FUTURE MEMORY | TOYS & MODELS

Scale model of a bus, the Airport Coach , made by  Matchbox . This example is reference 65, included in the "1–75 Superfast" series. It is made in England, between 1977 and 1980. Two-part body: the lower part in metal painted in dark blue and decorated with paper stickers on the sides, with graphics and the inscription "British Airways"; and the upper part in cream-colored plastic. Metal base, unpainted. Windows represented in transparent yellow (amber) tinted plastic. Interior details in cream-colored plastic. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims. No suspension. The nominal scale is 1:98 and the overall length is approximately 3 in. About 1.9 oz. This model represents a fictional bus (or coach), presumably operated on express routes to airports. It's interesting—as a kid, I never liked this Airport Coach. There was something wrong with the proportions. Furthermore, a bus that somehow reminded me of my beloved Scenicruiser (or som...

Scale model of a double-deck bus, the London Bus , made by  Tomica . This example is reference F15, included in the "Tomica Foreign" series. It is made in Japan, introduced in 1977. Metal body painted in red, with paper stickers placed on the sides, showing the advertisement "£ 1/2 million VERNONS" and the identification of the London route "94–Orpington". Red plastic base. Glazing represented in transparent plastic. Interior details in white plastic on the lower floor and transparent plastic on the upper floor. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims (1H). With suspension. The nominal scale is 1:130 and the overall length is approximately 3 in. About 2 oz. This model represents a double-deck bus used in urban services, a Daimler Fleetline , introduced in 1960. Although identified as a London bus, some aspects of its configuration remind me of versions bodied by Metal Sections , intended for the Asian market—but I might be compl...

Scale model of a dump truck, the Mack Dump Truck , made by  Matchbox . This example is reference 28, included in the "Matchbox 1–75" series. It is made in England, in 1968 and 1969. Metal cab-chassis assembly painted orange; metal cargo box, also painted orange. Sub-base in unpainted metal. Cab windows represented in transparent green tinted plastic. No interior details in the cab. Detailed tires in black plastic, combined with yellow plastic rims. No suspension. Tilting cargo box, capable of holding the unloading position. The nominal scale is 1:118 and the overall length is approximately 2.7 in. About 1.8 oz. This model represents a heavy-duty dump truck , used in mining, stone extraction, and construction sites. The cab-chassis assembly is possibly based on that of the  Mack  M-20X truck, introduced in 1960. As a kid, I loved simulating heavy industrial activities in my games. Activities like mining, quarrying, and construction. Unfortunately, adults didn't find much ...

Scale model of a double-deck bus, the Neoplan Bus Skyliner , made by  Tomica . This example is reference T18, included in the "Tomica T-Series" ¹ . It is made in China, in the 1990s. Metal body painted in white, yellow and red, with printed details, including the inscription "SUNNY-TOURS" on the sides. Yellow plastic base. Glazing represented in transparent plastic  Interior details in red plastic on the lower floor and transparent plastic on the upper floor. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims (1H). With suspension. License plate "TM792". The nominal scale is 1:154 and the overall length is approximately 3.1 in. About 1.5 oz. This model represents a double-deck bus used in tourist services, possibly based on a 1979 Neoplan Skyliner N122/3 with Japanese specifications, including right-hand drive and multiple emergency exits. Reducing a bus to a toy model of about 3 inches without compromising its features and presence is a ...