Corgi

Back in November 2013, work began on the new tooling for the exciting 1:72 Gloster Meteor F3, and now after months of tremendous hard work from our design team, the wait is almost over.

The Gloster Meteor was the first jet fighter to enter service with the RAF. First flying in 1943 it entered service with 616 squadron in July 1944. 

Squadron Leader Dennis Barry (in cockpit) and other pilots of No. 616 Squadron RAF with a Gloster Meteor at Manston, Kent, January 1945. 

Confined to operations only over the United Kingdom to preserve the secrets of its technology, the Meteor was soon used on anti-V1 patrols. Their terrific acceleration allowed them to be very effective in this role, accounting for fourteen V1s by the end of the war, a good total from only a small number of airframes.

With the Allied air superiority they did not suffer the same problems as the ME262s, that of Allied fighters attacking the short legged jets at their most vulnerable stage, during take-off or landing. By mid-1945 the squadron was operational over Germany, being engaged in ground attacks and fighter sweeps. But the squadron failed to encounter any enemy jets during their sorties.

Using CAD to ensure an extremely high level of accuracy and detail the Corgi design team are extremely proud to present an aircraft that enjoyed a long and successful career with a multitude of air forces and one of their personal favourites.

CAD image used to create the model.

CAD image used to create the model.

This new model will be available from Corgi.co.uk and retailers soon. 

Fifty years ago, way back in 1965 (anyone else feel old), Corgi won the first ever Toy of the Year for the Goldfinger James Bond Aston Martin DB5. The model came with many features including bullet proof rear windscreen, James bond driver and of course the famous ejector seat. 

This month, Top Gear presenter James May was asked to name the most significant car of all time - a difficult task as I'm sure you will all agree. All the chosen cars were displayed in London as part of the London Classic Car show in a walk-through exhibition named "The Cars that Changed the World". There was room enough for just 12 cars, however hidden away at the end of the exhibit sat #the13thcar. The car that in James May's words "changed the state of motoring". Well we are truly honoured to say that the car he chose was the 1965 Corgi Aston Martin DB5 that was produced to coincide with the release of Goldfinger. You can read more from James on why he made the choice in his article from last week's Sunday Times.

Now, in 2015 we present a new release, fully featured DB5 for a new generation of James Bond fans. 

It is presented in the iconic silver livery of the film with a limited number being produced in a Special Edition gold finish. Displayed in a special retro-styled anniversary box, the new model will come complete with many features such as the James Bond driver, retractable machine guns, a rotating number plate and of course... the ejector seat! 

The new model is available from pre-order now from Corgi.co.uk but we wanted to ask; what about you? What car do you think has changed the world? 

Hi everyone! Whilst Black Friday has caused some unfortunate delays due to it massively exceeding our expectations, we have had people working in shifts around the clock to catch up and get things back to normal. We can tell you that all Black Friday orders will be delivered VERY soon and any orders made today (before 3PM GMT) will reach you before Christmas.

New Year - New Shots off Tooling!

At Corgi HQ first shots off the new Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 tooling have arrived!

With two dual destination releases planned for the first half of 2014 the first will arrive in May in the form of OM46501A/B Metro Line.

VW1400 is one of a batch of 43 Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 vehicles delivered to Metroline in 2012/13. The bus is based at Willesden Garage and is normally to be found on the well-established trunk route 52, operating between Willesden (OM46501A) and Victoria (OM46501B), alongside hybrid versions of this vehicle. The route has a peak vehicle requirement of 24 buses at the busiest times.  

Coming soon to Hauliers of Renown - Log Load for newly tooled Log Trailers.

Corgi is pleased to announce the arrival of the new Log Load in 2014 to accompany the soon to be released Log Trailers: CC13741 Scani R McFadyens Transport Ltd, Campbell Town, Scotland and CC13742 Scania R Eddie Stobart, Carlsile, Cumbria.

The authentic load measures 120mm in length meaning two loads can fit on a Hauliers of Renown Log Trailer.

New Route for OOC New Bus for London.

OM46610A/B - 11 Liverpool Street - Fullham Broadway.

On 21st September 2013 New Bus for London's commenced service on a new route - Route 11 from Liverpool Street to Fullham Broadway.

Corgi is pleased to announce the addition of this new route to it's sell-out series of Original Omnibus New Bus for London die-cast models.

The dual destination release will be available in April with OM46610A headed for Liverpool Street and OM46610B on route to Fullham Broadway.

Design your own Corgi Toys Truck with Ye Olde Oak.

June-September Winners!

These fantastic hand-finished models turned up at Hornby HQ last week and will soon be heading off to the four competition winners who created these fun, quirky and frankly very cute designs! 

There have been many entrees arriving at the Hornby offices since the competition began in May this year making it particularly difficult to choose just one winner each month. 

From 2D hand drawn designs to 3D hand-painted models, it has been great to see these winning designs come to life as Corgi Toys. 

Seven-year-old James Maloney was presented with a Corgi Royal Baby MINI at his school, St Andrews of Pangbourne, after his ‘Royal Baby logo’ was chosen as the winning design to feature on this finished Corgi model.

To commemorate the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s first child and heir to the throne HRH Prince George of Cambridge, Corgi produced a commemorative die-cast model MINI.

Pupils at Kate’s former school, St Andrews of Pangbourne in Berkshire were asked to design a ‘Royal Baby logo’ to feature on the finished model.

Children ranging from ages 5-12 entered the competition and seven-year-old James Maloney’s union flag themed pram design was selected as the winning entry.

The schoolboy described the source of his inspiration:

He said: “When I was walking with my mum I saw a pram we walked past it and I said to my mum maybe we could do that idea.”

James was presented with a finished box sample and a one-off exclusive pre-production sample in front of fellow pupils, teachers and local press.

Corgi Assistant Brand Manager Helen Cook said: “It was tough choosing a winner from all of the fantastic designs, but James’ logo had everything we were looking for; creative and in theme with the event. The model is set to be a great success and Corgi would like to thank the pupils of St Andrew’s who entered the competition and to headmaster Dr David Livingstone for his support in what has been a fantastic project.”

Here's a sneak peak at some of the brand new Jan-June 2014 original Omnibus models on display in the Corgi Showroom at Hornby HQ. 

New Tooling

Vanguards - Golf GTI Mk2

A brand new Volkswagen tooling will be joining the Vanguards collection in April and June 2014 in the form of VA13600 Golf Mk2 GTI in Tornado Red and VA13601 Golf GTI 16v Mk2 James Shead, 1988 Dunlop RAC British Touring Car Championship, Class C Champion, 8th overall.

New Tooling 

Lotus F1

New Tooling

McLaren F1

Still 'under-wraps' by the F1 Team the brand new Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, MP4-28, 2014 Show Car will be unveiled by the McLaren Team in early 2014. 

Corgi will be waiting in the wings once the new 2014 livery has been revealed and will start working on our 1:43 scale die-cast replica.

New Tooling

Original Omnibus

The second new tooling addition to the Original Omnibus Collection is the Wright Eclipse 2 with three dual releases on the way in January, February and April.

Up first is OM46705A/B National Express Dundee headed for Douglas via Arbroath Road (A) and Charleston via the City Center (B). The fun Dennis the Menace and Nasher livery celebrates the characters creator, DC Thomas, from Dundee. Available in April.

OM46702A/B Bus Eireann will be available in January and carries destination board 215 headed for Blarney (A) and 203 on route to Farranree via Parklands (B).

New Tooling

Hauliers of Renown

Another new addition to the Hauliers of Renown collection is the 2 Axle and 3 Axle Low Loader Trailer.

We have two releases planned for the 3 Axle in the form of CC15604 Volvo F89 with industrail cable reel load in Welsh haulier Robert Wynn and Sons livery, available in February and CC15507 Cadzow Transport's Volvo F12 which will be available in May.

New Tooling

Original Omnibus

One of two new tools being introduced to the Original Omnibus Collection in 2014, the Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 will be arriving in two dual destination releases. 

OM46501A/B Metro Line will be available in May with OM46501A headed for Wilesden Bus Garage and OM46501B on route to Victoria.