Suspending Toy Repair Services

Posted on March 21, 2022 by Tony Howden — No Comments ↓

A belated update to our toy repair services.

We have offered a toy repair service for many years. However, the volume of orders have overwhelmed our toy repair specialists. We are struggling to complete the existing orders and are suspending toy repair services until further notice.

Our spare parts and reproduction box listings are all still available for ordering, just repair services are affected.

We will update the website at a later date, although at this time we do not expect that to be any earlier than June 2022 and probably longer. Please monitor our website for updates.

We do not have any experience with anyone else offering a commercial repair service and cannot recommend another toy repairer for you. There are lots of high quality non-professionals who do their own models for the love of the toys. We are not aware of any that offer a commercial repair service. We suggest you use a locality search for a service close to you or enquire at local hobby shops.

Thankyou for your interest in Antique Toy World and RecoverToy. We will complete your existing toy repair order as time permits and we thank you for your patience.

Matchbox Thunderbird 2 Model Scale

Posted on September 27, 2019 by Tony Howden — No Comments ↓

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.

Thunderbird 4 launches from pod. — 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.

If your Thunderbird 2 is missing its Thunderbird 4, RecoverToy supplies the reproduction version as shown in the photo above. Order a Dinky Toys 101 or 106 Thunderbird 4 Submarine for Thunderbird 2

Corgi Toys James Bond Aston Martin Suspension Unit 261 270

Posted on December 31, 2018 by Tony Howden — No Comments ↓

There are two versions of the Corgi Toys James Bond Aston Martin Suspension Units 261 270 which fit the early Gold 261 and later Silver 270 coloured models.

The 271 Aston Martin is different as a larger approximately 1:36 scale model while the 261 & 270 are closer to 1:43 although none are exactly to scale.

The 261 & 270 share many similarities and some replacment parts,like the driver, ejector seat and retainer. Other parts like the roof hatch, rear shield, and features that were added to the later issue 270 are different. In particular the window unit is completely different between the two models due to casting differences. The suspension units for the models differ slightly and while they could be interchangeable, the 270 suspension was made slightly stronger with wider ‘arms’ for the axle supports and the addition of two small posts that rest against an additional metal frame inside the upper casting.

Another minor change was the post in the front right-hand side of the base-plate was made longer and flared as a rivet retainer in the 270 while the 261 did not pass through the plastic suspension and was just a locating pin. In the images you can see an extra hole on the right side arm of the 270 suspension unit.

Corgi Toys 261 Gold James Bond Aston Martin has machine guns that will spring out from the front of the car. The 270 Silver Aston Martin version had the bumper over-riders also extending out with the machine guns. As a part of this change an extra cast box section was added to the inside front of the casting. The additional suspension support posts rest against this metal frame providing extra suspension support.

Parts for restoring these 1960 and 1970 issue Corgi Toys James Bond Aston Martin models are all available from RecoverToy.