I have a question about this Thames Airborne camper. The green windows appear to be extremely unusual since I was unable to google any other example. Especially since the window piece should probably be clear all over and not both clear and green. I was wondering if that is a known variation or how common customs are in the Corgi world. I'm predominantly a Lesney/Matchbox collector but this caught my eye. Any help would be useful.
Hello Kiwi78. I have not seen an example like yours, it is very unusual if original and by the look of the base rivets I would say it is.
Corgi Airbourne Camper.jpg (54.92 KiB) Viewed 984 times
The glazing unit in this model is designed as a single moulding, so I don't know why yours looks like Two mouldings! I don't know this model's 'Time-Line' so can not tie it to a specific period, but well done on securing this for your collection and thank's for showing it on the forum.
Thanks Ghosthunter. I hope to have it in hand by Tuesday or Wednesday. Does your eagle eye spot a shadow of green paint at the top edge of the windscreen and it could be a very clean paint job from the outside? I don't know why anyone would do that and I'm just guessing at the moment. That light shadow I seem to see there is about the only clue I have so far. Clutching at straws.
Well, Clutching at Straws is about the best we can do for the moment. It is feasible a previous owner has painted the front glazing unit and managed to do it without any or very little overspill.
Why someone would do this is odd, unless it was to represent a real vehicle which has had tinted windows fitted, but then you would paint other details like the registration plates and detail the lamps etc.
"Does your eagle eye spot a shadow of green paint at the top edge of the windscreen"...well, sort of. I can see a hint of Green on the top edge of the roof directly above the top of the screen, but this could just be anomalies of electronic photography playing with our vision, best wait for it to arrive in your hand and do let us see some more pictures when you have it.
My best guess is that a previous owner was bored one day and had a green felt-tip pen. If so they did a very neat job. It will be interesting to see your findings when the item arrives.
I have a bad feeling about that hint of green just above the windscreen, but we shall see. Fingers crossed for you.
If the glazing has been coloured by a previous owner, then I would be surprised if it had been done with a felt-tip pen. My experience of using them on any shiny, non-absorbent surface is that it is well nigh impossible to get an even coating. You always end up with streaking.
Well...the "shadow" was not green paint. Why? Because the windows weren't painted. Someone cut green sort of foil to exact size and stuck them on the windows from the outside. Mystery solved. So I just peeled those green sticky bits off and it's a regular clear window version.
Kiwi78 wrote:Well...the "shadow" was not green paint. Why? Because the windows weren't painted. Someone cut green sort of foil to exact size and stuck them on the windows from the outside. Mystery solved. So I just peeled those green sticky bits off and it's a regular clear window version.
That's the best of all possible outcomes. I knew that the windows didn't come green from the factory and the intact rivets suggested that it had not been opened and modified. I was certain the shadow was green transparent paint and marveled at the skill required to leave only that one spot marred. I also thought it looked ridiculous with only the front green and would not have wanted to own it in that condition. It looks to be in very nice shape with the proper amount of playwear and you didn't have to drill out the rivets to solve the mystery.
What will you do with it next? Repaint? Customize? Scavenge for parts? Place it gently on the shelf and admire?
