Garage moderne
Mike Pigott builds and reviews a large 1/43 scale garage diorama kit that was issued in France as a magazine partwork.
Mike Pigott builds up a French partwork series.
Many collectors like to display their models with scenic backdrops and dioramas including buildings, roadways and figures. However, the availability of these accessories varies greatly depending on the scale of the models collected.Those who collect 1/76 scale models are spoilt for choice, as the scale is compatible with OO gauge model railways, and there are countless scenic accessories produced.The same goes for collectors of 1/87 vehicles, as these are the same scale as HO gauge railways – although subject matter is usually of Continental or American subjects, as HO is more popular in these markets.
Although 1/43 scale is the most popular scale for model cars, there is much less in the way of model buildings compatible with them. Other than O gauge model railway accessories, a less mainstream scale, there is very little in the way of structures to complement 1/43 miniatures.
GARAGE MODERNE
In 2014, Hachette Editions in France released a weekly partwork entitled Garage Moderne, which enabled subscribers to build up a big 1/43 scale model of a large garage typical of those seen in French towns in the 1950s and ‘60s.The finished model consisted of a car showroom, petrol station, servicing bay and car wash.
France is probably the largest market for partwork collections of diecast vehicles. Countless series have been produced over the last decade or so, with many long-running releases on cars, trucks, vans, aircraft, emergency vehicles, tractors, character models and re-editions of vintage toys.While some of these have proved popular in the UK, particularly the collections based on Batman, James Bond, tractors and reissued Dinky Toys, they pale in comparison with the sheer volume of French series. In addition to these partworks that include diecast models, there are also series that include parts to make up one
large model, such as a 1/8 scale car, an historic ship or a famous fighter plane.These have proved popular in the UK and many other markets, but have three serious drawbacks. Firstly, they are a very expensive way to get a model, and can end up costing in excess of £600. Secondly, the finished model is only as good as the skill of the person building it. And thirdly, a lost or missing issue can cause a lot of problems.
Garage Moderne was only sold in France, and Hachette would not accept subscriptions from other countries. I was able to buy it, and several other partworks, from an online newsagency called www.journaux.fr which does send French publications worldwide. Like most partworks, Garage Moderne included a magazine with every issue, and the first two numbers were sold at discount introductory prices.
To be honest, I only bought the first issue because it cost just 2.50 € and included an Ixo Citroën 2CV van, together with the showroom floor and half the façade.The second issue cost 4.99 € and all subsequent issues were 6.99 €. I was fascinated with the concept of the garage, and wanting a decent diorama for my 1/43 models, decided to keep ordering it every week.Although it seemed an inexpensive purchase on a weekly basis, in retrospect it was a very pricey garage, as initially 110 issues were planned. However, it proved extremely popular, and sold so well that it was extended to 130 issues, making it even more expensive.There was even a companion series of 1/43 diecast models to go with the garage - these were mainly tow trucks, petrol tankers and delivery vehicles, in the liveries of famous petroleum and auto component brands.
MAGAZINE
Each release included a magazine, which was designed to be pulled apart and filed in a ring binder using the pre-punched holes. In addition to instructions on how to construct the garage, the magazine was quite an interesting read – as long as