Micromodels - Your workshop all in a cigar-box

[Terry]

Set S13 - The Royal Yacht 'Bluebottle'. Issued in 1954 at a cost of 2/6d. This set contains six cards and brown paper for the sails and will make two models. The former royal yacht 'Bluebottle' was presented to HM The Queen and Prince Philip as a wedding present. It is now on show at Leith Docks in Edinburgh. Another set with the wrapper illustration at ninety degrees to most of the others in the series.





Set S14 - Pulling & Sailing Lifeboat and Motor Lifeboat. Two boats could be modelled from this set issued in 1955 at a cost of 3/0d. No reprint was ever issued making it scarce. Six cards, a half-card base and a brown paper sail sheet were included. A very attractive illustration on the wrapper.

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Set S15 - Maori Ceremonial War Canoe. Published in 1955 at a cost of 3/0d. Never reprinted. This set contains six cards and a base strip. It was supposed to be one of a three-part set, the other two being a Maori Meeting House and a Maori Village. Unfortunately, these models were never produced.

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Sets S16 and S17 were never issued.

Set No.1 - New Series - 'The Mayflower'. This was the last Micromodel produced and was issued by the new owners after Geoffrey Heighway's death. Published in 1957 at a cost of 4/0d. It used the original artwork by Geoffrey Heighway for his Set 8, which was never issued. The 'Mayflower' also appears in Set S1. Apparently, the model was originally conceived to commemorate the sailing of a full-sized replica of 'Mayflower' from the UK to the US.

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Promotional Model - Donald Campbell's 'Bluebird'. This model was produced for the Mobil Oil Company and originally consisted of a single large sheet, folded to resemble a normal Micromodel. As is well known, 'Bluebird' was owned by Donald Campbell. Tragically, he was killed in January, 1967, whilst attempting to break his own water speed-record on Coniston Water in England's Lake District. This model was later reprinted in its original form and subsequently in the usual Micromodel six-card and wrapper format, by Autocraft Ltd., the current owners of the printing plates. Here is the later six-card version with its very attractive wrapper..

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That concludes the Micromodels Ltd. nautical models. Next, I would like to briefly look at the nautical models from Modelcraft Ltd.

Terry

 

[Terry]

The Micromodels story...

...or to be more accurate for this part, the Modelcraft story.

Around 1941 or 1942, Modelcraft Ltd. produced their set A1 - 'The Romance of Sail' which was later reproduced by Micromodels Ltd. as their set S1 - 'Six Little Ships & Galleons'. A picture of this was shown earlier in this thread.


Set B1 - British Fighting Ships. Probably published in 1942. Six cards depicting Nelson's Flagship HMS Victory, the Battleship HMS King George V, the Aircraft Carrier HMS Ark Royal, the submarine HMS Sea Lion, Motor Torpedo Boat (MTB) 102, and the Destroyer HMS Cossack. All of the cards were produced varnished.

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Here is the card for Motor Torpedo Boat 102..

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And the reverse..





Here is MTB 102 constructed from a scan..

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Here is the card for the Destroyer HMS Cossack..

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And the reverse..

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Between 1945 and 1947 Modelcraft Ltd. produced three nautical models which could be propelled in water by using methylated spirits to produce a chemical reaction at the rear of the vessel, thus moving it forward through the water.


The first model was The Queen Mary. The set contained two cards, albeit one was the same length as two normal cards. Priced at 9d. The first issue had the name 'Minicraft' on the wrapper but on the subsequent reprint this had been changed to the word 'Microcraft'.

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Around 1947 Modelcraft Ltd. produced their Cabin Cruiser under the 'Microcraft' name, at a cost of 9d. Two cards in a wrapper, although one card is the same length as two normal cards. A later reprint produced the wrapper and cards on a large single sheet of card. Here is a photo of half of that sheet...

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And the front when folded..

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I made this model from a scan..

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The final vessel in this group was the 'Microcraft' Thames Tug. This is extremely rare nowadays. However, I have constructed this rather attractive model from a scan..

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That's the end of our journey through the nautical models. Next up, the aircraft models.

Terry

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[Matt.S.]

Set S4 - Cutty Sark. The famous Tea Clipper now on permanent display at Greenwich, London. Issued in 1950 at a cost of 2/0d. As well as six cards, the set also contains a sail sheet printed on thin paper. Unfortunately, the wrapper illustration is not as attractive as many other Micromodels. This example dates from 1953.

View attachment 205852​

Set S5 - HMS Victory - Nelson's Flagship. Released in 1951 at a cost of 2s.0d. The illustration is of the 1952 reprint costing 2/6d. This set is one of the few which have the illustration printed at ninety degrees to all the others in the series.

View attachment 205853

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Set S6 - The Showboat Cotton Blossom. Printed in 1952 at a cost of 2/6d. One presumes that Geoffrey Heighway had seen the 1951 MGM musical film 'Show Boat' starring Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel and Ava Gardner. Here is a copy of the 1955 reprint..

View attachment 205854

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Sets S7 & S8 were never issued.

Set S9 - Queen Elizabeth and Mauretania. In 1953, at a cost of 3/4d. you could buy yourself two liners. There were eight cards in this pack and a base strip which wrapped around the cards inside the outer wrapper. Five cards for the Queen Elizabeth and three cards for the Mauretania.

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Set S10 - SS United States. Another 1953 introduction at a cost of 2/6d. Four cards and a wrap around base.

View attachment 205856

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Set S11 - Thames Sailing Barge and Canal Narrow Boat. Yours in 1953 for the princely sum of 2/6d. (12.5p) No reprint was ever undertaken for this set. This set contains six cards plus a half-card base and a thin sheet of printed brown paper for the sails.

View attachment 205857

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S12 was never issued.

Terry

Hi Terry - what size were the cards? (I have some scans to print...)

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

Are all of the Micromodel/Modelcraft cards and packs/envelopes the same size?

Any chance of placing a ruler or a coin in one of the next photos to get a sense of scale?

 

[Terry]

Hi Terry - what size were the cards? (I have some scans to print...)

Are all of the Micromodel/Modelcraft cards and packs/envelopes the same size?

Any chance of placing a ruler or a coin in one of the next photos to get a sense of scale?

The Micromodels cards (not the wrappers) measure approx. 126mm x 88mm
The Micromodels wrappers measure approx. 127mm x 90mm

The Modelcraft kits are larger than the Micromodels kits.
The Modelcraft cards measure approx. 130mm x 92mm
The Modelcraft wrappers measure approx. 132mm x 93mm
However, these measurements are not consistent throughout the range of models. For instance,
the wrapper of Set H1 Flying Boats measures approx. 130mm x 101mm

Hope this helps.

Terry

 

[oldravendale]

Thank you, Terry, for going to so much trouble and showing such a complete run down. These posts have been so enjoyable for me and I suggest others of a certain vintage.

Brian

 

[Terry]

1The Micromodels story..1

So, onto the aircraft models. This is a very small group with only four sets produced by Micromodels Ltd.

Set AV1 - Airliners - Bristol Brabazon and de Havilland Comet. First issued in 1949 at 1/8d. and later reissued in 1953 at 2/6d. Both of these aircraft were topical in 1949 as the Brabazon was the World's largest land airplane and the Comet was the first jet airliner. The set contained six cards which were printed in silver, making them very attractive. Very rare.

Set AV2 - Wright Biplane & Bleriot Monoplane. The Wright Biplane being the first aircraft to fly in 1903, and the Bleriot Monoplane being the first to cross the English Channel. Printed in 1952 at 2/6d. Contains the usual six cards inside the attractive wrapper.

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Set AV3 - English Electric Canberra B Mk 2 and Avro 707B. Published in 1953 at a cost of 2/6d. Never reprinted. Six cards inside the wrapper. Another very rare model.


Set AV4 - Bristol 173, Westland Sikorsky and Autogiro C30. Published in 1953 for 2/6d. You got three helicopter models in this six-card pack for your money. Attractive wrapper with the Bristol 173 illustrated thereon.

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And so to the Modelcraft Ltd. aircraft...

There were four sets in the Modelcraft range.

Set E1 - Allied Fighter Planes. Probably released around 1942/3 at 1/3d. Six cards with six models thereon, these being Spitfire Mk VI, Defiant, Airacobra, Hurricane Mk IIc, Tomahawk, and Thunderbolt. Extremely rare set.

Here is the Spitfire from this set, constructed from a scan, alongside a UK 20p. coin. For the information of those readers outside the UK, this is a VERY small coin. You might be interested to learn that the aerial running from behind the cockpit to the tail is part of a cat's whisker. I have five cats so there is a constant supply!

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Set F1 - Fighter Bombers. This 1943 set of six cards made three models. For your 1/3d. you became the proud owner of a Westland Whirlwind, a Bristol Beaufighter and a de Havilland Mosquito.

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For your enjoyment, I have included here one card from each model..

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Set G1 - Heavy Bombers. Released in 1943 at a cost of 1/3d. This set contained six cards which made-up into two aircraft, the Boeing Fortress II and the Short Stirling I.

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For your further enjoyment, here are the first cards for each aircraft..

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Set H1 - Flying Boats. Probably issued in 1944 at a cost of 1/6d. Eight cards making up into two aircraft, the Short Sunderland and the Consolidated Catalina.

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Here are the first cards from each aircraft..

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Here is the Catalina constructed from a scan..

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That brings to an end the Aircraft in this Micromodel extravaganza.

There are a small number of miscellaneous models to cover next before moving on to the largest group, the Architectural models.

Terry

 

[Terry]

Thank you, Terry, for going to so much trouble and showing such a complete run down. These posts have been so enjoyable for me and I suggest others of a certain vintage.

Brian

Thank you for your kind comments Brian.

Terry

 

[Mike Trice]

It is good to see some of the built models on here, especially as you appear to have done so, so neatly. Perhaps following the history/catalogue you could post some tips and tricks.

 

[Terry]

Thanks Mike. I'll see what I can do.

 

[Terry]

The Micromodels story..

Geoffrey Heighway produced a number of Micromodels which did not fit into any of the larger categories. We can group them under the heading 'Miscellaneous' and I will deal with them next.

Set BE - Beam Engine. Produced in 1950. For 1/8d. you could build your own Cornish Beam Engine. This is a very rare Micromodel and I personally have never seen it, apart from a scanned copy. I did partly construct it some time ago from a scan. Here is the work so far..

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Set FC - Mammoth Floating Crane. This model of the 200ton floating crane owned by the Mersey Docks & Harbour Board, Liverpool, was first published in 1948 at a cost of 1/3d. The six cards were printed in black and white for hand-colouring. Another very rare model. Here is a later reprint by Autocraft Ltd..

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Set MC1 - B.R.M., G.P. Bugatti & 1903 G.B. Mercedes. The only Micromodel set to feature automobiles was produced in 1954 at a price of 2/6d. Quite a common set.

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Set OW - Oil Well 'Abadan' set. Cracking Plant & Model Tanker. Printed in 1951, priced 2/0d. Contained six cards in black and white for hand-colouring. Not really a subject to 'set you alight'!

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This is a card from the set..

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Set T0 - Threshing Outfit. Originally published in 1949 for 1/8d. This set is printed in colour and contained a Traction Engine, Straw Elevator and a Threshing Machine. Here is the 1952 reprint..

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Set T02 - Mammoth Shovel Excavator. The first issue in 1951, priced 2/0d. contained six cards printed in black and white for hand-colouring. It was reprinted in 1952 in colour at 2/6d. The later set is very common.

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TOY1 - Happee 'Dracow' The Gentle Dragon. A very unusual Micromodel in that this was a moving toy. Oh Dear, what on earth were you thinking of Geoffrey? Released in 1949 at 1/8d.

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TOY2 - 'Putred' The Long-Necked Snoop. Another moving toy where the head nods. One assumes that Geoffrey Heighway was venting his spleen, having had a visit from some officious individual whom the model purports to represent. Published in 1949, priced 1/8d. Should have stuck to the more serious subjects..

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Set TR1 - London Transport 'Feltham' Type Tram, Merryweather Steam 'Dummy' With Trailer Car and North Metropolitan Horse Tram. One for the tram enthusiasts. Published in 1953 at 2/6d.

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There were a few miscellaneous packet models issued by Modelcraft Ltd. Unfortunately, neither are in my collection.

Set C1 - Weapons of War. Issued around 1942 for 1/4d. Six cards and six models: Matilda Tank, 3.7 inch AA Gun, AA Search Light, Catapault Launching Gear, 14 inch Gun Turret and Naval Torpedo.

Set D1 - Tanks, British, USA and Russian. Issued probably around 1942/3 at a cost of 1/4d. Six cards made up into seven models. For your money you got the following tanks: Churchill, Crusader, General Grant, American Heavy, Russian Medium, a Bren Gun Carrier and a BSA Scout Car.

That concludes the Miscellaneous models. Next we move to the final and largest group of Micromodels, the Architectural models.

Terry

 

[sagaguy]

Whilst Geoffrey Heighway was producing his kits under the Micromodels label, his previous employer, Modelcraft Ltd., continued to produce further miniature models, but on single sheets. The range of locomotives included LMS Princes Royal (1947), LNER Flying Scotsman (1947), SR Channel Packet (1947), LNER Sandringham B17 Class (1948), LMS Cameronian (1948), LNER Class L1 (1948), SR Lord Nelson Class Lord Anson (1948) and LMS Diesel Electric Locomotive (1948). A few other railway related kits were produced.

I have three of these Modelcraft single sheet kits in my collection.

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The Modelcraft kit of Stephenson's Rocket was also produced. This was illustrated earlier in this thread.

To the best of my knowledge this concludes the Micromodels and Modelcraft railway models.

Coming next: Ships and Boats.

Terry

Ah,you missed Sandringham and there is an L1

 

[Mike Trice]

No, he mentions them in the text, including the text you quoted.

 

[sagaguy]

Sorry,i meant the scan of the card kit.

 

[Terry]

Sorry,i meant the scan of the card kit.

Ray, I am only including pictures of the models which are actually in my possession. Thanks for posting Sandringham. I haven't got that particular model and It's interesting to see what it is like.

Terry

 

[Terry]

The Micromodels story..

Now we come to the Architectural models and my personal favourites. My introduction to Micromodels came about around 1959/1960 when my elder brother purchased and built ARC 2 - Dr. Johnson's House. And so, to the models..


ARC 1 - Anne Hathaway's Cottage. If you don't know who this lady is, shame on you. As every schoolboy knows, Anne Hathaway became William Shakespeare's wife to whom he left his 'second best bed' in his will. The model represents Anne's cottage which is still standing in Stratford-upon-Avon. First published in 1948 at a cost of 1/8d. Reprinted in 1953 at 2/6d. and subsequently reprinted by Autocraft Ltd.

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ARC 2 - Doctor Johnson's House. First published in 1949 at a price of 1/8d. Doctor Samuel Johnson, the writer and wit, lived at 17 Gough Square, London, where he compiled his 'Dictionary of the English Language'. The six cards in this kit make up into an attractive model of the 300 year-old house. It still stands just off Fleet Street and is open to the public for a small charge. Coincidentally, I was visiting three years ago with the same elder brother who built the model all those years ago, when I received a phone call from the hospital asking if I would like a cancelled slot thirteen days hence for the removal of my cancerous prostate. I accepted the offer and two weeks after the operation we went into the Covid lockdown. And we know what happened to cancer operations then, don't we? I must have a Guardian Angel! Anyway, enough of the morbid stuff. To the model..

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And here's one I made earlier..

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ARC 3 - Cripplegate. One of six of the old London Gates produced in the Micromodels range. Others were planned but, unfortunately, were never issued. These gates were based on models built by the Artist and Historian John B. Thorp which were displayed in the Museum of London in the late 1940's. One of the old London Gates models would be an ideal starter kit for anyone wishing to have a crack at producing a Micromodel. However, please construct the model from a scan, not one of the original kits, as they are now quite collectable. This model was first printed in 1949 at a cost of 1/8d. Here is a 1955 reprint..

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ARC 4 - Moorgate. First published in 1950 for 1/8d. Reprinted in 1955 for 3/0d. The six cards make up into another attractive model.

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It makes up into this..

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ARC 5 - Aldgate. In 1950, you could have bought this attractive model for 1/8d. It was reprinted in 1955 at the higher cost of 3/0d. The six cards made up into another nice model representing one of the old London gates. Here is the 1955 reprint..

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Here are a couple of views of the finished model. Can you spot the differences between the wrapper illustration and the finished model?

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ARC 6- This would have been a model of Bridgegate, situated on old London Bridge. Unfortunately Geoffrey Heighway died before the model could come to fruition, thus it was never issued.


ARC 7 - Newgate. Another attractive model containing six cards. First released in 1951 for 2/0d. Reprinted in 1955 for 3/0d.

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Here is the completed model..

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ARC 8 Ludgate - This model was never issued. However, the current owners of the printing plates, Autocraft Ltd. have produced their own version of Ludgate which can be purchased on eBay.



ARC 9 - Bishop's Gate - Situated in Bishopsgate, very close to the present-day Liverpool Street Station. It's former location is marked by a Bishop's mitre representation affixed to the buildings either side of the road. First issued in 1952 at a cost of 2/6d. Re-issued in 1955 at 3/0d.

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ARC 10 Alder's Gate. Printed in 1955 at a cost of 3/0d. Never reprinted.

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Terry

 

[Terry]

The Micromodels story..

Onwards with the Architectural Models.


ARC 12 - The Tower of London. A superb model of this, the most famous of all castles. First issued in 1950 for 3/4d. Never re-issued although it is quite common. There are twelve cards in this set.

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ARC 13 - Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Southwark. Published in 1950 for 2/0d . Later re-printed in 1952 for 2/6d. and again in 1955 for 3/0d. A scarce model containing six cards which make up into a delightful model of the most famous theatre of all time. The original theatre lies buried beneath a listed Edwardian building, so we may never get to see it being excavated. However, there is a display at the site appertaining to the Globe Theatre and the modern nearby replica is well worth a look when you next visit London.

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Here it is in all its glory..

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ARC 14 - Old London Bridge. Based on the bridge during the reign of Elizabeth I, this set has a very attractive wrapper which contains twelve cards. First and only print was in 1951 when it sold for 3/4d. There is an excellent model of this version of London Bridge at the Parish Church of St. Magnus the Martyr, Lower Thames Street, just on the North side of the current London Bridge.

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ARC 15 - The Bull Hotel, Long Melford, Suffolk. First issued in late 1951 or early 1952 at a cost of 2/0d. Reprinted in 1952 and 1955. Built in the mid-1400s, this old hotel pre-dates the first Tudor monarchs by some 35 years. It has a wealth of features including a fireplace dating from the Tudor period. The ghost of Richard Evered, who was murdered in the hotel in 1648, is said to haunt its corridors.

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The wrapper contained six cards and a strip which made up into this delightful model..

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ARC 16 - The Guildhall and Cottages, Thaxted, Essex. You could have bought this delightful model in 1952 for 2/6d. Reprinted in 1955 for 3/0d. A very attractive wrapper which contained six cards producing a beautiful little replica. Believed to have been built sometime between 1462 and 1475, this historic building has an open-paved ground floor which was used as a market and meeting place. It is still in use as a municipal building and houses a small museum.

