Question about Matchbox kits

rickshaw · June 14, 2010, 06:38:42 AM

There was a thread about Matchbox kits but I can't find it. My question is, when did they stop making them? Moreover does anybody have any idea how many they made?

proditor · June 14, 2010, 07:04:06 AM

"A lot" is a lousy answer, but it sort of fits. It looks like they stopped making new stuff in the mid-early 80's, and just reissued from that point on. The link below is for a really nice picture site of their kits/box covers.

http://www.matchboxkits.org/index.php?cPath=27_34

The Wooksta! · June 14, 2010, 07:17:37 AM

Lesney stopped making kits in the 80s and the moulds were bought by Revell. They were also licenced to use the Matchbox name until about ten years ago. They still have the toolings and these are slowly being rereleased. But not the ones I want!

Mossie · June 14, 2010, 07:20:37 AM

The guys beat me to it! Going by the guide on the side, there were 320 kits. 24 were re-boxes when Lesney bought AMT, so that makes a total of 296, if the list is accurate. There's a 'contact us' link on the left so you might be able to get more concrete info there.

As well as using the Matchbox name for re-releases, I think Revell produced a few of their own that they put under the Matchbox brand? Not sure if this correct & wether you'd want to include these.

rickshaw · June 14, 2010, 07:29:55 AM

Thing is that I keep seeing different boxing for familiar Matchbox kits on evilbay. It made me wonder when they stopped making them and whether or not they might have issued different boxs and artwork into different markets. Loads of old Matchbox kits on evilbay BTW, if you're looking for the one they haven't reissued yet. I'm amazed at the numbers which keep surfacing. Sure somebody in China doesn't have the moulds?

upnorth · June 14, 2010, 07:36:41 AM

Quote from: The Wooksta! on June 14, 2010, 07:17:37 AM
They still have the toolings and these are slowly being rereleased. But not the ones I ant!

Yes, I'm still waiting for a few of my faves to come back (It took them long enough to bring the T-2 Buckeye back around). I really would like to see the Vickers Wellesly and Provost trainer make a comeback myself

The Wooksta! · June 14, 2010, 07:40:53 AM

Tempest II and Mosquito B.IX for me, although I'd quite like the Piston Provost too as that was always a lovely kit to build.

proditor · June 14, 2010, 07:58:15 AM

I've been lucky, most of mine are out. The main ones for me were the Privateer, and the Victor (Which I got as a M-box kit from e-bay anyway).

Weaver · June 14, 2010, 08:42:17 AM

I think there is/was some outfit in China or Hongkong producing new Matchbox-branded kits, isn't there?

thedarkmaster · June 14, 2010, 08:44:08 AM

I believe Weaver is correct, you can get brand new kis from somewhere in Hong Kong via eBay.

upnorth · June 14, 2010, 09:01:18 AM

Quote from: The Wooksta! on June 14, 2010, 07:40:53 AM
Tempest II and Mosquito B.IX for me, although I'd quite like the Piston Provost too as that was always a lovely kit to build.

Yes, I totally forgot about the Tempest II. It would be nice to have it back in circuation despite the basic nature of it sas the Special Hobby one is a bear to get together.

Did Matchbox ever have a Saab Sk-60/105 trainer in the range? I seem to have a hazy memory of one years before the Marivox kit came out. For some reason Matchbox comes to mind, but I'm not sure.

nev · June 14, 2010, 09:45:18 AM

How many did they make? There was a thread on BM a few years back with several kits that sold over a million units.

NARSES2 · June 14, 2010, 10:49:37 AM

Quote from: thedarkmaster on June 14, 2010, 08:44:08 AM

I believe Weaver is correct, you can get brand new kis from somewhere in Hong Kong via eBay.

There is indeed...I've bought a couple from Hong Kong and they even come with a small tube of glue and a piece of paper in Chinese. No idea what it says

proditor · June 14, 2010, 10:51:30 AM

I got a couple of armor kits like that as well. Same little tube of glue and everything. Ah well, the plastic seems fine, it comes in varied colors, and the vinyl treads bend nicely, so I hope they keep churning them out.

kitbasher · June 14, 2010, 11:37:15 AM

Now that the Fury is out again, and Revell have re-popped the Heyford, for me the two that are ripe for re-release are the Tempest II/VI and Wellesley - both are lovely kits and make into really nice models. For me the Tempest is the best out there, followed by the Heller Tempest V. And contrary to earlier posts I found my piston Provost a right dog for some reason. All down to taste, experience and approach I guess.

Just like many FROG kits, Matchbox shouldn't be underestimated.