Category:Minic Ships

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Triang Minic Ships, logo.jpg

Minic Ships

1958 - ~1964


Although Tri-ang were by no means the first company to produce a set of cast waterline ship models at or around the scale of 1:1200 – notable earlier ranges included Bassett-Lowke, Tremo and Dinky – the Tri-ang MINIC Ships range was arguably the most successful product range of its type after World War Two. As well as a wide range of nicely-painted models, the accessories ended up including harbours and pier sets and even a very small scale-sized whale.

Retailer display accessories included a three-piece moulded rubber model representing the port of Dover, with white cliffs and tiny sets of 1:1200 train track, and even a tiny train.

2019: Computer-generated image of the display. We've since added a few more bits.


First issue

These "classic" accurately detailed, 1:1200 scale waterline models were only available in the shops from about 1958 to 1964, and thus had a comparatively short life. However, from the collector's point of view, production figures must have been high since, coupled with the factor of their comparatively low play value (they could not be raced like Dinky Toys) they have survived in reasonably large numbers in good condition.

Six sales catalogues were produced between 1959 and 1960 and are nowadays quite hard to find. No single catalogue shows the full range, since additions, deletions and alterations were regular occurrences.

Triang Ships are an exciting new series. Scale Docks, an Ocean Convoy or Fleet Manoeuvres – all can be reproduced in thrilling miniature. Each model has a heavy diecast hull, bringing out in precise detail the lifeboats, bollards, portholes and anchors. Masts, cranes, and other projecting parts are moulded in resilient plastic for strength and safety. New models are continually being built and will be introduced at frequent intervals

— , -, , Minic Ships catalogue, First Edition, , 1959

Modular seafront pieces includes a lifeboat station, pleasure pier, ocean liner terminus, and a variety of commercial dockside items such as an oil storage depot and a coal-burning power station.

1976: Second issue, "Hornby Minic"

"Minic Ships" were reintroduced in 1976 as Hornby-branded products, and these are known as the "second issues".

These were painted in slightly different colours, and were "updated" for the "Hot Wheels" era by fitting the ships' hollow bases with red plastic inserts with low-profile low-friction wheels. They did not sell well and are not as collectable as the original "first" series.

The range was limited to the Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, United States, Canberra, Vanguard and Bulwark, with some new models in the shape of the Missouri, Bismarck, Scharnhorst and Yamato.

Presentation sets were also produced, including some harbour parts and accessories. All second issues have "HONG KONG" stamped on the base.

Men O'War and Ships of State

... a range of 1:1200 scale diecast warships and famous liners of the world.

K.M. Bismarck and Scharnhorst head out of port again on a raid into the North Sea; The Queen Elizabeth races across the Atlantic to capture the Blue Riband!

Minic Ships are 1:12000 constant scale diecast replicas of these and other famous vessels. They are accurate waterline models decorated to represent each ship in the pride of its career. The main armament on each warship can be turned by slight finger pressure, cranes revolve – and every ship is mobile! Tiny "Glidewheels" inset into the waterline send each vessel "sailing" over any smooth surfaces. If the ship is required as a static model for a diorama, the wheels can be unclipped and stored.

There are diecast harbour accessories too, all to the same scale, all decorated and ready to use. Quays and piers simply slot together, with the dockside cranes, oil tanks, warehouses etc. just clipping on top.

Presentation Gift Sets with ships and harbours, individual vessels and harbour extension sets are all in the Minic range.

2003: relaunch and additional pieces

Although most of the Minic Ships range are sufficiently easy to find online that remanufacturing them probably isn't particularly financially sensible, a new 2003 company, "Tri-ang Minic Ships Limited" has now produced additional 1:1200 ships and quayside accessories to extend the range to cover notable shipping-related items that appeared after the original ranges ended, including some of the large US aircraft carriers, and sets of modern container ships and PANAMAX gantries.

1962 listing:

Ocean liners:

M701 – RMS Caronia, 7"
M702 – RMS Queen Elizabeth, 10 5/16"
M703 – RMS Queen Mary, 10 3/16"
M704 – SS United States, 9 15/16"
M705 – RMS Aquitania
M706 – SS Nieuw Amsterdam
M707 – SS France
M708 – RMS Saxonia
M709 – RMS Ivernia
M710 – RMS Sylvania
M711 – RMS Carinthia
M712 – NS Savannah
M713 – SS Antilles
M715 – RMS Canberra
M716 – MS Post Brisbane
M717 – MS Port Auckland
M718 – RMS Amazon
M719 – RMS Arlanza
M720 – RMS Aragon

Miscellaneous Ships and Vessels:

M721 – HM Yacht Britannia
M721H – HM Yacht Britannia Hospital Ship
M722 – SS Isle of Jersey
M723 – SS Isle of Guernsey
M724 – SS Isle of Sark
M726 – Pilot Ship
M727 – Life Boat
M728 – PS Britannia
M729 – PS Bristol Queen
M730 – PS Cardiff Queen
M731 – Tug
M732 – SS Varicella (Oil Tanker)
M733 – TSS Vikingen (Whale Factory Ship)
M734 – Whale Chaser
M735 – Light-Vessel Sunk
M736 – Light-Vessel Shambles
M737 – Light-Vessel Cork
M738 – Light-Vessel Varne
M739 – Light-Vessel St. Gowan

Battleship:

M741 – HMS Vanguard

Aircraft Carriers:

M751 – HMS Bulwark
M752 – HMS Centaur
M753 – HMS Albion

Cruisers:

M761 – HMS Swiftsure
M762 – HMS Superb

Fleet Escorts:

M771 – HMS Daring
M772 – HMS Diana
M773 – HMS Dainty
M774 – HMS Decoy

Destroyers:

M779 – HMS Alamein
M780 – HMS Jutland
M781 – HMAS Anzac
M782 – HMAS Tobruk

Guided Missile Destroyers:

M783 – HMS Hampshire
M784 – HMS Kent
M785 – HMS Devonshire
M786 – HMS London

Frigates:

M787 – HMS Vigilant
M788 – HMS Venus
M789 – HMS Virago
M790 – HMS Volage
M791 – HMS Whitby
M792 – HMS Torquay
M793 – HMS Blackpool
M794 – HMS Tenby

Minesweepers:

M799 – HMS Repton
M800 – HMS Dufton
M801 – HMS Ashton
M802 – HMS Calton
M803 – HMS Picton
M804 – HMS Sefton
M805 – HMS Upton
M806 – HMS Wiston

Misc. Royal Naval Ships:

M810 – HM Tug Turmoil
M817 – HM Submarine A Class
M818 – HM Submarine A Class Reconstructed

Harbours, Accessories and Scenic Effects:

M827 – Breakwater, Straight
M828 – Breakwater, Angle left
M828 – Breakwater, Angle right
M829 – Breakwater, End
M836 – Quay Straight Section
M837 – Cranes Unit
M838 – Storage Tanks Unit
M839 – Customs Shed
M840 – Warehouse
M841 – Ocean Terminal
M842 – Swing Bridge, complete
M843 – Ocean Terminal Extension
M844 – Lock Gates (Pair)
M846 – Lifting Bridge, complete
M847 – Pier, Straight
M848 – Pier, Entrance
M849 – Pier Head
M853 – Factory
M854 – Tanker Wharf, Straight
M855 – Tanker Wharf, Berth
M857 – Sea Plastic 26"×26"
M858 – Sea Plastic 52"×52"
M861 – Life Boat Station complete (for use with M836, 847 or 849)
M878 – Lighthouse
M880 – Whale
M882 – Beacon
M884 – Statue of Liberty
M885 – Floating Dock

See also:

External links


Subcategories

This category has the following 5 subcategories, out of 5 total.

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Pages in category ‘Minic Ships’

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Media in category ‘Minic Ships’

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