This is what I heard,
The company who produced the model are not a specific toy manufacturer. Hardi approached them direct with the idea of producing their new commander sprayer. They supplied all the data/pictures etc and then obviously got the model at the end of it.
I know of a company called Zindart in China, they are responsible for manufacture of Ertl Models, Corgi and many other types of toys. All Ertl do is just supply them with a list of models and the pictures, forward it to them. Not sure if Britains do this or not.
These compaines welcome new clients so I think Hardi must have gone direct to the company, told them what they want and away they went. Saves them going to Siku, UH or RC2................. \
Just a thought.