Heco Tinplate Models (1 Viewer)

[OzDigger]

I haven't seen any Heco products in person but the photos here suggest there are some unique and well detailed models in that range.

 

[maddadicus]

I haven't seen any Heco products in person but the photos here suggest there are some unique and well detailed models in that range.

I am a tinplate kind of collector. I had heard of Heco, but had never seen a piece up close. I got a good Ebay deal from someone who did not list the plane as Heco. ( Probably why it snuck past Louis. ) When I received it, I fell in love with the old style detail and painting. The rest is history. I have only a modest collection ( 8 ) of planes and vehicles compared to others, but I would not part with any of them unless it was for more desired Heco model. Michael

 

[Al Fisher]

Could someone tell me more about CBJ Models . . . . I'm not familiar with them. Are they connectd to HECO?

Bosun Al

 

[Louis Badolato]

Could someone tell me more about CBJ Models . . . . I'm not familiar with them. Are they connectd to HECO?

Bosun Al

Al,

They are only connected in that they are both incredibly high quality, individually hand made figures and vehicles done by artists (Tony Williams and Adele Moore for Heco, Colin J. Burkill for CJB Models) of roughly the same age (octogenarians) at roughly the same time (1980's and 1990's) in Great Britain.

Mr. Burkill told me he first started to sell his models, which are individually hand cast and hand painted quality metal, in earnest in 1993, when he attended his first London Show. At one of the London Shows, he encountered Dave Hazell, then one of the owners of Henley Model Miniatures, a big toy soldier and hobby shop in Great Britain (which also was one of the big three Heco Tinplate Models dealers). It was Dave Hazell, from whom I purchased Heco Tinplate Models, who first introduced me to CJB Models. Due to age and a shortage of materials, Mr. Burkill has retired (Tony Williams and Adele Moore retired about the same time for age and health reasons).

Because the two companies shared a similar place in my mind and heart, when I started collecting CJB Models in earnest about 2 years ago, I started posting the photos on this thread, rather than starting a separate thread for CJB Models. Since Michael and you have raised the issue, I am considering starting that separate thread, to document everything I can about CJB Models the way I have documented everything I could learn about Heco on this thread.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Hello Louis,
Sounds like you got a bargain then - For the time and effort Mr. B put in, I think his models were under valued when they were originally sold new. Brian at Yeomary concurred. I don't think any of them were more than about £120. It's a good job I didn't go otherwise I'd have been tempted to part with cash I didn't have, having just waved goodbye to a fair chunk for some of Tradition's former window displays. (My bank statement met it's Waterloo that month - I've over a hundred British Guards forming square to dust now, but they were very good value and Magnus was a pleasure to buy from. I hope Tradition keep going strong in their new international setup).

Were all the CJB models sold out in the early bird session? That would offer me some small comfort, as parental duties mean I rarely get there for early doors in any case. I must stop looking at the pics of your fully crewed Beaverette as I'm getting envious! The only model I could really rationalise adding to my convoy is the early version of the Forward Control D-Type lorry with the chunkier single rear tyres. Though I shouldn't complain. I have one special version already , plus two of the conventional 'long- nosed' ones. Wish this hobby wasn't so addictive.

Will have to post some photos of my convoy at some point as every CJB model is practically unique - the joy is spotting the little differences as he evolved new methods and customised them to clients wishes. Hence the different paint finishes, with at least three types of green (laurel green, drab army green and that WWI style green that Artillery Crazy has on his staff car being the most common). RAF and desert versions are very, very rare. I think you could count them on the fingers of one hand.
For me, it's the crew figures that really turn-up the charm. A fully loaded lorry is a happy lorry! Do you have the set of clerks and officers that should go with the office truck? Complete with the folding table and chairs? I'll try to post a picture of mine if you haven't. They make for a great vignette.

