Category:Minic Ships

1960: Aircraft carrier artwork, on the cover of the Triang Minic Ships catalogue, second edition [image info]

Boxed set, lid artwork [image info]

Low view of the museum's "MINIC Ships" display [image info]

Minic Ships packaging. Note the printed blue water pattern on the interior of the larger box. [image info]

Minic Ships logo cast into the base of a pier section [image info]

Individual Minic Ships packaging [image info]

"Build this scale harbour" – undated Minic Ships leaflet probably included with a model, without parent company identifier [image info]

1962: Minic Ships: Ocean Liners [image info]

1962: Minic Ships: Warships [image info]

1962: Minic Ships: Miscellaneous ships, vessels and harbour parts [image info]

1976: Hornby Minic ships [image info]

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:

Miscellaneous Ships and Vessels:

Battleship:

M741 – HMS Vanguard

Aircraft Carriers:

Cruisers:

Fleet Escorts:

Destroyers:

Guided Missile Destroyers:

Frigates:

Minesweepers:

Misc. Royal Naval Ships:

Harbours, Accessories and Scenic Effects:

See also:

• Blog entry, 2011

External links

• Triang Minic ships site (triangminicships.com)
• Triangs revisited (www.shipmodels.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk)
• Triang Minic Ships, forum discussion (modelboats.co.uk)
• Minic Ships launch artwork (flickr.com)

• Oxford Diecast / Tri-ang Minic Ships Limited (oxforddiecast.co.uk)