FUTURE MEMORY | TOYS & MODELS

Scale model of a garbage truck, the Refuse Truck , made by  Matchbox . This example is reference 7, included in the "Matchbox" series. It is made in England, between 1967 and 1969. Metal body painted orange. Garbage collection module in gray plastic; rear "lid"  ¹  painted in metallic gray. Metal base, unpainted. Cab windows represented in transparent green tinted plastic. No interior details in the cab. Black plastic wheels. No suspension. The garbage collection module has moving elements that allow for garbage disposal; by pulling up the front part of the module, the "lid" ¹ at the rear rises, allowing the garbage to be discharged by gravity. The nominal scale is 1:95 and the overall length is approximately 3 in. About 1.7 oz. This model represents a garbage truck . In this case, the chassis-cab assembly is based on that of the  Ford D  truck, introduced in 1965. As a kid, I don't remember seeing Ford D garbage trucks —my memory leads me to Mercedes...

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...

Scale model of a dump truck, the Atlas , made by  Matchbox . This example is reference 23, included in the "1–75 Superfast" series. It is made in England, between 1977 and 1980. Metal cab and chassis painted in a purplish-blue color, metal cargo bed painted in orange. Metal base (clear coated?). Cabin windows represented in transparent plastic. Interior details in the cab in beige plastic. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims. No suspension. Tilting cargo bed. The nominal scale seems to be 1:88  ¹  and the overall length is approximately 2.8 in. About 2.2 oz. This model represents a fictional  dump truck  in a futuristic style. I've always liked robust dump trucks, especially the titanic examples associated with mining operations, always loaded to the limits of their capacity. Regarding this fictional Matchbox model, I suspect the original design wouldn't have lasted long in a construction yard, with its large glazed surfaces exposed to ...

Scale model of a truck, the Mercedes Truck , made by Matchbox . This example is reference 1, included in the "1–75" series. It is made in England between 1967 and 1969. Metal cab and cargo bed painted in sea green, orange plastic tarp. Sub-base in "chrome" plastic. Glazing represented in blue tinted transparent plastic. No interior details. Plastic wheels. No suspension. Towing hook, particularly suited to the Mercedes Trailer. The nominal scale is 1:87 and the overall length is approximately 3 in  ¹ . About 1.5 oz. This model represents a truck with tarp, possibly based on the 1964 Mercedes-Benz LP 1620 , with a gross weight of 16 t (35274 lb) and equipped with the 10810 cm³, 154 kW (210 hp) Mercedes-Benz OM 346 engine.  I always had a soft spot for this Mercedes Truck, made by Matchbox, based in Hackney, England – it always felt so real. Plus, it could tow a trailer, which made tight maneuvers in the cargo yard a little tricky – and a challenge. At one point I mad...