Keep up the good work - I suspect you are well on your way to building the definitive CJB collection - and that can only be a mark of good taste ;-)
Best wishes,
InterWar

P. S. Hope Arthur is still with us - If none knows him, tell him his pension is still holding its value!

Hello again Interwar,

The CJB Models were not on display at the London Show. The gentleman from whom we purchased the vehicles mentioned he had them when I struck up a conversation about CJB Models, we (the group attending the London Symposium events) went to his home a day or so later, I purchased 5 and two other gentlemen purchased the remainder, another 6 CJB Models.

I do not have the clerks and officers that should go with the office truck, and would really appreciate it if you posted some photos of yours. I will have to ask Mr. Burkill if he has a set as soon as you post the photos.

It is indeed my intention to build the definitive CJB Models collection, as it is my intention to build the definitive Heco Tinplate Models collection. These individually hand crafted little works of art should be documented and remembered - they are, to me, just as important a part of the hobby as the big makers like Trophy, King & Country and Britains.

Regards,

Louis

 

[InterWar]

Hello again Interwar,

The CJB Models were not on display at the London Show. The gentleman from whom we purchased the vehicles mentioned he had them when I struck up a conversation about CJB Models, we (the group attending the London Symposium events) went to his home a day or so later, I purchased 5 and two other gentlemen purchased the remainder, another 6 CJB Models.

I do not have the clerks and officers that should go with the office truck, and would really appreciate it if you posted some photos of yours. I will have to ask Mr. Burkill if he has a set as soon as you post the photos.


Louis

Hello Louis,

Will try to post a photo when I get a chance - My collection has to be kept packed away due to two pairs of small, inquisitive hands in the house!
When I do, I'll post them on the new thread you've started - CJB Models: Colin J. Burkill's Individually Hand Cast Masterpieces - rather than get them mixed in with the HECO posts.

Best wishes, InterWar

P.S. The gentleman whose house you visited wouldn't be Clive, would it? That would cause me to wince, as I was invited over as well, but had to decline due to yet more parental commitments.
Another missed opportunity.
Children and toy soldier collecting clearly don't mix - Which is slightly ironic...

 

[Louis Badolato]

Hello Louis,

Will try to post a photo when I get a chance - My collection has to be kept packed away due to two pairs of small, inquisitive hands in the house!
When I do, I'll post them on the new thread you've started - CJB Models: Colin J. Burkill's Individually Hand Cast Masterpieces - rather than get them mixed in with the HECO posts.

Best wishes, InterWar

P.S. The gentleman whose house you visited wouldn't be Clive, would it? That would cause me to wince, as I was invited over as well, but had to decline due to yet more parental commitments.
Another missed opportunity.
Children and toy soldier collecting clearly don't mix - Which is slightly ironic...

Hello again, Interwar,

I have a 7-1/2 year old son, Alec, and a 5-1/2 year old daughter, Ashley, both of whom have been raised playing in my display area since they were old enough to walk. My daughter once broke a single Chas. Stadden figure{sm2}, my son has never broken anything. I raised them to know what they could and could not touch, and how to handle the figures I allowed them to touch. In my son's case, he has developed an interest in the hobby, and has his own collection, which quite a few people on this forum would be envious of, in his room.:wink2:

We did not purchase the CJB Models from Clive, although Clive drove us to the home of the seller . . . :wink2:

Look forward to seeing the photos of your collection on the CJB Models thread I started.:smile2:

Regards,

Louis

 

[InterWar]

Hello again, Interwar,

I have a 7-1/2 year old son, Alec, and a 5-1/2 year old daughter, Ashley, both of whom have been raised playing in my display area since they were old enough to walk. My daughter once broke a single Chas. Stadden figure{sm2}, my son has never broken anything. I raised them to know what they could and could not touch, and how to handle the figures I allowed them to touch.
Louis

Hello Louis,
Glad to hear the casualty list is short - I should perhaps elaborate on my previous comment, as I fear I've done my daughters and parenting skills a disservice! It's more the time that we happily dedicate to our children that impinges on the hobby, rather than the little people themselves.

