Lesney Matchbox time is here again. Today we examine Lesney Matchbox 30b, the Magirus Deutz German Crane. This model entered the range in 1961, remaining until 1965, and takes us back to something typical:
That being another commercial/industrial vehicle. Matchbox top brass apparently liked this type of vehicle, and they were prevalent in the range from the 50s-70s, more than today I think. This particular casting is a nice piece - so much fine line casting detail, really as much of a small scale model as a toy, not a small feat for a pocket money item launched well over 60 years ago. I suspect this one was meant to appeal as much to model railroaders as diecast enthusiasts, as scale might be in the 1:80-1:90 range, around HO scale. From all angles, one can imagine this hard working machine moving heavy items around the jobsite:
Front and rear have plentiful detail, with the detailed grille and Magirus-Deutz being a nice touch, and the crane hook adds play value:
The crane (I've always found it interesting this is called a "German crane" - other cranes must be different) rotates on its platform, providing realism and opportunities for imagination:
The underside contains model and maker identifying data, and this view shows the silver plastic wheels and dual rear axles:
This model is lucky enough to live its original Type C box, this with these wheels indicating production in 1961-62:
I'm happy to have this model in my collection, the detail is exceptional and the silver paint works with the silver wheels. Pictured with an old dime for scale:
Images of similar 1:1 cabs (good luck finding a period crane) from Wikimedia and deviantart:
Wow, that's a beauty! Love the silver on silver with the contrasting orange
Nice ! It continues to fascinate me how much detail MB included on the castings, through measurment only. No 3D scans.