Matchbox Monday evens up the Movie singles

Six down, six to go. And only a few weeks until the movie arrives. October 9th, which is 2 weeks from Friday, at the time that this particular post goes live. The excitement keeps ramping up. I see lots of interviews and clips from the people in the movie. I didn't realize that it was Jessica Biel's first movie for 9 years, and she came back because she did play with Matchbox as a kid. Yes, brilliant! I am eagerly awaiting this movie. A few to go, a few looong weeks (with a convention in Leipzig) to go.

This is also getting close, and if you remember the last few years, Dirk Schleuer has a routine. He sets up an auction leading into the convention that anybody worldwide can bid on, and then another that leads out of it. Keep an eye on the Lamley Blog as Auction A will be coming up soon. Saturday 26th, to be exact. In the meantime, we have some more movie models to run through. I did all the odd numbers 3 weeks ago, so it is time to "even" the score. 

First up, we have the MB629 '69 Chevy Camaro. It takes the number 2 slot in the set of 12 models. As I showed the other time, some of the models came in power grab boxes at Wheel Collectors, although they did get all 12 on short and long card. For this release, the model comes in dark blue.

Just think, back in 2003, when Matchbox was based in Mount Laurel, NJ, they created this casting to only be used in premium guises. As they were busy building up Hero City, they were very busy splitting models between those for the kids, and those for the adult collector. The kids would see mainly modern vehicles, with lots of utility stuff, mostly original castings. But, they were also flexing their skills by coming up with lots of classic vehicles, which they were planning to only use in premium guises for the adult collector. Had Hero City been a success, a model like this would never have seen a core release. But, as we know, Hero City was a massive failure, and they had to turn things around very fast, returning to the realism that Matchbox has always been known for. However, during the later shift in the early-mid 2010s, classic again dipped away, with this last being seen as a 10-pack exclusive in 2013. However, they decided to retool it, and brought it back in 2021, and now it is one of the major vehicles in the film. Awesome! And this blue release looks fantastic. It gets a chrome base, and the front headlights are depicted, as well as the side stripe and details. 

The rear lights also get detailed. A very impressive all round detail on a basic look. I think it looks amazing. Even without the fact that we know this is in the movie, and is obviously based on one that appears, I would still have given this a perfect 10, as it just looks stunning. It is stuff like this that I love Matchbox for. And....

The power grabs box I opened came with one that was notably darker than the ones in the blisters. It was a very big shade variation. This does lead me to a question. Although, I have a second question as well. 

The model is also a part of the Villain Pursuit 5-pack as well, but this one sees additional scratch marks on the side. Am I going to be able to find a shade on this one as well? I will be looking.

Although, while that model was out, I couldn't help noticing that the rear tampo is different. I wonder why they chose to change it?

This leads us to the first of the new castings that appear in the even numbers. Taking the number 4 slot in the set is the new MB1628 '24 Triumph Scrambler. It debuts in black.

Triumph is widely regarded as one of the oldest Motorcyle manufacturer in the world. Gottlieb Daimler is noted as creating the first motorcycle in 1885, with help from Willhelm Maybach. Hildebrand & Wolfmüller created the first production motorcycle in 1894, but only 2000 were made in Germany, as others were cropping up much cheaper. Exelsior starting making them in the UK in 1896, and Orient in the USA in 1898. Triumph had been around since 1886, founded by Siegfried Bettman, a German who had emigrated from Nuremberg to Coventry. At first, Triumph Engineering started off selling bicycles and sewing machines. He decided to create a motorcycle in 1898, and the first Triumph motorcycle was launched in 1902. Over the years, they expanded into car production after buying Standard in 1923, but sold that arm off in the 1940s, continuing with motorcycles as a separate entity. However, eventually it went bust in 1983. John Bloor bought the rights, and set up Triumph Motorcycles Ltd. During the 1950s and 1960s, the Bonneville had been one of the most popular motorcycles that they made, and in 2006, they decided to come up with a new retro inspired model known as the Scrambler. It was heavily influenced by the Bonneville, but with modern touches. Since then, the model has seen updates. In late 2008 (known as a 2009 model in the US), often regarded as gen II, they switched from air cooled engines to fuel injected ones, and gave the model a few tweaks. After 2016, they came up with a whole new look, debuting in November 2016 at IECMA in Italy, with a larger liquid cooled engine and a new body. It was often known as the Street Scrambler, also Gen III. In 2019, they created a larger Scrambler, which is known as a Gen IV, although this is actually a larger, premium vehicle with a larger 1200cc engine, compared to 900cc on the earlier, and 865cc on the originals. Gen III is still sold, being renamed Scrambler 900 in 2023, and Scrambler 1200 being the larger one. Matchbox has made a casting of the Scrambler 1200. Back in the Jurassic World era, we saw a Triumph Scrambler casting, but this was of a smaller motorcycle. It was classified as a 2015 model, so part of the Gen II family, with an 865cc engine. 

