Matchbox (brand)

Template:Infobox brand

**Matchbox** is a popular toy brand which was introduced by Lesney Products in 1953, and is now owned by Mattel, Inc, which purchased the brand in 1997. The brand was given its name because the original die-cast "Matchbox" toys were sold in boxes similar to those in which matches were sold. The brand grew to encompass a broad range of toys, including larger scale die-cast models, plastic model kits, slot car racing, and action figures.

During the 1980s, Matchbox began to switch to the more conventional plastic and cardboard "blister packs" that were used by other die-cast toy brands such as Hot Wheels. The box style packaging was re-introduced for the collectors' market in recent years, particularly with the release of the "*35th Anniversary of Superfast*" series in 2004 and the "*50th Anniversary of Superfast*" in 2019.

Products currently marketed under the Matchbox name include scale model plastic and die-cast vehicles, and toy garages.

## Scale model kits

Matchbox set up its own plastic kit division in the UK around 1972/73. Concentrating on 1:72 scale military aircraft and 1:76 military vehicles, it competed with the then-dominant Airfix company. The Matchbox kits had a distinctive appearance, the parts in each kit were produced in two or three colours compared to the single colour plastic of Airfix. The boxes were also more colourful and included clear windows so the contents could be seen. In addition, unlike Airfix's military vehicle kits, the Matchbox military vehicle kits all came with a small diorama base.

At the end of the decade Matchbox bought the AMT Corporation, an American plastic model kit manufacturer. AMT's line of 1:25 scale cars and trucks was continued.

The Matchbox kits were well made, with modern tooling and techniques, but critics felt that the kits were too coarsely detailed in comparison with other models on the market, and too "toy-like". Yet they were still just as complex and time consuming to construct as any other kit, which limited their appeal to more casual model builders. The company was unable to fully satisfy either the casual or serious model building market, and was one of the first companies to abandon model kits when the hobby started its decline,[*when?*] selling AMT to the Ertl Company and shutting down its own kit division less than twenty years after starting it.

Original Matchbox model kits are highly collectable.

### Kit ranges

* 1:72, 1:48, 1:32 scale aircraft
* 1:32, 1:76 scale military vehicles
* 1:76 scale soldiers
* 1:700 scale ships
* 1:32 scale cars
* 1:12 scale motorcycles

In addition it produced the well-known 1:72 Flower-class corvette.

### Current status

The Matchbox model kit moulds were acquired in the early 1990s by Revell Germany,[*citation needed*] which continues to sporadically re-issue the old Matchbox kits, now under the Revell label. Recently,[*when?*] a number of the most desirable Matchbox kits have made re-appearances, to the delight of modelers: In 1:72 scale, The Handley Page Victor, the Supermarine Walrus, Handley Page Halifax and PB4Y Privateer, and in 1:48 scale the A1-E four-seat Skyraider. Many modellers are also looking forward to a re-release of the Mk II/Mk VI Hawker Tempest, the English Electric Canberra, RR Spey Phantom.

Revell has confirmed that it will be re-releasing the much sought after 1:32 scale Spitfire Mk. 22 with Griffon, and the 1:32 scale de Havilland Venom.

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