My eldest daughter (almost seven) is showing a strong craft/modelling/painting streak and her now greets my return from the soldier shows with 'Have you brought me anything to paint, Daddy?'. She really enjoyed the painting stand at the BMSS show a couple of years ago, and has made a good stab at a couple of some old Graham Farish 5 inch resin figures of HM the Queen and Prince Phillip which I picked up for 50p each. Only, she insisted the various orders pinned to the Queen's blue sash were not medals but roses, so she has a pink Order of the Garter...

The only downer is that she is terribly clumsy, and though her intentions are good, it takes very little to knock a wing mirror off a CJB.
When she discovered my CJB Platoon truck had a working drop tail gate, we spent a happy half hour loading it up with plastic dolls food, trundling it around the table, and delivering its payload. Let us say I was in close attendance during the whole exercise!

The younger daughter (almost four) likes toy soldiers too, because they are small, heavy, and can be clutched in her little fists. then thrown when the mood takes her. Sadly, she has been diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, and therefore communication, instructions and reasoning don't really wash with her... We have a long road ahead of us, but she's been allocated a place at a specialist nursery school, so we're taking the first steps. The love of the weight of solid lead figures in the hand is a sensory thing, common to many autistic children. I indulged her, by letting her play with some of my Britains New Metal figures I had as a boy, reasoning that they were non-toxic and pretty robust. They are showing a little more of that new metal now, but we have established, through her limited speech that she likes the 'horsey!' (Mounted Life Guard) best.

So, you can perhaps appreciate why my CJBs are safely tucked away until lockable glass fronted cabinets (and a spare room to put them in) are on the cards. Open shelves are just asking for trouble and that's all I have.

Just to return to the main topic - I have located one of CJB's catalogues which were simple A3 colour copies that resemble scrap-book like montages of photos, with hand-written annotations. With it was a 2005 price list which may make your toes curl when compared to the ebay prices! I'm back in the office on Monday and will try to scan them and post them on your new thread.
Good news is, I think you're nearly there!

Best wishes,
InterWar

 

[Louis Badolato]

Hello Louis,
Glad to hear the casualty list is short - I should perhaps elaborate on my previous comment, as I fear I've done my daughters and parenting skills a disservice! It's more the time that we happily dedicate to our children that impinges on the hobby, rather than the little people themselves.

My eldest daughter (almost seven) is showing a strong craft/modelling/painting streak and her now greets my return from the soldier shows with 'Have you brought me anything to paint, Daddy?'. She really enjoyed the painting stand at the BMSS show a couple of years ago, and has made a good stab at a couple of some old Graham Farish 5 inch resin figures of HM the Queen and Prince Phillip which I picked up for 50p each. Only, she insisted the various orders pinned to the Queen's blue sash were not medals but roses, so she has a pink Order of the Garter...

The only downer is that she is terribly clumsy, and though her intentions are good, it takes very little to knock a wing mirror off a CJB.
When she discovered my CJB Platoon truck had a working drop tail gate, we spent a happy half hour loading it up with plastic dolls food, trundling it around the table, and delivering its payload. Let us say I was in close attendance during the whole exercise!

The younger daughter (almost four) likes toy soldiers too, because they are small, heavy, and can be clutched in her little fists. then thrown when the mood takes her. Sadly, she has been diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, and therefore communication, instructions and reasoning don't really wash with her... We have a long road ahead of us, but she's been allocated a place at a specialist nursery school, so we're taking the first steps. The love of the weight of solid lead figures in the hand is a sensory thing, common to many autistic children. I indulged her, by letting her play with some of my Britains New Metal figures I had as a boy, reasoning that they were non-toxic and pretty robust. They are showing a little more of that new metal now, but we have established, through her limited speech that she likes the 'horsey!' (Mounted Life Guard) best.

So, you can perhaps appreciate why my CJBs are safely tucked away until lockable glass fronted cabinets (and a spare room to put them in) are on the cards. Open shelves are just asking for trouble and that's all I have.

