Corgi's Final Releases of 2012

With the chimes of midnight signalling the end of 2012 firmly on the horizon, Corgi is preparing to release its fnal models for 2012. If you're quick, perhaps there's still time to get these before Christmas and shove them into an empty stocking ready for the big day next week.

First up there's the Mercedes Actros Facelift Flatbed and Load, Charlie Lauder, Dumfries, Scotland, costing £89.99 (seen to your right). This new 1/50 scale model has a resin turf load as well as a host of features including mudflaps, aerials, high light bar, low light bar, visor mirror and front bumper bar.

Formed in 1989 as a Dumfries and Borders haulage company by Charlie Lauder Senior, the family run business is now in its second generation and is run by his sons Charlie and David Lauder. Charlie Lauder Transport is at the heart of the British haulage industry and has built up a fleet of vehicles and trailers to cater for general haulage and bulk tipping work. Many Dumfries based drivers will know who Charlie Lauder (Senior) is because from 1989 he ran an LGV training academy in the area until selling it in 2001. Today the company has eleven trucks including seven ‘artics’ which are cared for by both Charlie and David.

If you fancy something from across the Irish Sea, then perhaps consider picking up the DAF 105 Curtainside, Liam Connolly Roadfreight Ltd, Fermanagh, Northern Ireland (CC14115) which includes mudflaps, aerials and visor mirror and costs £79.99. Liam Connolly (Roadfreight) Ltd is based in Drummack, Northern Ireland and was founded in 1981 by Liam Connolly. He began as a sole trader with his first DAF 2800 in 1981. Today the company is a family concern being run by Liam, his wife and three sons.

The company runs a fleet of over forty vehicles mainly made up with DAFs. Liam Connolly (Roadfreight) is part of two different pallet network companies, T.P.N (The Pallet Network) in Ireland and U.P.N (United Pallet Network) in the UK. The truck featured is a DAF 105XF Super Space cab, 460bhp 6x2. This is one of three new identical units bought to celebrate thirty years in business.

Continuing the haulage theme there's the Seddon Atkinson Strato 40' Brian Harris Flatbed with Chain Load, Devon and Scotland (CC15405). Features on this 1/50 scale model include: aerials, mudflaps and metal chain load. Jerry Harris and Sam Miners formed Harris & Miners in 1946 with a fleet of two Ford trucks and one Commer tipper. Within one year the duo were offered a contract to haul ‘Devon Grate’ Candy fire surrounds to Glasgow. By 1960 Harris & Miners was nationalised and secured the acquisition of Blue Waters as a new company depot site.

Jerry Harris’s son, Brian, began driving for his father in an Albion Chieftain and when his father passed, Brian bought out the Miner’s family with the company becoming Brian Harris Transport Limited. Throughout its history, either as Harris & Miners or as Brian Harris Transport Ltd, the company has operated a large quantity of vehicles, including this Strato Flatbed with steal chain load.

Finally, something a little smaller is the Peugeot 205, Roland Garros Green (VA12704). This special edition 205 added the brand’s stylish and luxurious feel to the already chic 205. Available only in ‘Pinewood Green’ it was based on the 1.4-litre 3-door and featured a sliding glass sunroof, 5-speed gearbox, reclining sports seats with striped inserts and white leather edging, matching carpet mats and door trim panels, electric windows, central locking, tinted glass and internally adjustable wing mirrors.

Built at the edge of Paris’ Bois de Boulogne in 1928, the Roland Garros tennis stadium has created an eponymous global fashion brand. It took its name from a local hero, pioneer French aviator and inventor Roland Garros who died in combat in 1918.