Model Collector – August 2019

august 2019 | http://www.modelcollector.com 77

Model Collector, MyTimeMedia Ltd, Eden House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6HF email: [email protected]

Paddingtons' closure

In Model Collector July 2016, I wrote a feature on what

could only be described as a treasure trove of classic

models. Paddingtons in Ventnor, on the Isle of Wight,

stocked Dinky Toys, Corgi Toys, Spot-Ons, Matchbox

and so lots more. In fact, there were numerous models,

decades old, still in

their original boxes

on the shelves.

So, I am saddened

to report that

Paddingtons has

now ceased

trading and looks

to be closed for

good. I understand

from a source on

the island that this

is is due to the ill health of proprietor Harry Rees and

his good lady wife, Shirley. The shop also had a break in,

with much stock stolen. What remains will apparently

be offered for sale at auction. Although my visits there

were infrequent, the welcome was always warm and

the stock surprising. Harry told me some time ago that

he was considering the long term future, but it is still

disappointing that the shop has had to close down. The

attached picture, taken on one of my visits, shows the

door ajar. This was in happier times. Through the pages

of Model Collector, and on behalf of readers and those

who did pay Harry and Shirley a visit, I would like to

offer heartfelt thanks and wish them a speedy recovery.

It was always a pleasure doing business with them.

M IC K H AV E N

EMAIL

Thanks for the update, Mick – although that really

is sad news. Ed.

Route 62 for me

Following Model Collector magazine’s suggestion that Bachmann

(parent company of EFE) would welcome thoughts about routes,

destinations and fleet numbers for EFE’s forthcoming 1:76 scale

Craven-bodied RT bus, I’d love to see one portrayed as it operated

during the 1950s/60s on Central Area’s route 63, in the all-red

livery with the cream band dividing upper and lower decks.

I have lasting memories of RTs on this route, having used

it many times to travel to and from school and then later on

my commute to work in central London, and I know from

my reference books on LT buses that at least one Cravens RT

was run on this route and in this format

I don’t recall this route having been represented by any other

contemporary model bus manufacturers in 1:24, 1:50 or 1:76

scales (eg SunStar, Corgi, or EFE) before, so I believe it would

add variety for established collectors. Also, by being a long

route, running as far north as Parliament Hill Fields,

right through Central London and then over a long section in

south London as far as Crystal Palace, it will have been seen

and used by numerous travellers at various points along the

way and thus might stir many nostalgic memories, giving it

broad cross-section appeal.

There were a number of other routes on which Craven RTs

operated, as I have discovered from my collection of books

on LT buses. Examples can be seen in both Central and

Country Area liveries, in both main styles used in the

late 1940s to the late 1960s.

I have, of course, also submitted my suggestions to

Bachmann, as suggested.

KEITH ASHFORD

EMAIL

Thanks, Keith. As you point out, a long old route like that

would give the model plenty of appeal to those who live/lived

both north and south of the River. Ed.

Sadly, now closed: the treasure trove that was

Paddingtons, in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight.

Reading Stradavarious Part 1 brought to mind

the 1:25 Polistil Ritmos 1 and 2 that Russell

Wilcox once had in his own collection.

Interestingly, Russell has come across two examples of Hot Wheels’ Fiat Abarth that feature

metal rather than the plastic baseplates described in John Harrison’s feature. Russell has

always felt the oversized rear lights (demonstrated by this battered example from his son’s

toybox) make the back of the model look like a Fiat 127 GT.

Stradavarious indeed

I have just read Part 1 of the

Stradavarious series of articles

(MC June 2019). Although not

very clear, being photos of old

photos, I have attached a couple

of pictures of the Polistil 1:25

Ritmos 1 and 2 that I owned

several years ago.

Also, while reading about the

Hot Wheels’ Abarth, I was

certain that the one I had back in the

‘80s had a metal baseplate and not

plastic as described. Remembering that

my son Lewis had one, we checked it

and it, too, is metal. The images I’ve

sent you show the paint loss on the

bumpers and the base. It’s not bad for a

toy, but I always thought the oversized

rear lights made the rear view

look like a Fiat 127 GT. I thought

perhaps John Harrison might be

interested in this variation.

RUSSELL WILCOX

EMAIL