Matchbox Monday bloats out the Working Rigs Batch B with another Creation

I thought I really need to get on with Working Rigs, as Wheel Collectors already have Batch C in. This is batch B, which they kindly sent over for me to review recently. You may have noticed an extra model behind. Well, with only 4 vehicles to talk about, I decided to add a little bonus offering, by talking about the latest Mattel Creation. Obviously, that didn't come from Wheel Collectors. But, when I get to it, you will find it is not all as it seems. But first....

I will go through batch B of Working Rigs. It starts with a new look. This is the RW047 Scania Tactical Command Center. It takes the number 5 slot in the set of 16.

This is the 4th release of the Scania since it debuted in the 2019 series. We had a simple Police look, followed by a 2021 Thank You Heroes outing, and last year saw a white release in the Matchbox Country recurring theme. Until now, I only had the 2021 issue. This is only my second. Sadly, the batch with the last one was skipped by Wheel Collectors as well. These things happen. But, it is nice to see it again. And, it comes with another recurring theme as well, which makes it even better.

I am loving this Matchbox Fire Dept theme, and the red and yellow is really nice to see wrapped entirely round the model, with the front being extra detailed. I also note that it has Unit 25. Something I think they are trying to denote as the year a model comes out.

As we know, the model has extra play value. The satellite dish on the roof pops up. Very easy to do.

It also has a side that comes out. However, it may be just me, but that is really fiddly to do. I always struggle to open the side up. If anybody has a knack for it, please let me know.

However, once out, the ladder is easy to slide out and lower to the ground. This is one of the best Working Rigs models they have. Lots of fun. And with a recurring theme, how can I not give this one top marks? A perfect 10. What a start. Will it continue?

I thought, in lieu of a dive into the model's history (really tough as I have one of the three previous issues), I thought I would update the Matchbox Fire Dept inventory. It started back in 2023 with the release of the MBX Mega Ton Fire Truck and Trailer in the Convoy series.

Which also came with the MB1178 International WorkStar Ambulance as an extra.

We also had another Ambulance, as the MB1310 '19 Ram Ambulance was in the Moving Parts series in the same look.

And the year was rounded out with the MBX Fire Rescue Hitch & Haul set, which featured the MB996 Hazard Squad (slightly altered to include a tow hook) towing the newly upgraded MB1398 MBX Mobile Light Truck. This set has been repeated in both 2024 and 2025 (the latter under the rebranding as Adventure Pack).

This reached the basic range in 2024, with the MB1003 Freightliner M2 106 getting the look. However, it was noted that this still had Unit 23. I wonder if they were originally planning to release it in 2023, but delayed it as the model got a 70th Anniversary look instead.

We saw another Moving Parts issue in 2024, this time with Unit 24 on it. This was the MB1315 Seagrave Fire Engine.

I wonder which model will see this look next? We have a number of fire engines being added to the basic range recently, so that is where I think the next one will pop up.

Oh! Well there went the perfect scores. We appear to be seeing a rather familiar RW043 International WorkStar Street Cleaner as number 7 in the series in green.

Seriously. This model debuted in 2020, and this is the third time that we have seen it. And it is the third time that it has appeared in this green design.

Are we not allowed to have any other looks for this casting? It is a really cool one, with lots of play value. The rear opens up.

The whole back half tilts up as well. I thought this was great when it first appeared. What a great look. A little sad when they decided to just replicate the debut for its second appearance in 2023. And now they have replicated it yet again? I am now extremely disappointed. This really needs something new. A different look. Anything. Nope, not giving this a good score. In fact, it gets a big fat 0 from me. Yes, a zero score. If they are just going to keep repeating it over and over, just don't bother. I feel like the Working Rigs series as a whole is not being given much thought. 16 models (if they all make it) per year, and more of them are repeats than are new. They even started trimming the Walmart exclusive themed sets a little to cut down on carry forwards (as they like to call them). They do often end up as the peg warmers. Unless they dig into the history. Something that was seen only recently coming back is not going to be popular.

Mind you, if you are a completeist, you might be tempted. Unless you like card art, then it's a given. But, if you were to set them loose, like I do, each one has given us a variation. This is the original release in 2020.

When it returned in 2023, the "i" in Services towards the rear, which was made up of a different tampo colour, was omitted, along with the arcs in the "M" logo behind it. Even though they were included on the door tampo.

Well, the "i" has now been restored, albeit now in grey. However, the arcs over the "M" are still missing. Well, technically, on both models, they are there, but are no longer green. They are just a fractionally darker grey, which you really have to look closely to see. So, there is a minor difference on both models. But, you do have to be a variation nerd (which I am) to get them all.

