Schabak
Encyclopedia
Schabak is a die-cast toy
producer based in Nurnberg, Germany
. The company is well known for its line of German cars
and commercial airline
models.
The company reissued many of Schuco's own diecast airplanes before producing miniature cars (Force 1990, 211). Schabak then carried on the Schuco tradition of model cars.
In the early 1980s, Schabak largely replaced Schuco, but it should be remember that Gama Toys
acquired dies from Schuco and reproduced many of Schuco's 1:43 scale line as well.
Over time, Schabak has carved a respectable name for itself in the die-cast car market, although it is not well known outside of Europe. Outside Germany, competitors Matchbox, Hot Wheels
, Maisto
, and Corgi were more popular.
Similar to Schuco
which preceded it, Gama Toys
, and NZG, Schabak car models have excellent detail and proportion usually with all apertures opening. Fit and finish of Schabak vehicles often seemed superior to the other German toy brands.
Also similar to other German 1:43 scale products, headlights are usually done in chrome rather than jewelled. Tail lights were most commonly red plastic lenses. Model bases are diecast as similar to Schuco, but often in a darker 'gun-metal' color. Unlike Schuco, Schabak Models usually did not have basic specifications of the real cars on their bases.
Similar to the trend set by Mattel's Hot Wheels
, and as a cost saver, tires were hard plastic, though wheel designs were often unique to the particular model, a feature that Solido
had pioneered in the 1970s. For example, Audi's four "Auto Union" rings appear on Schabak wheels.
Schabak has well over 200 airlines as customers, and even produces the liveries of some defunct airlines. Thus, the company has become a competitive name in the world of airline promotionals, and their offerings are in a consistent state of change. Schabak was, for a long period during the 1990s, the only company known to have a contract to produce models of Iraqi Airways
, having produced a Boeing 747
of that airline in the 1:250 scale.
Today, Schabak represents nearly 100 different airlines in 1:250 and 1:600 scales. Aircraft manufacturers in the Schabak line are the old Junkers JU52Concorde, Vickers Viscount, Ilyushin IL 86 and 96, Tupolev 154, McDonnell-Douglas DC-9 and MD-11, Boeing 737, 747(including Air Force One), 747 short fuselage, 747-400, 767, 777, 787, Airbus A300, A310, A 319, A320, A321, A330, A340 and even the huge A380 double deck dreamliner.
With a revived Schuco, a situation occurred similar to Mattel's acquisition of Matchbox, or Solido
and Majorette (also purchased by, Simba-Dickie, but previously together for some time). Two respected lines brought together within one company must be distinguished to avoid profit loss from internal competition.
Schabak's car line, as a part of Schuco, for a while focused on German vehicles, while Schuco's lines focused on more toy-like scales (like the Piccolos), wind up cars, and autos from other countries. During the 1990s and beyond, for example, Schabak has added Porsches and Mercedes-Benzes to its mix, but by 2010, perusal of the Schuco website shows that Schabak car lines have been eliminated, leaving the Schabak focus solely on airplanes.
Die-cast toy
The term die-cast toy here refers to any toy or collectible model produced by using the die casting method. The toys are made of metal, with plastic, rubber or glass details. Wholly plastic toys are made by a similar process of injection moulding, but the two are rarely confused...
producer based in Nurnberg, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. The company is well known for its line of German cars
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
and commercial airline
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
models.
A Rebirth of Schuco?
Schabak was formed in 1966 by Max Haselmann, Gerhard Hertlein, Horst Widmann and Wolfgang Stolpe (Force 1990). The company began as a toy distributor, mainly for Schuco Modell toys - and not as a producer (Bickford Diecast website). When Shuco went out of business in the late 1970s, Schabak acquired most of Schuco's tooling (cars and airplanes) and made agreements with many airlines to continue producing model aircraft (Bickford Diecast website).The company reissued many of Schuco's own diecast airplanes before producing miniature cars (Force 1990, 211). Schabak then carried on the Schuco tradition of model cars.
In the early 1980s, Schabak largely replaced Schuco, but it should be remember that Gama Toys
Gama Toys
Gama is a German maker of toys, usually cars and trucks, dating from before World War I. The company is headquartered in Furth, Bavaria, near Nurnberg, a traditional German toymaking center.-History:...
acquired dies from Schuco and reproduced many of Schuco's 1:43 scale line as well.
A Teutonic Line
Schabak models were a range of exclusively German vehicles first in 1:43 scale (Bickford Diecast website). A Volkswagen Jetta was the company's first car, and Volkswagens, Audis, BMWs, and German made Fords were the company's common offerings. Later diecast cars were offered in 1:24 scale - so Schabak was one of the earlier model manufacturers to move up to the larger sizes.Over time, Schabak has carved a respectable name for itself in the die-cast car market, although it is not well known outside of Europe. Outside Germany, competitors Matchbox, Hot Wheels
Hot Wheels
Hot Wheels is a brand of die cast toy car, introduced by American toymaker Mattel in 1968. It was the primary competitor of Matchbox until 1996, when Mattel acquired rights to the Matchbox brand from Tyco.-Models:...
