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dinkycollect's picture
dinkycollect
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DTCA MemberFrance

The Journal.

So far, there is no thread for matters concerning the journal. Here you can post anything concerning our magazine, for past and future issues. This thread can also be used as a way to communicate with Mike our editor hoping that he visits the forum sometime.

With the latest issue you have all received the re-print of a Russian Meccano catalogue. Although my russian is limited to tovaritch and vodka, I have tried to date this catalogue and found that it is either 1960, 61 or 62. Can you narrow this to a single year ?

Richard's picture
Richard
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DTCA MemberFrance

Good idea Jacques.
First subject : I did not find in the journal any photo of the Triumph Dolomite for sale for the 100th Binns road anniversary ! Did I miss it and in which Journal issue ?
Cheers
Richard

dinkycollect's picture
dinkycollect
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DTCA MemberFrance

You are right Richard there is no picture, only a flyer included in the July 2014 issue with a description of the model and conditions.

A similar model has been issued by ODGI some years ago.

Jacques.

Dinkinius's picture
Dinkinius
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It is great reading all about the October 2014 issue of The Journal, as we out here in the Antipodes have not received ours as yet! Hopefully my post office box will hold my copy next week, so will have to drive there each day and check it!
I suppose Terry will get his before us anyhow! Aren't you EU folk lucky where you live! (Except winter of course!)
Thanks Jacques for creating the new thread dealing with The Journal.

Dinkinius's picture
Dinkinius
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Eureka! :woohoo: :woohoo:

The October Journal was collected from our post office box this morning - at least twelve days after those in Europe have received their copy!

But it is good to read finally read it - nice to see the item on the forum. Hope this continues.

Bruce

Dinkinius's picture
Dinkinius
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Dinkinius wrote:
"Eureka! :woohoo: :woohoo:

The October Journal was collected from our post office box this morning - at least twelve days after those in Europe have received their copy!

But it is good to finally read the October issue - nice to see the item on the Forum in this website. Hope this continues as a regular feature in The Journal.

Bruce"

Tried to make a correction/edit to my last post, but each time the link brought me back to the list of threads. I could edit, if i wanted to, my previous post, but not this one for some obscure reason. At least I have corrected the quote now in this post!

dinkycollect's picture
dinkycollect
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DTCA MemberFrance

Bruce,

When the next Journal is issued, make me remember to email you a copy. I always scan every issue that I keep on a CD for the new members. This CD contains all the Journals from issue one.

Jacques.

Dinkinius's picture
Dinkinius
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dinkycollect wrote:
"So far, there is no thread for matters concerning the journal. Here you can post anything concerning our magazine, for past and future issues. This thread can also be used as a way to communicate with Mike our editor hoping that he visits the forum sometime.

With the latest issue you have all received the re-print of a Russian Meccano catalogue. Although my russian is limited to tovaritch and vodka, I have tried to date this catalogue and found that it is either 1960, 61 or 62. Can you narrow this to a single year ?"

Jacques

The year would be 1961 when Meccano had a stand at the British Trade Fair "recently held" in Moscow. I have an announcement to this effect in the Bulletin to Meccano Dealers dated 26 June 1961.

I will get around to scanning the Bulletin and sharing it with the readership if interested.

The Healey Boat and trailer included in the brochure would indicate the commencement of the preparation of the leaflet after September 1960.

The British Trade Fair was mentioned in the August 1961 issue of Meccano Magazine with the fair having opened on 19 May 1961. So, the Russian leaflet was one of a couple that was distributed during the Fair, with limitations being introduced due to the leaflets' popularity.

Bruce

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janwerner
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It would be appreciated indeed if an inserted bonus like this is accompanied by an article or at least a short explanation of a few lines in The Journal, including the year of publication for instance. Certainly if it's an unusual item like this. Or did I overlook? (I did not read every letter yet) It appears to me that there is no real hurry with including a nice leaflet like this, so the editor might better wait for a next Journal to have it explained, in this case perhaps by someone of the HRCA involved. I wonder if it was explained in their journal. A reference to that or just copying it would have sufficed. May be next time?
Kind regards, Jan

dinkycollect's picture
dinkycollect
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DTCA MemberFrance

Dear Jan,

Many thanks for finding this informatiion in the Meccano Magazine. There must still be some things to find in the M.M. but who would have cared about this article if we did not have the Russian leaflet and if Jan would not have mentioned it ?

The exhibition was probably part of an anti-comunist scheme part of the cold war like the French exhibition held in Moscow a few weeks before. On this exhibition, there was a book case full of books and by the first evening, all the books has been stolen. The people responsible for that display realised that the russians wanted to find information about the western free world. A special flight was ordered from Paris to bring a load of books to Moscow overnight. The book case was refilled constantly and left without attention on purpose.

Distribution of thousands of Meccano leaflets may have had the same purpose, to inform the young russians about what was available on this side of the iron curtain.

The article in the M.M. ends with : "but if outside reasons should prevent the full commercial developement which would satisfy the Russian demand, some satisfaction at least will be felt in the fact that an improved understanding, and better human relations, will certainly result from this adventure in far away places."

This was not the case, as a few days after this article was written, I could witness the wall of shame been erected in Berlin.

Have Meccano products ever been sold in the Soviet Union ? This leaflet does not prove it.

Dinkinius's picture
Dinkinius
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AustraliaDTCA Member

dinkycollect wrote:
"Dear Jan,

Many thanks for finding this informatiion in the Meccano Magazine. There must still be some things to find in the M.M. but who would have cared about this article if we did not have the Russian leaflet and if Jan would not have mentioned it ?

The exhibition was probably part of an anti-comunist scheme part of the cold war like the French exhibition held in Moscow a few weeks before. On this exhibition, there was a book case full of books and by the first evening, all the books has been stolen. The people responsible for that display realised that the russians wanted to find information about the western free world. A special flight was ordered from Paris to bring a load of books to Moscow overnight. The book case was refilled constantly and left without attention on purpose.

Distribution of thousands of Meccano leaflets may have had the same purpose, to inform the young russians about what was available on this side of the iron curtain.

The article in the M.M. ends with : "but if outside reasons should prevent the full commercial developement which would satisfy the Russian demand, some satisfaction at least will be felt in the fact that an improved understanding, and better human relations, will certainly result from this adventure in far away places."

This was not the case, as a few days after this article was written, I could witness the wall of shame been erected in Berlin.

Have Meccano products ever been sold in the Soviet Union ? This leaflet does not prove it."

Jacques

I thought Jan would have responded to this post from you, but it was ME, who found the Meccano article, as well as provided you with an initial answer to your question as to what year the leaflet would have been produced.

This is what I wrote in my previous post

Jacques

The year would be 1961 when Meccano had a stand at the British Trade Fair "recently held" in Moscow. I have an announcement to this effect in the Bulletin to Meccano Dealers dated 26 June 1961.

I will get around to scanning the Bulletin and sharing it with the readership if interested.

The Healey Boat and trailer included in the brochure would indicate the commencement of the preparation of the leaflet after September 1960.

The British Trade Fair was mentioned in the August 1961 issue of Meccano Magazine with the fair having opened on 19 May 1961. So, the Russian leaflet was one of a couple that was distributed during the Fair, with limitations being introduced due to the leaflets' popularity.

Bruce

Dinkinius's picture
Dinkinius
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AustraliaDTCA Member

janwerner wrote:
"It would be appreciated indeed if an inserted bonus like this is accompanied by an article or at least a short explanation of a few lines in The Journal, including the year of publication for instance. Certainly if it's an unusual item like this. Or did I overlook? (I did not read every letter yet) It appears to me that there is no real hurry with including a nice leaflet like this, so the editor might better wait for a next Journal to have it explained, in this case perhaps by someone of the HRCA involved. I wonder if it was explained in their journal. A reference to that or just copying it would have sufficed. May be next time?
Kind regards, Jan"

Jan

I presume your comments are to be directed to Jacques as all I did was provide an answer to a question from Jacques and to carry out further investigations into the British Trade Fair, based on a Meccano Dealer Bulletin in my collection that mentions this event and attached the result of my investigation being a copies from the August 1961 Meccano Magazine.

On reading your post I felt as if "someone was shooting the messenger"!! :laugh: :laugh:

Kind regards

Bruce

dinkycollect's picture
dinkycollect
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DTCA MemberFrance

Dear Bruce,

I am very sorry for my mistake, I have mistaken the authors of posts. So many thanks for puting things right and for finding the exact date of the Russian flyer and providing the reference to the Meccano Magazine which explains this flyer with accuracy. I did not mean to shoot any body, specially not those who bring important data to our knowledge.

It would be interesting to see also the article in the Meccano dealers news buletin. I have scans of several of the equivalent French Catalogues d

buzzer999's picture
buzzer999
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DTCA MemberUK

It is now a month since the Journal containing the reference to items on the website appeared, sadly the response to what I put in the Journal has been absolutely nothing.

Sadly this is EXACTLY the level of response I anticipated.

I will try for a couple more Journal issues but if the interest remains the same someone else will have to take up this initiative.

Dave

janwerner's picture
janwerner
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DTCA MemberNetherlands

Hi Dave, apparently no one - but us - has a computer. ;)
Perhaps the answers will be sent, as usual, to the Journal editor and will be printed on familiar paper. :(
Kind regards, Jan

buzzer999's picture
buzzer999
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DTCA MemberUK

I never got answers sent to me when I was the Editor for four years, I got no support from the committee whatsoever. They were happy to send articles to Model Collector but NEVER EVER sent anything to me.

I guess NOTHING HAS CHANGED!!!!!!

Dave

Dinkinius's picture
Dinkinius
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AustraliaDTCA Member

buzzer999 wrote:
"I never got answers sent to me when I was the Editor for four years, I got no support from the committee whatsoever. They were happy to send articles to Model Collector but NEVER EVER sent anything to me.

I guess NOTHING HAS CHANGED!!!!!!

Dave"

Dave

I suppose it is easier for me to make suggestions, being so far away from the coal-face, but perhaps there is an urgent need to examine the entire committee of the DTCA, and hopefully institute some changes at the next annual general meeting when positions come up for re-election. But to achieve this, there would need to be more present who would like to see a change to the current arrangement. I too am quite surprised with the number of articles that have appeared in MC without first appearing in The Journal. Perhaps a payment for their effort is more attractive. However as an ordinary member whose interest goes back to the days before the formation of the DTCA when I was invited to participate in its formation I am very surprised over the lack of apparent interest in the Forum by most committee members. It does have the appearance of "them" and "the rest of us"!

One thing I do find "unusual" is the Association having a deceased person as a Patron. Surely there is a better way of achieving long-term recognition.

Finally with one of The Forum's constant contributors, Jan is in an excellent position to convey a message to the committee in his capacity as the Honorary Life Vice President, of which I am sure he has done so. As I see it, we have two DTCA operating - off-line and online!

Bruce

janwerner's picture
janwerner
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DTCA MemberNetherlands

As I posted some time before, I have asked in the last AGM to have an opportunity to demonstrate the site and its discussions, and I got that opportunity, but virtually no one was interested, everyone looking at 'real' things like Dinky Toys exhibited, but 'virtual' things had no interest.
I could be frustated (and I was a little bit, Dave and I having been very active for a long time filling and propagating the site), but I think we should not despair, that's enough, things are the way they are and one cannot force things if they are not in people's minds, even of the board. And let's patiently await the results of Dave's initiatives in the issues to come. I still adhere to the 'harmony model' in these matters. As you can see in the statistics the activities here are increasing in a very positive way and so is interest from outside. And we have fun, don't we?
By the way, I hope you don't mind that I happen to have written a contribution for MC, to be published in the January issue! I like some variation! I also contribute to other model forums.
But do not despair, I am writing another article for The Journal at this moment! (besides, I have never written anything for money, I only write for a lot of fun and usefulness).
Kind regards, Jan

Dinkinius's picture
Dinkinius
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AustraliaDTCA Member

Dinkinius wrote:
"dinkycollect wrote:
"So far, there is no thread for matters concerning the journal. Here you can post anything concerning our magazine, for past and future issues. This thread can also be used as a way to communicate with Mike our editor hoping that he visits the forum sometime.

With the latest issue you have all received the re-print of a Russian Meccano catalogue. Although my russian is limited to tovaritch and vodka, I have tried to date this catalogue and found that it is either 1960, 61 or 62. Can you narrow this to a single year ?"

Jacques

The year would be 1961 when Meccano had a stand at the British Trade Fair "recently held" in Moscow. I have an announcement to this effect in the Bulletin to Meccano Dealers dated 26 June 1961.

I will get around to scanning the Bulletin and sharing it with the readership if interested.

The Healey Boat and trailer included in the brochure would indicate the commencement of the preparation of the leaflet after September 1960.

The British Trade Fair was mentioned in the August 1961 issue of Meccano Magazine with the fair having opened on 19 May 1961. So, the Russian leaflet was one of a couple that was distributed during the Fair, with limitations being introduced due to the leaflets' popularity.

Bruce
"

Greetings all

I have deleted the Meccano Magazine copies in the above quote as these can be viewed elsewhere in this thread.
However, the following is an excerpt from the Meccano Trade Bulletin dated 26 June 1961. This covers the Trade Fair held in Moscow, and how the demand for leaflets (of which is one that the HRCA reprinted) and booklets "was on a scale never before encountered in any part of the world."
Also worthy of note is the comments from the Russians themselves who "found it hard to believe that models of such accuracy and fine finish were primarily intended as toys".

Kind regards

Bruce (150)

janwerner's picture
janwerner
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DTCA MemberNetherlands

Hi Bruce, this is very interesting! I presume that about 0,5% of the Soviet population might have been able to afford buying Meccano products, the elite. That may be why we never heard of such an adventure into the Soviet Union anymore.
As a - be it one-way - cross-over to The Journal it would be extremely interesting and useful in my opinion to have this page on readable or even full format published in The Journal, as an up till now wanting comment to the reproduction folder in the last issue. Perhaps some views and considerations could be included. Just a thought ...
Kind regards, Jan

buzzer999's picture
buzzer999
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DTCA MemberUK

I know I have said this before but committee members should be committed to the furtherance and continual improvement of the club.

They are supposed to be the guardians.

The internet is such a vital part of every organisation now that they surely have a duty of care to ensure everything on the website is being conducted correctly.

Some of them have not even logged on in over three years!!!!!!!!!!!

Dave

dinkyfan's picture
dinkyfan
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DTCA MemberUSA

Dave--we have discussed this before, and, to me, it is almost criminal that the committee and board members do not at least log on to the site once in a while to see what is going on there. Surely, even they must understand that the future of this and other hobbies is strongly tied to the internet and technology, and not following it is akin to putting your head in the sand. I just don't understand it.........
Best regards,
Terry

starni999
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DTCA MemberUK

Hi all,
I'm guessing that most of the committee are the type of blokes who said "Clockwork Hornby Trains are the only real ones, these bloody electric things are all very well but they'll never catch on you know."
:P
Chris Warr.

buzzer999's picture
buzzer999
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DTCA MemberUK

Chris is absolutely right here, these guys go down to the newsagents and buy ink for their quill pens!!

We had a superb Chairman in David Dawson and when I was the editor David and I tried desparately to modernise the DTCA, it was just not going to be allowed and David walked away very disheartened not long after so did I.

The committee are now happy because they can stroke each others egos ( and there are a couple of massively huge ones0 and pontificate for ever.

A specific case in point; three years ago I asked them to by a small PA system to improve the clarity of the speakers, and enable everyone to hear properly, at the AGM. The DTCA is VERY CASH RICH for a small club and they still have not bought one.

I would love to take a more active role in the organisation but I do not like to try to push a piece of string uphill.

Dave

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Richard
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DTCA MemberFrance

Hi Guys.
If nobody is happy with this committee, I see two possibilities : Either a negative vote at the time of the annual assembly or the creation of a new club !
Cheers.

Dinkinius's picture
Dinkinius
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AustraliaDTCA Member

janwerner wrote:
"Hi Bruce, this is very interesting! I presume that about 0,5% of the Soviet population might have been able to afford buying Meccano products, the elite. That may be why we never heard of such an adventure into the Soviet Union anymore.
As a - be it one-way - cross-over to The Journal it would be extremely interesting and useful in my opinion to have this page on readable or even full format published in The Journal, as an up till now wanting comment to the reproduction folder in the last issue. Perhaps some views and considerations could be included. Just a thought ...
Kind regards, Jan"

Jan
I can forward you a better/larger quality image of the item in the Meccano Trade Bulletin, as the one I have attached is at the maximum - in fact normally I attach images at a size of 800. The website did not like that size with this Bulletin, so I had to reduce it in order for the website to accept it.
Be it as it may, I can send you a larger image direct to your email address which I presume to be the same as that in The Journal as I fully endorse what you are saying - provide some explanation in The Journal as to the reason we all received this Russian language leaflet together with all the material I and others have already provided in this forum thread.
Bruce
(150)

Dinkinius's picture
Dinkinius
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AustraliaDTCA Member

buzzer999 wrote:
"I know I have said this before but committee members should be committed to the furtherance and continual improvement of the club.

They are supposed to be the guardians.

The internet is such a vital part of every organisation now that they surely have a duty of care to ensure everything on the website is being conducted correctly.

Some of them have not even logged on in over three years!!!!!!!!!!!

Dave"

dinkyfan wrote:
"Dave--we have discussed this before, and, to me, it is almost criminal that the committee and board members do not at least log on to the site once in a while to see what is going on there. Surely, even they must understand that the future of this and other hobbies is strongly tied to the internet and technology, and not following it is akin to putting your head in the sand. I just don't understand it.........
Best regards,
Terry"

STARNI999 wrote:
"Hi all,
I'm guessing that most of the committee are the type of blokes who said "Clockwork Hornby Trains are the only real ones, these bloody electric things are all very well but they'll never catch on you know."
:P
Chris Warr."