As we have seen, Matchbox has a certain construction method for motorcycles, which they have utilized since 2018. The '15 Triumph Scrambler, Cagiva Canyon, Yamaha Bolt SCR950 and '66 Ducati 250 Scrambler have all been created using this exact same method, with the main body being created out of 2 metal pieces that are riveted together through the middle, but the handlebar section being a plastic insert. Knowing we were getting a bike in the series, I was expecting the construction to follow suit, and sure enough, they have follwed through. It does mean that because it is a single piece when constructed, it doesn't tend to stay up like classic bikes that had the front formed independently and able to twist to allow it to balance on a kickstand, or the earlier Mattel bikes (BMWs mainly) where the wheels were extra wide, allowing it to balance. I have to admit, the older way, which Lesney created with Hondas and Harleys, I have always felt to be the best. But, I do prefer this to the BMW bike style, as I thought the wheels on those were just too wide. Sure, it means it will fall over, but it does look more realistic like this.

From what I can tell, by checking out pictures of real Scrambler 1200s, I think this is a very good representation. It does look like them. So, I cannot complain about the look, and the thinner look on the current way of doing things is much more realistic. I still miss the days of how Lesney would create models. 

The model has a tampo pass on each side, which appears to be ink jet printed, rather than tampo printed. I think that the model is just way too bumpy for the tampo machine to be able to print perfectly. Tampo machines use a pad, and struggle with various changes in the surface it is printing. Ink jet printing works much better at fitting into crevices and dealing with the bumps. The grey, therefore, does have a slight fuzziness to it, which is the downside of ink jet printing, but I think this is definitely the wisest option available to them. 

With each side of the bike being slightly different, this does mean that the 2 prints are also different. This side states the Scrambler 1200 on it. Which is why we know that this is the larger Scrambler that Triumph does. I think they did a great job, and again, this is obviously how the Triumph used in the movie looks.

So, scoring time. Inclusion. Well, it's in the movie. Duh! But, I am also happy that they have added another motorcycle to the database. They don't tend to do a lot, and when they do, they barely see any use at all. So, I am scoring this a 10, and wondering if we will see another release down the line? Casting. As I mentioned, I am not the biggest fan of the current way of creating motorcycles. Sure, it is consistent with the previous ones from the last decade, so it gains points from that. But, when I remember how Lesney made the Hondarora and Harley Davidson back in the 1970s and 1980s, I can't help but feel that they are not as good. So, I am giving it a 7 for this. Design. I can only imagine this is exactly how the real one looks in the movie, so a 10 again. Which gives it a total of 27 out of 30. Which is pretty decent for a new casting. Honestly, will this end up another 1-and-done?

As you might have guessed, there is not a lot of room on the base for anything. So, what to do? Thailand, Mattel. Yes, that's it. No copyright year, no MAN number, no name of the vehicle. There is not even a Matchbox branding to it. But, we know; the movie knows. 

