[REVIEW] Lesney Matchbox AEC Routemaster Bus

It’s time for another Lesney. Today we examine Matchbox 5c, the AEC Routemaster London bus. We previously saw a 56a trolley bus, this is a normal bus. This casting entered the range in 1961 replacing a smaller scale bus, and was in production until 1965, when it was replaced by a similar bus. As expected for a golden age Lesney Matchbox, it is a charming piece:

From all angles, it is proportioned correctly and has fine detail. Scale is pretty small, maybe 1:80 or even smaller. This variant, with the “Player’s Please” cigarette decal, is the earliest of this casting (most are seen with a “BP Visco Static” decal, with “Baron of Beef” and “Mecca” decals being rarities) and is uncommon. With this decal and box type, it was likely made in 1961:

Front and rear also have detail:

Base is typical of the era:

It lives in a C box with the correct decal wording pictured on the box - this exact box type appears to be scarce:

I am quite pleased to have this, even with the funny crooked decal that made it past QC. This is an uncommon piece, I found it loose, and found a BP label bus in this box - I had a BP label box for that bus, so the switch was made. It’s not one you see every day:

And the real thing in period livery: