FUTURE MEMORY | TOYS & MODELS

Scale model of a double-deck bus, the Leyland Titan , made by Matchbox . This example is reference 17, included in the "1–75 Superfast" series. It is made in China, between 1988 and 1990. Metal body painted in red, with paper stickers placed on the sides, showing the advertisement "AROUND LONDON TOUR-BUS". Black plastic base. Model without "glazing". Interior details in white plastic. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims. No suspension. The nominal scale is 1:124 and the overall length is approximately 3.1 in. About 2 oz. This model represents a double-deck bus used in urban services, the Leyland Titan (B15), introduced in 1977. Primarily operated by London Transport, the  Leyland Titan (B15) ¹ was 31.4 ft long and could accommodate up to 93 passengers, 73 seated and 20 standing. It featured air suspension and was fitted with either 177 bhp (132 kW) Gardner 6LXB or 170 bhp (127 kW) Leyland TL11 "L6" diesel  engine...

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 garbage truck, the Refuse Truck , made by  Matchbox . This example is reference 36, included in the "1–75 Superfast" series. It is made in England, in 1981. Metal body painted in dark metallic red, garbage collection module in yellow plastic. Metal base, painted in aluminum. Cab windows represented in transparent orange tinted plastic. No interior details in the cab. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims. No suspension. The garbage collection module features moving elements that allow for "automatic" garbage disposal, activated by sliding side flaps. License plate "GSK 77T". The nominal scale is 1:86 and the overall length is approximately 3 in. About 1.8 oz. This model represents a garbage truck equipped with the Heil Colectomatic system, which could be mounted on chassis from various manufacturers. In this case, the chassis-cab assembly appears to be based on that of the 1975  Berliet GR  260 or 280 truck.  ...

Scale model of a radar truck, the Badger , made by Matchbox . This example is reference 16, included in the "1–75 Superfast" series. It is made in England, between 1973 and 1980. Metal body painted metallic bronze; cream-colored plastic radar. Metal base, unpainted; gray plastic sub-base. Windows represented in transparent green tinted plastic. No interior details. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims. No suspension. Thanks to the "Rola-matics" system ¹ , the vehicle's forward or backward movement transmits a circular motion to the radar. The nominal scale seems to be 1:75 ²  and the overall length is approximately 2.7 in. About 2.3 oz. This model presumably represents a fictional radar truck, or target acquisition vehicle, associated with anti-aircraft defense systems.  I've always liked this Badger, a radar truck—with a striking metallic bronze paint job! Sometimes I created adventures for it in a terrestrial military contex...

Scale model of a tank truck, the Freeway Gas Tanker "Burmah" , made by Matchbox . This example is reference 63, included in the "1–75 Superfast" series. It is made in England, between 1973 and 1978. Tractor with a metal body painted red; base and sub-base in black plastic. Cab windows represented in transparent purple tinted plastic. Cab with no interior details. Trailer with a white painted metal top, combined with a red plastic bottom, black plastic base. "Burmah" stickers on the sides of the tank. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims. Typically, all versions of the Freeway Gas Tanker came with "Maltese Cross" wheels on the tractor and "5-Spoke Square" wheels on the trailer. No suspension. The tractor has a small round spike that fits into the base of the trailer. License plate "DWC 447L". The nominal scale seems to be 1:90 ¹  and the overall length is approximately 3.1 in. About 1.7 oz. This mo...