Skip to content
FREE UK SHIP this Weekend for Orders £25+ Use Code : FREESHIP24
FREE UK SHIP this Weekend for Orders £25+ Use Code : FREESHIP24
Free UK Delivery £60+

Next day dispatch. See rates.

Any questions?

Phone: 020 3887 7802

Join Collectors Club

For Exclusive Savings

Free First Delivery

Sign Up To Newsletter Today

Taffs Ramblings

Taffs Ramblings

You know that old saying about a double decker bus, it goes something like 'You wait ages for one, and then three come along all at the same time' It's a bit like that at Oxford this month, with the Land Rover Discovery 1 and Discovery 2 at 1:76 scale releasing at the same time. As many of you know I love Land Rovers and a few years back I said that we had to cover all of the Land Rovers ever made. As time goes on it is getting tougher to release anything new, the range has grown rapidly over the years. The Discovery 2 launched 25 years ago in 1998 which is why we chose to launch it this year (he says with crossed fingers........).

I wanted to scan the Land Rover catalogue for both variants, to add to the product pages I have a large collection of these. Whilst searching through the boxes I came across a Series III brochure with the garage name printed on the rear page.

Series III Brochure - Taff Oxford

Series III Land Rover Brochure

I have fond memories of visiting the garages in Swansea during my younger years, this brochure coming from Fletchers who were on Carmarthen Road - just a few miles down the road from where I live today. Being short of cash I started selling older brochures from when I was about 12 years old, my biggest sale was to a Belgium collector, around £25 in 1973.

76DS1001 Land Rover Oxford Diecast Ltd

76DS1001 Land Rover Discovery 1

The 76 scale models are really nice which got me thinking.......

76LRD2001 Land Rover Discovery 1

76LRD2001 Land Rover Discovery 1

I have more time on my hands nowadays and I have to keep myself busy as that is in my DNA. I commissioned a layout around a month or so ago, which I plan to take to odd shows So I thought, why don't I take the Land Rovers into the warehouse and photograph them on my new layout "to bring them alive". I should add that I am a whiz with graphics and all things computers, but I am absolutely useless at photography, probably the worst on the planet.

Anyway this is the best I came up with.

76LRD2001 AND 76DS1001

The worst was this below! I was trying to make it dark, but without much success!

Just to excite you further, this is my layout, at least threequarters of it, as I did not get the angle correct!

Taff Layout Oxford Diecast

So yes I do need to go on a photography course. I'd also like to create a new layout and would appreciate your thoughts on what you feel would be a worthy theme. You can add to this blog, but frustratingly I cannot answer your messages...... So if you do respond don't feel that you have not been heard - you have.

If you'd like to see more on the Land Rovers released this month here are the links, including some catalogue scans

76 Scale Discovery 1 Foxfire

76 Scale Discovery 2 Epsom Green

43 Scale Discovery 1 Foxfire

43 Scale Discovery 3 Bronze Green

Talk again soon.

TAFF

 

Previous article Bedford TK Fire Engine - 15 years ago/Volvo FL today.
Next article February - August 2023 Announcements

Comments

Chris Baldwin - May 22, 2023

How about a diorama depicting a “Transport Festival”? That way you could include all items in your range of the same scale including buses, industrial vehicles, even some planes might be in the class of “Models of Yesteryear”.

Barry Simpson - May 22, 2023

Can you tell me why Oxford make Austin /Morris J2 Vans & Mini Buses , But Why not the J2 Pickup . If Matchbox could do it years ago ., With out the equipment you have , Why not now , You have the basic Dies , Of the van . You could also model a Ford 400E truck . again you have the van dies. Both would be good sellers.

William McGhee - May 22, 2023

Good afternoon Can you please advise if there is any possibility of the
Orr Wullie Sunday Post Van coming back in stock.
Regards:
William.

Donald Scott - May 22, 2023

Does Taff remember why he decided never to produce the Austin Ruby in 1/76 scale?
The larger one is such a beautiful model!

John Keith William Pearse - May 22, 2023

Many thanks, interesting.
I have to say that I agree with the other John who is still hoping for the Cowans Sheldon cranes, and other Oxford Rail items.
Best regards, another John

Selwyn - May 22, 2023

Great to read about everybody’s story about vehicles and their personal history so going to see if my wish can be addressed
Thomas Bros buses / coaches Aberavon / PortTalbot I managed an unbelievable bit of luck whilst based in Kaposvar Hungary prior to moving into Croatia giving support to the American Army in upkeep of their troop camps a Aberavon Open Top Decker in a very small anything goes shop so would love to compliment it with the local buses also Llynfi buses/ coaches for memories of my very favourite Aunty who worked on their local buses in Maesteg as a ticket collector
I do have the small Llynfi issue

Chris Hind - May 22, 2023

Hi Taff, have added a builders merchant to my layout and would love to add a Hiab vehicle, often seen now a days delivering bulk loads to home projects ie drives and patios. I have looked through your range but can’t seem to see one, is there one?

Regards Chris

Mark Elias - May 22, 2023

Hi Taff,
How about a cityscape that fades to country side….The city side can be used for police, and fire activity followed by some off-roading with Landys and then farm implements. And if you really have lots of space, you can set up an airport runway with emergency vehicles, etc.

As for photography, I will be happy to help give advice. (It’s what I do professionally)

Ashley Lovering - May 22, 2023

Another great blog. Hope you are keeping well

Terry - May 22, 2023

Hi Taff
I never took to the Discovery, especially the first two incarnations. The latest version, very similar to the Range Rover, is slowly growing on me, but I will always be a Series person

Leave a comment

* Required fields