Harrogate Toyfairs

[spock1]

:) One of only three again this year is the Harrogate Toy and Train Fair on Sunday 23rd January. Doubtless bargains galore :rolleyes: open 1030hrs to 1530hrs......... ;)

[goonybird]

You'll get to lie in for once then :D

[spock1]

:D Mr. GB,

It makes a pleasant change so long as we are not snowed in!!!...... :) :rolleyes: :eek:

[The Defiant Man]

I'm going.....

[spock1]

:) Mr. DM,

Don't forget to say hello!! .......... :)

[CFBC]

I take it you will be attending this toyfair them Spock? :D

[NeilD]

I hope its indoors.. heard there may be strong winds forcast.. ;) :p

[Agent X20]

enough to blow the blo*dy doors off..!!

[NeilD]

there'll be tarpaulins everywhere... :D

[Agent X20]

Theres a joke here somewhere about Spock and the jobs (blow).. just cant get my rather pickled brain around it..... :cool: :eek: :cool: :) :D

[CFBC]

I hope its indoors.. heard there may be strong winds forcast.. ;) :p

Mr Spock1 and wind I hear don't go together.....? :D Any sand and sea close to Harrogate? :rolleyes:

[The Defiant Man]

:D Any sand and sea close to Harrogate? :rolleyes:

No & no, as well you know! ;)

Tis very windy here at the mo.....

Spock - give us a clue how to recognise you (apart from the ears)

[CFBC]

No & no, as well you know! ;)

Tis very windy here at the mo.....

Oh well.... Thats means Spock1 won't enjoy it as much..... Windyinhere too after that curry I had earlier..... And outside if I stick me head out the window..... :p

Hmm. Sunday.... I am in Skipton.... Hmm. I wonder.....

[The Defiant Man]

Not far.....half an hour each way.

[CFBC]

Hmmm. Yeah.... I could leave Mrs CFBC there and come-up too the T/F and be back before she climbs outta bed at her parents..... Good plan.....

Bacon butties on you then D/F Man? :D

[The Defiant Man]

Sorry old bean, it's in Harrogate. Bit posh there....you'll like it, get the cucumber sandwiches like in your VIP tent. :p

[CFBC]

Any crust on the wiches? Hope not.... :)

Wheres the venue.... Postcode? :)

[Looneygooner]

The toy fair is held at the Great Yorkshire showground, off Wetherby road, which is the main road into Harrogate from yes you guessed it Wetherby for those of you coming from the South. Northerners should know where it is because there sense of direction is better :eek: :eek: Find Sainsburys and you will see the signposts pointing you in the correct direction.

Queues tend to get very long around about 25 minutes before it opens, so my advice would be to go in early and pay extra or arrive 40 minutes before opening and shiver in the cold :confused:

Great venue, good stalls, bargains to be had :D

Have a good one :)

[snafu]

I'm heading up there - last time there were some nice chairs piled outside the entrance so at least we had a seat whilst the queue's built up! Having said that we did go early(9am) for a 10am start (actual was 10.30) that's why we were so near the front :rolleyes:

Bit of a forage into bandit country for us Lincolnshire lads though so better be some bargains!!

[CFBC]

I'm heading up there - last time there were some nice chairs piled outside the entrance so at least we had a seat whilst the queue's built up! Having said that we did go early(9am) for a 10am start (actual was 10.30) that's why we were so near the front :rolleyes:

Bit of a forage into bandit country for us Lincolnshire lads though so better be some bargains!!

Hmmm. Hope to be there, but not early so your "ok" Snafu..... Not 100% sure as yet as Mrs CFBC was not keen...... :(

As for you being a "Lincolnshire lad" Snaffs.... Would have to question that of you, your the wrong side of the M180..... :p . We inherited yer!!!! :rolleyes:

"Bandit country"... Too right, watch yer wing mirrors and bonnet badges!!!! Wheels are ok there, thats further West....... :D

[DCRanger]

CFBC - if you are travelling from Skipton you need to be on the A59. Quite a scenic route, look out for the golf balls on the left at Menwith Hill. (Keep your camera out of sight). Harrogate can be busy at times but go straight accross at all the roundabouts following the signs to York. When you get to the lights at Sainsburys turn right (as if to go into Sainsburys) and follow the road to the hall.

[CFBC]

DC... Many thanks :)

[snafu]

As for you being a "Lincolnshire lad" Snaffs.... Would have to question that of you, your the wrong side of the M180..... :p . We inherited yer!!!! :rolleyes:



Scunny has always been in Lincolnshire (apart from when they bunged us into Humberside in '74) so I am a Lincolnshire lad ;)

Just industrial Lincolnshire not carrot crunchers like you lot :p

[spock1]

:confused: Geographical squabbles.........hmmmmmm...........but at least Humberside has a better ring to it than East Midlands!!!!....... :D

Now where the 'eck is my tin hat ?????? :eek: :) :D

[NeilD]

Scunny has always been in Lincolnshire (apart from when they bunged us into Humberside in '74) so I am a Lincolnshire lad ;)

Just industrial Lincolnshire not carrot crunchers like you lot :p


I'll take the carrots anytime over 'the industrial north'... and the 2 Lancasters either side of me!! hah! :p :p :p :D
Neil.