And, as I do like shades, the plastic rear section does come out in a different shade of green each time. The first one on the right was fairly light, with the middle one being a fraction lighter, and the new run being a little darker. Which, you might also notice with the roller under it. The latest one is a darker grey than the 2 previous ones. S.... I am still giving it a 0. No take backs!

I was curious whether they would reissue this one. Taking the number 8 slot in the 2025 range is another International WorkStar. The RW005 7500 Dump Truck. It comes in purple with Weise Bros livery on it.

Dave Weise probably had a big smile on his face when he saw this was back (if he still keeps track on Matchbox after leaving many years ago). It first appeared back in June 2009, as part of the first year launch of, what was then known as, Real Working Rigs. They still use the RWxxx number system. With many of the later liveries recycled over and over, as this does get thrown in every year since the 2019 return, it was only last year that the original 2009 issue in blue arrived. I did wonder if the only other original that had not been used since the return would return. I was right.

I know that back in the older days of Matchbox, only a select few models would be refreshed with new liveries each year, and some models might run in the same look for many years. I collect Lesney and Universal stuff, where models would see changes over their numerous years of production, and people would go nuts trying to find them. But, after Mattel took over, they completely wiped out the old way of doing things. Although they purchased the brand in November 1996, as part of a Tyco takeover, 1997 was already prepared. They changed things for 1998. Since that time, we have started to get used to models only being seen for a short while, and then disappearing. Lately, they have gone a different route, by bringing in many carry forwards. I always say, if a model has not been seen for 5 years, it is enough time for children to rotate in and out of the hobby. So, sure, give it another go. The last model was 3 times in 5 years. This? 16 years ago. Okay, I will give them that. Definitely.

Obviously with a 16 year difference betwen production runs, there are differences. A slightly different purple here, a slight difference in the tampo print there. For some reason, the 41225 print on the driver's door has been deleted, but the passenger door is still there. I have no idea why. I also note that the window visor was originally tampo printed silver, but is left plain this time out. Plus, since the 2009 debut, the model has had its base re-engraved, which means the new one is also different. I can't show them as I don't have any original runs. But, when it comes to re-releasing a model, this I can get behind. 16 years! Definitely worth another punt. So, as a carry forward, this is exactly the sort that I want to see. So, I am giving this a 10. If it returns again in a year or 2, it will be straight down to a 0.

Did you know that since the return in 2019, this has been the only new livery used on the model? Yes, in 2020, it saw a Malik liveried model in orange and white, which returned for a second run in 2022. The other ones?

The worst offender has been the 2010 release, which was reissued in 2019, 2021 and 2023! Yes, it has now been out 4 times.

Where last year saw the only other original run livery resurface. That was the first of the 2x 2009 ones.

Which means, with 2x 2009 and a 2010, followed by a continual yearly run from 2019 until now has yielded just 4 looks for the model. And I now have them all! Is it about time to come up with something new for it?

The final model in the batch is another original. The RW004 Western Star 6900XD Wrecker. It takes the number 12 slot in the range in red. Daft fact, the artwork is not for the model included. It was the tampo design on the original burgundy release from 2009.

And it appears this one was really keen to get out. Half of the blister was missing. Sadly, this does mean that a few of the plastic parts have become slightly twisted on my example. It is not something I am going to drop points for. I know it is specific to my example, not the casting in general. Sure, I could drop marks for packaging. But, at the end of the day, I am not that fussed about packaging. It was going to be ripped apart anyway. It's just this one had a head start.

As you have either guessed, or know because you had one of the originals, this is a repeat. This model was also part of the original year's castings, and also came in 2 looks that year. One in burgundy, and another in black with a Lyons Bros livery. In 2010, it came in green. That was it for the original run. None of the trio of originals have been redone yet. Lyons Bros in particular is a recurring theme that Michael Heralda came up with and should be on the list to return. Yes, I go from complaining about carry forwards into championing their return. As I said, if it has been a while, then I am okay with it. Not just on a recurring basis. Since the series was resurrected (it actually came out with a single batch in 2018 before properly launching in 2019), this model was given 2 new looks for 2019. A blue look was revisited in 2023. This was the other one. Bright red with Aguirre's Towing Co livery.

As that was before I started getting these, I never got the 2019 one. So, this is the first one for me. However, I can tell you, this model is slightly different to how it was in 2019. The step going up to the door is chrome. It was grey originally. The front grille is also chromed now, compared to the grey original.