Ooh! A NASCAR related model. When was the last time we saw anything like this from Matchbox? Hmm! Immediately at the time when Mattel took over the brand. There was a deal going with White Rose, which was terminated in 1997. And we have not had a vehicle like this since. But, that has changed, with the launch of the MB1637 Chevy Stock Car in black in the number 6 slot.

Matchbox has not had a massive history of NASCAR related models. Their first attempt, the Chevy NASCAR in 1980 went through a number of alterations. NASCAR wanted too much in license fees, so they changed the name to Chevy Pro Stocker. The model still had a Gatorade themed design, and it was still too much trouble, so they changed it to just say lightning. But, it was still green tampo, and featured an 88 on it. Yeah, still no good. Eventually, at the last second (as box artwork actually arrived by the time), they switched to blue tampo and the number to 34. It ran for a few years, was modified into a Chevy Pro Stocker with added skirts, and ran a few more. A Buick Le Sabre arrived later in 1987 replacing the Chevy. This was then replaced, as they had a deal for Days of Thunder, to provide models, and started creating some new ones. A Chevy Lumina was going to be used, but they were running out of time, so quickly modified the Buick into a fake Lumina for the first batch, switching in the correct Lumina later. With a Ford Thunderbird and Pontiac Grand Prix added, a deal was set up with White Rose to create short run models of actual NASCAR vehicles. Matchbox continued to update the castings as the real vehicles were being replaced, with newer Thunderbird, Grand Prix and Lumina/Monte Carlo castings updating older ones. They even added Chevy and Ford Super Trucks to the mix. And then Mattel took over, and cancelled the whole White Rose deal. This type of vehicle was not deemed to be a Matchbox type of vehicle. But, as the brand is slowly spreading its wings, as we see rally models are being added next year, we are getting a stock car again. Yes!

Garry Gopinath was the mastermind behind this one, but he does not specify the year for it. I have been trying to pinpoint it. We know it is Chevy. So, I have been cross-referencing different years. My theory is it is a 4th generation, which was 1992-2007. However, I do believe it is a later vehicle. Perhaps the Monte Carlo SS from 2006-7 itself. It may be the 2003-5 Monte Carlo. There is not a lot of difference between them in real life, unless you are into NASCAR and can point out specific things that I do not know for sure. But, my theory is that this could be something that was significant in maybe a flashback sequence to the movie, when the guys were younger. I will be watching to see where it plays its part. 

The casting comes with a lot of NASCAR touches, like the hood clips. I was wondering about the headlights, but it appears NASCAR did make them look like that. You can see the roll bar inside the casting, which is not a part of the interior section. The interior is black, and the roll bar is a pale grey, almost white.

It appears that NASCAR vehicles of that era did come with a rear that curved around like that. I think Garry has done wonders in creating a very good representation of, what I believe to be, a mid 2000s era gen 4 NASCAR Chevy. 

And, as you might notice, this does come with a lot of tampo printing. We get both sides, a top print and rear print in total. Lots of logos. I have been trying to do some research on them. It appears that none are real. This may be something that has been created for the movie. 

However, with the addition of the Matchbox logo included on the side, I do wonder how this is going to play out in the movie. I tell you, this has me very intrigued now.

So, how do I score this? Well, it's quite easy. Since Mattel took over, I have been wanting to see more racier vehicles. We saw a few recently, with the Porsche 911RSR and Radical SR3 XXR being created, which are totally out of the Matchbox familiar wheelhouse. I was hoping for a little more, and with rally being brought under the Matchbox portfolio big time in 2027, this is another that I think it absolutely brilliant. I was a huge Chevy Pro Stocker fan as a kid. I am loving seeing a modern rendition of a similar vehicle. A perfect 10. Casting. From what I can tell, I think Garry has nailed it. I cannot see anything I would change, and the dual interior piece for seats and roll bar make it even more special. Another 10. Design. I can only assume that this is for the film, and the look is something that they see. So, unless I know otherwise (which I don't until the movie arrives), I am loving that this gets tampo all over, and am easily giving a 10 here too. Whoa! A perfect 30. Way to go. A surprising and very welcome addition to the Matchbox brand. With the news that Mattel will be giving Matchbox a bigger push next year, after the movie plays out, I am hoping things like this will become a little more commonplace. Matchbox was always about a wide variety of vehicles. Why not racing ones like this?

The 4th model this week is one that has barely arrived. The MB1616 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Ambulance has only just arrived in the basic range. As I mentioned with the Mustang in the last Movie based report, I do believe this was likely made because of the movie, but was added to the basic range as well. Because, why not? It is cool. They do need to keep adding modern ambulances, and a non-US one was last made with the Renault Master, back in 2013. It is good to see a newer Euro style ambulance added, and this was definitely a big part of the film. It has been a notable part of the trailer already. It comes in white in the number 8 slot.

This is another model that has seen a lot of tampo printing. I am really impressed with this. Weirdly, even though there is a huge Mercedes-Benz tri-star section on the front, they tampo printed the tri-star on the top of it. 

As you can see, where it appears in the movie, there is a clear black grille, with a Mercedes-Benz tri-star in the middle of it. Why was this not replacated? After all, they did use the 2 colours required, which doing the front print. Surely, that could have been angled to catch both sections?

I cannot argue with the rear. The French writing and MEMT, with a 141 telephone number. And look at the way they incorporated the tri-star into the door there. Perfection at the back. I mean, the way the rear lights go around ad meet up with the side section. Had that tri-star at the front been more logically placed, this would have been perfect. 

Especially given the side window detailing. There is the MEMT logo again, and in Arabic underneath, we get Moroccan Emergency Medical Transport. Oh, that's what MEMT stands for. So, that part of the movie was set in Morocco was it? Spoiler alert... Ha ha! However, why is the telephone number 141? That is for when you are in Austria, and feel unwell out of hours. You can call 141 for a doctor. Morocco uses 150 for ambulance or fire, and 190 for police. 

This is a replica of the real vehicle that was used in the movie, so I cannot argue about things being wrong. That is a movie thing. They likely had to make some artistic licenses for legal reasons. They usually do. Things are never straightforward. So, I do not argue that point.

And it does look nicer than the one in the basic range. Partly because it is a full tampo print, but partly just because of that side window. I love the effect that they have given it. 

But, this is where it gets daft. I prefer this to the basic. Right. It is a real livery from the movie. Better than a made up one. Right. It gets front and rear tampo printing, which the basic didn't. Right. So much better. But, because this is a higher spec look, I am giving it a 9.5 out of 10. Why? The tristar being in the wrong spot. Had they not bothered, I would not have batted an eyelid. But, the fact that they popped one on the front in the wrong place means that I cannot score it top marks. The basic had top marks. I wasn't expecting the front to be detailed.  It wasn't. I was okay with it. When they do add a front print, I want it to be accurate. Making it inaccurate is just enough to chip a little off the score. Even though this is an awesome look. 

Which brings me to the last of the new castings in the singles batch. The MB1639 '73 VW T2b Bus. Daft fact, this is the highest MAN number related to 2026 items. But, not so daft fact, I am not going to like this. It appears in orange and white in the number 10 slot.

As people who have been following my blog report for a while will know, I am not a big fan of models that are created in both basics and Moving Parts guises. The other week, when I was running through the first half of these, I did give a pass to the Land Rover. It does seem to be the main model used for promotional purposes, and I could sort of see why they did it in both. But, the Ram Ambulance was not as well received by me, although I was not totally down about it, as it was slightly different to the Moving Parts one. The Nissan GT-R? Oh, that tanked. It was a gorgeous casting. It looked phenomenal. But when your choices are, do you want the doors open or closed, I just felt it was not required. This model has already been released in the Movie Moving Parts set, and when I reviewed that one, I was almost drooling over it. I didn't want to see another as well. I am sure there must have been some other vehicles in the film that could have been created, with less use of duplication. 

