Matchbox Monday makes a mountain of Working Rigs C

These are some of the latest Matchbox: The Movie models, mixed in with a regular batch of Working Rigs. Batch C contains 2 of the movie models and 2 regular issues. But, as this is a little short, I finished the article by having a little fun with a random playset. Also movie related. 

Batch C of Working Rigs has 2 models out of the series of 16, but the movie models are outside that regular numbering system. They are simply 1/2 and 2/2. I am going to begin with these 2. And first up is something that is totally awesome, yet totally bizarre at the same time. The RW058 Mercedes-Benz Actros. 

First of all, this is something that I think Matchbox should do a lot more of. This is essentially a Convoy release, re-packaged as a Working Rigs model. And, I for one, am totally on board with this idea. I think that they should merge the 2 ranges into a single entity, and bring back some of the other Convoy models we saw recently. No need for adding additional models. As a single item in the package, they must be about the same cost of the regular Working Rigs issues. And as they were packaging this with the cab under the rear section, I am seeing this fitting the package as well. Obviously, had the attached the 2 parts together, it would have been a little long. Please, Mattel, look at bringing in more Convoy stuff into Working Rigs.  Because this is definitely something that people are clamouring for. It had a very positive response from the collector community, and appears to be one of the best-selling Working Rigs items in a while. From what I hear, that is, as they don't sell them where I live. Boo, UK!! 

Now, both cab and trailer have been given the name Mercedes-Benz Actros. Okay, this sort of means that the rear is likely to only ever be paired with this cab. Sure, that is not a major issue. 

But, there is a bizarre part to this. When you de-couple the parts again (obviously they weren't coupled up to begin with), you end up with a cab that is the exact size of a cab that could appear in the basic range. You notice it has basic range wheels on it. 

But, as this was thrown in Working Rigs, the manufacturing number for the model does follow the Working Rigs numbering system. It is RW058. Which is a little unusual. But, then, a few years back, we had a Convoy release of an MBX Mega Ton Fire Truck in the Convoy range, and the cab and trailer were again simply given the name. No manufacturing number at all. So, this one is an improvement on that, but it still feels unusual to me. Logical in one respect, but still unusual. I don't know why they couldn't have given the cab a MAN number, and the trailer unit itself be RW058. Because, I honestly think more cabs should be brought in with more trailers. That MBX Mega Ton Fire Truck should be brought in. Repurpose it in Working Rigs. It would be awesome!

Now, let's look at the cab. This is the second time that Matchbox has created a Mercedes-Benz Actros casting. The first one was back in 1999. This is obviously a modern Actros. The original was a 1st generation. This is the current 5th generation Actros. Which is obviously what was being used in the movie. The casting does look very well done. However, there was something I noticed as soon as I started doing photos, which I have never actually experienced with any truck cabs before. 

It is extremely front heavy. As soon as you touch it sometime, it tips over like this. In the past, they have always managed to ensure that the cab doesn't topple over, by ensuring there is enough weight at the rear to keep it a little better balanced. Sure, some of the taller cabs can topple if you push them hard enough, but this was the slightest of touches to topple it. Which is a bit of a shame. 

Because it really does look the part. But, they should have added more weight to the rear half of it to balance it out a little better. The detailing is spot-on. Well, as far as I can tell. It looks good. That is all that matters. 

I love this rear end. It is so well detailed. It is a shame it is so light compared to the front end. 

The most important part is that the connection points for this cab are identical to the last round of Convoy models, so this does mean if you wanted to mix and match this with the last Convoy series from 2020-24, you can do that easily. I am still a little upset that they changed the connections for that series. 

Now, when it comes to design, have you seen the movie? The vehicle in the movie is black. It has no significant markings on it. So, the model has followed suit with just a standard front end detail. The license plate comes from the film. It is in the right place. We get the Mercedes-Benz tristar properly depicted. Or should I say tristars. I don't know why they actually have a large one in the middle, with a tiny one sitting just under the window like that. But, that is how the real ones are, so the model follows suit. And I love the level of detailing to those headlights. They look so realistic. I cannot argue about this at all. 

Then we simply get a side light added. No rear detailing. I am not sure why they didn't bother with a touch of red on the rear? I think that may have been a better option than the tiny touch of orange to the side, if they were limiting the amount of tampo they were adding. 

But, the cab is not the only part. There is a whole new rear section. One that is modelled after the trailer unit being used in the film. Admittedly, it is all plastic. Well, almost all.

There is a tiny piece of metal for the pin that slots into the cab. Then there is a small section of metal around the dual rear axle. Apart from that, the rest of the rear section is plastic. I am not overly fussed with that. The last round of Convoys had rears that were nearly all plastic. So, this fits in with that. Plus, even when they first launched, most of the parts were plastic. They simply had a full length metal bed. So, technically, it is only a small reduction in metal overall. But, again, with the bizarre part, that the base also has RW058 Mercedes-Benz Actros. I am sure there could have been something else they could have come up with for a name of this rear section. As I said, this does sort of tie it in with the cab as a permanent pairing. It is not overly important, but it could have been cool to see the Actros with a different rear, or this rear paired with a new front end. 

Now, this is a rear end that is modelled after the one used in the movie. There is a side door on the one side.

With a few items at the rear of the roof section. I cannot fault these, as this is how it looks in the film. So, obviously, they have followed the look for the model. 

And as a bonus, the rear doors open as well. The earlier Convoy vehicles from the 2020-24 period that were similar did not have opening features. So, this is a real bonus. 

Ah! The rear lights. They put them at the back of the trailer unit. I still feel they should have been put on the cab as well. But, aside from that, this is completely plain, as it is in the movie. And I like it. An undercover truck. It is really cool.

So, let's score this. Inclusion. Well, that is an easy one. A very large and in your face, 10! I am sure I am not alone in wanting more Convoy style vehicles added to the Working Rigs series. I want the Car Transporter rear end in there. Plus, that Mega Ton Fire Truck. We have a load of castings that could be brought in to bolster the Working Rigs range. Casting. I do not mind the level of plastic. Sadly, because it does force the cab to topple over too easily, I am going to knock off a point. So, it gets a 9 from me. Design. I am so inclined to go with a perfect 10, but the lack of rear lights to the cab is a small quirk I cannot ignore. So, a 9.5. This gives the model a total score of 28.5 out of 30. But, that is a small drop, and this is something I really want to see continue, and expand. 

The other movie related Working Rig is a proper one. The RW057 Ford F-650 Flatbed Truck. It is number 2 of 2 in the Movie related set, and debuts in brown. 

Daft fact, did you know that this is the first time that a Ford has been added to the Working Rigs series? This is an 8th generation F-650, as the medium duty vehicle has been in use since 2016. Gary Gopinath was in charge of creating this one, and I have to say it looks stunning. Especially at the front end.

This follows a pattern for flatbeds, which was started in the early Working Rigs era with the RW006 International DuraStar. And I think that works so well, as if it ain't broke, don't fix it. However, unlike the International, this one does have an extra feature. 

There is a hook section built into the front end of the ramp section, based on a hydraulic winch that would often be on a real vehicle. However, I think it may only be added to this movie release, to coincide with the real vehicle in the movie sporting one. The hook arm does raise up and down. 

The rest of the moving parts to this model are the same as we saw on the old International. The back has a rear drag tow boom. This pulls out, and can be used to add a vehicle for towing at the rear.

Plus, we also have the flatbed section itself, which slides back and tilts down to the ground to roll vehicles up for transport. 

The whole rear section can be pulled off, although it is not easy to pop off. You do have to line it up perfectly to get it to unhook.

As you can see a couple of notches along the metal section of the model for the flatbed to pop in and out of. 

And the underside of the ramp has the alternate part to slide along, with a bump on the sides, which need to align with the runner to get it to tilt, and then dismantle, if you needed to. But, again, it is not easy. Not something a child will easily do. So that is a great piece of engineering. 

I wanted to test these parts out, so let's bring in a few movie vehicles for testing. The hook on the top is not good for actually hooking. I tried a number of different vehicles, and not one was able to be hooked by it. The Dodge Challenger was just about able to catch. But, a slight movement, and off it falls. I do think the hook was a bit of a wasted piece. It reminds me of the RW004 Western Star 6900XD Wrecker, as it has a hook like this that basically does nothing, except get in the way. Sure, this may be a more realistic look for the vehicle, but I think they should have left it off. 

When you move that hook out of the way, most models will sit on the rear of the truck easily enough. And, unlike the Actros, this stays sturdy with anything on the back. No chance of anything tipping. 

Vehicles roll on and off easily enough. The ramp is not too steep for them. 

Due to the overhang of the ramp, only certain vehicle can be attached to the rear drag tow boom. The Dodge manages it just about. The hood just slips underneath the ramp. It was very close though. 

I did say not all vehicles work. The Land Rover 6x6 will balance on the ramp. It is quite long, and the final axle is hanging off the end. But, again, it stays sturdy. No sign of anything falling over. 

But, to get that on the rear drag tow boom, you do have to pull the ramp up at the back a little to squeeze it on. Of course, that leaves the ramp at a weird angle. 

But, yeah, it does work. Just about. It is a tight fit. You do have to pull and twist things a bit, but you can get a wide variety of vehicles into the 2 sections of the model. But, that hook is an annoyance. It is pointless and redundant. 

When it comes to the design, this is obviously another that follows the look from the movie. I like the brown colour for it, and the front end detail is absolutely superb! I think it looks stunning.  

The model also gets the roof lights detailed. 

Plus, easier to see with the ramp removed, the rear also gets detailed. I literally cannot fault the look of this one. 

As I show the base, I am going to score this one. Inclusion, a perfect 10. This is a fantastic addition to the Working Rigs series, and I am so happy to see it. Casting. Yeah, pointless hook. Get rid of it. Well, actually I think they did. Another of this one appears in the final batch of the year, and pictures do not appear to be showing a hook. I think it may have been knocked off. But, while it is on, it gets points deducted for the fact that you cannot actually hook anything with it, and when you put a vehicle on the ramp, it is just in the way. So, a double whammy. An 8 out of 10. Design. Beautiful. I love the final look. A perfect 10 again. Had the hook not been there, this would have scored top marks, but a 28 out of 30 for a debut is still great. Not quite the same as the Actros, but still a brilliant start. I hope I am right and they have deleted the hook for future issues. 

Apart from the 2 movie models, we also get 2 regular Working Rigs issues. The RW055 MBX Backhoe returns for a second outing in the number 8 slot out of 16. 

But, very annoyingly, it is in the exact same Matchbox Construction themed look as it was when it debuted last year. Oh, I am not impressed with that. Why was this not given a different look? I am not a fan of so many carry forwards in this series, and especially when they carry forward from one year to the next. 2025 saw 2 new castings for Working Rigs. Both of them have simply reappeared in 2026 in the same look. 2024 saw no new tools, as the MAN TGS was cancelled, and the Airport fire truck was delayed until 2025. 2023 saw just the one new tool, and the Brightdrop has not been seen since. The last time we have seen a new casting get a different colour was the Western Star 49X Dump Truck from 2022. Of course, the new Ford that I just previewed is getting a second release in year one. But, I just feel that this series is not getting much effort put into it. So many 2025 items just rolled over into 2026. This is why I am scoring this a 0. 

Good grief! The RW006 International DuraStar Flatbed Truck is the other carry forward. This takes the number 13 slot in the series in blue. 

I think this is even worse. This look was part of the relaunch for Working Rigs in 2018. Then  it was carried forward to a Mission Force set in 2020. Then it was carried forward to the 2022 series. This is now the 4th time we have seen this blue one. Why have they not just brought back the 2009 turquoise one? It was used once. 17 years ago. If they had to bring one back, why not this one? Or the 2010 MC Towing burgundy one? I could even accept the 2020 white one or 2021 red one. A bit newer, but both have seen one outing. That is a range of looks for this casting that have not been used over and over again. But, instead, we get the one that was already used more than anything else. Again! Can I score minus figures? No? Oh, nuts. Another 0 then. That was the worst choice for this particular casting. Batch C regular issues have not been good. The movie models were great. Talking of the movie. 

