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New arrivals (cont...)

Dinkinius's picture
Dinkinius
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Terry

After three days, I thought your comments would have resulted in a response from someone apart from me!

There has been a marked reduction in the number of members who help to add something to this great website. (Remember the number of comments that followed its creation after the loss of the old website? How wrong we all were, now that the teething problems have been sorted out with thanks to those dedicated tech-support fellows who have made it all possible. Patience is a virtue!)

As for the minimal participation, I often wonder whether this is as a result of the content of some Posts or whether it is something else. You know my feelings about the amount of chit-chat in the past, but I have mellowed, and now find it refreshing!  One thing I have noticed, is each time I open the website, it invariably shows no member online - a marked difference to the old dtcawebsite.org days when one would find at least one or two other members online.

I hope I see more comments from you on some of those other recent posts - not forgetting any that go back in history!

Kind regards

Bruce   (150)

20160614/942/1907

janwerner's picture
janwerner
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DTCA MemberNetherlands

I agree with you, Bruce. Still, I am convinced that many more enthusiasts, both inside and outside the DTCA, are rather watching than contributing, for various personal reasons. Many will be interested but do not feel the 'urge' to come out. Even I, for me, am only logged in when I am preparing posts, but I do not take the trouble of logging in when merely navigating and reading posts. So being logged in is not the only measure for use of the website. Of course I would also appreciate much more interaction and mutual communication. Are we the only ones that do discoveries, are happy with new additions, have questions, try to reconstruct what happened in the past in Liverpool and Bobigny, simply have fun with our hobby and interest? I second your call for more participation and comments, for the benefit and fun of us all! This is the best online place to exchange and find Dinky information and opinions I know. Kind regards, Jan  

 

alkeeling's picture
alkeeling
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AdministratorAeroplanesPostwarPrewarUK

Now that the summer is here, most websites are going to have reduced traffic as people make the most of the weather.   Plus there are always more lurkers than posters.    I've added a stats panel below New Comments in the side menu.

janwerner's picture
janwerner
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DTCA MemberNetherlands

Thanks Al, that is exactly what I meant with my email to Dave and you, great! Regards, Jan 

Richard's picture
Richard
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DTCA MemberFrance

Hello everyone.

This morning arrived the Peugeot 204 below.

It's an addition, to make the 204 family "made in France" complete. (have a look at the Peugeot 204 topic)

Friendly yours

Richard

janwerner's picture
janwerner
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DTCA MemberNetherlands

Latest addition is this Grue 'Salev', Dinky France no. 50. Some preliminary photos of this first state of 1957 here. The extra packing piece inside did not prevent the handle from piercing the box. Well, a little restoration will no doubt make this minor flaw invisible in the future. Kind regards, Jan 

hoort's picture
hoort
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DTCA MemberNetherlands

At the NAMAC Toyfair in Houten last week I could buy this rare color Aveling Barford Diesel Roller. Far from mint, but when will you find another? I have only seen a  handfull of these on pictures. This is the first one I can hold in my hands. Needless to say I enjoyed Houten very much!

Kind regards,

Rob 

 

janwerner's picture
janwerner
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Hi Rob, thank you for having had the privilege to behold it with my own eyes in Houten.

It was nice to see you so happy with it, despite having so many wonderful items in your collection already! Kind regards, Jan 

janwerner's picture
janwerner
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Just back home, we had a delightful DTCA weekend in Derby. The get together with the fellow DTCA guys was another happy event. Demonstrations, buying and selling, the beers, dinners, the after dinner speech and the AGM itself  were all in a very positive, comradely atmosphere. The limited number of my catalogue supplements sold like hot cakes. I took no photos, they will be published some time, no doubt. 

It has become a tradition to end with a visit to a nearby toyfair on Sunday, this time another visit to the Donington Park Fair. I always try to find one 'souvenir', and succeeded in adding a very affordable excellent boxed cerise no. 107 Sunbeam Alpine Sports, as a companion to my light blue one. Both are the early versions, with the numbers 107 underneath, smooth tyres and the boxes with their correct colour dots. I'm looking forward to next year! Kind regards, Jan 

dinkyfan's picture
dinkyfan
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DTCA MemberUSA

Very nice addition Jan, and it will pair nicely with your light blue one. With the AGM and visits with other fellow collectors, was there any mention of Jacques? I and certainly others must be concerned about the lack of any new updates, and I am quite surprised that his daughter, knowing his lifelong Dinky involvement, has chosen not to communicate further.
Best regards, Terry

janwerner's picture
janwerner
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DTCA MemberNetherlands

Hi Terry, Jacques is not well, still. But I will reply to you in a private email in more detail - not yet done, just back home. Kind regards, Jan 

micromodels's picture
micromodels
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Hi, Just arrived today is this #195 Fire Chief's Range Rover. It is the early metallic red version which I have avoided in the past due to the lack of authenticity.  However, this one I spotted on our local auction site (NZ) - it was the wheels that caught my eye - inappropriate mag style.   It was cheap enough, so...

 

Cheers, Ron F

 

dinkyfan's picture
dinkyfan
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I had an opportunity to purchase a very nice green version of the #110 Aston Martin Racing Car, in the competition livery, and it just arrived yesterday.  Here are a couple of pictures....I will post a more extensive review of this nice model later.

        Best regards,  Terry

 

 

alkeeling's picture
alkeeling
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AdministratorAeroplanesPostwarPrewarUK

I think we all love ebay don't we?  Here is a lagonda in early post war trade box swagged for £28.  Grey body with grey hubs, dark grey interior and silver edged celluloid windscreen.  Not known to Richardson but mentioned in Ramsay with a zero on the end of the price.  Where do they get these from?  

Then a perfect unboxed Castrol tanker courtesy of the local toy shop.

janwerner's picture
janwerner
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DTCA MemberNetherlands

That Lagonda + trade box (or trade box + Lagonda?) is really a bargain, Al! It confuses me a little, because I always thought that the coloured hubs on these models were on later (export) models, whereas the trade box is early (or did this box last for a longer period?). Very fine Castrol Tanker, which possibly came from another trade box. Congrats, kind regards, Jan  

alkeeling's picture
alkeeling
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AdministratorAeroplanesPostwarPrewarUK

I read on the lagonda thread that you and Jacques were saying lagondas with thin screens and coloured hubs were later export products.  I can't find anything in the usual references to back up those statements. What sources were you looking at?

The box came with the car but I cannot say if they were always together.   The Meccano Magazine promised that some Dinky Toys would be available for Christmas 1945.  Judging by the back cover notice, supply struggled throughout most of 1946 even in the months after the new models, of which 38c was the first, were announced.   Thin screens seem to be more common however.  How do we know that the thicker plastic screens were not a short-lived late alteration?

janwerner's picture
janwerner
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DTCA MemberNetherlands

Hi Al, these statements are purely based on models seen and not from the usual reference books, which hardly discuss such topics. I believe the post-war models Terry has in his collection, exclusively imported in the USA and all with coloured hubs, show such a tendency, and coloured hubs are only explicitly shown in post 1952 export catalogues. But these experiences are welcomed to be 'tackled' by contradicting experiences, that's what this forum invites to. It is so difficult to find a kind of chronological structure in the appearances of windows for the 38 series (thick, with or without frames, the thin flimsy ones). My green Lagonda with black ridged hubs has the thick framed windscreen, whereas I once owned a Frazer Nash with later coloured hubs that also had the (silver) framed windscreen. The flimsy, mostly bent downward screens seem to prevail on later coloured hubs models, but ... Yes, it could all be mixed up in the factory. Kind regards, Jan 

john45
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DTCA MemberNetherlands

Hello Al and Jan,

All the 38 models had the slot for the windscreen altered in 1945. We know this from the original drawings. For the Lagonda we have 2 change orders c.o. for the slot.

First length of slot was original .937 and was altered to .900 on the drawing as change order 1640 d.d. 20-12-45.

Width of slot was .025 and was altered to .035 on the drawing as change order 1862 d.d. 30-12-46. This alteration to wider slot is also done on the drawing for Alvis and Sunbeam. So I presume all models with thick windscreen must have been produced from 1946 on.

John.

janwerner's picture
janwerner
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DTCA MemberNetherlands

Hello John, thanks for this basic design information. Do you have pre-war or very early post-war 38 series models in your collection that show the (original) pre-war thin windscreens? Or do others? Possibly there was a mix of thin and thick windscreens from 1946 on, as definite later models do also show the (often bent down) thin (celluloid?) screens.

This is getting a little off-topic, but I don't know where to continue without loss of context.

Kind regards, Jan 

dinkyfan's picture
dinkyfan
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DTCA MemberUSA

I must add that here in the US, I have never seen myself the thicker, silver ridged windscreens. As Jan has already noted, all my examples of the 38 series are the later, export versions, all with colored wheels And the thin plastic windscreens. And it would seem a bit strange if Dinky had produced both versions, given the complexity that would have created. Without proper drawings, this may remain one of those Dinky mysteries!
Best regards, Terry

Dinkinius's picture
Dinkinius
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AustraliaDTCA Member

Terry

I am not certain where the jury is on the thickness and style of the windscreen as I have never seen any of the drawings to which John refers, but my 38e Armstrong-Siddley has the thicker windscreen with silver edging, so I am uncertain where this comes in, but I quite agree with you that Meccano would not have been producing different windscreens for different markets. I am certain the aperture in the base plate would have been designed to cater for any thickness Meccano's suppliers came up with no matter when the thickness of the Perspex changed due to supply uncertainties.

I received mine in 1950 - and I do not think the fact that Australia being a member of the British Commonwealth (Empire in those days!) had anything to do with it!!!  The model must have been one of the first issues after the hubs changed to a different colour other than black and just happened to have been fitted with the thicker, silver-edged windscreens.

Kind regards

Bruce   (150)

20160709/956/1852

Dinkinius's picture
Dinkinius
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AustraliaDTCA Member

I have been keeping the mailman busy these days with the arrival of a number of new acquisitions from France.

Firstly, we have a 666 Missile ERECTING Vehicle with Corporal Missile and Launching Platform.  This model arrived in a far better condition than I was expecting.

As can be seen by the above photograph, the model and box are in virtually mint condition.  The box has no damage to any of the corners which usually suffers from knocks and bangs but it does have an unusual end spot in red! One of the original rubber bands that firmly secure the Missile to the vehicle, placed there by the factory is still intact and untouched although the rubber appears to have become hardened. So there goes any plans of firing the missile!!!

There were also several other surprises, but I will deal with these in the 666 Topic.

Another arrival in the same parcel was a further addition to my Volkswagen Karmann Ghia stable – this one from the French factory and a companion to my first example bought a number of years ago. There is an interesting story to go with this model so watch out for it appearing later in the Forum!

Then there was this 965 Euclid Rear Dump Truck, one of my favourite models as those who have read the Topic on the 965 Euclid will have realised!  This is another one of those with that intriguing green colour spot on the box’s end paper. This acquisition, my 14th Euclid/Terex (“did I read that correctly”, I can hear readers saying to themselves?! Yes – you are correct, my fourteenth!) This example with its box has enabled me to add to the story of the Euclid, and this will eventually appear in the 965 topic.

The last one to be opened is a 481 Bedford 10-cwt Van “Ovaltine”.  Nothing spectacular, but just a companion for my original model that displays much “loving” youthful wear and tear. The Bedford was yet another favourite model for me in the 1950s so it is nice seeing an example in its original, unmarked condition – as mine once was!

 

Actually, the black and white image below shows my original Bedford “Ovaltine” van taken in 1960. I see an Austin Champ in the Used Car yard – Dave B must have traded in his! But what about that Mercedes Benz Racing Car? Who could have taken that one out on the open road, not to mention where is the missus going to sit!

So, quite a mixed bag, none of which are pre-war (sorry about that!) nor are any immediate post war, but none the less, are a welcome addition!

Bruce   (150)

20160709/957/1910

dinkyfan's picture
dinkyfan
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DTCA MemberUSA

Bruce---I would say you have kept the mailman quite busy, and what a "haul" you received! And such a mixed lot....all part of the fun of collecting. And you did get some very nice pieces, and all appear to be in wonderful condition. I have been looking on and off for a Euclid, as I do not have even one version, but I keep seeing some with slight chipping, which really shows with that color.....so I am envious that you have squired away yet another.
Best regards, Terry

janwerner's picture
janwerner
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DTCA MemberNetherlands

Those are nice additions, Bruce! I guess the package that was delivered with me today must have been much smaller than yours. I was still looking out for an orange no. 341 Land Rover Trailer, exactly matching my early 1960s orange Land Rover. Now I found one, with the same hubs, black block treaded tyres and the later deep orange. Most of them have plastic hubs, but this one is a perfect match. 

Also Jim Gamble's 'Frank Hornby - Notes and pictures' arrived the other day. Until I spoke to Jim in person a fortnight ago I was not aware of this very interesting publication about the life of Frank Hornby. Published in 2001 it isn't in print anymore, but copies can be found here and there on the internet. Kind regards, Jan 

dinkyfan's picture
dinkyfan
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DTCA MemberUSA

Jan--A most nice late Land Rover and matching trailer in the late color version.  Here is my similar, but slightly earlier one with the grey radial tread tires.  Do you happen to know the year that change likely took place?

      Best regards,  Terry

 

 

janwerner's picture
janwerner
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DTCA MemberNetherlands

Hi Terry, for all models I prefer the basic issues of which yours is the perfect example, and so is the green one I showed in the background. Nevertheless I liked this later one too, when I found it in an Amsterdam modelshop on the 9th of July 1998 (so it had its re-birthday yesterday). As the long search for the companion trailer confirms, these are slightly harder to find than the basic ones with their round treaded grey tyres. My orange Land Rover has a very shiny smooth base plate and it must be dating from ca. 1962-1963 (first appearance like this in the 1962 catalogue, and before introduction of the plastic hubs). Kind regards, Jan 

By the way, have a look at the odd, never practiced colour finish of the Dodge Farm Produce Wagon on page 13 of the 1962 catalogue!   

Dinkinius's picture
Dinkinius
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AustraliaDTCA Member

Dinkyfan wrote:

Bruce---I would say you have kept the mailman quite busy, and what a "haul" you received! And such a mixed lot....all part of the fun of collecting. And you did get some very nice pieces, and all appear to be in wonderful condition. I have been looking on and off for a Euclid, as I do not have even one version, but I keep seeing some with slight chipping, which really shows with that color.....so I am envious that you have squired away yet another.
Best regards, Terry

Terry

Thank you for your very kind words.  I did have delight in unwrapping each and every one of these models and finding something new or different with them being an added bonus.  As you have probably noticed, the latest Euclid did have a couple of marks on it that can be seen if the picture is enlarged but it was slightly better than the boxed model it will replace.

I read that you are still in the hunt for a near perfect Euclid, and as you correctly stated, these are quite difficult to find in excellent to mint condition.  However, I was not entirely truthful with my statement earlier when I wrote, “This acquisition, (is) my 14th Euclid/Terex”.  That statement was true with my actual collection, but my total holding is in fact twenty-four!  The remaining 10 went through an elimination process and in some cases, the reason these did not meet the cut was most likely the box, rather than the model.  I never swap boxes, as I believe the box in which the model was packaged should remain as one.  Of course I am not privy to any “swaps” that may have taken place, but with the Euclids, I have a number of processes that weed out those that fail with either a wrong box or condition of the model and in the process, occasionally it was almost impossible to decide which to keep and which must go that is true to most of the remaining 10 models.

Jan Werner wrote:

Those are nice additions, Bruce! I guess the package that was delivered with me today must have been much smaller than yours. I was still looking out for an orange no. 341 Land Rover Trailer, exactly matching my early 1960s orange Land Rover. Now I found one, with the same hubs, black block treaded tyres and the later deep orange. Most of them have plastic hubs, but this one is a perfect match. 

Also Jim Gamble's 'Frank Hornby - Notes and pictures' arrived the other day. Until I spoke to Jim in person a fortnight ago I was not aware of this very interesting publication about the life of Frank Hornby. Published in 2001 it isn't in print anymore, but copies can be found here and there on the internet. Kind regards, Jan 

Jan

What more can I say, but thank you for your kind words. Congratulations on finally achieving your goal in locating a 341 Trailer that matches exactly your Land Rover.

I have just checked out amazon.com and nobody seems to hold a copy of Jim Gamble’s book. Not even fishpond or eBay. I have not heard of this book either. So it would be great if you can provide copies of some of its pages by way of a review

On eBay at present is the following book and apologies for the quality of the picture:

The-Toy-Story-The-Life-and-Times-of-Inventor-Frank-Hornby

I am not certain about this book apart from the fact it is on eBay at present for a whopping ₤184.48 from a seller in Shoeburyness, Essex, UK.

Kind regards to you both

Bruce   (150)

20160710/958/2020

janwerner's picture
janwerner
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DTCA MemberNetherlands

Bruce, I see a copy (used, in fine condition) on/via amazon.co.uk, though rather expensive: 129.25 GBP

I bought mine from AbeBooks in Nottingham (the city where it was published in 2001) at 55.00 GBP.

At this moment it is hard for me to make some scans, but as soon as I can I will. Kind regards, Jan 

dinkyfan's picture
dinkyfan
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DTCA MemberUSA

Jan & Bruce---I have that same book as Jan, and I will make some scans tomorrow & post them. I was also able to find my copy in England and think it was about $90 or so. Very happy to have found one so quickly!
Best regards,
Terry

janwerner's picture
janwerner
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DTCA MemberNetherlands

The more common and the cheaper the model, the easier, the more feasible it is to collect many variants. 

Thus, my tenth Large Trailer, no. 551/951/428 arrived yesterday. Two of them being the same this brings my number of variants to nine. This one, regular light grey with red grooved hubs, black painted rear wings, 'unstrengthened' rear wing connection, large radial treaded black tyres, outward fixed drawing bar ends, large black towing hook and 'T' transfer at the rear is likely to date from early 1953.

The ones still to be looked out for: the early yellow one, the early grey one with black hubs, and the later grey examples with cream and blue hubs, preferably in excellent to (near) perfect condition.

Kind regards, Jan   

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