Just to return to the main topic - I have located one of CJB's catalogues which were simple A3 colour copies that resemble scrap-book like montages of photos, with hand-written annotations. With it was a 2005 price list which may make your toes curl when compared to the ebay prices! I'm back in the office on Monday and will try to scan them and post them on your new thread.
Good news is, I think you're nearly there!

Best wishes,
InterWar

Interwar,

First, please let me apologize if you thought I was commenting on your parenting skills. I was instead encouraging you to expose your wee ones to the hobby, as the hours spent "up the room" (as my children refer to going up to play in my display area), with Alec and Ashley are some of the most enjoyable I've ever known.

I certainly understand your youngest has special needs. The maid of honor at my wedding, my wife's best friend since she was in kindergarden, our dear friend Nicole, is a special education teacher who specializes in children with Autism, and its more high functioning cousin Asbergers. We often spend time with children she tutors, and my son has a friend who is a very high functioning Asbergers child, and having had him "up the room", I understand your hesitation.

I cannot wait to see the catalogue/flyer^&cool, although I am apt to weep when I see the prices{eek3}.

Regards,

Louis

 

[Louis Badolato]

Gentlemen,

There is a Heco Tinplate Models Rolls Royce Armored Car on ebay with an opening bid of $13.00. I am only going to bid if nobody else does, as I have 6 of these. For a Heco enthusiast, this is a must have, and right now the price is right, so get in there (I am not the seller). I am attaching a photo from the auction:

 

[4th Hussar]

And it went for $213.50. Lousis , pls say you did not ....................................

 

[Louis Badolato]

And it went for $213.50. Lousis , pls say you did not ....................................

Wasn't me . . . I have 6 already!{sm2}

 

[Louis Badolato]

Some either wealthy or insane collector has a tiny Heco Renault FT17 Tank (5 inches long), which originally retailed for 75 British Pounds, bid up to $519!{sm2}{eek3} I would have loved to have bought it, but that is too rich for my blood . . . :redface2:

 

[Louis Badolato]

Some either wealthy or insane collector has a tiny Heco Renault FT17 Tank (5 inches long), which originally retailed for 75 British Pounds, bid up to $519!{sm2}{eek3} I would have loved to have bought it, but that is too rich for my blood . . . :redface2:

All right, I'm a lunatic, I upped my bid and bought the dang thing . . . {sm4}

 

[Louis Badolato]

Here are some photos of the Heco Renault FT17 . . . I've wanted this tank for so long, I just couldn't resist:

 

[Louis Badolato]

A Heco British Mark IV Tank from the same seller went for $304.01 (not to me!{sm4}). I am glad am not the only lunatic out there . . . :tongue:

 

[Louis Badolato]

Some either wealthy or insane collector has a tiny Heco Renault FT17 Tank (5 inches long), which originally retailed for 75 British Pounds, bid up to $519!{sm2}{eek3} I would have loved to have bought it, but that is too rich for my blood . . . :redface2:

Interestingly, it wasn't just me and one other insane collector fighting it out for the Renault FT17, there were 14 bids by 6 different bidders. I bid way more than I believe the tank is worth, because I have wanted it since I started collecting Heco Tinplate Models about 10 years ago, and this is the first and only time I have ever seen one for sale (or even seen a photo of one outside of a Heco Catalogue).

 

[4th Hussar]

Calm down, you did and it is done. More importantly it is now yours !{sm2}{sm3}{sm4}

 

[Louis Badolato]

Sorry Michael, in the same auction I was outbid on a lot of 4 Heco Tinplate Models . . .

Thanks to Alex, who purchased this lot from Vectis, I just agreed to buy the desert version of the Heco General Purpose Lorry (the truck most to the right of the photograph).

 

[Louis Badolato]

Here are some photos of the Heco Renault FT17 . . . I've wanted this tank for so long, I just couldn't resist:

It arrived today . . . I will take some photos of the FT17 and my other Heco Allied WWI armor and post them later or tomorrow.:smile2: