[REVIEW] Tomica Winnebago Chieftain

Tomica time again, and time for something different. Today we examine Tomica F1-1, the Winnebago Chieftain motorhome. This model was in the range from April 1976 until July 1979, and was the first in Tomica’s eventual wide range of “F-series” foreign vehicles. It’s an interesting and somewhat photogenic casting:

Detail is very good from all angles, especially for something of this size and price point. The tampos are also accurate. Scale is quite small - base claims 1:97 - smaller than HO scale. Nothing opens, but nothing needs to, this is all about looks. However, it does have interior detail, with seats, table, a sink and cabinet - just not easy to photograph:

Front and rear have similar detail, and show off the boxy lines of most motorhomes of this era:

Base is metal, which gives this heft, it is a solid vehicle:

I am definitely happy to have this. These were sold widely in the US as Pocket Cars, and I remember when these could still be found at yard sales, etc, I had one in my childhood fleet. No box, but that’s OK. I’ve only seen one in a box, and I regret not buying it - it wasn’t too expensive. Either way, it’s an eye-catching piece that fits well with diecast of this era:

Here’s a real 1972 example from usedrvsforsale.blogspot.com - old motorhomes now have a cult, and these things are being restored:

Winnebago has recently brought back this styling theme for new models as well - this is a 2015 model: