On manoeuvres at Excalibur

Excalibur’s last auction featured several lots of army vehicles but there was a strong Britains lead soldier contingent as well as a good selection of older Dinky trade boxed sets. These latter included six civilian motorcyclists (£220); six pre-war Light Tanks (£250) and six RAC Motorcycle Patrol Combination models (£350).

On the military front, a Corgi Major Gift Set No.4 comprising a Bloodhound Guided Missile with Ramp, Trolley and Land Rover made £120; a tidy Dinky No.697 25 Pounder Field Gun Set in a yellow picture box raised £48; and a 10 ton Army Truck, together with a 677 Armoured Command Vehicle, was knocked down for £55. A pair of Dinky 651 Centurion Tanks, one in a blue/white striped box and the other in a later yellow picture box, settled on £40.

The Britains No.28 set of Mountain Artillery with Mule Team and Quick Firing Gun, comprising a mounted empty handed officer with six marching gunners, together with four walking mules carrying a dismantled RA gun and ammunition, in an original Fred Whisstock illustrated box lid was simply lovely and this made £120.

The same manufacturer’s No.247 set of Arabs of the Desert, comprising three mounted figures and four on foot, although with two figures missing the tips of their rifles, was also in a Fred Whisstock box and this hit £150; while another Britains Arabs of the Desert, this comprising six Arabs on camels, in a plain, unmarked box, was knocked down for £80.

As for Dinky Supertoys, a good selection included a 901 Foden Diesel 8 Wheel Wagon in rare dark green and lighter green livery with green hubs; with an LF sticker to the end of the box, this attractive example made £120.

There were two Pullmore Car Transporters for bidders: an example in darker blue with fawn decks in a scarce plain dark blue crossover box with a white label sold for £220; while another, also in darker blue with fawn decks but contained within the rarer blue/white striped crossover box, realised £300.

Finally, an unusual Dinky Toys No.35 Small Motor Cars set with three cars in a diorama picture box, the cars exhibiting some fatigue and possibly with some replacement wheels, was contested to £220. ■

Not too common, this RAF Bloodhound set was sound although the rocket nosecone, as is so often the case, had deteriorated.