1/43 TEKNO (KIRK) Mercedes Benz 280 SL

[karl]

I just got a Black Box version of this car - after Kirk took them back in-house after their contract with Tekno expired. So this one is marked Kirk on the baseplate and the box is marked Model Products. Still made in Denmark in the same factory as the ones marked Tekno.


Came with the instructions for taking it apart so I had to get it, from Canada...


I think a mouse may have gotten to the box!

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Hello Karl, very nice example and yes, shame about the box. I also noticed the play on the design of the logo for 'MODEL PRODUCTS' it is virtually the same as the 'MPC' logo, but without the little 'MPC' in the left side box. I suppose this is not that surprising really because 'MPC' marketed kit versions of Tekno models and just used their own default logo they used on their plastic construction kits.

Do you know who was supplying these to the German 'WALCO' company, 'TEKNO' or 'KIRK', your thoughts please.

GHOSTHUNTER.

[SMS88]

Very nice - is that a rare black or common dark grey baseplate ?
This casting can suffer from metal fatigue with the sills curving away from the baseplate opening up a gap between door handle and rear wing so it never hurts to be gentle with these survivors and not take them apart even with instructions!

[karl]

Ghost - here is an example:


I think Kirk must have had a marketing agreement to sell the MPC kits in the US (the market being used to un-assembled kits) and sell the black box Model Products in Europe?

Walco is another issue - both Tekno and Kirk have been found in their boxes but it has been so long ago that who knows what got replaced over time. Did Walco have an agreement with Kirk (Langes), Tekno, or after they were out of business? I am still wondering?

[karl]

SMS - thanks for the ADVICE. I WILL NOT Take apart as it is slightly warped already...

It has the regular grey baseplate. I never thought about it before, but the hole must be for the red button to hold it to the box insert. So all baseplates with holes were sold in this style box?

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Thank you Karl for the additional information.

GHOSTHUNTER.

[SMS88]

SMS - thanks for the ADVICE. I WILL NOT Take apart as it is slightly warped already...

It has the regular grey baseplate. I never thought about it before, but the hole must be for the red button to hold it to the box insert. So all baseplates with holes were sold in this style box?

No because they also used blisterpacks and had a significant unsold stock of red & white boxes left at the factory (even after production ended in Denmark ) at this time - but it is safe to conclude that all baseplates with the red button hole cast were made after this black box style with red button fixing had been designed

[karl]

No because they also used blisterpacks and had a significant unsold stock of red & white boxes left at the factory (even after production ended in Denmark ) at this time - but it is safe to conclude that all baseplates with the red button hole cast were made after this black box style with red button fixing had been designed

Good point! Tak!