[spock1]

:) think you Lincolnshire?Humberside/East Midlands folks will find Harrogate a little moire civilised !!! :D the Bacon butties usually amongst the better offerings on the Toy Fair Circuit!!!.......... ;)

[The Defiant Man]

Here's my view/comments of today...

Arrived about 11.15...pretty busy. About half a dozen stalls with very good AA ranges (3 of which with some Dragon & 1 with some very nice Gaincorp) plus a number with "odds & ends".

Price guide:
Most of the AA's were of a similar range except 2 particular dealers (see below). Standard prices were:
He 111 £25-£30 (only saw 1 white Russia - £47.50)
Legends (modern & WWII) £10-£12
Choppers (£8.50 - £15 for Sea Kings & £12 - £20 Chinooks)
Canberras £30
Libs £25 - £30 (except CC, which were all around the £55 mark)
1/32's - Spits & P51s £25 - £35, 109s £55. No Mossies.
Lancs - only saw 1 - Dambuster - for £55
Loads of Dump bin fighters £10 - £15
Cheaper Stukas £15
Wellingtons £60
Hunters/Tornados/Phantoms £10 - £20 (didn't see any non Legend Lightnings)
1/144: Didn't pay much attention to these, but plenty around ranging from £5 for a French York to £30 being the standard price for a Vulcan K2. Mostly £10 - £20.

Two particular dealers caught my attention. The first had a lovely looking big stand in probably the best "lot" in the hall & it was packed with AA and a few Dragon. Widest range I've ever seen. Unfortunately it was all at RRP for the smaller stuff and all the bigger stuff was all about £55-£60. He also had a Shu Shu at £55 and a couple of Yeagers at £80 apiece. Not surprisingly they weren't doing much business.

The second was a dealer I bought a Canberra from at Donnington last month for £30. He's now lowered his price to £25 :mad: . He was also selling Legends at £5, dunp bin fighters at £8, B52's at £8 also, Buccs & Phantoms at £12, Sea Kings at under £10 and all sorts of other cheap stuff. He must work on high turnover to make a profit.

A final observation was that, for a lot of the "older" stuff (particularly 1/144) many of the boxes are now becoming exceedingly shop-soiled and are not "mint".

Overall, not a bad fair, certainly the best in this locality I've been to, but not as good (or as many bargains) as Donnington.

[Agent X20]

Sounds a mirror image of Huntingdon the other day... Nice to see Legends coming down even further..!!

[spock1]

Here's my view/comments of today...

Two particular dealers caught my attention. The first had a lovely looking big stand in probably the best "lot" in the hall & it was packed with AA and a few Dragon. Widest range I've ever seen. Unfortunately it was all at RRP for the smaller stuff and all the bigger stuff was all about £55-£60. He also had a Shu Shu at £55 and a couple of Yeagers at £80 apiece. Not surprisingly they weren't doing much business.


:rolleyes: Mr. DM,

And still you failed to say hello.............. ;)

PS. - It would appear that discount prices and 'dump' ones being somewhat confused here btw.......... :confused:

PPS - Business was actually pretty good, one Shu Shu and Yeager changed hands with a nice trade in on one!!!....... ;)

[Agent X20]

Oh part exchange now....

Be one way of getting rid of 4 BOAC Brits..!!

If yer take wimmin in p/x.. Ill dust down Mrs Agent..

[spock1]

Oh part exchange now....

:confused: Agent,

Always has been, part of the term 'swap' meets!!!......... :D ;)

[Agent X20]

Yeah yeah .. what about me third statement... body is a bit rusty, needs tidying up.......

[spock1]

:D Agent,

Have you od'ed on the DFP's or been on the Bravery Juice old friend??? :confused: :D Think the slave trade went out well before our time!! Presume Mrs. A. does not have Forum access ??... :rolleyes: :eek: :cool: :D

[Agent X20]

I think shes masquerading as Shuttle...

[The Defiant Man]

:rolleyes: Mr. DM,

And still you failed to say hello.............. ;)

PS. - It would appear that discount prices and 'dump' ones being somewhat confused here btw.......... :confused:

PPS - Business was actually pretty good, one Shu Shu and Yeager changed hands with a nice trade in on one!!!....... ;)

Ooops...Sorry Mr Spock :o (you the bushy bearded chap I saw selling a CC Lib??)

Glad business was ok but if it was you, your stall weren't that busy when I was there :rolleyes: - was a good selection though.

Yeager buyer obviously not a forum member :D

Dump - I class "dump models" as those generally on ebay for about a tenner...

[Agent X20]

Nice to see the tenner is still the overiding currency with AA's..!!

[spock1]

:D Mr. DM,

Two of the main dumpsters I spoke to at the end of the afternoon were moaning bitterly about it being a crap day.
Loads of people, but being selective with what if anything they bought!! The cheapo models you see are the ones that have been over produced and just ain't selling!! Liberators at £20 still being packed up and taken home by dealers cos' no one wants them and this scenario has been going on for at least the last 2 months........... :eek:

Another example is a £35 model that last week was Agents favourite price and this week half that............ ;) Said item not that easy to find as fairly old!!! To work out the message I am trying to convey you have to get into the mind of the dumpster !!! To give you a clue the same people were selling the older Vulcan models, Ducks, NF Hurricanes and many of todays premium price models in the not to distant past.......... :) at very similar giveaway prices, but yo' no one wanted them, then!!

[Lofty]

Spock, ya seem to be swimming against the tide of cynicism.....
Breast stroke may come in handy when PX-ing Agent X20's cast off...... :D
Not that i would know, i should point out..... :rolleyes:

[The Defiant Man]

Mr Spock

I have to plead guilty to being selective...only so much dosh and storage space :(

[spock1]

Spock, ya seem to be swimming against the tide of cynicism.....
:

:D Mr. Lofty,

From what I have seen today the tide is with me.........at the moment!!!!!!..........keep that wind away though........ ;)

[Lofty]

:D Mr. Lofty,

..........keep that wind away though........ ;)
Orifice is corked!

[spock1]

Mr Spock

I have to plead guilty to being selective...only so much dosh and storage space :(

;) Mr. DM,

I know what you mean but on speaking to another dealer had to laugh about the customer who came in with £60 to spend on a Wellington yet blew it on 5 of the said cheapoes that he did not really want yet could not resist because they were so cheap!!!......... :confused:

[The Defiant Man]

Not guilty to that one!

[spock1]

Orifice is corked!

:D Mr. Lofty,

Hopefully not with lead shot!!!!!!..........ouch!!!!!!!!!......... :D :eek: :rolleyes:

[Lofty]

:D Mr. Lofty,

Hopefully not with lead shot!!!!!!..........ouch!!!!!!!!!......... :D :eek: :rolleyes:
Oooooh Nooooo....don't wanna shatter the pan :eek:

[DCRanger]

Got the Vengence Corsair for £8.50. Also got the Herschel Green T Bolt for for £8. This a model that I never got a second glance from me in the catalogues or photographs that I have seen but is much nicer in the flesh. Goes very nicely with Shu Shu.

Very tempted by the Canadian Lanc at £25 but resisted. So many of them there that there is a good chance of some being there next time and maybe even cheaper then. Last time I was amazed at Stinger VII for £20 but this time it was even cheaper at £19.50. Can't wait for a 1/32 Mossie and ME109 at that price.

[Agent X20]

Never mind Mr S .. twas only the predictions made this time last year by the fledgling Lofty Agent price guide...

At the end of the day Corgi are making very little of what we want, every catalogue seems to have a favourite and thats about it... and its gonna continue.. the subjects are becoming more obscure and yep fan blo*dy tastic they are doing a Jaguar.. yep Ill have one.. I dont want six of them... and yep. we will get six..

If you go back through the many threads, the issuance of the B24 models has for the past year been a standing joke in the Lofty Agent camp.. Yep nice Libbys... but half a dozen of them in about as many months.. :(

I think at the end of the day we are going to end up with fewer models issued.. but its gonna look like there are just as many in the dumpsters, cos quite frankly, we aint got anymore room.. and apart from the odd one or two, theres not really a lot that is of interest.. the collection has no terminus and I think more and more now, if they havent got 'that' model aint particularily bothered, cos there aint that many of us now with complete collections. (not that mine is..)
:eek: More medicine please :cool:

[Lofty]

That probably just about sums it all up Agent.........
I ran out of room after the 1st Catalogue.......Loft is full.....piles of stuff everywhere :(

[Agent X20]

Possibilities of a cellar at Lofty Towers..?

Trouble is cellars are bit dingy dank and damp.. if we had that Mrs Agents folks would want to come and stay..

[diecaster]

[QUOTE=The Defiant Man]Here's my view/comments of today...

"The second was a dealer I bought a Canberra from at Donnington last month for £30. He's now lowered his price to £25 "

Don't fret D/M I bought mine for high thirties and have today been offered them at £25 :mad: so I guess there's quite a few doing the rounds at the moment, also hear that the Gulf Chinook is back cheap along with some of the LEGENDS. I quite liked the look of the Legend Bucc having seen it in the flesh yesterday but will wait for the price to drop ;) , as most of the early Legnds are now doing :eek:

Diecsater

[diecaster]

[QUOTE=Agent X20]

"I think at the end of the day we are going to end up with fewer models issued.. but its gonna look like there are just as many in the dumpsters, cos quite frankly, we aint got anymore room.. and apart from the odd one or two, theres not really a lot that is of interest.. the collection has no terminus and I think more and more now, if they havent got 'that' model aint particularily bothered, cos there aint that many of us now with complete collections. (not that mine is..) "

Agree with a lot of that sentiment Agent, just been on the phone to me best bargain dealer and he seems to think that the number of people doing AA collections is lower than it used to be..

Anyone else noting the same ? apart from us lot is anyone else out there buying AAs in the same quantities these days or are we all running out of room to display 'em (not that that stops me all of the time ... :rolleyes: )

Diecaster

[Agent X20]

Think Mr Diecaster that I ( and no doubt many others) should have been a bit more selective when choosing which biggies to have and to that point am really pushed to find space for another one..

I will buy a Mosquito.. that by the way for the uninitiated was a singular... wheras in 1/72 gimme the whole lot please... and it looks like the blue pru one.. of which there are 4000 so I CAN WAIT..... Thing is Albert and folks are gonna have to produce a fighter Bomber so its beer all round and we MAY see MM417 as a 1/32 er and that would HAVE to come into the collection...

Thing is dealers wont put up with a tenner profit on a box that size.. so they wont do em.. its all a bit catch-22....

But the little 'uns.. keep em coming... 1/72 Spits Hurris et all.. plenty of little cubby holes to stash them... and of course the 1/400ths even smaller so lots to look forward to... ah.... Corgi yer dont do 1/400ths...???. that was silly.. lost a customer there... shouldnt have discontinued the 1/144 range... ***k***!!

[The Defiant Man]

I quite liked the look of the Legend Bucc having seen it in the flesh yesterday Diecsater

Saw that in the flesh for the first time myself at Harrogate. Have to admit I was a tad disappointed, and the Bucc is one of my favourites...

[The Defiant Man]

Harrogate, Sunday.

Quite a few stalls with AA, of which about 4 had a good seletion.

The usual dumpsters had Libs & B-17's @ £20, Tornadoes/Phantoms/Chinnys @ £10 - £12 and WWII fighters at £8 - £10. Dragon WWII fighters all around £15. Some good deals around on some of the more recent stuff too - SEAC Wellington £40, new Silver Canberra £30 - £35 (managed to get the only one on offer @ £25).

Only one stall had any Witty - first time seen them "up close" - not impressed. IXO nowhere to be seen.

Good to meet Mr Spock twice (well, I did go in twice!)......spent so long putting the world (well, Corgi AA) to rights I was in trouble for being late home for Sunday dinner! :D

[DCRanger]

I had a look at the wittys and wasn't impressed either. Even less impressed by the guy trying to sell them, far too pushy for my liking. Still haven't forgiven him for selling me a model a few years ago as in perfect condition only to find it scratched when I got it home.

I think DM missed out the Buccs from his list. £10 each is a crying shame.
Also saw HE111s at £20.

Noticed a stall holder with no AAs but selling the latest catalogue at £1.50 each. Aren't they supposed to be given away?

[DCRanger]

I forgot aboutwhat was possibly the bargain of the day. The presidential 707 for £8. Not the type of aircraft that I am remotely interested in but at that price even I was tempted.

[CFBC]

Sounds like quite a mixture there.... :)

[DCRanger]

Sounds like quite a mixture there.... :)
Made a good contrast to my last visit to York toyfair when there wasn't any AA dealers. The only choice there was the Hans Hahn 190 - take it or leave it. Naturally I took it.

[Typhoon-MKV]

Noticed a stall holder with no AAs but selling the latest catalogue at £1.50 each. Aren't they supposed to be given away?

I think a quid is the going rate now....

[The Defiant Man]

Harrogate Toy Fair today.

Not as many AA sellers as before, but still plenty of bargains to be had.

Prices pretty much as other t/f's, but a couple of things.....

Didn't see the very cheap Libby's this time....the usual suspects didn't have them anyway.

Loads of the new releases (RAE Bucc, Glenn Sabre, Korean Meteor) at reasonable prices (ie not dumped - but well below RRP).

Odiham Chinny & Landrover at £15......

Was looking for the Duke P-40 Legend....none to be seen. One dealer said that current issue had sold out, but more were expected to be released by Corgi soon.

Also saw RAAF Mossie, N/F Hurri, Spit & Hurri BoB set & a few commissions on one stall.....guess who.... :D

Bargain of the day.....McKnight Hurricane's available for £9.

[Looneygooner]

Harrogate today, a big dissapointment, every time I go there seems to be less and less stalls, despite hefty numbers of people coming through the door.

Usual Aviation traders there, saw one Carbury Spitfire for £65 on another stall tucked away at the back,

New 1/32 Hurri £68.00, everything else has been covered in other toyfair threads

One of the usual big pile em high sell em cheap stalls was not there and another which is usually a good source had vastly less aircraft than I have ever seen before, ?Corgi's new marketing plans kicking in.

One thing that did make it worth attending, I walked past one stall. glanced into a cardboard box and there were six or seven various Corgi planes, unboxed, unloved, had a look and came away with the Southend Vulcan and the Falklands Vulcan, no box, no stand, but in pretty good nick and five pounds each, I have found stands for them and they look great, the seller said that they were ex Corgi reps planes that they use as sales tools, a bargain seeing as there is one for sale on e-bay at present, same story but already up at £41.00.

Worth going? yes, going again? probably not! :)

[DCRanger]

I'll second the above.

Bargain of the day was probably the Tiger Meet Tonka at £8 but still wasn't tempted. Quite a few Leg Ends at £4 so added Nooky Booky to my collection. At that price it would have been rude not. Almost tempted by the weathered Zero at the same price but resisted.

[DCRanger]

Forgot to mention the No1 sqdn sets at £35. Still waiting for mine from Ebay at the same price plus P&P :mad:
One stall had the MZ commission black Mossie at £39 (I think that was the price).

[DCRanger]

One thing that did make it worth attending, I walked past one stall. glanced into a cardboard box and there were six or seven various Corgi planes, unboxed, unloved, had a look and came away with the Southend Vulcan and the Falklands Vulcan, no box, no stand, but in pretty good nick and five pounds each, I have found stands for them and they look great, the seller said that they were ex Corgi reps planes that they use as sales tools, a bargain seeing as there is one for sale on e-bay at present, same story but already up at £41.00.

I saw these but passed them up including the Stobart DC3 for £3.50. I have over 20 DC3s in my collection but I have always avoided this one because it is a fantasy scheme. Turns out that mini DCR senior bought it later on and presented it to me.

