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| Airport 5-pack | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Sep 7 2013, 04:00 PM (1,640 Views) | |
| mbx64 | Sep 7 2013, 04:00 PM Post #1 |
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Matchbox Collector
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![]() I hope you all enjoyed the 2013 Battle Mission 5-pack, but if you didn't, don't fret. Not yet, anyways, because the last exclusive 5-pack for 2013 is the Airport 5-pack. So, if military machines are just not your thing (although the GMC Pickup should be) then look no further than the Airport 5-pack. It couldn't be more different, to be honest. Model selection, liveries, and execution are all in contrast when comparing the two packs, so let's get started! The first model of the pack is MB689 Ford Crown Victoria Taxi. This is easily my favorite model of the pack, as I am a huge fan of the quirky and awkward design lines on the Vic, and I just respect it due to its reliability and durability. It is a car not to be messed with. In last year's Airport Ground Crew 5-pack, I silently questioned the inclusion of the Crown Vic Taxi. I understood that there were airport taxi's, but it seemed to be more like a privately-owned cab with the design it had. It would've helped if there was use of the word 'Airport' on the side, and alas, my wish was their command. You can see the writing 'Airport' right on the rear quarter panel, which is an improvement. ![]() And what a nice livery this version has, too. A yellow-orange body with a prominent 'Taxi' logo, an orange background and silver 3-D shadowing are all included in the design. The black stripe that runs behind the 'Taxi' logo really makes the design pop, and with the shadowing, it looks as if the 'Taxi' logo will jump right out at you. As I'm sure you all know by now, I love hub-stamp disc wheels, so that is another plus on the Vic to me. The most important aesthetic improvement from the 2012 5-pack version to this version is the use of smoked windows, not yellow windows. It improves the Crown Victoria Taxi’s appearance tenfold, and it also makes this version one of the best we've ever seen. ![]() Here are some more photos of MB689 Ford Crown Victoria Taxi: ![]() ![]() ![]() The second model down in the 2013 Airport 5-pack is MB523 Limousine. It has been a considerable amount of time since we've seen the Limousine. We did see it in 2011, but 2 years is still a pretty strong absence, especially considering it was exclusively in a playset for 2011. But, I suppose for a very old casting, that is quite a lot of use. I am pretty excited with Matchbox's vision of reintroducing older castings with a modern design touch, and I hope to see many more old castings implemented for 2014. ![]() This could be one of the most stylish MBX Limousines out there. In fact, it would actually be number one, but the baby blue body and subtle white striping on the 2011 version leaves me questioning that idea. Still, this is a very attractive version, and you have to hand it to Mattel for going easy on this one. There is no crazy design here. The windows are simply smoked, the body is a gorgeous metallic charcoal gray, and the disc wheels are simply silver. The white, red, and gray striping on the side provide for an attractive and sleek design, especially for a Limo. Some may cringe at the use of the words 'Airport MBX VIP' at the bottom of the car, but it is not too distracting. Did you even notice the aerial view of an airplane and the model's MAN# on the rear quarter panel? ![]() More pics of MB523 Limousine wanted? Right here! ![]() ![]() ![]() The mainline model of the pack is MB695 Utility Tanker. I have seen it, you have seen it, we have all seen it. ![]() Moving on. Our next model in the pack is MB372 Chevy Transport Bus. I know many of you will squeal at the plastic body this model has, and that is ok. But for those of you who do not care, you might find yourself enjoying this version of the Bus. Blue always gets top marks in my book (A+), so that is a pro right there. The design is attention-grabbing, but not really wild. In fact, it is pretty tame, but modern at the same time. The light blue contrasts well with the dark blue body, and orange does go surprisingly well with blue, as I have found out throughout my life. ![]() Once again, we find more clever use of tampo prints for 3-D effects. A white outline is shown on certain areas of the airplane depicted to simulate light reflecting off of its curved edges. There are other neat touches, too, like a destination logo and side indicators near the back. ![]() More photos of MB372 Chevy Transport Bus are right below: ![]() ![]() ![]() The last model of the pack is MB594 Airport Fire Truck. Come ON, people. What would an Airport 5-pack be without an Airport fire truck? And now that I brought that up, there probably should be a helicopter or something with wings in this 5-pack. Then again, last years was called 'Airport Ground Crew,' which finally clicked with me now. With that revelation aside, let's take a look at the fire truck at-hand. ![]() I really like this model. I agree that the casting could use a little crisp-up. It is started to show its age around the edges, but that can be hidden when a proper design is put on it, and that is the case we have here. The gloss red is a fantastic choice for a fire engine, as is the high visibility yellow high-pressure water cannon on board. The wheels, along with some minor caution stripes and other details, are also put in yellow, to go along with the water cannon. The badge is very clean and crisp on my model, and hopefully it is that way by manufacturing methods, not by luck. Other neat inclusions include water-pressure gauges and stainless-steel compartment doors. ![]() Here are more pictures of MB594 Airport Fire Truck: ![]() ![]() (I'm very impressed with this one!) ![]() Originally, this was supposed to be the end of my review, but I had a rather spooky observation, and I see no other post that could be better to bring up on than here. So, throughout the entire photography of this set, I was constantly asking myself, Why does this set look so familiar? Well, have a look at these photos: ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The other models in each photo are from the 2012 Airport Ground Crew 5-pack. 4 models are the same! And, on top of that, there are some other observations that are ever weirder. Take the picture just above this writing, for example. The Utility Tanker's colors are switched! The 2012 model has a red tank with a white body, whereas the 2013 version has a red body with a white tank. It gets stranger. The Airport Fire truck from 2012 is also opposite of the 2013 version. Note the 2012's red water canon with a yellow body, and the 2013 version's with a yellow water cannon and a red body. ![]() Now it gets even weirder. The 2013 version of the Chevy Transport bus nearly has an identical livery to the 2012 version, but with a twist. It's backwards! And, to top it all off, both have blue bodies. ![]() Now that is definitely an interesting topic for discussion. It could have been done for several reasons. Maybe the Team wanted to show the design improvement between 2012 and 2013, for instance. It is evident on each model that the 2013 version is more mature. Maybe they were running out of time, and could not afford to waste precious days picking models for the pack, so they carried most of them over from 2012’s pack. Maybe somebody just really liked all the models in the old pack, and saw no reason to change them. Whatever the case may be, it is certainly something to take note of. So, with all those connections aside, we can seriously say that this is a high-marking pack. I can see it being interesting to both kids and collectors, and that's a fine line to hit smack-dab in the middle, so well done, Matchbox Team. And, at the end of the day, I end up with a new Ford Crown Vic Taxi for my collection, so all is good! Nicolas |
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| Douglas | Sep 7 2013, 06:57 PM Post #2 |
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SUV
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Ya know, ever since I'd first seen a picture of this 5 pk, I was thinking they used the same bus they used in the past, now I see it's a little different, but similar enough. Enjoyed your report again Nicolas. I like the taxi, although I already have the petrol tanker, and I might have the fire engine too, not sure, but those are all I really wanted out of it, so not worth getting for me just for the taxi. |
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| Stampede | Sep 7 2013, 07:38 PM Post #3 |
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Team Canada
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Thanks for the excellent write up, Nicolas! ![]() It looks like I might be getting this 5-pack. The airport crash truck will need some paint to cover the yellow nozzle, though. |
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| JustDavid | Sep 7 2013, 07:44 PM Post #4 |
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SUV
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I completely agree about the Crown Vic being a winner...it looks good and is even better with smoked windows rather than goofy colored ones. |
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| pjedsel | Sep 7 2013, 08:11 PM Post #5 |
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Muscle Car
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Not a bad five pack - even if it strongly resemble the one from last year. I am hoping down the road someone will buy the set, not want the airport fire truck and it will show up in the sale forum since it is the only one I want from the set.
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| realgone58 | Sep 8 2013, 03:17 PM Post #6 |
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Station Wagon
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Nothing I really care to have here except maybe the taxi and the bus, so John, you may get that fire truck if I decide to buy this set. If the limo was modeled after a real car, I'd grab that one too, but I believe it's a generic. Correct me if I'm wrong. |
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| daniel60 | Sep 8 2013, 04:47 PM Post #7 |
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Personal Luxury Car
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Love the Limo. Fame, (fame) what you like is in the limo Fame, (fame) what you get is no tomorrow Fame, (fame) what you need you have to borrow Fame (fame) |
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| Stampede | Sep 8 2013, 05:17 PM Post #8 |
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Team Canada
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I've got to get that Vic. I agree with Daniel about the Limo.
Edited by Stampede, Sep 8 2013, 05:19 PM.
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| pjedsel | Sep 8 2013, 08:58 PM Post #9 |
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Muscle Car
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Thanks in advance if you do. - the limo is a generic model - not a bad one per se but still a generic. |
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| cody6268 | Sep 13 2013, 07:19 PM Post #10 |
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Minivan
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Would the helicopter on the Utility Truck's tank be a Gazelle? |
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| Stampede | Sep 13 2013, 07:37 PM Post #11 |
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Team Canada
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No, it wouldn't be a Gazelle. It would be a Eurocopter AS 355 TwinStar. The shape of the helicopter on the Utility tanker is very similar to the TwinStar, as shown in this pic:
Edited by Stampede, Sep 13 2013, 07:39 PM.
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| craftymore | Sep 13 2013, 08:38 PM Post #12 |
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Support your local demo derby.
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Excellent in depth review again Nicolas. Find it odd they flip the colors and a few others things as compared to last year's five packer. I'll add your first pic to the pinned thread in the Showroom for POTM. It's in the running.
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| mbx64 | Sep 15 2013, 04:51 PM Post #13 |
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Matchbox Collector
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Thank you very, much, Zach! I'm glad that you like my first group shot. I really enjoy that photo, too!
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| cody6268 | Sep 15 2013, 06:14 PM Post #14 |
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Minivan
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Why do they use the term Petrol on the tanker, yet it's called gasoline in here in the US, the Brits call it Petrol
Edited by cody6268, Sep 15 2013, 06:14 PM.
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