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Around the end of last year I'd come to the conclusion that collecting was taking up too much of my time and finances and it was time to find something new. I duly disposed of nearly all my diecast and proceeded to watch crap telly for a couple of months. Yawn. I still 'lurked' on the forum, and kept all my books, and my half dozen favourite models so it wasn't exactly cold turkey but I increasingly found myself dreaming of shelves full of models, maybe even a box or two!

The silver lining on the cloud of disposal is that I have a much clearer idea of my likes and dislikes, I know which models I missed and which ones I can happily live without. I strengthened my resolve and decided to plunge back in Plunge may be a bit OTT, dipping the toe in is much more appropriate - a strict (ahem) budget of a fiver a week which if unspent was to be put to one side for the odd big purchase. With postage usually working out at least £3 per package that leaves around £2 per model. Not a lot then.

The first week went by very quietly, end result being a fiver carried over. The second week yielded a very nice Cle Citroen van which although it's plastic, I'll show you anyway. Third week brought a Lone Star Roadmasters Austin Artic dropside. I already have one of these, but it's an early example with painted lettering rather than a label so I'm chuffed to have got this one. Then, as usual, the plan went a little awry I stumbled across Smith-Miller by accident about a year ago when I spotted one of their massive GMC Silver Streak artics on ebay. It was well out of my range at the time, but I added Smith-Miller as a saved search and in due course a lone trailer popped up on a 'Buy It Now'. Still out of reach, I kept it on my watch list and at the beginning of my week 4 it was relisted at a much lower price. I couldn't help myself, and maybe one day I'll find an equally cheap tractor unit, but in the meantime I can justify it's purchase by calling it storage - my whole collection will fit inside!

The dangers of the ebay watch list have continued, and I'm currently waiting on another piece of US diecast and a speculative purchase based on a very shaky photograph......... Some things don't change do they?

OK then, welcome back Ewan...!

Nice story and a nice idea for controlling your collecting interests, be interesting to let us know long term how it pans out ahead of you, and knowing you, the plan will stumble a few more times yet...

Oh! and don't worry about the 'Lurking'...you ain't hurting anybody, just keep on collecting Ewan, OK.

Ghosty.

Welcome back Ewen, collecting isn't a hobby, it's a desease lol

Thanks for the welcomes gents
The speculative purchase arrived today, based on this shaky picture and a description which read 'Berliet GAK tanker, Made In France' Try as I may, I couldn't read the writing which looked a little like the 'BP Energol' labels on some CIJ tankers I thought I'd seen. Tank was the wrong shade of green though, and the label didn't look quite right........
I did a bit more detective work after winning it, so was pretty sure I knew what it was before it arrived. Must say, I quite like it! It is indeed a Berliet GAK, made by FJ. Now my lack of French language skills is such that even had I been able to read the label, I would still not have known that it wasn't a fuel tanker, nor is the missing part all that obvious until you see the complete article - clever use of an existing casting I would say - it's also available as a tanker.

Good to have u back Ewan.We kinda missed u..
numi

Good to see you posting again Ewan.

Thanks Numi and Motorman

Last one for now, my second US diecast. It's a Hubley log truck, and they seem to have been another firm making multiple use of the same basic cab as I've seen artic/semi versions of these and a tipper which (unfortunately) looked to have a plastic tip body. This is pretty big (7 inches or so in length) and I do realise it won't be of interest to many here but I was wondering if there is any interest in US diecast in this forum? If so - where is best to post as none of the thread titles seem appropriate?

I am sure no one will object to you creating the thread for 'U.S. brands', it is a good idea, surprised it has not already been done, go for it.

GHOSTHUNTER.