, Maisto
Maisto
Maisto International Inc. is a popular toy brand of the May Cheong Group . Maisto manufactures die-cast models of automobiles, aircraft, and motorcycles...
, and Corgi were more popular.
Similar to Schuco
Schuco
Schuco is a German toy maker founded in 1912 by Heinrich Müller and the businessman Heinrich Schreyer in Nuremberg, since early days, Germany's toy capital. Its specialty was usually cars and trucks in both tin and diecast...
which preceded it, Gama Toys
Gama Toys
Gama is a German maker of toys, usually cars and trucks, dating from before World War I. The company is headquartered in Furth, Bavaria, near Nurnberg, a traditional German toymaking center.-History:...
, and NZG, Schabak car models have excellent detail and proportion usually with all apertures opening. Fit and finish of Schabak vehicles often seemed superior to the other German toy brands.
Also similar to other German 1:43 scale products, headlights are usually done in chrome rather than jewelled. Tail lights were most commonly red plastic lenses. Model bases are diecast as similar to Schuco, but often in a darker 'gun-metal' color. Unlike Schuco, Schabak Models usually did not have basic specifications of the real cars on their bases.
Similar to the trend set by Mattel's Hot Wheels
Hot Wheels
Hot Wheels is a brand of die cast toy car, introduced by American toymaker Mattel in 1968. It was the primary competitor of Matchbox until 1996, when Mattel acquired rights to the Matchbox brand from Tyco.-Models:...
, and as a cost saver, tires were hard plastic, though wheel designs were often unique to the particular model, a feature that Solido
Solido
Solido is a french manufacturer of die-cast model cars and trucks based in Oulins, Anet, France, about 40 miles west of Paris. Cars are usually made of the alloy zamac in varying sizes, but mostly 1:43 scale.-History:...
had pioneered in the 1970s. For example, Audi's four "Auto Union" rings appear on Schabak wheels.
Aircraft
Schabak, perhaps more than anything, is known for its diecast airplanes, mostly commercial airliner models in 1:600 scale. As mentioned earlier, Schabak's first planes were taken directly from Schuco.Schabak has well over 200 airlines as customers, and even produces the liveries of some defunct airlines. Thus, the company has become a competitive name in the world of airline promotionals, and their offerings are in a consistent state of change. Schabak was, for a long period during the 1990s, the only company known to have a contract to produce models of Iraqi Airways
Iraqi Airways
Iraqi Airways Company, operating as Iraqi Airways , is the national carrier of Iraq, headquartered on the grounds of Baghdad International Airport in Baghdad. One of the oldest airlines in the Middle East, Iraqi Airways operates domestic and regional service...
, having produced a Boeing 747
Boeing 747
The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced...
of that airline in the 1:250 scale.
Today, Schabak represents nearly 100 different airlines in 1:250 and 1:600 scales. Aircraft manufacturers in the Schabak line are the old Junkers JU52Concorde, Vickers Viscount, Ilyushin IL 86 and 96, Tupolev 154, McDonnell-Douglas DC-9 and MD-11, Boeing 737, 747(including Air Force One), 747 short fuselage, 747-400, 767, 777, 787, Airbus A300, A310, A 319, A320, A321, A330, A340 and even the huge A380 double deck dreamliner.
Sale to Schuco
Schabak was purchased by Schuco in January 2006. Schuco had been a part of the Simba Dickie group, since 1999. Ironically enough, Schuco now once again possessed Schabak's aircraft line - which Schuco itself had originally started and surrendered to Schabak.With a revived Schuco, a situation occurred similar to Mattel's acquisition of Matchbox, or Solido
Solido
Solido is a french manufacturer of die-cast model cars and trucks based in Oulins, Anet, France, about 40 miles west of Paris. Cars are usually made of the alloy zamac in varying sizes, but mostly 1:43 scale.-History:...
and Majorette (also purchased by, Simba-Dickie, but previously together for some time). Two respected lines brought together within one company must be distinguished to avoid profit loss from internal competition.
Schabak's car line, as a part of Schuco, for a while focused on German vehicles, while Schuco's lines focused on more toy-like scales (like the Piccolos), wind up cars, and autos from other countries. During the 1990s and beyond, for example, Schabak has added Porsches and Mercedes-Benzes to its mix, but by 2010, perusal of the Schuco website shows that Schabak car lines have been eliminated, leaving the Schabak focus solely on airplanes.