Matchbox Morris C.8 MkII & 17pdr Gun & Willys Jeep (1977/82)

These box-top images are so evocative of independent model shops of my youth, and all the excitement of a new model arriving for perusal.

Matchbox kits, while they covered some very out-there subjects, were always very satisfying to build. With the 'three-colour' plastic, they built as scale toys rather than as replicas, so, even now to my older eyes, they work much better as miniatures.

Roy Huxley was the doyen of Matchbox box-top art, by Doug Post, shouldering the majority of the 1/76 (HOO Scale) armour series ran a very close second. Unfortunately, changing tastes in the 1980's had the artwork for re-issued 1970s kits altered to be less 'violent' and remove any implication of more than one kit in the box. Here, we see the ferocious firing of the British 17 pdr on the original box (additional image #4) has been whited-out by the artist in preparation for a re-issue that, sadly, never came. What a waste!

Gouache on board
43 x 28 cms