New Oxford Diecast!

Oxford Diecast recently held an open day at the John Ayrey’s warehouse in Baildon, West Yorkshire, giving Rick Wilson the opportunity to glimpse much of the excellent new tooling due for imminent release.

Twice a year we get the chance to sneak a peek at Oxford Diecast’s exciting new releases when the company holds open days at John Ayrey’s premises in West Yorkshire and Dorset.

At a time when new tooling is a rare thing amongst its rivals, Oxford is able to constantly surprise us and on my recent visit I witnessed plenty to suggest that this trend is set to continue for a long time yet.

With many new releases in its Aston Martin and Rolls-Royce 1/43 scale ranges to name just two, I was just as excited to see the first shot of the fabulous 1/18 scale Heinkel Trojan (complete with opening door and nicely detailed interior), but surprise of the day for me was the first release of the 1/72 scale Supermarine Seagull V/Walrus bi-plane flying boat, which features a wealth of fine detail and a superb finish. This fabulous aircraft will offer plenty of future liveries and configurations too.

Several further Jaguar sports car releases were on view, including a first shot of the marque’s Formula E racer in 1/76 scale. Two of the much-anticipated JCB vehicles made an appearance too – these in particular are worthy of mention with some excellent detail and working features.

With the first two versions of the Bristol MW6G coach (Royal Blue and Hants & Dorset liveries), Sherpa Van and Minibus (in period Post Office and British Rail liveries) and BMW’s 2002 also on display, all at 1/76 scale, along with the tractor unit for the new DAF Euro 6 and the Carlight caravan, the samples at this scale were nicely rounded off with a brace of military offerings in the shape of a Churchill tank and Bedford QLR, adding to yet more Volvo and Vauxhall issues.

Last, but by no means least, were four newly tooled examples from the 1/87 US range including a very nice looking 1965 Chevrolet Stepside Pickup Truck in two-tone light blue and white.

All in all, this is a thoroughly impressive list of new tooling from arguably the market leader. But I’ll let you be the judge of that.