Yesteryear Y-43 1905 Busch Fire Engine

Matchbox Models of Yesteryear Y-43 1905 Busch Fire Engine

The Y43-1 1905 Busch self propelled Fire Engine joined the range in 1991 in the green livery of a vehicle that is on display in the Swiss fire brigade museum in Basel, The model was released as a Special Edition, It came packed in a special box and the baseplate is marked made in China. The Busch is generally accepted to be one of the most accurate and detailed models ever produced by Lesney, With a minimal amount of plastic used and the wheels being inticate diecast metal castings helped no end to make this the success it has been.
The model was not replaced or deleted and there were no further issues of the Y-43 released although the casting has been reissued in the Yesteryear Collectibles range.

Above: The Busch had a dark green frame or body and red diecast wheels with black plastic tyres fitted on push fit axles. In the center of the body is the boiler which is painted a strange metallic blue which I don't think is very authentic looking, I'm not going to try to decribe every piece as it's such a complex model, I can count at least 35 seperate parts and I'm sure I missed a few so I'll let the pictures do the talking, The rare pre production version had copper plating to the boiler collars and pipework but the regular issue had brass plated collars and pipes.

Above: Lesney certainly paid attention to detail when they made this one. The figures are very well done too.

Above: Is the guy standing on the back tending to the boiler the "fireman fireman"?.