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NEC 11/9/13

I hadn't been to the NEC for a while and so, for me at least, there was new stock to inspect.
I was lucky to find a dealer with a brand new collection of first series 1 -75s. Nothing spectacularly rare, but I was pleased to find an example of the 48a trailer without the strengthening webs - the first one I've ever seen! Other finds were an as-good-as-mint 32c Tanker with white grill and a very respectable SF 33c in yellow. (The latter is available for trade against a similarly playworn transitional.)
One notable absence was TuT, his space having been taken over by two other dealers. I'm not sure Les Duplock (Model Road & Rail) was there either.
I think there was one fewer aisle than previously since my walking pattern brought me out at the opposite end of the final row. I've noticed this previously at Donington, and certainly a couple of dealers I spoke to had deliberately gone for smaller tables in order to keep costs down.
I also bumped into a very tanned Pete (whom I think was probably taking a short holiday in the UK before jetting off again ). He said that he'd signed up for this new Forum but, having registered, was now having problems logging on.

Two things I forgot:
- I started looking for the small GPW 29a Milk Float. There must have been at least eight 29a there but, to my surprise, only one was GPW. Is this a normal ratio? Is GPW so much scarcer than MW on this model?
= We have previously looked at the pale blue/metallic green 29b Austin Cambridge. Well, I same a pale blue example today, but it had a recent scuff to the body revealing......light green paint. I therefore think we can lay this one to rest and say that the blue colour is the result of some kind of fading process.

Hi Hugh.
I would agree the 29a with gpw is much harder to find than the gmw. although it is not rare as there are so many 29a still around.
Re the 29b Austin Cambridge with blue roof, Idris, You saw the one that I found at the NEC, even Graham (rockertron) agreed it looked like it was genuine and so did the 3 matchbox collectors that happened to be at grahams stall that looked at it, I thought it was real too, Biggles too (where has he gone?) I examined the inside of the sills with a loup and there were telltale signs of overspray,................. in green.
Sunfade, or maybe sunbleach in extreme cases like this.

[iOswestry 19/10/13][/i]

What a waste of time! Very little Matchbox, and the sensibly priced stuff I'd already seen at Llangollen. I almost came away emply handed (which would have been a first for me at a toyfair) but, right at the end, I spotted an amber-windowed 71c with textured bed (but no hook) for £1.
Having said that, there was one trader with what looked like an impressive stock of later Dinky, but I have no idea how he was pricewise.
For the rest, there was an awful lot of railway models and accessories, much of it brand new, plus books and DVDs.

HUNTINGDON TOY FAIR will be taking place at the International Indoor Arena, Kings Bush Centre, Wood Green Animal Shelters, London Rd, Godmanchester, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE29 2NH.

Sunday, the 27th October.

300 tables, sit down refreshments inside, or if it's fine, a snack kiosk is outside with seating and tables.

Plenty of parking and bring the kids, because the Animal shelter section of the centre is usually open, so if you don't get any "Matchbox" get a new Puppy !

I should be going myself and will be wearing my old VBD sticky label, I wore at the Windsor toy fair.

See you there,
GHOSTHUNTER.

On the same day is the 'Scotmodel' toyfair in Falkirk in Scotland, Scotlands biggest show of the year.
I will be there, I'm in Scotland already, I came up last night, Hoping to meet up with Alex (motorman) at the show. more later...

nickjones wrote:On the same day is the 'Scotmodel' toyfair in Falkirk in Scotland, Scotlands biggest show of the year.
I will be there, I'm in Scotland already, I came up last night, Hoping to meet up with Alex (motorman) at the show. more later...

Hi Nick, while your up there, just check motorman's fingers...

Cheers,
Ghosty.

nickjones wrote:On the same day is the 'Scotmodel' toyfair in Falkirk in Scotland, Scotlands biggest show of the year.
I will be there, I'm in Scotland already, I came up last night, Hoping to meet up with Alex (motorman) at the show. more later...

Nick you are 2 weeks early!

Scotmodel is not on until Nov 3!!!! Hope to see you there.

Bugger!

The big NEC toy fair is shedulled for Friday the 27th of December, 2013.

600 stalls in hall 18, free parking, stunning views of the exhibition centre.

10.30 AM - 15.30 PM.

£6 public entry fee.

Everything under the sun and probably some stuff from the dark side of the moon...

Ghosty.