Matchbox 50th Anniversary

Wed 8 February 2023 to Wed 31 May 2023 - Let’s build 3 Colour models again!

It has been 50 years since the release of the first Matchbox model kit and to mark the occasion, we are holding the Matchbox 50th Anniversary Group Build.

Matchbox kits were the common inspiration to many young buddying modellers. Sure, the sprues were moulded in all the wrong colours and the panel lines were dug out by the infamous “phantom trench digger”. They were affordable, easy to build and ready accessible as they sold though most newsagencies (remember these?).

Return with us to a time when modelling was a simpler pursuit. When aftermarket parts haven’t been invented, painting was optional, and you can start a model after school and have it finish by dinner time.

Conditions of the Group Build

• Event will start from Wed 08 February 2023 and end at midnight on Wed 31 May 2023 Sydney/Canberra time (however allowance will be made for participants in other time zones to end at their local time)

• Open to all model builders, whether ACTSMS member or not.

• Subject must one of the following.

  • Any model sold under the Matchbox brand and packaging.

  • Or any model originally tooled by Matchbox and sold under another brand such as AMT and Revell.

Registration and Updates on the ACTSMS Facebook Group

• Register your participation by posting on the ACTSMS Facebook group with your choice of model and a photo of the unstarted model kit contents.

• Tell us about your progress by posting updates to show everyone how you’re going. Please keep these posts on the dedicated Group Build thread to keep them all together.

Optional Online Events

• To be announced. During the group build we will be hosting online events for participants to meet and chat. Share your interests, techniques, successes, or frustrations. Stay tuned for dates and details.

Competition and Prizes

• The main aim of the group build is foster interest and participation in model making. At this moment there are no competition or prizes confirmed for this group build however we may in the course of the event organise competition and prizes for their members.