GRAF & STIFT 0-120 - MATCHBOX

From the 1969 MGM film ‘WHERE EAGLES DARE’ written by ALISTAIR MACLEAN.

This fictional World War Two adventure film starring RICHARD BURTON and CLINT EASTWOOD was a massive hit and continues to thrill and entertain audience today. it is not the most accurate film - the GRAF & STIFT 0-120 did not come into service until the 1950s.

BURTON was a massive star at the time and solicited acclaimed author ALISTAIR MACLEAN to write a story in the spirit of the 1961 classic ‘THE GUNS OF NAVARONE’. Anyone who has seen the film is familiar with the phrase ‘Broad Sword calling Danny Boy’.

Matchbox’s range of 1/76th scale military model kits was second to none with each kit including a bespoke detailed bases that represented a suitable field of conflict for the vehicle. These were fantastic for young modellers introducing the idea of dioramas which really opened up the hobby. This imaginary kit would probably come on a snow covered road with a telegraph pole. possibly with one of the the British agent’s explosives attached. Matchbox moulded their kits in 2 or 3 colours which meant that if you did not paint them they still looked authentic. But often this forced colour separations where a single colour might have looked better. However in this case, red, white and black plastic would be ideal!