Matchbox has released quite a lot for the movie. And, aside from a variety of models in single packs, or a special 4-pack, there were some playsets created as well. There were 3 in total. Sadly, as I cannot buy these in the UK, because they don't like selling toys in this country, I have had to get a set imported from abroad. This one has come over from the USA. It was not cheap. Hence, why I only have the 1. There were 2 other sets. A Transforming Mobile Command was a large plastic truck that opens up. Included was the MB1203 Polaris RZR from the Villain Pursuit 5-pack, as well as the MB1596 '68 Ford Mustang, which came as a single. Then we had Smalley's Launch & Crush. A smaller playset, that came with the MB629 '69 Chevy Camaro, which was also sold as a single. But, the largest playset (typical, it would be the biggest) was the Mountain Helicopter Escape was a bit more important. If you have forgotten, a Tyco R/C Land Rover 6x6 was planned, but was cancelled. 

Before I get to the models, I am going to check out the set. Because, well, I spent a lot of money in getting it imported. I am going to make sure it works. These boxes are relatively easy to open. You flip them over, and there is a perforated section around the inside of the edge to get in.

Inside, you will find lots of parts, some stickers and instructions. 

After emptying the parts out, it is time to read the instructions, check where to put labels, and build. 

There were not a lot of stickers. Some flame ones for the ramp pieces, and some stickers to put on the lever that goes on top. 

I am not doing a step-by-step guide to building it. It was so easy. It is not like a Lego set. It took about 5 minutes in total to get from a load of pieces to a final fully constructed 2 foot tall mountain. There is a clear arm sticking out the side. 

Included with the set are 2 vehicles, and a large plastic helicopter piece that slots into that clear piece. You can then raise that piece up to the top. 

When you pull the lever at the top, a vehicle that is held on the ramp by a barrier is let loose. At the same time, the helicopter starts ticking down the side of the mountain. The object is for the vehicle to beat the helicopter down. Spoiler alert, I never managed it! Of course, I only tried a few times with the 2 models that came with the set, but I am sure if a child was playing with it, they would have some success. 

I did have a little fun with the models before I got back to finishing the report. 

Although one thing I did find unusual was that if a car does manage to beat the helicopter down, when it goes past that section, it may fall down a trap door before it finishes the ramp. So, it may never get to the bottom. 

Now, the MB1266 '18 Dodge Durango was also a part of the Villain Pursuit 5-pack. But, the other model?

This MB1596 '68 Ford Mustang Fastback is an exclusive. Yes, it has been a while since we had an exclusive in a playset. Typical they put it in the largest and most expensive one. But, I am a completeist, so I knew I had to get this set, or otherwise I would be missing a model. 

Now, we had seen the Mustang as a single, and also enhanced with opening doors as a premium release. But, both of those were spotlessly clean. This one is full of scratches. Well, if you have seen the film, and watched the Mattel Creations, you will know the real vehicle ends up a lot worse. But, I am loving this scratched look. It is starting to get damaged, but the roof is still currently there. 

I knew I could not ignore this one. Out of the 3 Mustangs released for the movie with a roof, this is my favourite. I love the damaged look. It is so cool. Honestly, they should do more classics with rust, damage, scratches, dirt etc. We have had random releases. They should be more common. I know this has cost me a lot of money to obtain, but it was worth it. A perfect 10. I just hope they don't continue to throw exclusives in expensive sets. My wallet may not like me an awful lot if they do. 

This is the single release of the model. The same look, except nice and shiny. They look great together. 

Then we had the Collectors release, which was actually a new moving parts casting. The MB1634 looked just like the single issue. All nice and shiny. Except a little more detailing, real riders, and some opening doors. 

And, although the premium issue was more detailed at the rear, this one is the exact same as the single release. Unlike a certain '69 Camaro, which saw different rear ends on every release. I love the more consistent look on this one. Just battle damaged! A little Jurassic nod there. 

So, this blog sees a perfect 50/50 split. We had 3 models that were all new for the report. Woohoo!

And another 3 that were exact duplicates of models I have already reported on. Doh!

But, I am not going to feel blue about it. That is a reference to where I am going with next week's more "basic" report. I hope you enjoyed my latest ramblings. All that is left is for me to wish everybody a safe and happy week.