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This is what you got for your money..

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Terry

 

[Terry]

The Micromodels story..

ARC 17 - Windsor Castle. You could have owned this royal castle in 1953 for the grand sum of 3/4d. The set was never re-printed. It was included as part of the Coronation Set celebrating the crowning of HM Queen Elizabeth II. Quite a rare model. The attractive wrapper contains ten cards.

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Some years ago I had a bash at building this model. Unfortunately, I didn't get around to finishing it. However, I'll show the part completed model here just to give you an idea of its construction..

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ARC 18 - Royal Lodge, Nreyi, Kenya. This model was never issued.


Arc 19 - The Houses of Parliament. The second model in the Coronation Set. The only printing was in 1953 at 3/4d. However, this is a very common model. Twelve cards and one strip of grey buildings. Boring to look at, but produces an interesting model.

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ARC 20 - Westminster Abbey. The third model in the Coronation Set. Only printed once in 1953 at 3/4d. Another fairly common set containing twelve cards and a strip. Similar in style to the previous model but makes up into a very interesting model.

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ARC 21A,B,C - Hampton Court. The largest Micromodel produced. This consisted of three packets which, together, enabled you to build the whole of this former royal palace. To build the whole model, you would have had to work your way through 38 cards, plus one half-card and two strips. Just bear in mind that the average Micromodel had only six cards. First and only print was in 1954. As all three wrappers are the same except for the letter 'A', 'B' or 'C' and the description of the contents, I have shown one only.

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ARC 22 - St. Peter's, Rome and Vatican. You could own this model in 1954 after shelling out 3/4d. Never reprinted but it is a very common model. The twelve cards are drawn to a very small scale to enable the whole model to fit into a small area.

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RC 23 - The White House, Washington. The only printing was in 1955 at a cost of 3/0d. Only five cards are included in this set and are nicely drawn.

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ARC 24 - The United States Capitol, Washington D.C. Printed in 1955 for 4/0d. Never reprinted. The set contained twelve cards which were similar in style to ARC 23.

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Terry

 

[Terry]

The Micromodels story..

There were a number of other models proposed with the ARC suffix, but none were ever issued. However, in recent years Autocraft Ltd. have added some new models under the heading of Micro New Models.


Set WM - Water-Mill. The only printing was in 1948 at 1/3d. Later re-produced by Autocraft Ltd. The six cards were printed in black and white for 'hand-colouring'. Apparently, a working model could be produced from this kit. Here is the Autocraft reproduction..

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Set WM2 - Windmill. Printed in 1949 for 1/8d. No reprint issued. A working model based on the mill at Aythorpe Roding near Great Dunmow in Essex. Another working model printed on six black and white cards for hand painting. Here is the Autocraft reproduction..

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Set FB - Festival of Britain Site 1951. Printed as an official souvenir of the exhibition site on London's South Bank. Of course the Royal Festival Hall has become part of London's fabric. It was on sale for 3/4d. An interesting subject but, unfortunately, the ten cards are in black and white. Autocraft Ltd. reproduced this set at a later date. Here it is..

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Modelcraft Ltd. also produced a kit based on the 1951 Festival of Britain. This was 'The Skylon' which was the futuristic centrepiece of the exhibition. It resembled a kind of space rocket. Published in 1951 at 9d. A nice wrapper but only contained two, rather boring cards.

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And those, as far as I am aware, are all the models in the Micromodel story.

I will briefly deal next with some of the publications put out by Micromodels Ltd.

Terry

 

[Clarence3815]

Does anyone remember a multi sheet of heavy paper/almost card that made up into a dark coloured model of a Showmans road locomotive? This was not from the same firm that did Flying Scotsman - that came much later. I`m guessing it would habve been about 1960-1965 timeframe.

TIA

Bernard