When you look at the casting, it does look good. The shape has been captured so well, and the detailing is all captured very well. Particularly the side vents behind the final side window. The wing mirrors are spot on, and the model sits very well, with wheel arches looking very realistic. But, this is a basic model. 

And there is a massive window in the roof. Well, it doesn't come with a roof window like this. It is not always smooth, as there may be roof elements added, but I cannot find any reference to one of the options being a huge window. Obviously, we have not seen the film yet, and there are clips around the internet of the filming taking place in Budapest, where they were driving around in the T2b. It had a full roof, just like the Moving Parts release came with. I am guessing this was a weight thing, for basic range models. I know they do tend to see a limit to how much things weigh, and this was one of 2 options. Make it like this, or metal base/plastic body, like the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. The bean counters still pop up at times, limiting what the guys can do. I am not a fan. It just doesn't look right. 

Do you see the glaring mistake here? The front bumper has been cast with a section denoting a license plate on it. And then they tampo print the license plate above it. Why did they do that? The Moving Parts model had no license plate on the bumper. Because, you know, the tampo would add it above. Perfect! This one? It is just wrong. I have to admit, this is one of my least favourites of the batch. I just find myself deflated looking at it. 

The tampo printing at the rear was a lot better. 

I shouldn't say tampo. This is in fact an ink jet printed model. The orange is wrapped around the entire model, as it was painted white. They then wrapped it in orange ink jet print, then ink jet printed the rest as well. It gives it a mildly fuzzy look, although that doesn't bother me. I know it is a consequence of the ink jet process, and tampo printing would struggle with all of this. 

But, let's bring in the Moving Parts version. MB1564 was reviewed in June, and I was enthralled by it. It was absolutely stunning. I loved it. I scored it a perfect 30 out of 30 for a debut. I am hoping we see many more over coming years. 

But, the first thing you see is the solid roof. Honestly, this new one looks so wrong like that. I do not like it. It is unrealistic. 

I have to say, the 2 models have been crafted at the exact same size. Height, width, length. They all match. That is good. But, do you notice a slight change in tampo? The side vents on Moving Parts were detailed, and the fuel filler cap is detailed on the basic. Why one or the other? That seems a little unusual. 

As I mentioned, no license plate cast into Moving Parts. It made sense. The plate is printed above the bumper. So why was it done on this one? You might also notice that the front printing differs. The headlights on the new one are duller, and in a way, sadder. Why do they look sad? The orange indicator lights are brown? Huh? The license plate print itself is made at a different size. What's up with that? Although that is not a point changer, that one. That is purely a why? Where the Moving Parts model had a black window frame, the basic just has the bottoms of the wipers detailed. Which is a bit weird, as they don't extend that far down. Real ones have them starting at the top of the body, which means Moving Parts has it correct. Plus, it has that little gap in the middle of the front upper grille section. It is in 2 halves, and not a full width grille. 

The rear also sees a difference in the way they did the printing. I do think the length of the rear lights are better on the Moving Parts one, but technically neither are superior to the other here. They are just different. Which is a bit surprising. 

So, how am I going to score this? Spoiler alert, not well. Inclusion. We have the Moving Parts one. It is utterly brilliant. As I said, I gave it perfect marks across the board. I didn't want to have a basic as well, especially as they have had to cost reduce it to make it work. It is getting a 0. Sorry. Casting. That roof is not nice. It ruins the whole thing. And the front license plate being added to the bumper casting, but not needed? A waste of time. Even the front details like missing the gap in the middle of the grille, and positioning the wiper blades way too far down. All negative aspects for me. The shape is right. It is a T2b. But, I am not happy with this one, and I am giving it a 4. I know, that's terrible. Design. A little better. The printing is not as good as on Moving Parts, which I find really strange. And with those sad front lights, and rear lights not looking as good as on the other one, I am scoring this lower as well. A 6. Yep, that's it. So, adding it up, that gives it a 10. Ooh, a 10! Oh, wait, it's out of 30! Yikes! This could be my disappointment of the year. Had there been no Moving Parts, inclusion would have shot right up, and the design would have nudged up a little, as I am also comparing it to the other one, as well as judging the look itself. Casting? I probably would have kept that low. It has numerous issues, which I am not happy about. Some minor (position of wiper blades) and some major (where is the roof). 

