User:Cebs57/sandbox/Tri-ang Minic Ships - Sandbox

Tri-ang Minic Ships (trademark) is the brand name for a range of 1:1200 scale die-cast waterline ship and harbour accessory models that was introduced by Lines Bros. Ltd. in 1959 and is now owned by Tri-ang Minic Ships Ltd. The original "First Series" was an extensive range produced in England by Minic Limited, a subsidiary of Lines Bros. Ltd., from 1959 to 1965. The brand name came from a combination of Lines Bros Ltd's famous "Tri-ang" trademark and Minic Limited's "MINIC" trademark.

The "Second Series", which consisted of a limited selection of the original ship and harbour accessory models complemented by four new models of "famous battleships", was produced in Hong Kong on behalf of Rovex Ltd, a subsidiary of Dunbee-Combex-Marx Ltd (DCM), in the late-1970's and marketed under the "MINIC SHIPS by Hornby" name.

The current "Third Series", which consists of modern Royal Navy, US Navy and merchant ship models and a selection of the original harbour accessory models, has been produced in China on behalf of Tri-ang Minic Ships Ltd since 2003 and is marketed under the "Tri-ang Minic Ships" name.

Lines Bros. Ltd. : 1959 – 1965


The original "First Series" range of 1:1200 scale waterline ship and harbour accessory models was released by Lines Bros. Ltd. under the Tri-ang Minic Ships brand name in 1959. The The Tri-ang Minic Ships logo comes from a combination of Lines Bros. Ltd.'s famous "Tri-ang" trademark and Minic Limited's "MINIC" trademark together with an anchor set in a triangle and a pennant (flag) containing the word "SHIPS". Lines Bros. Ltd., which was founded by William, Walter and Arthur Lines on 1 May 1919, frequently used a triangle device in their product markings to represent the three "Lines" brothers making a triangle.

The models were manufactured by Minic Limited, a subsidiary of Lines Bros, at Lines Bros. Ltd.'s "Tri-ang Works" in Morden Road, Merton, South London (claimed to be the largest toy factory in the world ) until 1 July 1960 when Minic Limited moved to a new factory at Market Way, Canterbury, Kent. Production appears to have wound down in 1964 and to have ceased in 1965 - compare the 1963 UK Retail Price List, which contained a list of thirty eight (38) individual Royal Navy ship models, to the 1965 Trade Price List , which combined the individual Royal Navy models into various groups and only listed thirteen (13) items.

In the mid-1960's Lines Bros re-organised it's various subsidiary companies into two "holding" companies Rovex Industries Ltd registered in 1965 (re-named Rovex Tri-ang Ltd in 1969) and Tri-ang-Pedigree Ltd registered in 1970. Rovex Industries Ltd became the parent company to G&R Wrenn; Minic Limited; Minimodels Ltd.; Pedigree Dolls; Rovex Scale Models; and Spot-On Models together with the associated factories and trademarks including "MINIC" and "Hornby" while Tri-ang-Pedigree Ltd encompassed Lines Bros (Ireland) Ltd.; Lines Bros. (Richmond) Ltd.; Meccano-Triang Ltd. and its factory in Liverpool; Pedigree Soft Toys Ltd and its factory in Belfast; and Tri-ang Toys together with its factories in Birmingham, Merthyr (Wales) and Merton (South London) together with the associated trademarks including "Tri-ang".

In August 1971 Lines Bros. Ltd. went into liquidation as a result of accumulated losses from failing overseas business and an uncertain demand in the UK. Dunbee-Combex-Marx Ltd (DCM). purchased Rovex Tri-ang Ltd (re-named Roxex Ltd) and it's factories at Canterbury, Margate and Westwood together with the associated trademarks including "MINIC" and "Hornby" but not the "Tri-ang" trademark which was acquired by Barclay Securities, who purchased Tri-ang-Pedigree Ltd.

Rovex Ltd (Hornby) : late-1970's
As noted Dunbee-Combex-Marx acquired Minic Limited together with the factory at Canterbury, the tooling for the original models and the "MINIC" trademark when it purchased the parent company Rovex Tri-ang Ltd (re-named Roxex Ltd) in 1972.

At least some if not all of the tooling for the original "First Series" of Minic Ships models was sent to Hong Kong in the early 1970's and a "Second Series", produced for Rovex Limited by a local manufacturer, was released in 1976 under the name "MINIC SHIPS by Hornby".

The "Second Series" comprised six of the larger original "First Series" ship models, a small selection of the original "First Series" harbour accessory models and four new models of "famous battleships". All of the ship models in the "Second Series" were fitted with a red plastic base equipped with plastic rollers "Glidewheels" which allowed them to be sent "Sailing over any smooth surface".

