Jan, again some nice additions to your collection. The 27b trade box with its 3 trailers also looks very cool.

What strikes me about these models is that the paint rings are also painted on the inside. Apparently a different method of painting was used compared to the Jeeps. These paint rings are unpainted inside. I am adding photos of my own models with these painting rings.

Kind regards, Jan Oldenhuis

Jan, what strikes me about your above all red coloured model 320 with plastic wheels is that the racks are still painted red instead of yellow. In the catalogue of 1966 the 320 is for the first time depicted with an all-red body with yellow racks and plastic wheels. Richardson states also a red body with yellow racks from 1966 on. Your model must be a typical transition example of Meccano Liverpool by first using up the old stock of red racks.

According to the catalogues from 1966 to 1971, the last versions of the 320 appeared with an all-red body, plastic wheels and yellow racks instead of red ones. From 1969, the front support wheel at the end of the drawbar disappeared and was replaced by 2 cast supports as a stand. Also, the drawbar was completely closed from 1966?? There are many casting differences during the production time. Especially the base got many changes that have already been described in TMT. It is shameful that we can no longer consult the TMT. Unfortunately I can't either find a 320 Meccano assembly drawing to confirm.

Kind regards, Jan Oldenhuis, 26 October 2021

These casting variations I've collected over the years: I try to describe them the same way Jacques did with the 27c/321.

Text and photos updated 11 August 2022

1) Flat base without reference number - no painting ring - raised tow hook - die cast metal wheels - the drawbar closing clip (tongue) is fixed with a continuous rivet and 3 knobs on the upside of the drawbar are visible – metal front wheel with a diameter of 10 mm - issued with 2 loose die cast metal racks (1st issue brown, 2nd red, 3rd yellow coloured)

2) as above but with painting ring

3) as above but with cast reference number 27B added

4) as above but with raised cast reference number 320 added, replacing number 27B (rare)

5) as above but with raised strengthening plate on both sides of the tow hook

6) as above but with a slightly larger plastic front wheel with a diameter of 11 mm (rare)

7) as above but the drawbar closing clip (tongue) is now secured with a blind rivet and from now on only 2 knobs on the upside of the drawbar are visible – with a smaller plastic front wheel with a diameter of 9 mm

8) as above but with rear wheels with yellow plastic hubs and black rubber tyres – last version tan-red body with red racks – (very scars)

9) as above but with all red painted body with yellow racks

10) as above but with die cast closed drawbar

11) as above but without front wheel under the drawbar

1a. Dinky Toys 27b Harvest Trailer 1st version with brown racks, the drawbar closing clip (tongue) is fixed with a continuous rivet and 3 knobs on the upside of the drawbar are visible, metal front wheel with a diameter of 10 mm

1b) Flat base without reference number - no painting ring - raised tow hook - die cast metal wheels - 3 knobs on the upside of the drawbar are visible – issued with 2 loose die cast metal racks (1st issue brown, 2nd red, 3rd yellow coloured)

2) as above but with painting ring

3) as above but with cast reference number 27B added

4) as above but with raised cast reference number 320 added, replacing number 27B (rare)

5) as above but with raised strengthening plate on both sides of the tow hook

6) as above but with a slightly larger plastic front wheel with a diameter of 11 mm (rare)

7a) as above but the drawbar closing clip (tongue) is now secured with a blind rivet and from now on only 2 knobs on the upside of the drawbar are visible – smaller plastic front wheel with a diameter of 9 mm

7b) as above but the drawbar closing clip (tongue) is now secured with a blind rivet and from now on only 2 knobs on the upside of the drawbar are visible - smaller plastic front wheel with a diameter of 9 mm

8) as above but with rear wheels with yellow plastic hubs and black rubber tyres – last tan-red body version with red racks (very scars)

9) as above but with all red painted body with yellow racks

10) as above but with die cast closed drawbar

11) as above but without front wheel under the drawbar. The latest version.

The photos below shows also the differences between the drawbars of the trailers. From start the drawbar closing clip (tongue) is fixed with a continuous rivet and 3 knobs are visible on the upside of the drawbar. Around the time that the metal front wheel was replaced by a smaller plastic wheel (Photo 7a and 7b) the drawbar closing clip (tongue) is secured with a blind rivet through which from then only 2 knobs are visible on the upside of the drawbar. From start of production the drawbar between the 2 rods are open. From probably around 1966 (as seen in 1966 catalogue) the drawbar was completely closed (Photo 10)

Comparison drawbar with front wheel: left - metal front wheel diameter 10 mm with 3 knobs/rivets on top side; right - smaller plastic front wheel diameter 9 mm with 2 knobs on top side.

