Welcome to my blog, the story of my continuing journey into the World of Zombie Wargames.

Monday 7 April 2014

Utility Vehicles

I received a nice surprise from my son last weekend, namely four vehicles bought from a Wilkinson's store near where he lives.
They are from left to right a bus/coach, a road sweeper a fire appliance (bit obvious) and a skip lorry (is there a proper name for one of those ?)
I've used a Foundry Mini for scale.

The coach is the longest of the four models at about 7 inches long (170mm) whilst the others all vary slightly around the  5 " mark (125mm).The coach has two sets of double opening doors, operated by a small lever on the underside of the vehicle and a front sign that lights up when the small button in the centre of the roof is pressed (it also makes bus engine noises). I can't see me making use of either of these features !

The road sweeper is the only one not to have see-through windows, but it does have the feature that when it is pushed along a central (hidden) wheel makes the brushes either side of the truck to rotate.
 If only Sid was here to see it (he's gone walkabout to who knows where)
 The fire appliance joins my ever growing collection of these vehicles and is much the same as the ones I features a while back, except it's far superior. One of the side door on this model slides open and it also has a button behind the roof light panel that makes the two lights flash and a siren to sound. 

 The skip truck is my third (I think) of these types of vehicles but is the first that matches the style of skips that I made about a year ago. Like all of the vehicles that I have the skip load can sit on the bed of the truck or be shown with the lifting arms in a variety of positions.


I had looked at what Wilkinson's had to offer before Xmas but there was only the coach then and I really couldn't justify buying it (it being Xmas and all that). I think their scale is perfect for the the scale of figures and they're far more robust that anything I've bought from Pound-land-stretcher-world. I recollect that the bus model (nearly all metal) was about £4-£5 at the time and there were three or four different variants- perfect for that bus depot you were going to make right ?These are obviously toys but I think they'll do fine.

So that's it for another week, (rather bland I know) it just remains for me to welcome my latest follower "Belique" and to say that as always your comments are both welcomed and appreciated.


34 comments:

  1. Those are all nice! I really like the fire engine and the bus.
    I got that street cleaner, bought it two years ago in one of the London's supermarket...it was Morrisons I think. I also picked up that other garbage lorry, with a little bin.

    I also like the skip lorry, seems to be very robust and even has that pneumatic arm thingie.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Mattyoo, they're really nice, bus is the only one I haven't got another version (cheaper) of.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great trucks...i love the bus model

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks HW, the bus is a very good model, probably my favourite too.

      Delete
  4. I have seen these in Wilkos as well. I have been tempted but have resisted so far. But they do look good and I will enjoy seeing them in a game or two.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Clint, they're nothing new but I hadn't seen them on anyone else's blogs.

      Delete
  5. Going to Wilko's tomorrow then. Just the kind of stuff I'm after,Cheers Joe.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love your work.Very inspirational.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Nice, the coach looks just like Dublin bus, almost the same colours

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wouldn't be surprised if they were taken from real coach lines, with their doors on the right they're obviously British.

      Delete
  8. They're great. You trained your padwan well Jedi!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Cool vehicles, Joe. So how come we missed Wilkinson's from our recent trip out? I feel the need to return to Newcastle after reading this post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just knew would come out with that, it's normally you that suggests it too !

      Delete
  10. Ooo they look great I shall have to make an effort and go visit a Wilko's tomorrow. The Coach is ace I need to get one of those for definite!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep the coach is almost a must buy, highly versatile.

      Delete
  11. Now they are excellent, cheap and very functional!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Fran, you're right on all counts

      Delete
  12. Great finds! I love the bus (er coach) but I think my favorite is the street sweeper. Its an unusual truck to see as a toy, but plenty common on the road. Could be fun in a game (time to clean the streets!)

    Can't wait to see them in action!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks N667, they do represent some of the most common and rare vehicles on the roads.

      Delete
  13. Wow, they all work really well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're right Michael, they fit well with 28mms

      Delete
  14. Lucky find, wish we had Wilkersons in the States.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, I'm guessing this is a case of "the grass is always greener", as most Brits feel the same about the USA. and various stores there

      Delete
  15. Perfect for the job, Its great what you can pickup for next to nothing nowadays......if only I could pick up some 25mm NYW figures in Wilco's!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They do work well, but "5mm Ray ? Really ?

      Delete
  16. This is just great! They look good and scale seems to fit. Very nice addition to the city. Will you let them stay clean or dirty them up a bit?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If I ever get around to my vehicles, I think the majority of them will be wethered to varying degrees.

      Delete
  17. Those are superb! I think I need to visit Wilkinsons again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like them a lot and rarely visited Wilkinsons; I think it may well be on my shopping itinerary now.

      Delete