The now defunct U.K. Matchbox Club was formed in 1977. To commemorate the 800th member joining the club, Lesney Products produced a special yellow canopy for the basic coal and coke Evans Bros. model for the members. Initially this model was due to be released in May 1979 to celebrate the first 500 members of the club.
Unfortunately the donor models were not available when required, and therefore the release was delayed until Xmas 1979 by which time membership was estimated to have risen to 800. This was an underestimate as it turned out and it is believed that some 930 models were produced and then sold to club members but the figure of 800 had already been sent to the printers..
The labels were made by a subcontractor, and the quality varied. As can be seen from the examples shown, in common with most of the red wheeled code 2's, mixes of wheel shades can be found. The model has the "C" type body with no cleats and raised edges to the top and two sides of the rear body tray and the type "C" baseplate with the "Ltd" deleted from "Lesney Products & Co. Ltd" and the "RAF Tender" deleted from "1918 Crossley RAF Tender". As far as I'm aware (someone prove me wrong!) none of the production run were produced using RAF based models.
The model was packed in a standard "Straw" box.
The U.K. Matchbox club ceased to exist in 1985 with the retirement of its editor. The Matchbox International Collector's Association was then formed with the full backing and recognition of Matchbox Toys.

Logo: - label - '800 MEMBERS' in red and 'XMAS 1979' in green on canopy sides - 'U.K. MATCHBOX' in red on yellow on both rear side panels.

Scale: 1:47

UK Matchbox Club 1979

Type C baseplate

Label quality varied and mixes of wheel shades can be found