SS Antilles M 713 Triang Minic Ships 1959-64 White

Price: NZ$43.42

Code: BH1174

SS Antilles M 713 Triang Minic Ships 1959-64 White

This is the Tri-ang Minic Ships model of SS Antilles. A model in metal by UK maker Triang Minic, from the original ‘built in Britain’ series produced in the early 1960s. In fair condition, with all derecks but not original masts has been repainted not original. See all the images.

The SS Antilles and her sister ship the SS Flandre were 2 of the 3 French Line ocean liners included in the Triang minic ships ocean liners included in the 1958 to 1964 series of diecast minic ships – the other being the mighty SS France which was made midway in the production. The Flandre carried out a regular passenger service across the North Atlantic between Le Havre, Southampton and New York whilst the Antilles tended to undertake more cruises in the French Islands of the Caribbean. However both ships did undertake alternate rolls from time to time and that is why Triang produced both models in two liveries – all white for cruising and black and white for the North Atlantic.

This section of the shop is about the amazing original series of diecast metal ships and harbour playset accessories, produced under the Tri-ang Minic Ships name in England between 1959 and 1964. As well as the later series of models produced under the Hornby Minic name during the early 1970’s.

The “TRI-ANG” trade mark itself resulted from a play on the truism “three lines make a triangle” the “three lines” in question being the brothers William, Walter and Arthur Lines who founded Lines Bros Limited just after the First World War.

The Tri-ang Minic Ships name comes from the original manufacturer Minic Limited a subsidiary of Lines Bros Limited, owners of the famous “TRI-ANG” trade mark.

The models were produced by Lines Bros Ltd’s Tri-ang Works at Mordon Road, Merton, London SW19 with production moving to Minic Limited at Market Way, Canterbury, Kent during mid 1960.

The original range of ships and harbour accessories are waterline models manufactured to a scale of 1:1200 scale, where one inch is equivalent to 100 feet, the same scale that was used in the manufacture of ship recognition models for training Allied naval and airforce personnel during both the First and Second World Wars.

When Lines Bros Ltd was broken up in the late 1960’s the “TRI-ANG” trade mark remained with Tri-ang Pedigree, another Line Bros subsidiary which was also active in New Zealand and Australia, while the “MINIC” trade mark was transferred to Hornby together with the tooling for the Minic Ships models.

All of the models produced under the Hornby Minic name were produced in Hong Kong after Hornby moved their manufacturing in the early 1970’s. Hornby produced only a limited selection of the original models but also introduced four new models of famous battleships – USS Missouri, IJN Yamato, DKM Bismarck and DKM Scharnhorst.All of the ship models produced under the Hornby Minic name were fitted with a red plastic base equipped with plastic rollers.

The original Tri-ang Minic and Hornby Minic series of models are no longer in production and to the best of our knowledge the tooling for these models no longer exists. So the original models have become quite collectable as they were only made for 6 years and being mainly children’s toys, many sadly have not survived. What has is in various states of repair! Still they are an incredible early 1960’s toy which can be arranged in attractive displays, and enjoyed in many homes or businesses where a nautical theme is desired.