But, on a positive note, the fact that this appears in all 3 types of packaging has yielded a shade. I still want shades! And the orange looks either darker or lighter between runs. 

It is a new casting, so gets the obligatory base shot.

But, if you were to ask me if I want to see these again in the ranges. Moving Parts? Yes, yes, yes, a million times, yes! Basic? Meh!

Which brings us to the last model in the batch. One that I honestly cannot believe still comes up. The MB984 MBX Rescue Helicopter. It came in both types of blister, but not in power grab box. However, it was also included in the Heroes 5-pack as well. It comes in blue in the number 12 slot.

Now, we did not see what this is on the trailer for the movie, so will have to wait until it arrives to be sure. But, I looked at the artwork for the model, and the helicopter used there looks a little different to the one in the package. I think this could have been a perfect time to create a new casting. Honestly, if they had done the Ford GT40 in black in the number 10 slot (duplicating the Moving Parts one) and come up with a new copter casting, I would have been happier. Not massively, as the GT40 would still be annoying as a duplicate. But, until I see the movie, I don't know what else they could have done. I just felt that VW T2b was wrong to do as a basic. If they only had so many new tools allowed across the entire Movie section, I would have gone with a new Helicopter casting. This has been with us since 2002. It was designed by Steve Moye, who used to work at the Mount Laurel offices in New Jersey. He left when they moved to El Segundo in 2004. He made a lot of the Hero City items, as he was in charge of a lot of the 2001-2004 creations. Some of them were pretty decent. But, I never liked this one. I am not a plane and helicopter fan anyway (hence, me not caring about Skybusters). But, even though I will collect all flying castings that appear in the basic range, if you were to line them all up, which one do you think I am least interested in? Rescue Helicopter. It never sat well with me. It was not a nice design, and I remember when it debuted, I was so sad to see the earlier MB416 Rescue Chopper, which I thought was a lovely casting, fade away. The later MB571 Sea Rescue Helicopter that debuted the following year was really nice. It lasted a few years and also faded away. Steve Moye designed that one as well. But, this one, which I regard as my least favourite helicopter casting of all time, continues to roll along. I so wished that they took the opportunity to create a newer casting of a similar type of vehicle, but looking so much nicer. 

The design on this does look decent. A TV news channel look. Chopper 4. Black and white stripes. I do like stripes. But, it is very blue. Could the lower half have been black? If you check the artwork again, the runners were black, but these are attached to the lower part. I just think it might have been a bit better. Plus, the black window could have been a smoke window, not a solid black. Overall, I would give this a 7 out of 10. The design itself it decent, but I am really hoping they come up with a replacement for this casting. Unlike the Excavator casting, which looks very realistic, even after over 45 years, this one was a product of Hero City, and one of the few that are still plodding along. And Hero City was not one of the most desirable parts of the Matchbox history. Was it really where we wanted to get a movie model from?

So, as I stated, this one debuted back in 2002. At the time, it was assigned MAN number MB541. It came in white and blue with a Med Alarm livery, and the first 10,000 produced were given a 50 logo on the side window. As you can see, the rear section would slide in and out at this time. 

There was also a special release of 3-packs in the USA known as Heroes. A selection of models in exclusive looks to celebrate those who were in the emergency services. The Rescue Helicopter was one of the models, coming in blue. It appeared in the Police Heroes pack.

In 2003, the model was turned to a black one, with a red and yellow side design. Again, the first 10,000 saw a logo. This time it was the Hero City logo, in that side window again.

At the end of the year, Mattel released a special 20-pack, where every model was unique in some way. Where some saw simply a change of wheels to gold, some models were given an alternative colour in the set, while 3 actually had new designs. The Rescue Helicopter was part of the middle section, and the black model turned gold, still with the same design as the basic.

For 2004, the model was grey in the basic range. 

It was also given 2 further outings that year. A Highway Patrol 5-pack saw a white and yellow look, while the Around the World series saw a green one advertising Mount Everest.

2005 saw the model dropped from the basic range, but it still saw 2 outings. It was part of a Military 5-pack in very dark green, and a Pop-Up Harbor playset saw a yellow exclusive included. 

2006 saw just the one outing. A licensed Superman 5-pack release in red.

2007 saw 3 different releases. There were 2 different 5-pack outings. However, these 2 are both from the Airport pack, as I did notice shades of blue. Yes, I still look for shades on anything that says Matchbox. Regardless of whether I like it or not.

The other 5-pack release was Dragon, and this came in dark green. We also had a black Battle Kings Ambush Artists release.

2008 saw this rather fetching Police 5-pack release in black.

While we had some shading on the licensed Nick Jr 5-pack release. It was actually the second Nick Jr pack released that year. There were a lot of Nickelodeon based releases around that time. 

For 2009, it was given another black design in another Police 5-pack.

While 2010 saw yet another Police 5-pack outing. However, this time it was in blue, and the set was officially called Police Squad.

The model took 2011 off, but returned to the basic range in blue for 2012. It was also in a Brush Fire 5-pack in white.

2013 would be the model's last outing in the basic range. It came in a yellowy orange design. 

Every single release from that point has been in a 5-pack, until the newest outing just now. That is in a 5-pack, but also sold as a single. Anyway, the 2014 Dino Adventure 5-pack saw a red model.

Oh, look, another blue Police Squad 5-pack release. Yes, 5 years after a 2010 blue Police Squad model, we had another blue one in another Police Squad. After this, the model went on hiatus. It was going to be altered in 2012 to MB849, but this never materialized, and the model was still the same. 

However, for 2018's Wildfire Rescue 5-pack in green, the model was altered. MB984 saw the body have the rivets removed, and the rear tail section was now a part of the base section, and stuck in the out position. The interior was also removed. Even the blades on the top were altered. This particular model was also given a slightly updated name. MBX Rescue Helicopter. They added the MBX moniker at the start to tie it in with others that they have in their database. This green release was carried forward to a 2022 MBX Mountain II pack.

It was not seen in 2019 or 2020, but returned in 2021 in the City Adventure II 5-pack in red. This one kept popping up in 9-packs for a while as well, as did the green one after it returned in 2022.

For 2024, they carried forward the 2015 5-pack outing into the MBX Rescue III pack. However, that one was originally on the older casting, so we did see a new variation as it was on the updated casting now.

Then, in 2025, they did a similar thing. This time, the MBX Rescue V 5-pack of carry forwards saw the 2013 basic range issue repeated, which again meant it was now on the updated casting. 

And earlier this year, we saw a City Life 5-pack released. While all the models included used the same design as on a previous release, this time, they were all in alternate colours. I do enjoy seeing models in alternate colours. However, I am not keen to continue seeing this one. I don't know if I am the only one. And apologies to Steve if he is reading. I doubt it. But, you never know.

Some may remember, back in 2003, Burger King had a promotion using supposed Matchbox models. However, each model had to be altered due to safety concerns with toys in meals. The Rescue Helicopter was part of the promotion. It was also part of another promotion in 2005. It definitely had a lot of outings.

So, that is it. The Movie singles are now complete. This latter half contained another 3 new castings.

And also contained 3 older castings, if you can call the Sprinter older. It has been seen already, so it counts. 

As these head off, my attention turns to next week. I will be "moving" forward with 1 more batch of items before Leipzig. However, keep an eye out. Saturday 25th September sees Dirk Schleuer launch Auction A, which runs into Leipzig. Full details of the 10 lots, and how to bid, will be up on The Lamley Group website on Saturday. So, keep an eye on that one, and be back here next Monday for more Matchbox randomness. Until then, have a safe and happy week.