Matchbox 1:72

DropTank · Post by **DropTank** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 6:11 pm

It has been a couple years since they quit making their 1:72 scale aircraft. Does anyone know why they ceased making them? They seemed to be fairly good sellers. just never heard why they stopped and thought someone on here may know why.

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 7:44 pm

I haven't heard why, though I do recall that there was some discussion about it. Really too bad as they had a very nice little selection, including modern aircraft.

Also, there were alot of "originals" for 1:72 aircraft. They were the first company to offer the P-38, P-40, Hellcat, F-86, Mig-15, F-100 and F-104 in 1:72, period! (The FW-190, Bf-109G and P-47 may also have been firsts as well).

Nice paintschemes with weathering and the figure in the cockpit to boot. You can still find them pretty easily on ebay and a few small retailers, but expect to pay aroun $30 or more...

olifant · Post by **olifant** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:19 pm

If I recall these were $9.99 at TRU and Target back in the day. I think my favorite is the FW190. Never again will I let cheap toys slip through my fingers without getting extras.

DocTodd · Post by **DocTodd** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 9:03 pm

Yes, these were amazing values. I wish they would have continued the line. I passed on the D-Day P-38 at KB Toys for $7.99, what a dope. Anyway I have all of the others and they are very nice and were quite reasonably priced.
T

skypirate · Post by **skypirate** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:57 am

Neat coincidence, I was just wondering what happened to matchbox last night when I discovered the a triplane boxed away in my closet. Their current website doesn't look promising to the military collector.

I don't know if they're from the same series, but I was really happy with the Matchbox 1/48 scale Red Baron and Werner Voss triplanes and the Frank Luke Spad XIII at Target. They were at least as good as or better than comparable products for that era.

Surprisingly, Hallmark released a nicely detailed triplane 7 or 8 years ago and was probably more accurate paint scheme a while back. My only gripes were the landing gear and wheels were too large and there was a vertical seam the length of the fuselage.

blurx7 · Post by **blurx7** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:43 pm

I think this all had to do with Matchbox being acquired by Mattel. These planes originated with the Matchbox/Dinky era, and were marketed, albeit badly, as collectibles through the arm that Matchbox had at that time for that purpose. Basically, they were boxed, mail order products sold as a series and advertised in magazines. When Mattel took over they did away with that form of marketing and introduced these planes along with all the high end 1/43 scale Matchbox cars into the regular retail "toy" market. Where they did poorly. Then, after only two or three years, Mattel pulled the plug. They blew out their remaining stock at bargain prices. I found some of these planes at Big Lots for $5!
I think Mattel is generally lousy at marketing to adult collectors. They can sell Hot Wheels and Barbies but otherwise they pretty well suck. For me, it is a sad day whenever Mattel gets control of another toy/collectible company.
They came real close to destroying Corgi during the period when they owned that company.

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:44 pm

I have a few including the P-40E Warhawk 11th FS Aleutian Tigers, Aleutian Islands, 1943. Nice little plane, but to small for my taste.

To bad they no longer make them.

blurx7 · Post by **blurx7** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 2:09 pm

Mattel still owns the molds I would guess. maybe they will reissue them in different packaging. Frankly I am surprised we have not seen Mattel try to increase its presence in the military area. Trouble is they are so focused on toys not collectibles. I bet they would do well in 1/18 military.

KAMIKAZE · Post by **KAMIKAZE** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:17 pm

I bought some of those along with the Matchbox tanks when Target discounted them. Great little planes. I couldn't believe what people were paying for the P-38.

Mark

Rowsdower · Post by **Rowsdower** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:22 pm

Wow I must have been in a coma when these things were out cause I don't remember them at all.

EnemyAce · Post by **EnemyAce** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:18 am

Their tanks were fantastic. Especially those last 2 shermans, all metal, even the tracks!

Light.Inf.Scout · Post by **Light.Inf.Scout** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:21 am

I think FoxHole toys still has 1 or 2 of the Shermans in stock.

http://store.foxholetoys.com/mb-10001.html

http://store.foxholetoys.com/mb-10002.html