Triang Minic Ships – New releases and Limited Editions differences.

Triang Minic New releases differences from Limited edition.

In 2002/03 the original series of Limited Edition Triang Minic Ships were produced in small quantities, about 500, with a certificate for the complete set. They were released in stages and sent around the world by mail order. The packaging was in blue and yellow boxes with ships tissue wrapped within and very much in the spirit of the original Triang Minic Ships. (Series 1)

Not all of the completed sets were sold and some issues were lost in transit and some were damaged on arrival resulting in an uneven quantity of remaining items. In about 2008 the remainder of these items were reboxed. The escort ships in standard blue packaging and the capital ships in new photo style packaging. They were made available for sale through a limited number of outlets. There were no Minehunters, Type 23’s, Trafalgars in this remainder. Some Batch 1s later appeared in another delivery still tissue wrapped.

Each limited edition ship has its name diecast underneath and its pennant number on the hull. The Batch 1’s were incorrect in this regard.

In 2004 the Royal Navy ships were launched in generic format as examples of their class. The die-casting underneath says for example “Type 22 Batch 3 Frigate” and there are no pennant numbers. Packaging is in bubble and card. Several thousand of each of these were made.

The majority of these had sold out by 2010 which led to the 2011 releases. These are generic underneath but they have pennant numbers. The packaging is new and in the photo style of the US Navy warships and in fact all Triang ships and accessories. The escort ships are on cards with a sealed bubble. Each card lists the names and numbers of ships in the release and there is a mark to show which one is which. The large ships have photo boxes with similar naming and marking.

 

Differences to Limited editions are as follows (as at October 2011):

 

• The Batch One Type 42 with large radar has been retired because the radar is so fragile.
• The Type 23 ships have the next 4 pennant numbers allocated to them, F234 to F237.
• The Sandown and Hunt classes also have the next pennant numbers printed on them M106 to 109, M33 to M36.
• HMS Birmingham is added to the Type 42’s B1/2 but in later guise. Underneath it says Batch 1 type 42 and this is the same for Glasgow, Exeter and Nottingham in the 2011 release.

 

Similarities and slight differences:

 

•  Type 22’s are the same. There is a packaging error on the cards. The ships are listed in build order but the numbers are in number order.
• The submarines are the same as the generic ones except they are packaged as a pair. There are no pennant numbers.
• The Batch 3 type 42s are the same.
• The large ships are the same as the Limited Editions except for generic casting, more detail on the deck, and different packaging.

 

On each card is a list of the names of the ships in this release. The ship in the bubble is indicated on the card or on the box of the large ships.

Production is again in thousands and when stocks were low the Type 23’s were produced in four different pennant numbers. F238, 239 F81 and F82 in 2014.

 

In conclusion 

The limited edition was and will remain that. The 2011 releases are a continuation of series 3 and are intended to be whatever we wish them to be, collectables, souvenirs, mementos of service and of course the original intention of Lines Brothers in 1957 to be toys.

I hope that the above is accurate and of course welcome any other observations.

Clive Newman, CN Collectables.

Sales Director of Triang Minic Ships.

October 2011, updated October 2016.