[REVIEW] Lesney Matchbox Mobile Canteen

Lesney Matchbox time is here again. -My Lesney castings don’t fit in with Radcast, but this one may be the most appropriate out of the current batch. This is Lesney Matchbox 74a, the Mobile Canteen. This casting entered the range in 1959, remaining until 1966, and is something that might have still been in service in the 80s:

Yes, a food service trailer, the kind of thing seen at fairs and shows for ages, and now a popular movement with younger people. This casting is a great example of the kind of model made to provide added play value, this one for vehicles with tow hooks. This model features excellent proportion and fine line casting details, and the decals have stood the test of time admirably for a loose model. Scale is estimated around 1:64, similar to many vehicles it was intended to be paired with. From all angles, it is a charmer:

The front and rear feature similar detail, with the door being a nice accurate touch. One may notice the tow hook is broken, a common issue on these with even a little playwear:

The base features identifying data, the standard of the time. The lack of heavy wear suggests this was played with carefully. With this color base and the fine tread grey plastic wheels, I estimate this was made late in the run, maybe 1964 or so, another of the uniquely colored bases of the late 50s/early 60s, when many desirable castings and variations were in production:

This casting has a fun feature, the opening cover for the service window, which stays in place when open. There’s also a detailed cast interior, with kitchen components:

I am definitely glad to have this in my collection. I have one or two of these boxed, and the loose one looks good with my loose vehicle display:

And a mildly similar 1:1 from directequip.com - I couldn’t find an image of something identical: