A is for Are you kidding? I'm in the garden!

Bed's on Saturday, boarders yesterday, front and firewood today, weather's too good to faff-about indoors with toy stuff, it's a worrying trend; May weather in February, but I'm going to make the most of it!

Did take some nice pictures over the weekend and managed to get everything off the damaged dongle, but it's mostly been anonymised and mixed-up with out the folders, so still fighting that one, I know it's all there as I got some of them back, complete with folders, but only by fluke!

Anyway may be something here tomorrow, may not be, maybe nothing 'till the weather turns later in the week! Try and get out there while it lasts!

Q is for Question Time - Soviets & Suchlike!

A call for help by Chris Smith today, to which I've added a maybe-clue, maybe red-herring! And we're back in the East for the first one, but I suspect further East, indeed; the Far east for the second?

These are the real question, Chris believes they came from behind the former Iron Curtain, but knows nothing else about them, and I couldn't help beyond the feeling they may be based on kit figures from a Western enterprise like Tamiya?

The first one looks to be based on a late-war German Panzergrenadier with MP44 assault rifle, although given a Russian helmet, the second is not so obvious, in fact he looks like he may have started life as a horse-rider? The third is larger and they are almost three scales!

The discolouration is due to some poor painting which has been removed and they are not kits themselves, being single moulding with integral bases, in a polyethylene/propylene type plastic?

Does anyone know anything about them? Recognise the sculpts? Polish, Czech?

Chris is also looking for help ID'ing these copies of the Airfix WWII Russian infantry, they are scaled-down substantially, but seem to have retained a high degree of detailing compared to the normal run-of-the-mill Hong Kong or Chinatroop shite.

The smooth flat bases are quite distinctive with a gentle ogee-edging and broad coverage of the ground and you can tell there is solidness to them even at this distance! Chris has found a few now, but always and only this pose (so far) and wonders if they accompanied a die-cast vehicle perhaps?

To which (the Airfix pirates) I'm adding this British Paratrooper clone, he seems to be poorer quality than Chris's figures, but there are similarities in the base, and solidness and when Chris first sent me his image I immediately thought of this chap.

I suspect the colour is similar too, but the photographs a very different with Chris using a flood of natural light, and me shooting flash against a pale background.

I don't know about the lable, the stock/product/order code is similar to the tampo-printed stuff we've seen a few times now, both at the top-end from Hasbro and at the bottom end with the similar clones from HTI (or HGL?), but the fact that it seems to have been scissor-cut from a larger sticker is a bit of an alarm-bell?

Although I'm not sure about the MMP branding, I'll stick it in the tags, and anyone clicking on the tag will find this caveat!

Can anyone help Chris, me or the rest of the loyal-readers with some more info/details on any of the above?

T is for Toy Fair 2019 Reports - Amerang - Jada (+?)

I think these are all Jada, but I'm not so sure about the last two shots! The trouble with the Toy Fair is you have several hundred stands to scope-out, several dozen to cover and only limited time and you're making lots of mental notes which might as well be written on the beach as the tide comes in for all the use they are weeks later, or even the next day!

However Amerang are a wholesaler, so whether Jada or not, they are here, in the UK, now'ish and to be looked out for if you fancy them.

Batmobiles, Bat-tanks, Bat-beasts, bat-bollocks! But they all come with a really nice die-cast and plastic 70mm-odd (1:24th scale) figure!

More of the same - in closer!

To cool for Bat School! This will be issued later in the year and it's lovely - look at it; I think it's nicer than the old Corgi one, but; at around 1:18th for this, miles off the 'original' and plenty of room for all the extra detailing.

Some other dude in a spandex body-suit, I wasn't pay any attention to who this chap was, but if you're a fan you'll know instantly, 'Livepond' . . . is he? Beyond him is a Transformers franchise in two sizes, I'm not sure on Jada for these but I think they were all the same section of the Amerang stand? Except . . . the flyer is for Transformers, the vehicles are from a Japanese anime series called Initial D!

Again two sizes; 1:24th and 1:32nd, how can you not like these. They perfectly illustrate how accuracy falls with scale-reduction; note the window bars/roll-cage uprights get larger (in scale) as the vehicle gets smaller - the limitations of die-casting alloys! Sadly the 54mm-compatable one doesn't have figures, well, actually - neither of them do - "Who yer gonna call?"!

The other one I'm not sure was Jada; and can't remember where (culturally) it came from - Halo, or some Vin Diesel thing? Nice-looking little hunter-killer APC, runabout thing anyway, although the road-wheels look a bit girly!

News, Views Etc . . . Forthcoming Events

Well, a week's a long time in politics! The Magnificent seven, all Blairite shysters from the Right of the Left, complaining the socialist party is too socialist! And who have registered their new 'group' as a PLC, rather than a political party so they don't have to reveal their funding for a while, joined by the three Amigo'esses; purportedly from the Left of the Right.

Their claims of their 'old' party getting too fascist for them makes you worry, or it should, as all three of them have consistently voted against welfare reforms or help for the very people Tereasa May-be Maybe-not said she would help in her inaugural speech.

The ten since joined by someone else; a 'Lone Stranger'- no-one's ever heard of! Giving us a new colour in 'the swamp', bigger than the Liberal party, but very grey! There'll probably be some more jumpers today [one more already - he's not talking to the other 11!], or over the weekend, we're four weeks from Brwreakshit Day, with both main parties hollowing-out and factionalised, the DUP being . . . what they've always been; bloody awkward while the Scot's Nat's talk common-sense . . . to the wall!

And everybody hoping for a change to the backstop, that the 27 have said - repeatedly - won't happen!

Buy toys . . . it's as good a time as any to buy toys.

Especially from any European dealers who come over for the day, they may not be here again - after the 29th March? Weighed-in, weighed-out, tax-owed estimated, visas . . . it's gonna' be fun, this 'Brave New World' the snake-oil salesmen sold the 52%.

Lots of stuff this coming week, both fairs and auctions . . . 

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Toy Fairs

Saturday 23rd February 2019

Maidstone - Maidstone Vintage Toy Fair

Lockmedow Market Hall & Leisure Complex, Barker Road (Hart Street entrance), Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8LW

Internet presence unknown

Tel. - 01622 298 159

Mob. - 01732 840 787

09:00 - 15:00hrs

Admission £2.50p

Park & ride, pay and display parking, refreshments

Cirencester - Retro Ronnie (see note and/or Sunday 24th)

Bingham Hall, King Street, Cirencester, Glousecstershire, GL7 1JT

Web - www.retroronnie.com

Mob. I - 07708 385 061

Mob. II - 07900 266 427

10:00-hrs 'till finish

Admission unknown, early bird (from 08:00hrs) price unknown

Refreshments

NOTE - there is a day/date conflict in some coverage of this fair, I suspect it's Saturday 23rd, it usually is a Saturday, but may be Sunday 24th, check details before going)

Taunton - Exmore Toy & Train Fair

Richard Huish Collage, South Road, Tauton, Somerset, TA1 3DZ

Internet presence unknown

Tel. - 01643 706 736 (David)

10:00 - 15:00hrs

Admission £2

Worcester - Tony Oaks Toy Fairs

Perdiswell Leisure Centre, Bilford Road, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR3 8DX

Internet presence unknown

Tel. - 01270 652 773

Mob. - 07825 631 323

10:30 - 14:00hrs

Admission £2, free parking

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Sunday 24th February 2019

Chester-le-Street - Jim Corr Fairs

Lord Lawson Academy, Birtly Lane, Birtly, DH3 2LF

Web. -  https://www.northerntoyfairs.com/clstf_visitors.html (venue)

eMail - jim_corr73@hotmail.co.uk

Mob. - 07504 035 955

10:00 - 15:00hrs

Admission £3, children/senior citizens £2, 'Early Bird' £5

Chipping Norton - Don Davidson - Collectors Toy & Train Fair

Chipping Norton School, Burford Rd, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 5DY

Web. - www.chippytoys.co.uk

Tel. - 01608 641 870

10:30 - 14:00hrs

Cirencester - Retro Ronnie (see note and/or Saturday 23rd)

Bingham Hall, King Street, Cirencester, Glousecstershire, GL7 1JT

Web - www.retroronnie.com

Mob. I - 07708 385 061

Mob. II - 07900 266 427

10:00-hrs 'till finish

Admission unknown, early bird (from 08:00hrs) price unknown

Refreshments

NOTE - there is a day/date conflict in some coverage of this fair, I suspect it's Saturday 23rd, it usually is a Saturday, but may be Sunday 24th, check details before going)

Coventry - Barry Potter / BP Fairs

The Connexion, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Coventry, CV8 3FL

Web. - www.bpfairs.com

Tel. - 01604 846 688

Mob. - 07966 527 177

10:30 - 15:00hrs

Admission £3, seniors £2.50p, children £1, early bird (from 08:00hrs) £6

Free parking

Rayleigh - SRP Toyfairs

Sweyne Park School, Rayleigh, Essex, SS6 9BZ

Web. - www.srptoyfairs1.co.uk

eMail: srptoys1@hotmail.co.uk

Tel. - 07739 998 012 (Paula or Gerry)

10:00 - 14:00hrs

Admission charge unknown

Wimborne - Model Toys & Trains Collector's Fair

Queen Elizabeth's Leisure Centre (Sports Hall), Blandford Road, Wimborne Minster, Dorset, BH21 4DT

Internet presence unknown

Tel. - 01202 590 158

10:15 - 14:30hrs

Admission unknown

Large free car-park

Refeshments

Wirral - Barry Stockton Fairs - Merseyside Hobbies & Model Railway Show

Hulme Hall, Port Sunlight, Wirral, CH62 5DH
Web. - http://barrystocktonfairs.co.uk/
Tel. - 01513 343 362
10:30 - 15:30
Admission - Adult £4.50p, Children £1

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Tuesday 26th February 2019

Garstang - Janet Pearson - Garstang Evening Fair

Kirkland & Catterall Memorial Hall, PR3 0HR

Web-presence unknown

01282 439 009

18:00 - Finnish

Admission fee unknown

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Auctions

Reminder - Today

Chippenham - Wessex Auctions

Wessex Auction Rooms, Westbrook Farm, Draycot Cerne, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 5LH

Web. - www.wessexauctionrooms.co.uk

eMail - enquiries@wessexauctionrooms.co.uk

Tel. - 01249 720 888

Viewing - Too late

10:30 - Finish

On-line catalogue, general toy sale

Stockton-on-Tees - Vectis Auctions

Fleck Way, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 9JZ

Web. - www.vectis.co.uk

eMail - admin@vectis.co.uk

01642 750 616

Railway Auction

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Saturday 23rd February 2019

Cockermouth - Mitchells - Vintage and Antique Toy Sale
Mitchells Antiques & Fine Art, 47 Station Road, Cockermouth, Devon,  CA13 9PZ
Web. - http://www.mitchellsantiques.co.uk
Local Press - Times & Star

Tel. - 01900 827800
Viewing - Friday 22nd February from 3pm to 7pm, and from 8.30am on sale day.

Ludlow - Mullock's Specialist Auctioneers and Valuers

Ludlow Racecourse, Bromfield, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 2BT

Web. - www.mullocksauctions.co.uk

eMail - reception@mullocks.co.uk

01694 771 771

Toys, collectables, Historical items and Native American antiquities

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Tuesday 26th February 2019

Newbury - Special Auction Services (SAS)

81 Greenham Business Park, Newbury, West Berkshire, RG19 6HW

Web: www.specialauctionservices.com

eMail: mail@specialauctionservices.com

Tel: 01635 580595

Fax: 0871 714 6905

Trains and model railway sale

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Wednesday 27th February 2019

Stockton-on-Tees - Vectis Auctions (1st day of a two day auction)

Fleck Way, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 9JZ

Web. - www.vectis.co.uk

eMail - admin@vectis.co.uk

01642 750 616

General toy sale

"The General Toy sale to be held on the 27th of February features over 630 lots, with large groups of Lledo, Matchbox, Corgi, Dinky, Hot Wheels, and Vanguards plus many more including Gift Sets, Cars, Buses, commercials, promotional issues, and aircraft. There is a large selection of Tractors and Farm related vehicles from Britains and others, military related vehicles, Dinky and Corgi car transporters and commercials, Corgi Super Juniors Trucks, and Triang Railways. Other items in the sale include Brooklin and Lansdowne Models, Atlas Editions, plus Matchbox Power track and motorised motorway and Superfast carded issues. The sale also features board games, jigsaws, Lego, annuals, Perspex model cases, shop display cabinets, plastic ride-on toys and a Sinclair ZX Spectrum."

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Thursday 28th February 2019

Sheffield - Shefield Auction Gallery

Windsor Road, Heeley, Sheffield, S8 8UB

Web. - www.sheffieldauctiongallery.com

eMail - jmorgan@sheffieldauctiongallery.com

Tel. - 0114 281 6161

Viewing - Wednesday 27th 09:00 - 16:45, from 08:30 on sale day

14:00 - Finish

Football programs and sporting memorabilia

Stockton-on-Tees - Vectis Auctions (2nd day of a two day auction)

Fleck Way, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 9JZ

Web. - www.vectis.co.uk

eMail - admin@vectis.co.uk

01642 750 616

TV and Movie memorabilia sale

"The TV and Film related sale to be held on the 28th of February features The Iain Gothard Collection, 21 lots of Bubble gum trading cards, vintage TV and film related collectables, games and Lego. Other items in the sale comprise a number of vintage and modern Star Wars lots, including carded figures, boxed vehicles, a large collection of Black Series 6" scale items, Star Wars Unleashed, graded figures, graded model kits, vehicles and accessories, porcelain figures, cookie Jars, annuals, games and much more. There is a nice collection of UK graded Transformers within the sale, plus Dr Who DVDS and figures, Action Man, Gerry Anderson, Laurel and Hardy figures and collectables, Subbuteo, Lego, a large collection of Marvel and DC Comics, Diecast vehicles, retro games and consoles and vintage children's toys and games."

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If you are an event promoter/show curator/auctioneer and you want your toy, model, collectable or popular-/youth-culture type sale/exhibition/event listed here -   FOR FREE  - or linked to; please eMail me -

maverickatlarge[at]hotmail[dot]com

- stating the date/s of the event, address of event, contact details, opening/viewing times, admission pricing and any other relevant facts/details or features - parking, travel notes, disability access, availability of refreshments, event subject matter &etc.

And please mention any flyer-art or poster-/leaflet-scans but send by separate eMail, in case they go to the 'junk' folder, from where they can be recovered and marked safe, but only if I know they're there!

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Only the One Link

Donation

A bit derivative of stuff previously seen here, but she's young and her heart's in the right place, she will go far!

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'How they come in'!

Yesterday (Thursday)'s trawl up the high-street; an Invicta Dino' . . . nice, and it's a third (there didn't seem to be any in storage - I wasn't sure if there were, when I mentioned there may be), a weird sea-horse/dragon cartoon/monster thing, another Hasbro/Parker Simpsons' related Cludo board game, an AAA wolf and a Schleich Meercat family! Bargains!

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Double-plus Good, Citizen Smith?

It would appear that my 'amazing' is more 'amazing' than his "Amazing"! Not that I would normally claim any such idiocy, but it's a game he plays regularly and which I only occasionally lower myself to - were I to make the effort I could probably frag his arse, five-times a week. And because I'm a collector, not a dealer, I don't need to wait 48-hours for the stuff to be sent via Moscow, or from Stuttgart!

A few weeks ago it was only "Semi-amazing" (a bit limp!), in a week or two he'll be reaching a great big cadenza of amazing, and then what? Roll-over and go to sleep? Too funny, the man's too funny.

He literally started a war with me, without an aim, without the wherewithal to conduct it, or win it and without a proper plan beyond a couple of false accusations and a bit of blow-hard-ery!

Those who may not be as fully ensconced upon the fence - as they might be giving the appearance-of to the rest of you loyal readers - are probably best advised to disengage before they are dragged further-in and go down with him, for - in case you haven't noticed - his wing's been on fire for a while now.

In eight years, I haven't seen enough stuff from him; actually his; belonging to him, to fill three shoe-boxes! If he starts showing us stuff he hasn't shown us before; we all benefit - but I don't think he can, and he's clearly struggling to. C'mon TJF; piss, or get-off the pot . . .