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In recent years Bburago have undergone a transformation and are selling themselves on a new selection of models produced to higher standards. To be honest, they had to really, the market had moved on and Bburago were left behind. Thanks to the intervention of sister-company Maisto, Bburago's increased range is made with completely new tooling and whilst the resultant improvement in quality is not as good as a Minichamps model, it is spot on for where Bburago market themselves, which is the entry-level sector. Click here to view models by Bburago |
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Maisto have long been established as a leading brand in the entry level sector and as with all models, quality has improved leaps and bounds over the last few years. Their vast range is targeted at the younger collector, both in terms of themes and build, so don't expect some of the detail to be too intricate. You can't have intricate parts on a model suitable for children aged 3. However, despite the lack of detail, Maisto models are well built and offer serious value for money. Click here to view models by Maisto |
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| Mid-range |
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AUTOart models never fail to impress with their quality and attention to detail. In particular, their 1:18 scale car models are about as good as it gets before moving up to hand-assembled models from the likes of CMC. Although not so dominant in the 1:43 scale sector, the models they do produce, lack none of the quality of their bigger brothers and we feel they are of better quality than Minichamps. Recently they have moved into motorcycles with equally excellent standards of quality that compares well with Minichamps in 1:12 scale and exceeds Schuco in 1:10 scale. Click here to view models by AutoArt |
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Mattel's Hot Wheels models should not be confused with their range of cheap toys for children. They are collector's models and of late, their quality has improved significantly, both in 1:18 and 1:43 scales. Whilst their 1:43 scale models - which are actually manufactured by IXO - compare well with the leading brands on price and quality, their 1:18 models appear to be over-priced for what you get. However, Hot Wheels trump card is that they hold the Ferrari license, so if you want a model of a modern Ferrari, it pretty much has to be a Hot Wheels model. Click here to view models by Hot Wheels |
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IXO is not one of the better known model brands, which is quite surprising given their extensive range of 1:43 scale cars and 1:24 scale motorcycles. Their 1:43 scale car models include classic and modern road cars but their forte is rally and Le Mans. They don't produce many bike models under their own brand now but, many of the partworks bikes are manufactured by IXO. Competitively priced and with quality in some areas better than the markter-leader, Minichamps, they are excellent value for money. Click here to view models by IXO |
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Mention models and the first, maybe the only, brand that people will think of is Minichamps. They have transformed the model market and dominate in may sectors with their combination of quality and price. In our opinion, they can not be beaten when it comes to 1:12 scale motorcycles which have outstanding levels of detail and intricacy. They don't have it all their own way in the busy 1:43 scale sector though, there are others producing models with areas of finer detail and better quality, but not with such a huge range that covers road cars, F1 cars, rally cars, Le Mans cars - need we go on! - and not usually as well priced. Likewise, there is plenty of competition in the 1:18 scale sector, where Minichamps spread themselves from near to entry level to almost CMC terriority. Overall, Minichamps are the complete package, giving collectors the right amount of quality for the right price. Click here to view models by Minichamps |
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Norev are one of the brands that impress us the most. Not so long ago, their quality struggled at the lower end of the mid-market sector, whilst their prices were at the higher end. But, they have now really pulled their socks up and quality has significantly improved, so much so, that it is amongst the best in this sector. Their range of 1:43 and 1:18 cars is largely based around French subjects and whilst their 1:43 models are still priced quite high for the sector, their 1:18 models are an absolute bargain. |
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Schuco are one of the oldest model manufacturers still in existence and today produce a diverse range of models covering cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, buses, emergency vehicles and farm vehicles. Often over-shadowed by their more mainstream competitors, Schuco's 1:43 scale models actually have finer detail and a better finish than many of them, but then you would expect that, give that they are a lttle bit pricier. With motorcycles, Schuco continue to stick with 1:10 scale, which is understandable, but also a shame as they don't fit in with the 1:12 bikes produced by Minichamps. The quality is not quite as good as the Minichamps bikes either, but they are more reasonably priced. Click here to view models by Schuco |
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Universal Hobbies core models are agricultural vehicles and implements. Quality is very good across all their ranges but, detail varies depending on the scale used. Their 1:43 and 1:16 scale models are aimed at collectos with the 1:43's being static display models and the 1:16's having a host of working parts and features. Their 1:32 scale models are aimed at the traditional farm toys sector, so, may lack some detail but have workng features, however, they are still very well finished and still quite collectable. Click here to view models by Universal Hobbies |
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| High-end |
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NEO are one of the newer brands to have appeared on the UK market in recent years and like Spark, are producing models primarily manufactured in resin. The detail available with resin models is simply amazing and NEO models certainly do not disappoint. Their range of road cars is mostly in 1:43 scale with a few 1:18's and includes some classic subjects over-looked by other larger brands. |
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While diecast may be the traditional choice for model manufacturing, there is an alternative in the form of resin and Spark are the market leaders in this sector. Resin has many advantages over diecast; it's quicker and cheaper to set up moulds for starters, meaning manufacturers can quickly produce models in low volume, models which diecast manufacturers wouldn't even consider worth producing. But, for collectors, the biggest advantage is that Resin bodied models exhibit much finer detail than diecast models. Click here to view models by Spark |
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