astronauts is also included. Two characters of the series are also available in larger sized figures. These figures are hollow, made in plastic (" ultratene ", ultrathene) and with painted details. Kids need to find an ice cream stick showing the word " Brinde " (gift or premium) and then trade it at the vendor for one of
Read more

Efsi – T-Ford 1919 Panel Van

Image
Scale model of a panel van, the T-Ford 1919 , made by Efsi   ¹ . This example is reference 04, included in the "Old Timers" series. It is made in Holland, possibly in the early 1980s. Metal body painted in brown, including brown fenders and running boards. Silver metal base. No windshield, windows without glazing. Interior details in white plastic. Plastic tires reproducing the shoulder blocks, rims in yellow. No suspension. The nominal scale is 1:62 and the overall length is approximately 2.3 in. About 1.6 oz. This model represents a panel van derived from the 1919  Ford Model T . It is made by Efsi in several versions. It is also used as the basis for the ambulance and fire engine versions. As a note of interest, in 1980, Pilen in Spain adds this model to its catalog as the Furgoneta, reference 604, part of the "Old Car" series. This series comprises eight references based on the five castings from the original Efsi series, namely the pickup truck, the tank tru
Read more

Thank You 2023

Image
Obstacles In editorial terms, 2023 was a year without surprises for the " FUTURE MEMORY | TRANSPORTATION " and " FUTURE MEMORY | TOYS & MODELS " websites. But it is increasingly clear that one life is not enough to share my entire photographic collection. Even so, I have a clear conscience that over the last few years I have tried to share as much as possible – despite almost permanent obstacles, especially on the " FM | T ". What requires more time is the research and necessary data verification, sometimes inexplicably made difficult by the sources themselves. As an example, this year I asked Carris and CaetanoBus to help me clarify two questions posed by readers – and I was shocked by the rudeness of their reactions towards me. Something I won't forget. Since 2006, I have tried to show readers around the world the positive evolution of the transportation sector in Portugal – contributing to its proper knowledge and appreciation. There are obstacl
Read more