The sellers comment about them being sales tools could be right as this model lacks the name Amelia under the cockpit on the left side althought it is present on the other side. See pic below and Tri's site for a comparison.

http://www.tricatus.co.uk/AA30008.htm

http://i1.tinypic.com/nobkuv.jpg

[The Defiant Man]

Couldn't make it yesterday.....doesn't sound too good this time. Presume Mr Spock was there? Dealer's perspective would be good.

[spock1]

Couldn't make it yesterday.....doesn't sound too good this time. Presume Mr Spock was there? Dealer's perspective would be good.

:) Mr. DM,

Sorry you were unable to make it. Not a bad day overall with some strong interest in the Dragon releases as well as the new Corgi 1/32 Hurricane.

[The Defiant Man]

Many thanks, Mr S. :)

When's the next one, by the way?

[CFBC]

Take a look in the Forum Calendar! :)

[The Defiant Man]

Take a look in the Forum Calendar! :)
Many thanks for your help..... :p

Just wait until you want to know the best restaurants in Prague...... :D

Found a lovely little Mexican restaurant....Shark Tacos...yum :D

[CFBC]

Many thanks for your help..... :p

Just wait until you want to know the best restaurants in Prague...... :D

Found a lovely little Mexican restaurant....Shark Tacos...yum :D

Hey, what.. I did help... Rather than wait for a reply it is there in the Calendar! :rolleyes: No pleasing some peeps, really. :D

Prague - Culture or beer trip? Mines going to be purely beer, clubs and more beer with a little culture thrown in I think... Depends on the ladz... :cool:

Oh, and my drinking ability.... HELP!!! :D

Next Toyfair is in June TDM to save you looking. :)

[The Defiant Man]

:D
Many thanks......have seen it on the calendar as you suggested.

Was culture, present from Mrs D for my 40th....although a few bars were frequented. :rolleyes:

Plenty of bars....still nice and cheap, too.

[CFBC]

Harrogate t/f today.. Be interested to know what this one was like?

:)

[DCRanger]

Just back from Harrogate where there were Leg Ends and Decerts galore mainly from the two usual dumpsters. I'm quite happy with either so I was really spoilt for choice. Seriously tempted by the RAF Mitchell decert at £29.50 but settled for the RAF leg end Sabre, TT Meteor and JE-J Spit and spent less than I would have on the Mitchell.

Lots of HE111's with doodle bug at £29, quite a few other leg ends some as cheap as £4. Beurling Spit decert £9 and another temptation was the 1/32 PRU Mossie at £29.50. Lots of ME262's for £10.

Generally it didn't seem to be as busy as usual but maybe that was down to the hot weather and hangovers from last night. (Some kind of sporting event that was the cause for celebration apparrently). Appart from the 2.5 dumpsters and Mr Spock not many traders with AA's.

Had a brief chat with Mr Spock. His display included a model railway engine aat £750.00 I did enquire but the decimal definitely not in the wrong place.:)

[boris]

Generally it didn't seem to be as busy as usual but maybe that was down to the hot weather and hangovers from last night. (Some kind of sporting event that was the cause for celebration apparrently). Appart from the 2.5 dumpsters and Mr Spock not many traders with AA's.

QUOTE]
Also just back after helping someone .For a hot day there was a good attendance but not a lot of people were actually spending money.One dealer we were talking to had not taken a penny after 3 hours.

[spock1]

Had a brief chat with Mr Spock. His display included a model railway engine aat £750.00 I did enquire but the decimal definitely not in the wrong place.:)

;) Mr. DCR,

Nice to see you again together with Mr. Boris and AN Other Member. Please remind me to write things down for you though, said railway engine was £795 and that represents a nice saving off srp before any how would you say? Ah yes, negotiation........;) :D :o

[DCRanger]

Sorry Mr S, memory going with age you know. :)

[Agent X20]

Naw.. its okay DCR.. its that blo0dy decimilisation..................

[CFBC]

Anybody care to give us a run down and the low down on Harrogate? :)

Who went?

[The Defiant Man]

If you insist...:D

Not as much as last time......a number of stalls had the odd few......one regular bin merchant with the usual stuff inc. Legends @ £5-8 (inc. Michigan Phantom & Winter Jag), 1/32 109's & P'51s @ £18.

Sight 'n Sounds Lancs £55-ish & B-17 (with cert, it said) for the same. Couple of working range Spits £60-ish.

Only two stalls with lots of aviation were Mr Spock (his usual excellent mixture of old and new....but you want HOW MUCH for that BOAC Mossie?:eek: :D :p ) and Gary's Models.....

Gemini's £15.....older Witty's £8 (Sea Furies £16) Red Arrows galore on a number of stalls at £12 and lots of recent de-certs also at £12 (£15 for the Spit + Merlin).....WWII HM's at £12 (sorry....don't like, even if they are selling well....the Mig-21 & 104 on the other hand, well :cool: ).

Edit: Almost forgot......Eurofigher Typhoons and Stringbags £30......
Oh, and it was flippin' freezing whilst waiting to get in!

[DCRanger]

Not much to add the TDM's comments except that getting away was reminisent of an air show. The near by supermarket has been extended which meant more traffic trying to merge before getting out onto the main road. Saw one driver using some interesting tactics to escape.

Amazing number of Red Arrow Hawks as low as £10 and without any kind vandalism. Was realy tempted by the Duxford Phantom at £8.80 but resisted. Still quite a few McKnights about at silly prices.

[P51D]

Thanks for that Defiant.

When you mention the latest 1:32 109 for £35 de-cert was that the Ehrle (white) one?

[The Defiant Man]

Thanks for that Defiant.

When you mention the latest 1:32 109 for £35 de-cert was that the Ehrle (white) one?
My pleasure....did I say it was the latest 109?:unsure: Didn't pay that much attention tbh, as I don't collect 1/32.....but I am sure it was NOT the white one.....

[P51D]

did I say it was the latest 109?:unsure:

No you didn't (sorry) I'm sure I read this somewhere but must have been a different thread. :o

[The Defiant Man]

Harrogate t/f today.....

Noticably fewer stalls. Only three with aviation of note: the usual dump merchant with de-certs (fighters and jets £7-12), Gary's Models (plenty of Gemini's & HM's) and Mr Spock, with his usual excellent selection.....

Nothing special to report.....

[DCRanger]

I second the above. Is it just me or are toy fairs in general going down hill. It's not just diecast, the shows in general are getting to look more like jumble sales than collectors fairs.

[CFBC]

I second the above. Is it just me or are toy fairs in general going down hill. It's not just diecast, the shows in general are getting to look more like jumble sales than collectors fairs.

Personally DCR, that is why I have not bothered for a few months now...

[Looneygooner]

I second the above. Is it just me or are toy fairs in general going down hill. It's not just diecast, the shows in general are getting to look more like jumble sales than collectors fairs.

A major dissapointment today, the advert for the fair still says 350 stalls, more like 70 at most, Harrogate gets worse and worse imho. 3-4 years ago the hall was packed with stands, I wouldn't say good value at £3:mad:

Still picked up the Johnson Spitfire set at £45 which I personally think is great and 4 others, the Bill Read 1/144 Lanc at £7 was excellent value:)

[Martin Bull]

advert for the fair still says 350 stalls, more like 70 at most....

Just as well I decided not to make the drive up from London :LOL:

[spock1]

-smile This Sunday 10.30am to 3.30pm......................................-smile

Note to Admin.

Please feel free to move this post to a new thread and ditch the old one, Save a fair amount of space...............................-unsure- -cool- -happy-

[DCRanger]

I'll be there, hopefully.

[The Defiant Man]

I'll definitely be there....got to buy all of my own Xmas pressies-blush-

[The Defiant Man]

Harrogate today.....

Noticably fewer stalls......and punters when I was there....probably the weather....I was like a drowned rat by the time I got in......

On the aviation wide.....a few stalls with the odd one or two. The usual bin merchant was there but no longer doing AA.....their stall was full of Star Wars stuff and real cheap tat you normally find in the "everything a pound shops".....although the lifesize cut-out of Sarah (Buffy) was very nice-biggrin-
Only three aviation stalls of note.....Mr Spock (with his usual huge selection.....plus loads of stuff that would interest the armour fans), Gary's Models & Retro Toys (who was selling the white Ju-52 for a fiver more than he is asking for it BIN on ebay-huh- ).

Bought a few and saw a couple for the first time.....will comment on the appropriate threads.

[CFBC]

Harrogate today.....

......and punters when I was there....

Probably all at Harrogate footie ground watching them play Mansfield. -biggrin-

[DCRanger]

Nothing to add to what TDM has said except that even the big toy faors are not what they used to be. The smalle ones are no longer worth going to.

Just have to wait for the next MZ dump. :LOL:

[Looneygooner]

I was there and the weather when I was waiting to get in was dismal to say the least, got in and what a dissapointment-sad-

As DC said the usual guys selling a good range and the usual bin merchant had I think 4 Typhoons at a tenner a piece and a Catalina at £60.00, Corgi's new no bin policy must be working.

Three stalls had three or four of the Flying Aces series each, Bader, Tuck etc but at what I would consider top prices £65.00 ish, nearly had one though as they are missing from my collection and they looked mint.

I guess the weather kept punters and traders away as there was three or four empty tables, thank god for Mr Spock and Gary else all I would have had to look at would be Eddie Stobart, cars and trains, I am far too mature and clean for all that rubbish!!-laugh-

[DCRanger]

I'd forgotten the Tiffies which were the 1945 Post War (http://www.tricatus.co.uk/aa36503.htm) models. I looked at them, had a wander round the hall, came back and had another look but even at £9.99 I wasn't tempted. Yet to find a Tiffie that I do like, hopefully, "Fully Loaded" will be the one.

[Agent X20]

Stop it... yer making Peterborough sound positively welcoming...

Yer gotta say that looking at that photo 3 and 4 .. what a she--ite casting the Tiffie is.. its is supposed to be a large plane with the biggest ferking lump of metal up front, second to a Jug... whose tail kept falling off because of the stresses and strains and who would not forgive any second rate pilot flying it... naw.... it just looks...........wrong.

[robdd1]

I managed to get to Harrogate first time in a long while. Few Diecast aircraft but some bargins to be had.

On a non aviation stall I picked up Vulcan AA31204 like new for £25 .... Also noted 1/72 Black Corgi spit for £20 ...... had to search but worth it.

Had a nose at the HB 110 on a stall now thats a nice model.

[DCRanger]

I saw the Black Spit but I've never seen what the attraction to it is.

[Agent X20]

The greed that it might make the same money as the Nightfighter Hurricane...thats all... :( tis one that missing from the Agent collection along with the MZ '98

[Scottuk]

Anyone going to Harrogate this Sunday?

[DCRanger]

I'll be there and TDM usually goes although I have yet to meet him. I'm sure Mr Spock will there.

[Scottuk]

Have you been before? Is it any good?

[CFBC]

Have you been before? Is it any good?

Personally Scott, it's a long way to travel for a t/f I can tell you. :)

[DCRanger]

Have you been before? Is it any good?

Been there quite a few times but like all toy fairs these days, not as good as it used to be. Having said that, I always come home with something. There should be at least two Corgi dealers with a few other odds and ends thrown in but it is getting more and more limited. MZ seems to be the main source of cheap Corgi these days. (There is one in Harrogate and I will be calling on the way home if no satisfaction at the fair).

[Scottuk]

Personally Scott, it's a long way to travel for a t/f I can tell you. :)

Hmmmmm 66 miles from here. Best wait for the weather forecast anyway.:unsure:

[CFBC]

Hmmmmm 66 miles from here. Best wait for the weather forecast anyway.:unsure:

And back... at say .30 a mile.... That's £40.00 in fuel alone... Oh wow, A 1/32nd Barkhorn if your lucky.... :D :D

Plus entry, bacon butty, coffee.... Erm, a stop off on route and back?

:LOL: :LOL: :LOL:

Ain't you bought enough? :rolleyes:

Much that I like Harrogate, I would love to go too, it's a bl**dy long way..... No offence....

[Scottuk]

And back... at say .30 a mile.... That's £40.00 in fuel alone... Oh wow, A 1/32nd Barkhorn if your lucky.... :D :D

Plus entry, bacon butty, coffee.... Erm, a stop off on route and back?

:LOL: :LOL: :LOL:

Ain't you bought enough? :rolleyes:

Much that I like Harrogate, I would love to go too, it's a bl**dy long way..... No offence....


Why not drive over here and we can go up together? ~I don't mind driving short distances like that:D

[CFBC]

Why not drive over here and we can go up together? ~I don't mind driving short distances like that:D

I wish... ;) :)

[Scottuk]

I wish... ;) :)


Not even with the offer of a bacon butty and a coffee:wacko:

[CFBC]

Not even with the offer of a bacon butty and a coffee:wacko:

Sorry mate. Looking afte two Nieces (4 and 7) this w/e and soon to be dropped off so I will be AWOL for about 24hrs...

Red2, you take the wheel! :D Thanks for the offer mate.

[Scottuk]

No luck CFBC:(

Had a look in a shop in Doncaster today..Not going to Harrogate now:D

[The Defiant Man]

After getting completely rat-*rsed yesterday I couldn't be bothered going today.....:rolleyes: :o :D

Just you watch...there will have been bargains galore.....

[DCRanger]

After getting completely rat-*rsed yesterday I couldn't be bothered going today.....:rolleyes: :o :D

Just you watch...there will have been bargains galore.....

I don't think you missed much. A few bargains if you wanted the post war Tiffie of the Palestine Lizzie for £12. The US RB57A was a very similar price.

I came away with the GA clipped wing Spit, the only thing of real interest to me. Even that looks very odd without the rear view mirror. I'm always surprised what a difference that makes.

Nice to speak to Mr Spock and Gary from Tiger Hobbies although even they seemed to lack some of their usual enthusiasm.

[Agent X20]

Nice to speak to Mr Spock and Gary from Tiger Hobbies although even they seemed to lack some of their usual enthusiasm. Oh heck.. that's Spock suicidal then.......:D

[robdd1]

Went there this morning .... only had to travel 9 miles so not to bad! Fewer stalls than the December fair and not so many bargain buys! 1945 Typhoon for £9.99 was it for me. Seemed to be plenty of S/S Dambuster sets about the £50 mark. .... tempted with captive eagle II but £50.
Date on door saying next Dec 7th!!!!

[DCRanger]

First toy fair I have been to for quite a while but came away with a copy of the Corgi Winter supplement and a free book - signed. The book, The Toy Job by Barry Potter was included in the £3.50 entrance charge and he was busy signing them as I left.

Best selection of Diecast that I have seen for a while but nothing to tempt me. Prices aint wot they used to be but nice to see Mr Spock and Gary Ford. Aces High was there, a first for Harrogate I think. One or two other stalls with a good stock but still nothing for me. Gary had the Skyraider on show which is very nice indeed but I don't collect Vietnam stuff.

Will that pile of Predators ever go away? A big pile there priced at 2 for £7.50. I was rather taken by some original Airfix artwork (Not Roy Cross) but at £90 they were a bit rich for me.

[Looneygooner]

First for me aswell for probably two years, more aircraft than I remember for at least three or four years, a very healthy crowd, still a ten minute queue at 11.00, Aces Yeager and BBD at £25, Notes Hurricane at the same, BOB first set £110:eek: a good price , I think maybe it is , very rare nowdays.

Came away with a BANFFf MOSSI at £12,. tatty box but model ok after scraping off the fag residue:)

[Martin Bull]

model ok after scraping off the fag residue:)

Note to our American viewers.....

;)

[Craig]

First for me aswell for probably two years, more aircraft than I remember for at least three or four years, a very healthy crowd, still a ten minute queue at 11.00, Aces Yeager and BBD at £25, Notes Hurricane at the same, BOB first set £110:eek: a good price , I think maybe it is , very rare nowdays.

Came away with a BANFFf MOSSI at £12,. tatty box but model ok after scraping off the fag residue:)
Wow good prices on the Mustangs and Hurricane, will have to get myself to one of these jobbies one day...

[Scottuk]

Wow good prices on the Mustangs and Hurricane, will have to get myself to one of these jobbies one day...

Lincoln isn't far off.

[Craig]

Lincoln isn't far off.

Hmmm.....:D

[Scottuk]

7th February.:D

[DCRanger]

Any one going on Sunday?

[Dan214sqn]

i wish i was, mrs has got plans for a outing tho....

...i wonder if i could get her to go......no no..silly idea :wacko:

[The Defiant Man]

Any one going on Sunday?

Nope.....watching footie match in London on Monday afternoon.....leaving 9.00am Sunday morning to compensate for the Easter traffic:LOL:

[uksubs]

Nope.....watching footie match in London on Monday afternoon.....leaving 9.00am Sunday morning to compensate for the Easter traffic:LOL:



Big game on Friday mate , come on you Royals :LOL:

[DCRanger]

i wish i was, mrs has got plans for a outing tho....

...i wonder if i could get her to go......no no..silly idea :wacko:

I'm sure she would love a traipse round harrogate's shops.:)

Or perhaps she would prefer the Harlow Carr RHS gardens which are very nice at this time of year.:unsure:

[DCRanger]

Went today but generally disappointing. Noticeable for their absence was both Mr Ford and Mr Spock. I think Mr Spock may have been playing trains at York.

I did pick up a FAA Hurri which I already have but at £10.99 it would have been ruse not to get a spare. Also got the HE111 with V1 which had been displayed but looks to be in good condition and OK at £35.

For any one planning to go to the Elland Road event in July - re-plan your day as it has been cancelled.

[boris]

Went on Sunday for the first time in about 10 Years -to collect a new display case -since I used to do the Toy Fairs when working in a model shop.
Very few of the dealers I used to know were present or still in the trade.No Spock or Gary Ford in attendance.
Very little Corgi aviation there apart from Dalesman who had a lot of old stock - Lightnings £50 - £60/2nd B of B set £150/first Yellow Sea King £125
to name a couple.
Odd stall with a couple of Corgi stuff though nothing special.
One stall had a lot of Sky Guardians f104/f16 plus russian stuff priced £11.00
to £12.50.
Quite a big queue at opening to get in at 10.30 but I left before 12.00.

[DCRanger]

Would have gone if I had known but after your report I'm glad I didn't bother. Toy fairs are not what they used to be.:(

[spock1]

Went on Sunday for the first time in about 10 Years -to collect a new display case -since I used to do the Toy Fairs when working in a model shop.
Very few of the dealers I used to know were present or still in the trade.No Spock or Gary Ford in attendance.
Very little Corgi aviation there apart from Dalesman who had a lot of old stock - Lightnings £50 - £60/2nd B of B set £150/first Yellow Sea King £125
to name a couple.
Odd stall with a couple of Corgi stuff though nothing special.
One stall had a lot of Sky Guardians f104/f16 plus russian stuff priced £11.00
to £12.50.
Quite a big queue at opening to get in at 10.30 but I left before 12.00.

:) Mr. Boris,

10 years? You sure or is one or both of us showing signs of early onset dementia? ...........:unsure: :wacko:
Looked into the fair myself late afternoon and feedback from fellow dealers was generally poor. Lots of lookers but little spending. This particular fair is right on my doorstep so travelling not an issue but nevertheless overheads currently make it a non starter from a commercial point of view.....:(

[boris]

:) Mr. Boris,

10 years? You sure or is one or both of us showing signs of early onset dementia? ...........:unsure: :wacko:
Looked into the fair myself late afternoon and feedback from fellow dealers was generally poor. Lots of lookers but little spending. This particular fair is right on my doorstep so travelling not an issue but nevertheless overheads currently make it a non starter from a commercial point of view.....:(

Made redundant from Dougs shop in late 2000 dont remember doing any shows later even when it was Dylans - mind memory not as good as it was.
How long is it since you did Gateshead - 1 - 2 years?

[spock1]

Made redundant from Dougs shop in late 2000 dont remember doing any shows later even when it was Dylans - mind memory not as good as it was.
How long is it since you did Gateshead - 1 - 2 years?

:) Mr. B,

I know we have spoken at Harrogate and I have only been trading for 11 years or so. You are about right on Gateshead............;) :)

[The Defiant Man]

It was in my diary but now glad I saved my diesel, entry fee & time.....

.....haven't been to a fair now in a couple of years......

[kevjb64]

It was in my diary but now glad I saved my diesel, entry fee & time.....

.....haven't been to a fair now in a couple of years......

Must be 3-4 for me , used to be a regular , especially at the Norwich one . :(

[Dan214sqn]

id say its a couple of years for me, most my buying is done via the web :o

[boris]

:) Mr. B,

I know we have spoken at Harrogate and I have only been trading for 11 years or so. You are about right on Gateshead............;) :)

As you say it could be old age memory loss creeping in - still a long time though since last visit.