Polythene Miniatures are another Matchbox sized competitor from Hong Kong in the 1960’s. My small collection provides another comparison point with Matchbox Lesney models of the era. Complete with original boxes.
This Polythene Miniatures model is a a dual axle road roller which looks more like a tarmac roller than the typical Aveling Barford model.
The view of the base shows the dual rollers and standard front axle.
This model is designated as F20 Road Roller and is not a Matchbox copy, just in a similar box style and scale.
A road grader from Polythene Miniatures model series F21.
This model is in an original box with the similarities to the Matchbox Lesney models of the era.
Another model that is not a direct copy of a Matchbox model.
A Polythene Miniatures model of an articulated site dump truck.
While Matchbox made Muir Hill dumpers this articulated style was not modelled by Matchbox.
A standard Caterpillar style bulldozer. This Polythene Miniatures model F24 is labelled as a Power Dozer.
Similar to the Matchbox Lesney 18a or 18b the Polythene Miniatures model is yellow with a black blade.
The Caterpillar bulldozer model does not have tracks but standard wheels like most of the models.
Polythene Miniatures series model F25 is a Farm Tractor in red with silver painted highlights.
The body length and style is not a Matchbox copy but more like an elongated Field Marshall tractor.
The base of the model shows the simple axles through the body moulding with the smaller front and slightly larger wheels on the rear.
Polythene Miniatures Breakdown Truck series model F73 is an obvious copy of the Matchbox Lesney 13a.
With a red body and chassis and white jib, the model also has silver paint highlighting to the front.
The view underneath shows the metal axles with rounded head finishing to retain the small plastic wheels.
A small scale Polythene Miniatures Ford Station Wagon. It would be about 1:87 rather than the 1:64 of the Matchbox model.