Zylmex VC10

[mogger12345]

I am asking out of interest really. I found a fairly poor condition Zylmex BOAC VC10 in a charity shop.There is no packaging, just the plane. It says it's made in Hong Kong and presumably before BOAC became BA. Any other info?
Nick

[MichaelB]

OK, I'm sorry - I don't quite get the gist of your question.
The ZEE VC-10 was issued in BOAC and BA stickers. It's a nice enough cast, typcial of the genre. It was dropped from the line at one point and not reissued. It should have it's ZEE number cast in below as well. There were two cast, the early BOAC toy, and a later much nicer looking BA piece.
If it's not MOC/MIB and it's stickers are in poor shape, then you have to consider it a curiousity. Most of these pieces suffered lots of play damage, and ones that have not been taken out of their packaging are very desirable.
Otherwise - enjoy the piece of history!
Michael

[mogger12345]

Michael,
Thanks. You have answered my question perfectly. I looked on the Web, but could not find anything about it. I knew there was no value, it was just such an oddity to find as I'd never seen anything like it before, and I don't collect diecast models. I love Airfix, etc kits and aircraft in general. What a lovely aircraft the VC10 was, and the Trident.
Tanks again
Nick

[MichaelB]

You're welcome! Glad I could help! I'm always ready to talk DynaFlites and similar. Some of you laugh about things like DF, but the industry that spawned them in the late '60s has now become the exemplar for the industry!
Just about all the diecast planes you see, in any line, are of Chinese (really, Hong Kong!) origin. They have been able to go from laughable cheap trash toys to the premier product in the genre in about 40 years! Their implementation of "tampo" printing - and it's elevation to a high art - are among their most notable achievements! The whole process of CAD and SL mastering, along with batch production are highlights in the industry!
Naturally, they have put all their competitors to rest, or bought them out, or relegated them to a niche corner of the market!
On the good side, we have lots of nice, well made, accurate, affordable models for us to play with! ...some are not as affordable as others, but, still...
...and it started with things like the little DFs...
BTW...that BOAC issue should date from the mid '70s...if it's cheap you should pick it up - you could always resell it here at MAC!
Michael

[mogger12345]

Michael,
I bought it for 20p, but as I say it's the curiosity that made me buy it. It's the last of the pics ypu posted up. I'm quite into civil airliners so I know it's BOAC. I used to sit in my car at the ned of the runway at Gatwick watching the planes take off and land! I know what you mean about the quality of diecast now. I have a friend who collects Herpa dn Shabak, near the cheaper end I know, but the detail is incredible. He tends to collect British civil airlineers, past and presnt - a fascinating collection, especially the Jasper Conran BA styles which might not have been patriotic according to some, but sometimes were amazingly good and great for identification.
Tanks again
Nick

[MichaelB]

Congratulations...and now you need to keep your eyes open for the BA version...and that will be a longer hunt!