H
Hartoy
American company producing truck models, to 1/64th scale, the recognised scale for such models in the United States. Understandably, the models are of American prototypes (Peterbilt, Mack, and so on).

Herpa
Probably the leading name in 1/87th scale plastic models, produced in Germany. Established for over 50 years, the detailing and quality of the products is often incredible. The range includes cars, buses, trucks and heavy commercials, and includes such as fire, Police and military vehicles. Vehicles modelled cover all periods.

The company has also produced a number of cars in 1/43rd scale.

A separate section, called Herpa Wings, offers a wide range of model aircraft, together with accessories that can be used to form attractive dioramas.

Heavy commercials
Trucks and cab units with separate articulated loads form an important collecting area, with preferred scales being 1/50th in the United Kingdom, and 1/64th in the United States. Toy ranges often included such vehicles, while many model companies such as Conrad, Corgi Classics and Tekno, plus some white metal producers, pay particularly attention to these vehicles.

John Hill and Co
Founded by F. H. Wood, previously an employee of Britains, John Hill and Co, operating from London, produced toys under the brand name of Johillco. Many of its products seem to imitate those of Britains, but also include versions of the Coronation coach.

Hillman
Founded by William Hillman, Hillman of Coventry started by producing racing cars, the company became part of the Rootes Group in the 1930s, and then part of Chrysler of Detroit from the 1960s.

Most notable models of Hillman cars have come from Dinky Toys, the Matchbox Series, and more recently Lledo Vanguards.

Holden
Starting life in 1912 as Holden and Frost Pty making bodies for imported cars, this Australian car and van manufacturer became part of the General Motors Group in the 1930s. The best known from the company are the Holden FJ and FX.

Models include those by Micro Models and Matchbox Collectibles.

Hollow cast
With hollow casting, the mould forms the shape of the outer surface only. The molten mixture (mazak) is poured into the mould, with the excess being removed, leaving a hollow centre lacking any detail. Also known as slush casting.

Hong Kong
Hong Kong is in many respects a focus for the model industry. Production these days is often centred in the Far East: while manufacture may take place in the People's Republic of China, Chinese Taipei or Macau, most of the arrangements are made from within Hong Kong.

In recent years there has been a growing interest in the public transport of Hong Kong, from its rumbling trams to its modern air-conditioned buses.

Models of the trams exist in plastic (1/43rd scale) and die-cast (approximately 1/90th and 1/76th scales, by WJB and Peak Horse). There is also a plastic model. of the Peak tram.

The buses seen on Hong Kong over the years are being offered extensively, with Corgi providing its distinctive Oriental Omnibus Collection models, Exclusive First Editions, ABC, AsianBus, Collector's Model, Model Express Company and Peak Horse.

Hopkins Brothers
A London company, founded in 1880, which produced tin toys.

Hornby, Frank
Frank Hornby (1863 - 1936) was possibly the 'father' of the British toy industry with his invention of the Meccano construction system. The system started life as a toy crane produced for his sons, which he developed into a constructional toy, patented in 1901 as 'Mechanics made easy'. Meccano Ltd was formed in 1908, moving to the famous factory at Binns Road, Liverpool in 1914.

In 1916 the famous Meccano Magazine was launched.

In the 1930s Meccano produced its Constructional Cars, impressive looking clockwork sports cars.

The company also produced O gauge Hornby Trains (from 1920), Modelled Miniatures (later Dinky Toys) in the 1930s, and Hornby Dublo (1938). Meccano bought the building system Bayko in 1960, but competition from the then new Lego proved too much.

Competition also came from Tri-ang and their two-rail OO gauge model railway system.

Lines Bros bought Meccano in 1964. Hornby Dublo was passed to G. and R. Wrenn Ltd, who continued manufacture under their own name. (Subsequently Wrenn was purchased by Dapol.)

When Lines Bros went into receivership in 1971, all was acquired by a company called Maoford Ltd, later renamed Meccano Ltd, and subsequently sold to Airfix Industries (see Dinky Toys).

The Hornby brand name was sold to Dunbee-Combex-Marx, who, until beset by their own problems, continued to produce Hornby and Scalextric at Margate. Both brands still exist, but production has inevitably moved from Margate to the Far East.

Horse-drawn
Horse-drawn vehicles have received mixed reactions from collectors. Five out of the six original releases in the Lledo Models of Days Gone range were horse-drawn, and at the time rather exhausted the potential. Later, however, further horse-drawn vehicles appeared in the range.

Horse-drawn vehicles can also be found from Brumm, Hubley and Models of Yesteryear.

Horse boxes have not often been modelled, but examples exist from Dinky Toys, Charbens and Budgie. These are really the only examples of vehicles that used a Maudslay chassis.

Hubley
An American cast iron toy producer, noted for its model of a Packard Straight 8 in cast iron, plus many other cars, buses and fire engines. Indeed, the Hubley Manufacturing Company is one of America's oldest toy producers.

It was founded about 1892 by John E. Hubley, who was making toys for his children. Although Hubley died in 1900, the company continued to use his name.

One of its most noted products was a series of horse-drawn circus wagons, known as Royal Circus, launched in 1922.

In the 1960s it produced a series of 1/60th scale cars and other vehicles of American origin. These were marketed in America as 'Real Toys' and in Canada as 'Real Types'. The vehicles portrayed were those commonly seen on the streets in North America, including such cars as the Ford Fairlane and Dodge Royal, plus a GMC School Bus, and Metro Delivery vans and Chevrolet trucks.

Hudson Scott and Sons
Producers of items in tin plate based in Carlisle, they made a number of cars and taxis, plus items on behalf of others, such as Lines Bros, Meccano and Mettoy.

Humber
Another Coventry based operation which became part of the Rootes Group, the company was launched in 1868 producing cycles. Car production started in 1901; the last Humber car was produced in 1976. Best known of the models come from Dinky Toys.

Huntley, Bourne and Stevens
Producers of tins, especially for biscuit makers Huntley and Palmer, some of which were in the shape of toys such as a London bus.

 

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