Dinky Toys Harvest Trailer - main drawbar versions

The 3 main colour versions.

The first boxes are trade boxes of 3 pieces. Around the renumbering period (ca. 1954) came the yellow red picture end-flap boxes till the end of production.

27b/320 trade box versions (Photo by courtesy of David Busfield DTCA)

320/27b dual numbered picture end-flap box with upright lettering

320 picture end-flap box with upright lettering

320 sided plain end-flap box with Italic lettering. Photo by courtesy of Vectis Auctions.

The latest 320 end-flap picture box with Italic lettering

Normally the drawbar locking clip (tongue) is painted red and the tow hook unpainted. On some later models the tow hook is painted red (fixed before painting – photo 7b) and the front drawbar locking clip (tongue) unpainted (fixed after painting – photo 9, 10 and 11). The paint ring of the trailer normally are inside painted red but some later ones are inside unpainted (photo 9 and 10).

Finally, a photo of my 11 versions Harvest Trailer from left to right in order of release.

Jan Oldenhuis Text and photos updated 11 August 2022.

Variations in the front wheel of this model has not yet been properly highlighted in this forum.

From the start of production, the Harvest Trailers were released with a flat profile metal front wheel with a diameter of 10 mm. The drawbar always had 3 protruding rivets at the top, varying from front to back from large to small.

The 6th version Harvest Trailer was released with a slightly larger plastic front wheel with block tread tyres with a diameter of 11 mm. The drawbar of this version had for the last time 3 protruding rivets on the top. This version was released for a short time and is hard to find.

The 7th version Harvest Trailer was released from now on with a smaller plastic front wheel with block tread tyres with a diameter of 9 mm. The drawbar got from now on only 2 protruding and one flat rivet on the top, because from now on the tongue of the drawbar was fixed with a blind/flat rivet.

The metal front wheels were normally issued in grey, but sometimes in black. The plastic front wheels were always issued in the grey colour.

Dinky Toys Harvest Trailer comparison front wheels in order of release. From left to right: 1) metal wheel diameter 10 mm; 2) plastic wheel diameter 11 mm; 3) plastic wheel diameter 9 mm.

Finally, a photo of my 11 versions Harvest Trailer from left to right in order of release.

Jan Oldenhuis 11 August 2022.

I understand Jonathan's reaction very well, but Jan W's reaction is also justified.

What I think Jan W actually means to say and what I personally find very unfortunate is that of the 319 registered DTCA users only such a small number regularly contribute to the forum about models they own or have acquired. There are always some peculiarities that you encounter or discover or questions you have about a model. In principle, it is not about large numbers of the same model that you must own, nor about specialist Dinky Toys knowledge. It's about the passion for the history and special features of these unique Dinky Toys toy models, which are no longer made so well and which will never come back. Which millions of children from all over the world have played with. Personally, I have deep respect for the Meccano Liverpool Ltd for all they have produced in their long existence. There is so much to tell and discover about by the owners or collectors of these models.

The forum is also intended to share this passion with each other and to support each other with information. You don't need an expensive camera for that either. Everyone has a mobile phone with a good camera these days. You can take pictures at any time and any place. Personally, I've been taking pictures for the forum for a long time with an old HTC mobile phone that I got from my son. So possibilities are always there, even if it is only with a single model. Please don't let anyone feel disadvantaged. We are all Dinky Toys friends among each other and are equal to each other. The passion must be the drive.

It is possible and easy for every DTCA member to make a contribution. Put text in the frame of the forum and you may or may not upload photos. Finished. For those who want to place pictures between the text in the frame, I have written a manual in topic DTCA forum with the title "How to post pictures between the text on this forum".  At this moment there are 1644253 forum visitors!!  So there is definitely interest in reading this forum.

To contribute something alive, I came across this Citroen ID 21F ambulance from 1971 that I photographed last week. It's not quite similar to, but reminded me of Dinky Toys model 556. This kind of related Dinky Toys experiences can also be shared in the forum.

Jan Oldenhuis 14 August 2022.