Good morning chaps

I am quoting all the above previous posts as I feel that there does appear to be a real problem with the committee, especially if matters of concern have been raised and nothing has resulted with those concerns. One would have thought that most on the committee would take a moment or two from their busy lives to contribute something to this website. I have said this before but as an ordinary member, I have been slack with this forum, but an executive in any club/association has to be "seen" by the general membership of making a contribution, as that is their role - to nurture and foster the organisation on a continual basis and that means this forum. We are blessed with the Internet and especially to PG and the design of this website and we all have to move into the 21st century, and take full advantage of this marvelous tool that provides a tangible means of disseminating information on Dinky Toys.

I presume all on the executive are elected, so if a change is needed, and looking from the sidelines and reading those posts from those who know, then when these positions come up for re-election, bring about a change - nominate and attend! I would be over there in a flash - if I can find some kindhearted benefactor to fund my airfare!! :laugh: :laugh:

It is in the hands of the ordinary membership to effect any change thought necessary.

Regards from Down Under

Bruce(150)

dinkycollect's picture
dinkycollect
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DTCA MemberFrance

Jan
I can forward you a better/larger quality image of the item in the Meccano Trade Bulletin, as the one I have attached is at the maximum - in fact normally I attach images at a size of 800. The website did not like that size with this Bulletin, so I had to reduce it in order for the website to accept it.
Be it as it may, I can send you a larger image direct to your email address which I presume to be the same as that in The Journal as I fully endorse what you are saying - provide some explanation in The Journal as to the reason we all received this Russian language leaflet together with all the material I and others have already provided in this forum thread.
Bruce
(150)

Bruce,

I have noticed that sometime the site will reject 800 pixels pictures but if you try again, it will accept them.

Why not scan all the pages of your bulletin at scale 1/1 and distribute it to the members who request it by email ? I would be very pleased to see what this document contains.

The French "catalogues d

janwerner's picture
janwerner
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DTCA MemberNetherlands

Hi Bruce, of course I would appreciate that full size file very much. Nevertheless, wouldn't it be nice that you send yourself the image to the editor of the Journal as well, possibly accompanied by some explanatory remarks? That would be the comment that we all would have liked to have been included in the previous Journal.
As pixel size is concerned, it is a bit confusing that in fact the maximum file size and not necessarily the maximum pixel size seems to be the limit of acceptation. So a maximum image size of 800 pixels wide may be a kind of 'advise', but still that may exceed, or on the other hand be far under, the maximum file size accepted. For instance, pure black and white pictures tend to be much smaller in file size of course.
To be frank, I always use 640 pixel width for my images uploaded here, that is always safe, but, more important, exceeding that width means that some browsers do not show the column on the right of it, so that you miss that information (the author).
Kind regards, Jan

buzzer999's picture
buzzer999
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DTCA MemberUK

With regard to writing articles about Dinky Toys I have now started doing this again, now that things have quietened down after writing and producing my book.

What I do is with the purely Dinky articles I submit them to both the DTCA and to Model Collector, both editors are happy with this as they do not see any conflict between the two publications, this is an ideal world. It would be really nice if members of the DTCA committee did the same.

If I am writing something about various toy companies, I recently did an article on Austin Champs (Dinky, Britains, Benbros etc) I only send it to Model Collector. I will be doing an article soon on the Centurion Tank (Dinky, Britains, Matchbox etc.) this will also be going to MC.

This way I feel I can support the DTCA, and also the wider collecting world.

The greater the readership the more chance there is of valuable feedback which helps every one of us, and hopefully increases our knowledge base.

Sadly it looks as if Talk Model Toys has ceased this is a real shame as there was an absolute wealth of information on there, I hope I am wrong and it reurns in another guise.

Dave

dinkyfan's picture
dinkyfan
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DTCA MemberUSA

Dave
I, for one, will be glad to see more of your wonderful articles and stories about die cast models and Dinky's, and I will be very interested to read of those comparisons between the various competing firms.
You, Jan, and others speak of other model publications, such as Model Collector. I have never subscribed to any of those.......what do you think of them, how often are they published, and are there others to consider as well? I am assuming they cover the whole realm of model collecting, whereas my main interest is Dinky's up until about 1960; do they have much focus on that, or is most of it newer and other makes? Thanks!!

Best regards,
Terry

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