A nice Franco-American trio indeed. All of them seem to carry a too heavy load in their trunks ...

Kind regards, Jan 

Some additions of the past few weeks below. A trade box with three no. 27b Halesowen Harvest Trailers. The same colour racks are still packed underneath in their original tissue papers. A red no. 36e Salmson Two-seater beauty, to replace a poorer example in the collection. Both a green and a grey no. 37a Civilian Motor Cyclist in very fine condition. Mostly they are rather play-worn. They may need some soft, gentle cleaning. A boxed no. 415 Mechanical Horse with Open Wagon too, the latest version without '20' roundel. Both model and box look perfect. It will replace an unboxed example. Also a fine no. 564 Elevator Loader. I have some already, but I could not resist this one for its outstanding 'as new' early all blue box, with all inserts present. Most of these boxes are very poor. Finally four boxes, each with one dozen large grey round tread tyres 10253. They are very welcome for replacing some originals on near perfect models, which often have flattened or crushed tyres. About 1/3 are 'as new' and supple, another 1/3 is a bit stiff, a gamble, but some possibly still useful, and 1/3 is really hard and most probably useless. As usual, I am extremely happy with these!!! Kind regards, Jan  

Lovely example, Richard. And the 19th forthcoming! 

I am still waiting for a first suitable example (near perfect and affordable) to come by ...

They tend to be rather pricey, despite many turning up and being unboxed only. Is that because of the many collectable variants? 

Kind regards, Jan 

Bravo Richard mais a quand la 20eme ?

Bravo Richard mais a quand la 20eme ?

"Export" glazier's truck ...

A lovely example of a lovely model ... and lovely weather, it seems! Kind regards Jan 

Thanks, Jan! It is a delightful model indeed, and I only ever had a gray one before.

(California weather nice for basking in the sun, not so nice for the fires it portends ... )

Thanks also to Terry ... yes, this a later early 60s version, rarer without the decals. I like the yellow too!

Jacques, thank you for your comments! When young I knew the name of Saint Gobain only through the Dinky, but in later years I owned several 1:1 Renaults and enjoyed seeing the company's name on the glass. And now I learn that the company dates from 1665 and was responsible for creating the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.

Is this the most venerable firm to have its name appear on a Dinky Toy? Or not appear, in the case of my export model!

On a much less exotic level, here is an addition to my Dinky police force, as devised by John Gay. I believe the humble Bedford Van at least has the distinction of being the last Dinky Toy from Liverpool with a classic tinplate base. Unless I have forgotten something ...

Erm, I didn't think to receive another today, but can't complain ...

Jonathan----You are on a serious role lately...... congrats, especially on that new Simca Mirror truck.  I seem to remember hearing something about that version without the decals, but had really forgotten about it.  Yours is so nice and also somewhat rare, so that is pretty special, and your Austin Nestle Van is wonderful.....I always really liked the nice red color with the gold lettering.

     Best regards,  Terry

The last batch of affordable additions bought in Britain before Brexit? They all fit in my quality improvement project, replacing poorer models by better, if possible (near) mint examples. Kind regards, Jan  

Jan—-All lovely additions & I applaud you replacing existing with nicer versions. I had been on a similar mission when my collecting career ended.....several I had were good, but not excellent....
Those 39 series are really nice examples....such an eternally wonderful series Meccano created.
Best regards, Terry

Jan—-All lovely additions & I applaud you replacing existing with nicer versions. I had been on a similar mission when my collecting career ended.....several I had were good, but not excellent....
Those 39 series are really nice examples....such an eternally wonderful series Meccano created.
Best regards, Terry

Thanks, Terry, this policy makes it possible for me to continue collecting, (hardly) without needing more display space or money, and still enjoy a dynamic collection. On the other hand, selling the replaced models at a stall is also great fun! Kind regards, Jan 

David Kaun, a long time member of the DTCA and webmaster of this site for many years, sadly died on Friday  - 11th December 2020 - after battling a long illness.

I joined David and the website builders about five years ago as a technical adviser and have corresponded with him ever since - and so can certainly say that he will be greatly missed.
 

obit page

So sorry to hear it!

I did not know David, but certainly heard of him many times, and came to know how involved he was with our website. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for helping to refine and improve the website. I am very sorry to hear of his passing, and I pass along my sincere condolences to his family.
Best regards, Terry

Here is another addition, taken out for a drive on a sunny afternoon. (The driver appears to be cautiously masked even in an open air car.)

Unfortunately it is marred by the detailing a previous owner added, but this is the first one with spun wheels I have had in hand.

And another arrival, just in time to be a Christmas present (to, er, myself). One chip on the front wing that I knew about, but overall very glossy and pleasing ...

It's possible another Dinky may even show up Christmas Eve!

A lovely late edition, and to me at least, not as common as the grey one that I have.  A very nice add Jonathan!
    Best regards,

           Terry