SB-23 : Supersonic Airliner (S.S.T)

Model Details
Brand Matchbox Generic
Model Supersonic Airliner
Matchbox Catalog Entry: SB-23
Matchbox SB-23 : Supersonic Airliner (S.S.T) (1979 Issue)

Matchbox SB-23 : Supersonic Airliner (S.S.T) (1979 Issue)

This is another older casting and being full metal it might be unlikely that we will see it again in this form.  The interesting thing with this casting is that it is a great example of the difference between decades ago and now in many ways.  There is the obvious difference of the older models like this being almost 100% diecast metal, if made today at least half of the body casting would now be plastic.

Another big difference is the real liveries applied, Its first outing was in Air France livery; followed by Singapore Airlines, British Airways and on to other companies; today it would be less likely to have these liveries due to the massive licensing costs that would now be levied upon Mattel, I find this a bit sad as they would in my mind be great advertising for the company so surely as long as they were happy with the way it is used it would be happy to approve use without exorbitant fees.

Matchbox SB-23 : Supersonic Airliner (S.S.T) (1979 Issue)

Matchbox SB-23 : Supersonic Airliner (S.S.T) (1979 Issue)

Matchbox SB-23 : Supersonic Airliner (S.S.T) (1982 Issue)

Matchbox SB-23 : Supersonic Airliner (S.S.T) (1982 Issue)

Matchbox SB-23 : Supersonic Airliner (S.S.T) (Heinz Promotional)

Matchbox SB-23 : Supersonic Airliner (S.S.T) (Heinz Promotional)

Matchbox SB-23 : Supersonic Airliner (S.S.T) (1983 Issue)

Matchbox SB-23 : Supersonic Airliner (S.S.T) (1983 Issue)

Probably the biggest difference I can think of between this casting being made then and now is that it is clearly a replica of the Concorde a real life plane made as a joint project between BAC (British Aircraft Corporation) and the French state owned company Sud Aviation and yet it was released as the generic Supersonic Airliner.  I would think Mattel would be rather unlikely to get away with that now.

Matchbox SB-23 : Supersonic Airliner (S.S.T) (1988 Issue)

Matchbox SB-23 : Supersonic Airliner (S.S.T) (1988 Issue)

Matchbox SB-23 : Supersonic Airliner (S.S.T) (1992 Graffic Traffic Issue)

Matchbox SB-23 : Supersonic Airliner (S.S.T) (1992 Graffic Traffic Issue)

MCF

Collector of Matchbox cars for many years

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