Your Workshop all in a Cigar Box.

You're welcome Ian.  Nice to know you are still with me!

Terry

I'm still going as well, Terry.

Keep 'em coming.   :thumbs

This is an absolutely brilliant thread Terry and considering that these models pre date the likes of Scalescenes by 50 to 60 years i think the detail is fantastic.Are the models made to any scale at all?.

Thank you Alan.  Glad you are still with me.  The Architectural models appear to be in different scales, depending on the size of the building.  All of the London Gates are to the same scale but, as you'll see shortly, there were some huge buildings in this range, so different scales had to apply.

Hello Max, nice to know you are still following too.

Terry

I suspect these were mostly "after my time" during the '40s I was more into Hornby 0 gauge, Meccano & flying models planes; by the end of 1951 I was in the RAF, and didn't start producing kids until '55.

I think maybe parents choice of "toys" at Xmas and birthdays tend to influence what interests we follow, once you have something like a "train set" or Meccano your pocket money (if any) would go towards increasing those,

Please not that I have added two extra Modelcraft models to the Miscellaneous Section at the end of the 53rd post.  There are no pictures but you might find it interesting.

Terry

What a brilliant thread! many thanks for bringing the story (and models) to us all.

Shaun.

I'll second that Shaun. :thumbs

An excellent thread Terry - a real trip down memory lane and quite a few surprises there were down that lane.  I had no idea they'd issued all those models but it was great to see them and to read the story of the company.  I haven't checked but I wonder what 1/6p is worth, in real terms, today ?  I suspect the models were a bit dearer than at first seems ………….:roll::roll:  Also, I can't remember what level Purchase Tax was set at but I wonder how it compares with VAT today ………….:hmm

In 1954 purchase tax was 33.3% basic rate,66.7% for luxury goods and exempt for utility goods.

Wow - that's a hefty lump to add to the net prices.  I wonder if miniature houses are "luxury goods" or exempt ……………:hmm

Thanks Alan - I'll stick with VAT. ;-)

It reminds me, before we moved to France, we had a holiday house in North Cyprus (the Turkish bit) for 10 years.  Over there, I could buy english cigarettes - made in UK, shipped to Cyprus via Turkey for considerably less that £2 per packet when the UK price was nearer £5+.

I commented on the price (local fags were about 10p for 1,000 ….they were made from camel dung ….).  The shopkeeper apologised for the "high price" of UK cigarettes saying it was as a result of Turkey taking 20% tax as they passed through and the local Cypriot government adding a further 40% tax because UK fags were classed as "luxury goods".   I'll leave you to work out what the poor old  tobacco grower might be getting paid …………

For those who have been following this thread I have made some additions which you might like to look at.

In the 29th thread I have added an illustration of set BD - the Breakdown Train, which has just come into my possession.

In the 58th thread I have added a couple of photos of ARC 5 - Aldgate, when constructed. I decided to build this model last week.  The observant amongst you may notice that the wrapper illustration differs somewhat from the actual model when built.  No prizes for spotting the differences.

Enjoy!

Terry

Terry your thread has been fascinating, although I don't recall the micromodels you have certainly evoked memories of childhood. Rainy Saturdays, assembling the fruits of pocket(or paper) money in the former of a balsa aeroplane (with rubber band of course)or watching auntie cutting up her woodbine packets to make a tank amongst other things.
Cheers

I'd absolutely agree with that Ian - and I do remember Micromodels.   I had no idea of the scale of the operation and it's been a fascinating history.  I wonder if there are any small companies today who could be so prolific……………:roll::roll::roll:

What has got me a bit baffled Ian, is why your auntie would need a tank ?  Were you a belligerent child ? :hmm

Ha you nearly got me then Peter but it's pretty obvious, I needed somewhere to put the goldfish I'd won at the fair!

Did they smoke too ?  "Woodbines" :hmm - there used to be a paper pack of 5 priced, I think at around 5d (5 old pence - of which there were 12 in a shilling - for the youngsters …..)

Only the Haddock…yes if I recall there were 2 distinct camps, you were either Woodbines or Park Drive unless you wanted a severe cough then it was Craven A,  ah happy days. Wasn't glue called Gloy then (pear shaped bottle with red rubber top).