The "Second Series" of models did not sell well and was discontinued after a few years.

Tri-ang Minic Ships Ltd : 2003 to date
The current "Third Series" range, produced in China for Tri-ang Minic Ships Ltd, was released in 2003 under the Tri-ang Minic Ships name.

"First Series" - 1959 to 1965
The original "First Series" of models produced by Minic Limited in England comprised a total of twenty-two (22) individual Ocean Liner models A, nineteen (19) Miscellaneous Ship & Vessel models B (including the M-727 Lifeboat model and HM Yacht Britannia C in two guises), and thirty-nine (39) Royal Navy ship models D together with thirty-one (31) Harbour Accessory & Part models E including two "Sea Sheets". In addition there were five Boxed Sets and six of the ship models were available in transparent Presentation Packs.

'''Six catalogues (insert catalogue covers) ... Retail & Trade Price Lists ... compare retail prices in 1959 to 1965 to show price increases ...'''

The initial release in 1959, as shown in the First Edition Catalogue and 1959 Retail Price List, comprised four Ocean Liner models; twenty-nine individual Royal Navy ship models; the Steam Tug model; thirteen of the basic Harbour Accessory & Part models including the 26 inch by 26 inch blue plastic "Sea Sheet"; and two Boxed Sets.

The 1960 Second Edition Catalogue saw the release of six more Ocean Liner models; ten Miscellaneous Ship & Vessel models; four more Royal Navy ship models; thirteen additional Harbour Accessory & Part models including plastic "Whales" in white (cream) and grey; and one additional Boxed Set.

The 1961 Third Edition Catalogue saw the release of five more Ocean Liner models; eight more Miscellaneous Ship & Vessel models including the M-727 Lifeboat which was sold with the M-861 Lifeboat Station; four additional Harbour Accessory & Part models; the final two Boxed Sets; and the six ship models available in transparent Presentation Packs. The catalogue also depicted the M-725 Cargo Boat and M-740 Barge which were never produced.

The 1962 Fourth Edition Catalogue saw the release of five more Ocean Liner models and the final four Royal Navy ship models. The back cover depicted the M-740 Barge and M-743 Train Ferry, neither of which was ever produced, and both appeared in the list of models at the bottom of the page.

The 1963 Fifth Edition Catalogue saw no new models released and while the Barge and Train Ferry were still depicted on the back cover the model numbers were blanked out and they no longer appeared in the list of models at the bottom of the page.

The 1964 Sixth Edition Catalogue, which was the last catalogue produced, saw release of the final two Ocean Liner models RMS Franconia and RMS Carmania which replaced the models of RMS Saxonia and RMS Ivernia respectively (don't know if this was new tooling or a modification of the original Saxonia mould). The thirty-seven (37) individual Royal Navy ship models were consolidated into twelve items grouped by types (such as Aircraft Carrier, Daring Class Destroyer and Ton Class Minesweeper) as were the individual Miscellaneous Ship & Vessel models M-722 Isle of Jersey, M-723 Isle of Guernsey and M-724 Isle of Sark which were consolidated as item M-722 Channel Island Steamer; the individual models M-729 PS Britannia, M-730 PS Bristol Queen and M-731 PS Cardiff Queen which were consolidated as Item M-728 Paddle Steamer; and the five individual Lightship models M-735 Light Vessel Sunk, M-736 Light Vessel Shambles, M-737 Light Vessel Cork, M-738 Light Vessel Varne and M-739 Light Vessel St Gowans which were consolidated as Item M-735 Light-Vessel.

The 1965 Trade Price List listed the M-752 Commando Carrier and M-880 Helicopter, which were not depicted in any of the catalogues. - no new models released - Price List shows all Royal Navy models consolidated into types - lists M751 Aircraft Carrier & M752 Command Ship

1965 Price List - 20 Liners, 11 Misc Ships (Channel Steamers (3) Paddle Steamers (3) Lightships (5)), 12 RN (V Class and Whitby class grouped as Frigates), 28 Harbour (Pier Shelter, Pier Entrance, Whale replaced by Helicopter), 4 Boxed Sets, and 6 Presentation Packs

The 1964 Sixth Edition Catalogue, which was the last catalogue produced, saw the release of the final two Ocean Liner models RMS Franconia and RMS Carmania, which replaced the models of RMS Saxonia and RMS Ivernia respectively, (don't know if this was new tooling or a modification of the original Saxonia mould) and the consolidation of the thirty seven (37) individual Royal Navy ship models into twelve items grouped by types, such as Daring Class Destroyer and Ton Class Minesweeper.

1965 - now new models released - Price List shows all Royal Navy models consolidated into types - lists M751 Aircraft Carrier & M752 Command Ship

this does not include M-725 Cargo Ship or M-740 Barge which were depicted in the 1961

The "First Series"

"Second Series" - late 1970'S
There were a total of twenty-three (23) individual models in the "Second Series", produced for Rovex Limited by a local manufacturer in Hong Kong, comprising four models of Famous Liners; six models of Fighting Ships; the original Steam Tug; and twelve (12) of the original basic Harbour Accessory & Part models.

The four Famous Liners were re-issues of four of the original "First Series" Ocean Liner models while the six Fighting Ships comprised two of the original "First Series" Royal Navy models and four new models. As noted above all of the ship models, other than the Steam Tug, were fitted with a red plastic base equipped with plastic rollers which allowed them to be wheeled across smooth surfaces.

The ten ship models were sold as individual items while the re-issued Steam Tug and basic harbour accessory models were only available in one of the two Accessory Packs or as part of the two Gift Sets.

Need references - particularly 1976 Hornby Railways "00" Scale Model Catalogue XXII (22nd) that contained article introducing the models on page 59 - would be good to see if later Hornby Railways catalogues contain any reference to the models to get an idea of how long they were available search Ebay for catalogues 1974 through 1979 and ask questions of sellers

...

"Third Series" - 2003 to date
The initial release in 2003 comprised the basic harbour accessory models from the original "First Series" and two modern Royal Navy ships models with a further eight modern Royal Navy ship models released in 2004. The first merchant ship models were released in 2005 as were nine modern US Navy ship models. A selection of ten Habour Vessel models were released in 2008 followed by additional merchant ship models, container cranes and a model of the Royal Navy's Type 45 Destroyer.

...

Both large and small cars were chosen for inclusion in the range to fully accentuate the fixed 1:42 scale. Rolls Royces were represented initially by the Silver Wraith and, later, by the even larger Phantom V which featured working lights and members of the Royal Family as passengers. Smaller vehicles included the Isetta bubble car, the rare Meadows Frisky, the Fiat 500 and the Goggomobil. Also added were exotic sports cars such as the Aston Martin DB Mark III, Jensen 541, Daimler Dart SP250, and Bristol 406, along with more mundane models such as the Hillman Minx and Austin A40. The pattern for the A40 and several other Spot-on models were made by Haydn Bartlett of Space Models in the early sixties. Carved from gelaton in (I seem to remember) in 1/12th scale.

Cars were not the only offerings – a variety of interesting lorries were brought out as well. An Austin Prime-Mover flatbed, AEC Major and Mammoth, an ERF dropside lorry, a Bedford articulated tanker, Commer delivery van and Tonibell ice-cream truck were just a few. Even the UK-made Massey-Ferguson type 65 tractor appeared, though for only one year making it worth several hundred dollars today in mint condition (Rixon 2005, p. 123).

"First Series"
The original series of models produced by MINIC Ltd under the Tri-ang Minic Ships name between 1959 and 1965 were marked "MADE IN ENGLAND" on the bottom of the casting and the standard boxes stated that the models were "BUILT IN BRITAIN BY MINIC LIMITED"

The original "First Series" models were all marked EMBOSSED on the bottom with the "Model No", "Model Name", "Made in England", "PATS.PEN", and the "Tri-ang" trademark, "MINIC" trademark and anchor in a triangle logo.

Multiple models from same tooling differing only in the model no. and model name

"Second Series
On the "Second Series" the "Made In England marking was replaced with "Made in Hong Kong" and the "Tri-ang" trademark was obliterated from the tooling (mould).

"Third Series"
The current "Third Series" are all marked with the "Model No", "Model Name", and the "Tri-ang" trademark, "MINIC" trademark and anchor in a triangle logo. The current models of the original harbour accessories are marked "Classic Edition" to distinguish them from oth the original "First Series" models and the "Second Series" Hornby models from the 1970's.

Early Spot-On models stated "Made in the United Kingdom" on the base, but later models, like the MG PB Midget altered that to "Made in Northern Ireland". Most had solid colour paint jobs, simple silver metal wheel hubs and rubber tyres. Usually, lights were painted on the bodies in silver (except on the models with working lights). Similar to a few other earlier diecast makers it is interesting to note that joints between bonnets and doors and other body panels were represented on Spot-On Models as raised ridges instead of indentations. Later Spot-On models had a few more lively wheel styles and tyres were sometimes a harder plastic. Whereas early models had metal bases, later ones were often black plastic.

The earliest packaging for typical Spot-On models was a box in light blue with a draughting compass 'dividers' and 'graph paper'-like grid overprinted with the typical yellow and black lettering. The feel of the graphics was that of not simply being toys, rather finely engineered pieces. The second series of boxes was similar but the 'dividers' were greatly reduced and an illustration of the car (absent on the first boxes) was added (Gardiner and O'Neill 1996, p. 37). The last boxes in the late 1960s were black and blue with cellophane window - and were possibly some of the earliest window boxes offered by any brand. Gift sets, usually of two vehicles in a diorama, featured the company's own character "Tommy Spot". He appeared with a variety of friends as family man, policeman, mechanic, sailor, fireman, and even as a member of the Royal family. Some of the rarest Spot-On models today command high prices among serious collectors. Spot-On models were supplied with number plates in transfer form on virtually all of its range and these were prone to cracking and flaking as the years advanced, also the adhesion technique and brittle paintwork formula all contributed towards paint-flaking and wear from box-rubbing as the years passed. As such, complete, unchipped models with all accessories, paperwork and undamaged boxes are rare, for example the 1964 Wadham Ambulance with patient on stretcher and 1966 Jaguar 3.4 with roof 'police' sign (undamaged) command very high prices in A1 condition as does the Tourist Caravan of 1962 and highly prized Routemaster Bus of 1963. All commercial Spot-On vehicles are today highly collectible and commonly command prices of US$100 to $200.

It is interesting that the Ford Zodiac of 1959, though Spot-On's first model, is widely available even though it is one of the oldest of the series. Many Zodiacs survive with their boxes intact. There still exist, however, rare colour combinations such as Salmon pink over grey, pale lemon, and the slightly more garish bright pink. This was one of the first models Spot-On offered with or without working lights. Despite the model's ubiquity, it is rare to find one now with all of its original battery box, bulbs, and switches in full working order – not surprising considering the model now being at least 50 years old!

Colours and other variations
As time has passed, rare colour variations are now a specific collecting interest within the Spot-On collecting fraternity, which arguably makes Spot-on collecting more interesting than the acquisition of Dinky or Corgi. The latter are historically clear cut with virtually all rarities accounted for, but with Spot-On something regularly turns up that all Spot-On experts have never seen or heard about. Recently (April 2013) a hyper rare boxed metallic blue Renault Floride No. 166 appeared at auction and sold for £1400.

Spot-On's marketing was not always well planned. Apparently, production of some gift sets was done "on the fly" and made up nearly in a whim. A good example of this are the Set702 variations. At least 4 are known to exist but there was also a Set703. Another area of interest is the subject of models that might have been. In the early catalogues and leaflets, for example, a 109/2B ERF truck with brick load is shown diagram and all, but it was never produced.

Spare Parts & Modifications
From this point on, Dinkys were usually made in 1:42 scale, though unlike Spot-On they were not consistent and continued to make both larger and smaller models to fit in with different market niches. Spot-On's doll house furniture line was made at 1:16 scale.

Collectibility / Popularity
Vectis auctions ...

Though model choices were unique and often brilliant (who else made a Bristol or the early Jensen?), Spot-On as a diecast brand was destined to fail precisely because of its endearing qualities. Models were more expensive than the competition and more conservative. Each Spot-On model was painted in at least 8, and often 16 different colours, which was attractive to the buyer (and today's collector), but an inefficient production practice (Buising website). Appeal was limited for an expensive line of almost exclusively British vehicles in an increasingly global market. While American children may have been enamored of certain MGs, Jaguars and Rolls Royces, they probably had never heard of Jensens, Bristols, Armstrong Siddeleys, or Meadows. Meanwhile, Matchbox, Corgi, and Dinky always had a few American and other European cars in their line-ups. Perhaps it is fortunate Spot-On ceased production just as Mattel Hot Wheels were introduced as the innovation of the thin low friction axle put many more successful toy manufacturers out of business.

Unfortunately, many Spot-On models had artificial chrome attachments that have tended to not last as well as Dinky Toys parts of the era. However, there is a market in replacement parts, and some commercial enterprises undertake full restoration of Spot-On models. Today, Spot-On models are as collectible as Dinky Toys and Corgi Toys, generally commanding even higher prices. The Morris Minor 1000, Jensen 541, Bristol 406, and Meadows Frisky are particular favourites of collectors because they were not produced in either Corgi or Dinky ranges.

Revival
In 2003, the French company Norev reintroduced the Spot-On brand once made by Tri-Ang, apparently using the original tooling. Ironically, the original Spot-On Renault Floride (No 166) was the only French marque originally offered, but nevertheless, Spot-On models are once again being produced, in authentic original style packaging. These commonly sell on eBay for about US$80 to $100 a piece.

In addition, some contemporary modellers have closely copied Spot-On models. For example, one maker, English Replicars, in white metal, appears to have copied at least one Spot-On model sometime in the 1990s. The car was the Morris Minor, duplicated down to details and even the rather different 1:42 scale.

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