However, I am still not happy with that tiny hook on the back. It is tough to get anything to attach to it. It needs to be bigger. So, as a carry forward, 6 years fits into my criteria, but until they enlarge that hook at the back, I am never giving it a top mark. A 9 out of 10. I am not scoring lower for the artwork being wrong, either. At the end of the day, mine has gone.

The other 2019 issue in blue was reissued in 2023. Only 4 years later. I think they are wasting the opportunity for a Lyons Bros reissue.

Perhaps it is on the cards for a future issue. I don't know. But, with only 1 new look in this batch, that is a 75% carry forward rate. Not great, to be honest. Batch A was 50/50. I do think that is a better ratio, although more new than repeat is even better. I don't know why the Working Rigs range is not getting the love. It is still limping on, unlike Convoy, which seems to have faded away again. And with Hitch & Haul morphing into Adventure Packs, but seeing nothing new at all, I am a little depressed over Matchbox not venturing out the way it should. We even only had 1 playset this year. Not a bunch like previous years.

Which segues quite nicely into something else. Mattel Creations. During 2024, they were really throwing these out left, right and centre. We were getting almost a monthly new release of Matchbox. The last 2024 model was the brand new MB1485 '79 Chevy Blazer casting. It arrived at the start of November, and that finished off 2024. So, we are currently in May 2025. 6 months later. And what have we had in the way of Matchbox releases? One! This one. The MB1332 '75 Range Rover.

This is released in the standard orange box, which when opened reveals the model on a large base in a plexicase.

With the usual blurb about the model on the back. I like this style of packaging for a Mattel Creations, even though I do immediately open it up.

I even like the look of the plinth the model sits on. They put a lot of effort in those (he says, chucking it over his shoulder).

And this becomes the second Mattel Creations release of a National Parks model, after the MB1310 '19 Ram Ambulance was given this look in 2023. I love a recurring theme. National Parks is definitely one of their best, although I still don't know why the Mattel Creations ones are being given a shiny paint treatment. Would it not have worked just as well in regular mint? It is extra enhanced. A white roof, with a black rear pillar. Full detailing all round, along with real riders, makes for a stellar release.

It looks amazing. It would have still looked amazing had it been in regular mint. At least, I think it would.

I don't think they could have crammed more detailing on the model, unless they replicated the rear licence plate detail on that tiny front plate. I am scoring this a 9 out of 10, as I just think plain mint would have been a better base to start from. Aside from that, everything else was perfect.

I did mention about things not being completely as they seem right at the start of this blog. As you will know, this did not come from Wheel Collectors. You order these through the Mattel Creations website. And the Range Rover is one of those castings with an Easter Egg. It comes with either left or right hand drive. It is not the first time that we have had a Mattel Creations model with 2 variations. The MB1323 '75 Mitsubishi Lancer Celeste and MB1311 '95 VW Golf Mk3 have also been released. Both had the same variation. Neither time I went for both. I grabbed one, then got a secondary example later. Well, I had seen loads of posts from people who took the gamble, bought 2, and ended up with one of each. So, I thought, 3rd time lucky. I went for it. Ordered 2. Both came with LHD. Son of a.... Hello Dirk? 

Yes, both previous times, I turned to Dirk Schleuer for help. Both times he came through with the alternate. So, again, Dirk came through and sent me the other. This is the same Dirk who runs the European Matchbox Convention in Leipzig, Germany. I don't know if people have seen it, but registration for his latest is now taking place. If you head to The Lamley Group, you will see more information about that.

Shamless plug there, because, if you read this in the week I launched it, you still have time to bid on one of 10 auctions he is running alongside registration. So, check out Lamley, and get in touch with Dirk if either attending the convention or bidding on the auction interest you.

This means I do have 2 of these. One of each variant. Excellent.

Many thanks, Dirk, for the RHD. I think I am about ready for one more dive back.

The model arrived in mustard in the 2022 Moving Parts series.

For 2023, it was the first Super Chase in the Moving Parts series. And Super Chase is exactly how people are saying this is, as it is proving to be the toughest out of all to find, and it has a variant!

With 2024 giving us a lovely green issue. I am looking forward to the next one, as it is due in Moving Parts soon.

I believe the MB1483 '94 Audi A4 Super Touring, another nice new casting, is about to arrive as I post this. As soon as I mention it, the model appears.

But, for now, I am done with another report. 1 new Rig, 1 new Mattel Creations issue.

Along with 3 carry forwards. 2 of them are decent. One, I zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz! Oops! Sorry.

I really should get back to basics. Good luck if you are bidding on Dirk's auctions, and have fun if you are planning on attending the German convention. Just visiting the Modell-Hobby-Spiel itself is an experience. But, for now, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.